Book Description
"The most up-to-date and comprehensive guide to equipment and technique available anywhere."—Backpack (UK)
This enormously practical guide includes everything from essential techniques such as map and compass work to the skills needed for more remote wilderness journeys—such as how to ford rivers safely and how to choose a route through untracked terrain. As a gear advisor, this book is unequaled. You'll find the last word on:
- How to choose packs and footwear—and make sure they fit
- What clothing to take on the trail
- Tents, tarps, stoves, water purifiers, and other gear
- GPS, cell phones, and other electronic devices
- And much more
Now in its third edition, The Backpacker's Handbook also covers desert hiking, ultralight backpacking, and adventure trekking in distant corners of the globe. Indeed, there is little about backpacking Chris Townsend does not cover. This trusted reference will prepare you for the challenges and excitement of backpacking the wilderness.
"A clear and comprehensive primer on backpacking gear. Townsend's knowledge is immense."—Sierra
"Belongs in every bookcase dealing with outdoor topics. . . . Chockablock full of useful, practical, commonsense info. . . . If you tramp the outdoors, get this book."—Maine Sportsman
"For those thinking of taking a backpack journey, The Backpacker's Handbook is required reading."—Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Customer Reviews:
Average. It could have been excellent........2006-11-22
There is a lot of detail in this book. I cannot strongly recommend it though because there isn't that much that is unique. It isn't bad. It just isn't great. In part, the author suffers from being knowledgeable of the past but not the present gear, clothing, or technology. The author researched enough to find out about what is now available, but it often appears as though he has only read about it on the Internet or in product literature. A quick example is the utility of a GPS. He mentions his own heavy weight relic and also the lightweight Garmin Geko. He considers a GPS an interesting gadget but he doesn't know how to really take advantage of a GPS combined with topographic mapping software for pre-trip planning and route finding. The old heavyweight relic of a GPS that the author has, gets the most coverage in the text and he simply mentions he might use a GPS more, if he had a Geko.
A good one.......2006-09-01
The Backpackers Handbook is more informative and easier to read than the other two books I bought recently (Hiking Light Handbook, and Everyday Wisdom). Save your time and read this one alone.
Best book of its kind i have seen.......2006-07-02
I got three backpacking type handbooks at a library and read all three this is by far the best one. It has the most in depth information and is enjoyable to read.
The title says it all..........2006-06-26
This is, without doubt, the best book on backpacking I've read. Just the right balance between specific recommendations and general advice, objective information and personal opinion.
A Must Have for your Backpacking Library.......2006-03-03
What I liked most about this book is that it is very up to date with available equipment. This is a very informative book and Mr. Townsend does an excellent job of preparing you for a successful backpacking trip. I sell backpacking gear for a living and this is one of the books that I recommend to customers both novice and experienced.
Customer Reviews:
The Best Backpacking/Hiking Manual Out There!.......2007-08-28
Simply put, the first edition was great and the revise editions just keeps everything up to date. This is a great book, a must for any serious backpacker or wilderness leader. Highly Recommended!
Excellent if you don't stray too far from civilization.......2007-07-25
A distinction must be made between "outdoor" books that assume that your trip into the wilderness happens in the context of a working civil society, i.e. you buy food at the store, you have your tent, your map, maybe a GPS, and if you are in trouble a competent attempt will be made to rescue you. Then there are the "survival" books which assume that if you don't do "it" (gather food, build a shelter, find water, etc.) yourself, it ain't gonna happen. Maybe you can get help, but maybe other humans even pose a danger to your life, perhaps because of violent behavior, stupidity, clumsiness, or for whatever reason.
This book falls mainly into the first category, but makes interesting forays into the second. Perhaps the strongest impression is left by the First Aid section (which is also the longest). If you are really in an emergency, in which case you will definitely not have the time to read five pages on the Heimlich maneuver or whatever, this is probably the book you should pick up in a hurry. Of course ideally, you should know the content of the section by rote, but the descriptions are short yet detailed enough that they can be read quickly and confer all the vital information. A variety of more obscure illnesses are included that you will probably not find covered in other First Aid texts.
The nutrition section is quite short and the recipes are probably not something you would want to eat every day -- burritos, pizza, pesto. Don't expect any information on game, edible berries or the like...
A number of good sections cover such things as crossing a river or bearproofing your camp. These are well-written and stress the importance of understanding the situation first before acting. Along the same lines, there is an extensive review of leadership skills -- this is definitely an outdoor book for the thinking man.
All in all a thorough book, but if you are in situation where help does not arrive after a short while, it might not be enough. The SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea would be an excellent complement to this book and nicely covers those things which the BFM leaves out.
Solid Backpacking.......2007-05-26
I have Backpacking since the 1960s and yes an old dog can learn new tricks. Sometimes it is good to review our old habits. This is one of those good uptodate Backpacking books.
