Over the course of five years of Saturday hiking, Pat and Nancy grappled with their demons and their aspirations, forged a profound friendship, and uncovered the kind of inner strength needed to make one's way up an ice-covered rock face or along a wind-whipped cliff's edge.

They set up a website (its-not-about-the-hike.com) and began posting reports on each hike. And for the past two years, Nancy and Pat have enthralled audiences across New England with the stories and lessons learned on their five-year journey up and over 190 mountains in New England through inspirational presentations. Now, Nancy has turned it all into a wonderful book - IT'S NOT ABOUT THE HIKE.

We all have our own mountain to climb. It might be a 4,000-footer in the White Mountains, but it might be raising children or caring for aging parents, dealing with a work project or starting an exercise program. You will see yourself in these hike reports and feel inspired to get out of your own comfort zone and move toward your dreams. If they can do it -- you can do it too.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE HIKE is a collection of Nancy Sporborg's hike reports. Together, the reports form a narrative that's moving, sometimes cliff-hanging (literally!) and always inspirational. They also tell the story of two women who set out in search of fitness, panoramic views, and companionship, and found themselves.

As of January 2011, Pat Piper and Nancy Sporborg have reached the summit of over 190 mountains, hiked over 1,250 miles and gained over 336,000 feet in elevation. They have completed climbing the 67 4,000-footers in New England and have 12 left to complete the 100 highest. They know the mountains, the trails, the pitfalls, and what is required physically, mentally and emotionally to reach the summit.

They are exceptional leaders, motivational coaches and enthusiastic cheerleaders and have worked extensively with groups. Both women are certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid Training.