Join us for a conversation with Dr. Kip Redick from Christopher Newport University, about walking the Appalachian Trail as a Spiritual practice. 

KIP REDICK TAKES US ON A RESTORATIVE ENDEAVOR AND A JOURNEY OF MEANING MAKING, IN HIS EXPLORATION OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL AS A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY. WITH EVERY TURN OF THE PAGE, REDICK RECOUNTS A FASCINATING JOURNEY OF SPIRITUAL AWAKENING AS HE AND OTHERS ENGAGE WITH ALL CONSTITUENTS OF THE TRAIL—BOTH HUMAN AND NON-HUMAN. WILDERNESS RAMBLERS, LONG DISTANCE HIKERS AND WALKERS, SPIRITUAL PILGRIMS, RELIGIOUS SCHOLARS, PHILOSOPHERS, AND SOCIAL SCIENTISTS ALIKE WILL FIND THIS VOLUME MOST ILLUMINATING.” — Kristi McLeod, Marshall University

“WITH ITS FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL RAMBLING AND FINDING FELLOWSHIP WITH NATURE IN SACRED SPACES, AMERICAN CAMINO IS A BOOK WHOSE TIME HAS COME. KIP REDICK IS INSPIRED BY THE IDEA THAT WE CAN GIVE BACK TO NATURE THROUGH BOTH REVERENCE AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES. AS A TRUE PILGRIMAGE OR SACRED JOURNEY, THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL IS PERSONALLY TRANSFORMATIVE, BUT IN THESE PAGES WE ALSO COME TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT PROVIDES AN AVENUE FOR THINKING ABOUT, AND ACTING UPON, THE VERY SURVIVAL OF OUR PLANET.” — IAN S. MCINTOSH, FOUNDER OF THE SACRED JOURNEY'S PROJECT

“AMONG THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF APPALACHIAN TRAIL LONG-DISTANCE HIKERS, REDICK IS UNIQUE. SEARCHING FOR THE COMMONALITY AND THE SUBLIME IN THE BANAL EXPERIENCE OF PUTTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER REQUIRES THE PATIENCE AND INSIGHT OF A UNIQUE SCHOLAR WITH MUCH PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE. HAVING BEEN IMMERSED IN HIKING LITERATURE FOR HALF A CENTURY. I AM GLAD TO HAVE ENLISTED REDICK AS MY GUIDE IN THIS FUN AND PROFOUND QUEST FOR MEANING ON THE TRAIL. YOU WILL NOT FIND MANY BETTER COMPANIONS.” - LARRY LUXENBERG, AUTHOR OF WALKING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL AND PRESIDENT OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL MUSEUM SOCIETY

Sponsored by the Department of Sociology & Anthropology, the Department of Humanities, and the Department of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences.

Light refreshments provided.