Good All-Around Book.......2007-01-27
The Backpacker's Field Manual is probably one of the better introductory books out there. Not only that, but it has valuable information for even the most experienced backpacker. It is layed out fairly well, and written in a fairly straightforward manner.
The biggest downside I see is the author's ideas of Leave No Trace camping, which seem to be taken to an extreme (the author says that one should scatter sticks, pinecones, and such over your campsite after you break camp so as to look like no one has been there). While this is, in my opinion, a backpacking style difference, it was enough of an issue for me to drop it down from a five star to a four star.
Not only that, but the author is primarily interested in sharing tradional (heavy) backpacking advice, with little to offer the lightweight of ultralight backpacker. Still, some of the techniques mentioned are excellent advice for any backpacker and the section on first aid is very detailed.
While this book is called a field manual, I would leave it at home due to the weight of this book. That said, it's definately one I feel every backpacker should have at home!
Good starter.......2007-01-09
This is an excellent book for the new hiker or the veteran. I would highly recommend it to any Boy Scout group as a supplement to BSA material. I actually used the land navigation portion to teach my Infantry Platoon, because it was better than the Army Common Task Manual. You cannot lose with this book.
Amazon.com
It's not every day you find a how-to guide that's laugh-out-loud funny--which is why, in addition to being a handy resource, The Outward Bound Backpacker's Handbook is such a treat. Author and mountaineer Glenn Randall entertains as he teaches, using witty accounts from a lifetime in the outdoors to illustrate lessons on packing light, planning a route, keeping warm in the cold, and steering clear of mosquitoes, bears, and poisonous plants. A beautiful alpine hike spoiled by "toilet paper flowers" along the trail highlights, for instance, the need for sanitation in the backcountry; a miserable, soggy night spent in a down sleeping bag shows the importance of choosing the right gear. Veteran backpackers will recognize the accuracy of Randall's advice (and even learn a few things), while greenhorns will find excellent instruction on the essentials, from reading a topographic map to cooking outdoors to crossing a mountain stream.
Randall devotes half the pages to shopping for gear, which might seem odd considering this is a book on exploring the great outdoors. But, as the author notes, choosing the right equipment can be half the battle. The Handbook addresses questions like: How warm a sleeping bag do you need? Is Gore-Tex gear really worth it? Why is cotton fabric a no-no in the outdoors? What are the pros and cons of internal-frame backpacks?
After covering equipment, the Handbook turns to outdoor instruction, offering advice on map-and-compass orienteering, selecting a campsite, purifying water, camping cleanly, hiking with children, and first aid (for a thorough examination of this last topic, try The Outward Bound Wilderness First-Aid Handbook). Throughout, Randall's tone remains laid-back and conversational, as if he were sharing his expertise around the campfire. Fellow mountaineer and Into Thin Air author Jon Krakauer calls this "without question the best backpacking manual I've ever seen," and after reading The Outward Bound Backpacker's Handbook, you may well agree. --Demian McLean
Book Description
This manual includes instructions for everything from ecologically conscious trailside cooking to responsible trip-planning.
Customer Reviews:
Everything you need to know.......2002-02-27
Outward Bound does a great job with these books. We were beginners when we bought it, but still look through it's pages on occasion. Small enough to stuff into a pack without weighing it down, a very good and informative read.
Book Description
From Backpacker magazine: the lowdown on family car camping and tent camping—no experience necessary! • Easy-to-use guide for families and first-time campers: how to do it, what to buy, best places to go, and what to do when you get there • Visual, user-friendly design provides quick-access information • Tips on keeping kids happy, healthy, and motivated during the trip plus how to engage them in the natural world Buck Tilton has set up camp with his family too many times to remember. Whether you're headed for the desert, the seashore, or the mountains, he'll help you minimize the fuss and maximize the fun—no prior camping experience needed! You'll learn about picking the best spot, setting up camp, cooking on a camp stove or campfire, enjoying family activities in and around camp, providing first aid, and more.
This friendly guide looks at various areas of your campsite like they are important rooms in your home—the bedroom, the kitchen, the bathroom. Tilton considers factors such as time of year, how many people you'll bring along, how much you want to spend on gear (it doesn't have to be much), and how technological you want to be (or not). He addresses the special needs and concerns of camping with children but also the joys of introducing them to the outdoors. Additional topics include packing the car, the characteristics of a good tent, sleeping warm, camp hygiene, and camp fun and games.
A contributing editor for Backpacker magazine, BUCK TILTON, M.S., is director of curriculum for the Wilderness Medicine Institute of the National Outdoor Leadership School. He is the author of sixteen books, including Trekker's Handbook and Don't Get Bitten: The Dangers of Things that Bite or Sting. KRISTIN HOSTETTER is Backpacker's Gear Editor and the author of Don't Forget the Duct Tape: Tips and Tricks for Repairing Outdoor Gear.
