Welcome to the world of the Appalachian Trail. Every year, thousands of pilgrims arrive at Georgias Springer Mountain and set off with hopes of reaching Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Roughly ten percent ever complete the journey. Its more than likely that in the ATs long, storied history, Walter is the first person to thru-hike against his will. He is out-of-shape, out-of-sorts and, now that his wife has decided enough is enough, hes out of the house too. Its that classic scenario: Hike or ELSE! Since the poor, morose Walter cant figure an ELSE he sets off on the longest walk of his life. While braving the great Eastern woods, Walter meets an eclectic cast of hopeful thru-hikers. As they journey northward, this rollicking band suffers through every hardship that Americas premiere hiking trail can throw at them. It isnt long before Walter is looking at life through new eyes and just maybe for the first time in forever, starting to feel better about the world and his place in it. But no way is that alone going to be enough to get him to Maine.