Jennifer Pharr Davis is an American long-distance hiker, an author, a speaker, a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, and an ambassador for the American Hiking Society. She has hiked more than fourteen thousand miles on six different continents. In 2011, Pharr Davis set the unofficial record for the fastest thru hike of the Appalachian Trail with a time of 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes, an average of 47 miles a day, a record she held for four years. Pharr Davis lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, Brew, and their daughter and son, Charley and Gus.
Praise for The Pursuit of Endurance
“Nothing short of inspiring . . . A must-read for anyone
wanting to start working at the big dreams they have up their
sleeves.”
—The Trek
“Jennifer Pharr Davis is an understated hero who matched the speed
and endurance of some of the country’s best male
ultrarunners—professional athletes with corporate sponsorships and
well-financed expeditions—all on her own and with relatively little
fanfare. A fascinating read, and a testament to the fortitude of an
extraordinary woman.”
—Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner and New York Times bestselling
author
“There’s no better guide through the scientific and psychological
tangles of extreme hiking than Jennifer Pharr Davis. She knows
because she lived it.”
—Ben Montgomery, author of Grandma Gatewood’s Walk
“Jennifer Pharr Davis eloquently reminds us that the feats of
endurance we accomplish on the trail build the character to muscle
through all of life’s ups and downs.”
—Kathryn Van Waes, executive director, American Hiking Society
“A fascinating look at how the world’s most famous long-distance
hiking trail has challenged and transformed a cast of unique and
diverse individuals, shining a light on the inherent gender
equality of men and women pursuing the elusive Fastest Known
Time.”
—Ron Tipton, former executive director of the Appalachian Trail
Conservancy
“Jennifer Pharr Davis shows us that a love for nature is not
predicated on a specific speed or distance but through authentic
outdoor experiences. Those of us who go outdoors are united by more
commonalities than the activities that divide us, and she reminds
us that all of life—and conservation—is an effort of
endurance.”
—Chuck McGrady, president of the Sierra Club 1998–2000
“At times reminiscent of the writings of such travel memoirists as
Cheryl Strayed and Bill Bryson, this inspiring work could become a
regular companion for distance hikers or, indeed, for anyone
embarking on a personal challenge.”
—Publishers Weekly
“[Jennifer Pharr Davis’s] natural storytelling ability and a
charming cast of characters in the form of spirited hiking mentors
make the pages fly in this accessible handbook, which reads less
like a step-by-step instruction manual and more like an empowering
blueprint to building one's own endurance. A captivating narrative
guidebook that will inspire readers to test their own limits, on
the trail and off.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Whatever stamina may look like to readers, The Pursuit of
Endurance will prove an inspirational and educational
read.”
—Shelf Awareness
“A provocative exploration into what motivates people to endure . .
. Davis’s unique perspective, and the lessons she shares are
applicable to personal experiences as well as athletic
endeavors.”
—Booklist
“For readers interested in hiking, endurance sports, or anyone with
a strong drive to do something different. A truly inspiring
read.”
—Library Journal
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