Customer Reviews:
Good Way to Get Started and More.......2006-11-03
I've been camping for forty plus years. Obviously a simple little book like this had nothing to teach me. Then I picked it up.
The first thing I saw when I picked up this book was a small sentence on the back cover. It said: 'Tip: You can set up a tarp as an extension of your vehicle in a heavy downpour.' At the time I was camping on the coast of Oregon. As I live in the desert, camping in the rain was new to me. But I had a tarp, I had a few bungie cords, and back at camp I soon had a 'porch' I guess you'd call it with a good sized space away from the rain. That alone was worth the price of the book.
Obviously there are some areas that I view somewhat differently than the writers. For instance they say you can use any pots and pans you have. Nonsense. They do say that cast iron cookware, especially a Dutch oven is the best. More than the best, in my opinion, cast iron is the only kind of cookware to use. Of course I think that cast iron is the only thing to use for cooking at home as well. They don't say that since cast iron lasts so long, you can get some really good buys at thrift shops and the like. Modern housewives seem to want teflon instead and donate them.
The big, important, single message is simply - 'Go Do It.' And I can't echo this any more strongly than what the book says. It's a pretty good little book that clearly shows the writers have a good bit of experience. As the book says, it's got 'Advice for Families & First-Timers' -- and still a few things for us old greybeards.
Great resource for those new to camping.......2006-08-31
As an avid camper who enjoys any excuse to get out into the wilderness from the mountains of the Rockies to the Boundary Waters canoe area to the wilds of the Everglades. So, a book on camping needs to come up to a certain level of quality before I can recommend it. Recognizing that wilderness camping is not for everyone the authors of this book not only discuss the needs and techniques of primitive camping but cover the whole gamut up to the more modern camping with landscaped sites, running water and hot showers. They do an excellent job of providing detailed information on tents, sleeping gear, pads, clothing, cooking, and other camp gear. This is a great collection of a lot of the things that experience teaches after the fact but now you can have it to help plan beforehand. It's like having a very experienced guide to walk you through everything you need to know and do in order to have a great camping experience. Where do you go, what questions do you ask, what you should expect at National forests, state parks, or private campgrounds. There is a great section on setting up camp from pitching the tent, setting up your bedding, setting up your cooking area, hygiene issues, and dealing with animal visitors. There are even sections on camping with kids, various easy camp recipes, basic first aid, and suggested activities.
The book concludes with several excellent appendixes including one that covers the ultimate standard in primitive camping - leave no trace philosophy. Additional appendixes include a list of the top 100 campgrounds around the U.S., activities to deal with boredom and children, and a camping checklist. Backpacker: Tent and Car Camper's Handbook is an excellent resource and a highly recommended read.
A delightful recommendation for those who have discovered competing books usually assume a foundation of camping knowledge.......2006-08-19
Whether you're camping via car, tent or a combination of both, the latest publication from the Backpacker magazine series TENT AND CAR CAMPER'S HANDBOOK is for you: it uses a visual design with black and white photos and sidebars of information to make it easy to access details, it covers all the basics from equipment to what to pack and it is packed with ideas on how to include the kids in a family camping trip. In fact, families and non-campers are the focus here, making it a delightful recommendation for those who have discovered competing books usually assume a foundation of camping knowledge.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Family & First-Timers Camping .......2006-08-06
There have been several prior "first-timer" and "family" books, including an excellent one published by the Sierra Club. This one does an excellent job of helping families new to camping and provides a quality introduction to making the transition to extended walking away from car campgrounds.
The Handbook is divided into 11 chapters and 5-part Appendix with a good Index. Lots of illustrations, photographs, helpful sidebars and checklists. There are a wealth of ideas for keeping families and children busy, yet satisfied.
It is recommended that you keep a clean camp and store food in your vehicle - a major no no when it comes to bears. There is no mention of bear-proof canisters. Increasingly bears break into vehicles because they reconize ice chests are usually filled with food and are attracted to anything that has a scent (soap, toothpaste, food, insect repellent). There is no thought of recycling or taking home your refuse (and that of others) to recycle to reduce the burden on campgrounds and wildlands. They talk about staking a tent, when even the largest monster tents are now free-standing and self-supporting/
A strong thread of wisdom and experience runs throughout. After the Introduction, Ch. 2, "Getting Ready" covers tarps, tents, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags but omits discussion of sleeping bag liners for keeping clean and warm. Good overview of stoves, cookware, coolers and utensils but omits discussion of water filters for camp or day hikes. Good overview of layering, clothing, keeping warm and cool, and how to pack and unpack your vehicle. Ch 3 is a very generalized "where to go."
