Stephen Katz Timeline & Summary

Stephen Katz hears that his old friend Bill Bryson is hiking the Appalachian Trail and decides to join him.
They meet up and take a plane down to Georgia, where they begin their hike.
Katz has a very difficult time and frequently begs Bryson to let him leave the trail.
After a few weeks, Katz is forced to return home to start a new job. While working there, he starts drinking again, which is really bad because he's an ex-alcoholic.
Bryson learns this and is furious. Katz explains that he only drinks because he is so lonely.
During the next leg of their hike, Katz gets lost. It takes him some time to return to the trail but he reunites with Bryson the next day.
Horrified by his near-death experience, Katz decides to quite the trail for good.