Jeff Alt is a hiker whose hobby has gone wild. He's ready to hit the trail at the drop of a hat, whether it's a day trip around the Cleveland Metroparks or a months-long journey on the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail, or entertain could-be hikers at appearances around the country.
Jeff Alt is a hiker whose hobby has gone wild. He's ready to hit the trail at the drop of a hat, whether it's a day trip around the Cleveland Metroparks or a months-long journey on the 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail, or entertain could-be hikers at appearances around the country.
"I love hiking and I love sharing stories," said Alt, 43, the award-winning author of "A Walk for Sunshine."
The book is a collection of tales gleaned from his 1998 hike of the Appalachian Trail. An easy, interesting read, Alt found plenty of humor in a physically demanding adventure that included bedding down with a skunk, being chased by a bull and charged by a black bear.
Alt is sharing his experiences at a free 2 p.m. presentation on Saturday (Oct. 23) at Ohio Books a Million in Fairview Park.
Award-winning author and avid hiker Jeff Alt is featured Saturday at at 2 p.m. at Ohio Books A Million in Fairview Park.
"I'm bringing lots of slides, music and tips on hiking gear," said Alt, 43, a Toledo native who is a speech therapist in the Cincinnati area.
"My goal is to inspire others to take up hiking, and to take their kids outdoors."
While only about two or three of every 10 hikers on the Appalachian Trail complete the 2,160-mile journey, Alt had a special incentive.
He was hiking to raise funds for the Sunshine Home in Maumee, Ohio, a care center where his brother, Aaron Alt, 36, lives. Aaron has cerebral palsy and is unable to speak or walk.
"The Sunshine Home has been wonderful for him, and I wanted to help," said Alt.
Alt's Appalachian Trail hike brought in $16,000 for the Sunshine Home. He helps sponsor annual Sunshine Hikes in the Maumee area that have raised more than $180,000.
Alt convinced his wife, Beth, to hike with him on California's 215-mile John Muir Trail, a difficult but spectacular trek from Yosemite National Park to Mt. Whitney in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that resulted in a second book, "A Hike for Mike."
"Beth is athletic, but favored hotels and beaches," said Alt, with a laugh. "After two weeks on the trail, she'd gotten past the grime, and was almost used to towlettes instead of hot showers."
Alt is passionate about the need for children to hike and experience the outdoors. His daughter, Madison, 6, joined them at 23 months old as they walked from town to town along Ireland's Atlantic Coast. William, 3, was on his father's back at eight weeks of age as Alt revisited a stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
"You need to get the kids out and hiking at a young age," Alt said. "Start with after-dinner walks. If the older kids love electronic gadgets, get a GPS unit or a pedometer to carry along. Hiking is the cheapest form of exercise and entertainment for the entire family."
Alt has enjoyed exotic hikes, and while his 50-pound backpack is always packed, he says new hikers should start close to home.
"Cleveland is a gem in the rough," Alt said. "It's easy to find a fun trail to hike in the Cleveland Metroparks or the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I'll have free trail maps of both areas available on Saturday, so I can tell people, 'Take a hike, and here are some great local trails I've enjoyed that you can, too.'"