Ch 4 is Camp Setup - campsite selection, tents, kitchen cleanup, hygiene, campground etiquette and breaking camp. Ch 5 is Family Matters - expectations by age, heat, dehydration, sun protection, insects, safety, kids and food, elderly and dogs. Ch 6 is Campfires - but lacks any discussion about not having a campfire where it is not appropriate, impact of charcoal and ash buildup, wood smoke; and not using a campfire as a television substitute - thereby precluding campers from getting to know the night sky and sounds.
Ch 7 does a good job with Mealtime in Camp, but ignores the good work of others such a Latimer (1991) Wilderness Cuisine - how to prepare and enjoy fine food on the trail and in camp, and Prater and Mendenhall (1982) Gorp, Glop & Glue Stew - favorite foods from 165 outdoor experts. The authors make reference to charcoal briquettes. These are bad! A by-product of oil refinery cracking towers, they leave a residue that is hard to clean up and hard to properly deal with when finished and it contributes to poor air quality.
Ch 8 is First Aid is good, however, it makes reference to poison ivy "leaves of three, let it be." The phrase and botanical description of poison ivy and oak is "leaflets of three, . . ." - three parts of one leaf. Ch 9 Camp Activities includes hiking, bicycling, basic canoeing and PFDs, fishing and wildlife viewing.
Ch 10, On Your Own, is car camping where there are no campgrounds. There is no discussion about minimizing your impact. Discussion of water filters refers to "micron" (no such measuring unit), instead of "micrometers" (millionths of a meter). It is discussed that toilet paper does not easily decompose, but there is no mention of taking your toilet paper and other hygiene items home for recycling or proper refuse discarding. Ch 11 covers Coming Home, cleaning up and getting ready for the next trip.
Appendix A, Leave No Trace, makes no mention of carrying out all refuse to take home and recycle. It again makes reference to camp fires with no concept of not having a fire and enjoying the dark night sky. Appendix B, Best of the Best Campgrounds is very brief and generalized - state-by-state, with a few recommendations. Appendix C, Boredome Busters, represents an extremely tiny portion of the techniques of Yosemite Institute instructors. If this book is aimed at families with children, the counter-boredom factor can easily and greatly be improved. Appendix D, is Camping checklist, Appendix E, Resources, is a good introduction, but too generalized. Many outfitters are increasingly family-oriented such as REI and LL Bean.
This is a family-friendly, family-oriented book. However, car camping tends to be high impact camping. The book can be greatly improved by multiple examples of how to minimize your impact while car camping, including proper food storage, carrying out any and all refuse and "restoring" a site to near natural before you leave.
Book Description
The essential guide for preparing a hike along the A.T. Lets hikers know what to expect from animals, weather, and other hikers.
Customer Reviews:
A concise and very useful hiking guide.......2007-03-27
This guide is advertised as a tool to use when hiking the Appalachian Trail, but the information about preparation, mental and physical conditioning, choice of gear, meals, insects, first aid and dangers is very useful to anyone planning a hike of more than one day. The information I read will be very useful when I do my Appalachian Trail next year.
Good for more than just the AT..........2007-03-18
I am relatively new to backpacking, did some as a kid. This book is full of useful info for almost any length hike. I haven't thru hiked the AT yet and probably won't anytime soon. 5 or so months is a long time in the woods, work would suffer. For the short trips I do have time for this book is very handy. I think if you need a book (as I did) to help you with preparing this is a good one!
Useful for Introductions Only.......2004-05-01
Well written but very basic introduction to the AT and to backpacking in general. If you have already been on a backpacking trip of any length, most of this information is going to be a refresher. For instance, an entire chapter on footwear. If you don't already know whether you want to wear boots or tennis shoes, maybe this book is a good investment for you. This isn't something I'd read again or even keep as a reference.
The book to buy when preparing to hike on the AT.......2003-06-20
The AT Backpacker is a well-written, no-nonsense guide. The Logues give the low down on hiking with an eye toward the Appalachian Trail. I found everything I needed to know about foods to eat and how to be safe in drinking water. They also go through the dizzying array of gear out there, from tents and backpacks to stoves, sleeping bags, boots and clothes, all with the AT in mind. There are also chapters on winter backpacking, backpacking with children, and long distance hiking which expand on the basics.
An earlier edition of this book gave me the confidence to get out on the trail for some shorter hikes (weekend hikes and a week-long trip). I have used the checklist for overnight hikes in the back of the book to prepare for many hikes and find it the best equipment checklist anywhere.
I bought this third edition to get the latest as I prepare for a thru-hike of the AT. The Logues have made numerous changes throughout the book. I'm glad they have kept the AT Backpacker current. The additional appendix on websites has proved helpful for planning my hike.
I recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more before hitting the AT for a hike.
Everything I needed.......2002-10-06
The Appalachian Trail Backpacker delivered what it promised--trail tested advice for hikes of any length. I found the info I wanted to give me the confidence I needed to get out for a week long hike on the AT. They taught me everything I needed to know to go out and do it. I recommend this book to anyone interested in hiking the AT. It's a well-written, no nonsense guide.
Book Description
Winner of the Outdoor Writers Guild award for excellence, this inspired guide from one of the world's best-traveled adventurers offers essential, up-to-the-minute information and advice on all aspects of backcountry trekking for hikers and backpackers of every stripe. From planning and techniques to gear, it's all covered in succinct, highly readable fashion in an expanded, visually arresting update of a proven bestseller. The Backpacker's Handbook is the only major guide to deliver an in-depth look at all backpacking styles, from ultralight to long-distance hiking. New material on trekking in challenging environments such as deserts and mountains will appeal to hikers who love to push the envelope. Chris Townsend's anecdotal style makes for a book that invites reading from cover to cover, yet is designed to let readers find specific topics quickly. The Backpacker's Handbook teaches us how to make traveling through the wild truly enjoyable and fulfilling while protecting its natural beauty.
Customer Reviews:
Must read if you like to backpack.......2005-08-06
This was an very useful book after I got hooked on backpacking. Specifically, the sections on gear let me make informed purchases when replacing my discount store equipment with higher end items from backpacking specialty retailers. The only nitpick I have is the need for some more details on types of clothing needed for certain environments, especially in the Rockies. My copy was well worn with use but still used for reference.
The best available, but it has its limitations........2004-07-29
This is well-written and thorough guide to backpacking. It provides helpful ideas for backpackers at all levels, not just beginners.
Like any book, it has its biases. Townsend is a long-distance solo backpacker with most of his experience in western North America, Britain, and Scandinavia. He often hikes on snow, and spends a significant amount of time on skis. He is a vegetarian with a minimalist approach to backcountry cuisine.
What does this mean? First, the weekend backpacker will find a lot of material that goes well beyond his needs. This stems from the book's efforts to be useful to people at many different levels. At the other extreme, a highly experienced backpacker will find much of the book too basic, though as a long-distance hiker Townsend will provide various nuggets of advice even for her.
Second, Townsend almost completely ignores fishing. This is a popular part of the backpacking experience for many people and should be included. (I suppose a little advice for backpacking hunters would probably also be helpful.) Since Townsend doesn't hunt or fish, he may want to take on a coauthor in future editions who can help him a little in these areas.
Third, Townsend has nothing to say about experiencing the wildnerness by canoe. This objection may be unfair, since canoeing isn't exactly "backpacking." However, many people combine canoeing with backpacking and portaging in a way that probably belongs in an exhaustive guide to backpacking. Certainly, Townsend's extensive discussions of cross-country skiing is as much a niche interest as is canoeing.
Finally, this is not the book for backcountry recipes or cooking ideas. However, it is painfully thorough in discussing cooking gear.
Townsend reflects the Rockies-and-Sierras bias of most backpacking literature, though (like others) he acknowledges Appalachian Trial hikers. It's easy to forget that the largest wilderness area in the lower 48, and the most widely visited in the entire country, is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Some experience with North Country backpacking would serve Townsend and other writers well.
These criticisms aside, this is the best book of its kind that I have found. I hope that it continues to evolve in its third edition.
Experiences teach valuable lessons.......2004-04-19
This book is all about experience. It takes you on an amazing ride through a concise drilldown of everything one needs to take their first walk. The author does a good job of giving not only his own perspective, but the perspective of other experienced backpackers that see things differently. This gives you more lessons than a single person could ever provide. Whenever you come to a junction point in the book where you might want more information about something he specificly states he's not going into (like power hiking vs. slackwalking, or gourmet trail cooking vs. survivial eating) he always gives references to other great books that give the extra details on those other subjects. Great must-read!
Read this book and get out there!.......2004-03-19
I bought a few books online without paying too much attention to reviews and I was often disappointed. This time I paid a great deal of attention to the reviews while trying to sellect the book that would best fulfil my expectations and I must admit that all the good reviews about The Backpacker's Handbook, 2nd Edition, are well founded! This book is excellent and everyone interested in reading about backpacking should at least acquire this one. Thank you Mr. Townsend for sharing your experience and passion with us in such a good book! and thank you, reviewers, for guiding buyers like me toward what truly is worth ordering.
