Nobody expects a runaway to hide on the Appalachian Trail.
    Don Gallagher, 16, joins a springtime migration of backpackers. They trek northbound in Georgia.
    Hikers nickname him Chuckaboo.
    Pent up frustration has led him to the mountains. He’s boycotting home. He will not return unless that skin-headed couch potato—also known as Mom’s boyfriend—moves out.
     Chuckaboo struggles to keep his background a secret. Food and cash are in short supply. The prospect of hunger weighs on his mind.
    A hiker named Zigzag, 21, takes Chuckaboo under his wing. They form an alliance. Chuckaboo welcomes the union. His ally helps out with food.
    Chuckaboo soon grows uneasy. There is something sketchy about Zigzag. Later, unease turns into alarm.
    The novel depicts the realities of long-distance hiking. There's exhaustion, deprivation, and unsavory conditions. Misery with scenery.
    Also featured is the social scene on the trail. Chuckaboo's character is molded not only by nature, but by fellow backpackers.