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Jeffrey H. Ryan Hiker Author Photographer Speaker Podcaster Director

My 30 years on the Appalachian Trail

Author Jeffrey Ryan will visit the Raymond Village Library to share his Appalachian Trail adventures spanning half a lifetime. Ryan has hiked over 8,000 miles on America’s trails including the Pacific Crest Trail, the New England Trail and many more. In 1985, he started “inadvertently” hiking the Appalachian Trail with a friend, an adventure that […]

39th annual ALDHA Gathering

The 39th annual Gathering of long-distance hikers, friends, and A.T. dreamers will reconvene on Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 8-11, 2021 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia. The Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association is to: Represent and promote the welfare of the Appalachian long-distance hiking community; Provide service in a cooperative spirit […]

Studio interview with USFWS

Photo of USFWS Interview with Jeffrey Ryan, author of Appalachian Odyssey and Blazing Ahead

USFWS Historian Dr. Mark Madison graciously invited me to their TV studio on the campus of the National Conservation Training Center to discuss my books, Appalachian Odyssey and Blazing Ahead (recently named a finalist for the 2018 Maine Literary Awards). I really enjoyed this chance to chat about the books. As a side benefit, I was able to delve into the […]

Two More Wisconsin Appearances!

Wrapping up week one of my Wisconsin book tour (appearances in Baraboo and Elm Grove) and gearing up for another fun week. I’ll be at the Hawthorne Branch of the Madison Public Library on Monday, October 23 and the Fond Du Lac Public Library on October 25. The weather has been fantastic for fall hiking and […]

Free shipping on signed books through Aug 31

Book cover of Blazing Ahead: Benton MacKaye, Myron Avery and the Rivalry that Built the Appalachian Trail, by Jeffrey H. Ryan

My latest book, Blazing Ahead, has just rolled off the presses and will be in stores soon. To celebrate, I’m offering signed copies of Blazing Ahead and Appalachian Odyssey with free shipping through the end of August. Please use promo code AUGFREE when you check out.

Kudos for Appalachian Odyssey

A view from Skyline Drive

“I like wandering through the woods and doing some light hiking, but I have absolutely no desire to camp out anywhere that doesn’t involve a cabin, a bed, and a hot shower. So it may surprise people that I thoroughly enjoyed a memoir about hiking the Appalachian Trail. But I did!” — The Book Fetish […]

Recent reviews

“You have to give Jeff Ryan credit for his determination, stamina, and love of the outdoors. … He loved every hike, and that love and enjoyment comes through in his book, Appalachian Odyssey, published by Down East Books.” — George Smith, Bangor Daily News “Wonderful read; engaging story.  Live the trail; read this book.” — Rich K. […]

Why I U-turned back to Sedona

Photo of Hangover Trail, Sedona, AZ

Sedona. I first heard the name when I was painting a house for an elderly couple in Maine a few decades ago. It’s not unusual for people to escape Maine winters. What stuck in my mind was their destination of choice and the effect it had on them. As soon as they would say the […]