Perfect for anyone getting interested in backpacking.........2003-06-23
This is a perfect book for anyone getting interested in backpacking and doesn't have a lot of experience. Townshend goes over every aspect of backpacking that you need to know including shoes, socks, innerware, outerware, accesories, backpacks, food, saftey, sleeping bags, tents and the list goes on. He tells you the correct way to pack your back pack, what to bring depending on the season and the length of the trip, the different types of ways of cooking food on a trip, the inner working of a hiking boot and it just doesn't stop. When it comes to brands and specific models of products he names names and tells you what works and what doesn't work.
On top of all this his tone and wirting style make for semi-causal reading that doesn't feel like a pain to read. The chapters are organized in ways that are easy to skip around in if you want and he has some interesting personal anecdotes taken from his vast hiking experience. He also talks about building up stamina to walk long distances, how to survive on the water of the land and how to make an igloo if you are camping in the snow.
Get this book if you are looking for an introductory guide to backpacking. I expecially recommend it if you are thinking about buying any expensive camping gear as I used much of the information before I bought my own Backpack, Boots, and Sleeping Bag.
Amazon.com
This is not a slim compendium of bold-faced hiking tips; in other words, if you come face-to-face with Mr. Bear on the trail, you won't be whipping out The Backpacker's Field Manual for quick advice. On the other hand, if you take the time to plan your excursions into the wilderness, this thorough guide will prove invaluable. From packing to navigation to first aid, all the basics of backcountry travel are covered in detail. And for the more serious outdoors enthusiasts, there is plenty of advanced info, such as how to read weather patterns or where to look for underground water sources. But no matter what their skill level, anyone planning on spending time in the wilderness should prepare ahead with a guide like The Backpacker's Field Manual.
Book Description
The Backpacker's Field Manual has been the bible of the Princeton University Outdoor Action Program for more than a decade, field-tested by one of the most respected outdoor programs in the country. It is the most comprehensive backpacking guide available--broad in scope while still focused on the essential skills and information that backpackers need to travel safely and comfortably in the wilderness. Backpackers of all levels will find this book indispensable:
before you start your trip, for deciding on an itinerary, selecting equipment, and figuring out what food, clothing, and other supplies to pack;
once you're out in the wilderness, for choosing a campsite, setting up camp, navigating with map and compass, identifying trees and plants, and preparing meals (recipes included!);
if something unexpected happens, for finding a lost person, seeking shelter in a lightning storm, and performing first aid for common injuries.
More than 100 line drawings illustrate such useful skills as how to set up a tarp, repair your stove, wrap an injured ankle, predict the weather, and much more. And scattered throughout are Tricks of the Trail, additional tips for successful backcountry hiking.
Any traveler knows that space in a backpack is limited, so on your next trip, pack the only guide you'll need--this one.
Customer Reviews:
Always "don't," never "do.".......2004-06-19
After I read this book, I felt the wilderness could never be fun again. I was completely wrong, but that's the tone this book has. The entire book tells you what not to do and what could go wrong. That's very important to know, but what is almost as important (and a lot more interesting) are things to do: suggestions about how to make things easier, how to have fun, how to bring the love of the outdoors to other members of your group.
The good: There were a couple good ideas in among the mind-numbing numbers of admonitions (damp socks in sleeping bag: genius). Also, the packing lists at the end of the book can be good reminders.
As far as I can tell, it's good for a very small class of people: complete beginners who will find all the rules to be new, but are so excited about backpacking that they won't be turned off by the boring, pessimistic book. Personally, I learned just as much from the much shorter section of tips in the beginning of Backpacking California, even though I had not backpacked a whole bunch before reading either.
For Beginners Only.......2003-10-23
If you are new to backpacking and the backcountry, then this is probably the book for you as it has a little information on just about every backpacking subject imaginable. If you have moderate to extensive experience backpacking then you will probably find the information in this book very basic. I have moderate experience and I plowed through about half the book before I permanently set it down out of boredom.
Too many rules.......2003-03-18
I agree with a previous poster that said:
"Yet Mr. Curtis' unconventional and sometimes bizarre brand of rules quickly begin to irritate even the most patient reader. Most troubling are his one-sided views of camping and how it is supposed to be done. quickly, the book becomes a turn-off to backpacking."
My views are that ...
This book is a book of rules. Way too many rules. A couple thousand rules it seems.
Not much in the way of original thinking. Decent sections for group leaders.
First Aid and Navigating sections are decent but I prefer separate books
for these issues.
