Mountaineers Books
Thirst

By the age of 25, Heather Anderson had completed the "Triple Crown" of long-distance backpacking—the Appalachian Trail (AT), Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and Continental Divide Trail (CDT)—covering a staggering 7,900 miles with over a million feet of elevation gain. But her journey didn’t end there. Leaving behind a conventional life, she returned to the wilderness, seeking something deeper.

In Thirst: 2600 Miles to Home, Anderson, known on the trails as "Anish," shares not just her incredible feats of endurance, but also her personal journey of resilience and self-discovery. Facing pain, fear, and solitude, she finds strength in the struggle and meaning beyond the miles. Her story is a testament to the rewards of perseverance, community, and the courage to chase what truly fulfills us.

A record-setting thru-hiker, Anderson was the first woman to hold the overall self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail and has completed the "Double Triple Crown" of backpacking—hiking the AT, PCT, and CDT twice each. With more than 20,000 trail miles under her belt, plus achievements in ultramarathons and mountaineering, she continues to redefine what’s possible in endurance sports.