Phenomenal.......2002-08-02
Curtis has written a true gem. This book will get any novice on his or her feet within the time it takes to read the book. The book is comprehensive in breadth and is quite detailed without getting too cut-and-dried (or maybe I just find the subject matter too interesting =-P). Clearly, the author knows what to cover and to what extent -- there's something to be said for a man who, as the head of the Princeton Outdoor Action, must get a lot of contact with people new to backpacking. Even somewhat experienced backpackers will be able to gain much useful information from this book, particularly from such unusual topics as reading and predicting the weather. Additionally, Curtis' almost die-hard approach to true leave-no-trace backpacking is quite appealing to me -- it only takes a few careless or reckless people before a previously pristine location is ruined for weeks or even months. All in all, this is *the* must-get guide to backpacking. It's comprehensive, adequately detailed (1/4 to 1/3 of the book is dedicated to first aid!) and, best of all, reasonably cheap! =-)
All around FANTASTIC resource.......2001-09-15
This book covers everything that a general backpacker needs to know about hiking and camping. The few things the author doesn't cover (great detail about hiking specific specialized terrain, for example), he lists additional resources for. This book is well-written and clearly organized, and includes wilderness first aid, cooking and menu-planning, navigation, how to pack a backpack comfortably, how to select gear, and where to go for more information. There is much more included in the book, including stories from the author's own experience, and some information about ultralight backpacking. Especially valuable is the detailed information about leading a group into the wilderness, how to send out a search party, how to signal for help in all environments, and how to ensure that everyone in a group is comfortable.
I've seen many other similar books, and none provide the excellent level of detail that this book provides. I recommend it most highly.
Book Description
·Techniques for traversing desert terrain-by vehicle, by mountain bike, or on foot
·Strategies for comfort, safety, and survival in extreme conditions
·Selecting gear and equipment for this special environment
Like any desert aficionado, Bruce Grubbs is obsessed with water: how much to bring, how to carry it, how to conserve it, and how to find it in the backcountry. But desert exploration involves much more. Grubbs provides the knowledge and skills you need to move through this landscape with confidence.
In addition to techniques for hiking and mountain biking special to desert conditions, Grubbs tells how to prepare your vehicle for remote desert roads and how to avoid getting stuck in sand or busting a tire. He discusses navigating in the desert, "dry camping" skills, and techniques for minimum impact on this starkly beautiful but fragile environment. There are tips for dealing with desert heat-and cold-and other challenges (sharp spiny plants and venomous snakes are easy to avoid with a little preparation and know-how). But just in case, Grubbs troubleshoots the worst-case scenarios. Throughout, he gives an understanding of desert climate and seasons, and the unique plants and creatures at home in it.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointed.......2006-05-11
This book promises to instruct anyone on how to hike and bike the desert safely. As a generalized overview to some (not all) desert travel it is sufficient for that purpose, but I found it lacking in many subjects crucial to remote desert hikers. Trip/water planning, gear prep, finding water from natural sources, trip navigation (map and GPS), first aid for desert and heat sicknesses, etc. could have all used a lot more material. Coverage of some deserts and specialized advice was lacking. The book emphasizes coverage of 'high' deserts like the Great Basin, unfortunately, at the expense of others. And forget anything outside the U.S., as it's not covered here. I probably would have liked this book better had I not read the Ultimate Desert Handbook, which covers the same subjects a lot more thoroughly, not to mention the diversity of many more deserts in North America and around the world.
Required reading for desert trips.......2006-03-23
This book should be required reading for anyone remotely thinking about desert exploring of any type. I have done a fair amount of desert trips and have read and reread this book a number of times. It is packed full of important, potentially life saving information that will help you navigate safely in the desert. Everything from techniques for hiking,mountain biking, and 4x4 trips including vehicle preparation is included. There is an interesting section on troubleshooting worst-case scenarios and even a section on selecting the proper gear and equipment for desert conditions. When considering desert trips it is well to remember the admonishment of famed desert rat and author Edward Abbey:"...Enter at your own risk. Carry water. Avoid the noonday sun. Try to ignore the Vultures. Pray frequently." I would add "read and study this book" or perhaps "Don't leave home without it." Highly recommended.
Book Description
New entry in the Backpacker magazine series: Practical, reasonable strategies for everyone who'd like to lighten their load on the trail.
*Written by a former contributing editor for Backpacker Magazine
*How to pick and choose light hiking strategies to fit your needs and hiking style
*Light hiking is one of the biggest trends in backpacking today
Lightweight hiking strategies apply to everyone, says master hiker Karen Berger: the less weight you have on your back, the more comfortable you'll be on the trail whether you're hiking five miles or five hundred. She's not talking about extreme strategies (such as cutting the handle off your toothbrush to save a few ounces). It's all about evaluating and analyzing what you carry, whether you truly need it and really use it.
Berger helps you strike a balance between comfort on the trail versus comfort in camp. Always, the emphasis is on hiking wisely--and safely.
Customer Reviews:
Little information.......2006-11-05
If you've never backpacked, never thought about backpacking, never talked to others about backpacking, and never read a book on backpacking, this book will not be a complete waste of time. It is very "light" on content. Although the author appears to be an experienced backpacker, she could not have significant experience with lightweight backpacking and write this book. There are far better books on lightweight backpacking. An excellent short book, is Don Ladigin's book, Lighten Up!
Hiking Light Handbook.......2006-09-01
The Hiking Light Handbook: Carry Less, Enjoy More actually has very little information for anyone who has been in the backcountry. I found The Backpackers Handbook, by Chris Townsend, to be more useful.
Book Description
Outdoor enthusiasts can easily be caught unaware by accidental injury, equipment failure, climate changes such as rain or snow, and other unexpected situations. In a clear, concise style Alan Fry covers what people need to know before starting out, including:Choosing the appropriate clothing and footwear-Starting and managing fireBuilding emergency shelterAdministering first aidObtaining water and foodSignaling for helpStaying calm until help arrivesThis revised edition of Wilderness Survival Handbook reflects the best of both modern information and native lore from Fry's decades of living and travelling in the outdoors.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent, and PRACTICAL.......2006-09-01
I venture into the boreal wilderness twice a year, so this book is a natural fit (the book's setting is mainly boreal/sub-boreal). What is best about the book is it's practicality. Though there is enough information on bare-bones survival, Alan Fry assumes that, if you've headed into the wilderness whether by foot, watercraft, or bush plane, you've had enough sense about you to bring some essentials (and attached to your person!). This is a needed contrast to all the wilderness survival books out there that teach survival techniques assuming you are veritably buck naked. Why would that ever happen to you? Exactly how did you wind up in such a situation? There can only be one reason: poor planning and sheer stupidity. Thus, this book generally assumes that you've got at least some basic items strapped on to you (e.g., knife, matches, rations, compass, fishing accouterments, saw, medical kit, snare wire, and RIFLE!). AS to the latter, many survival books don't address the use of firearms at all and, the fact is, if you've got one, your chances of survival just increased 10-fold. Plus, Fry doesn't inundate the reader with pet religious philosophies (ala Tom Brown!) that have nothing to do with why you purchased the book.
Now, if you're a survivalist who enjoys bare-bones stuff, you cannot go without Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival. But, if you're simply a wilderness enthusiast that needs to know how to take care of yourself if you ever become stranded on one of your wilderness trips, this is the book for you, hands-down.
very informative.......2003-11-01
I have alot of books on the topic but this has to be one of my favorites. The author really knows what he's talking about and lies it down what works in the real world of Northern outdoor survival/camping without all the fancy story telling aproach. It is well written, step by step along with very informative drawings which are the best I've seen. It contains tons of useful info from clothing materials to traps and shelter making methods. Really beefy stuff and all clearly explained. There's a reason this book has gone out of print, find out why.
very informative.......2003-11-01
I have alot of books on the topic but this has to be one of my favorites. The author really lies it down what works in the real world of Northern outdoor survival and long term camping. It is really well written, step by step along with very informative drawings which are the best I've seen. It contains tons of traps and shelter making methods. There's a reason it has gone out of print, find out why.
Wilderness Survival Handbook.......2000-05-10
Alan Fry is a Canadian woodsman with years of experience in the art of wilderness survival. His book is a concise and readable guide for the preparation and execution of a survival plan, especially in the extreme environment of the boreal north. Although its emphasis is on emergency situations in a particular ecosystem, many of his ideas can be readily adapted to any temperate region or contingency by the intelligent reader. Please note that this is not primarily a book for the recreational backpacker. Rather, it's a hard-core guide to survival under extreme circumstances in a particular environment. That having been said, it's still recommended reading for anyone who ventures into the outdoors. Useful, light-weight, and perfect for the field.
Books:
- The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair: For Road and Mountain Bikes(Expanded and Revised 5th Edition)
- The Big Show: The Greatest Pilot's Story of World War II (Cassell Military Paperbacks)
- The Complete Book of Fly Fishing
- The Dark Descent
- The Dark Is Rising Sequence: Silver on the Tree; The Grey King; Greenwitch; The Dark Is Rising; and Over Sea, Under Stone
- The Goodenoughs Get in Sync: A Story for Kids about the Tough Day When Filibuster Grabbed Darwin's Rabbit's Foot and the Whole Family Ended Up in the Doghouse--An ... Introduction to Sensory Processing Disorder
- The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and and How All Men Can Help
- The Mental Edge
- The Oak Inside the Acorn
- The Official U.S. Mint 50 State Quarters: Complete 100 Hole Collector's Folder, Complete Collection 1999-2008
Books Index
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Camping
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| Outdoors & Nature
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| Books
The Complete Walker IV
Trailside Guide: Hiking and Backpacking, New Edition
Backpacker's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking & Backpacking (Start-Up Sports)
The Backpacker's Field Manual, Revised and Updated: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Backcountry Skills
Lightweight Backpacking and Camping: A Field Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style (Backpacking Light)
