Woman in the Wild: The Everywoman's Guide to Hiking, Camping, and Backcountry Travel

by Susan Joy Paul

Few experiences rival a grand outdoor adventure. Hiking into the wilderness, camping under the stars, and exploring the backcountry offer new challenges that awaken a woman’s spirit and test her soul.

Woman in the The Every Woman’s Guide to Hiking, Camping, and Backcountry Travel is the perfect companion for any woman looking to get into the backcountry lifestyle or level up her current active outdoor life.

Adventurer and guidebook author Susan Joy Paul provides real instruction for women of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to intermediate hikers and experienced mountaineers. She shares details gleaned from two decades of training and real-world experience, bringing together everything a woman needs to know to be safe, independent, and self-reliant at camp and on the trail. Five sections and twenty-five chapters cover hiking, camping, and backcountry travel from the basics to advanced skills.

Backcountry Learn what to wear, how to pack, and where to find hiking partners for your outdoor adventuresYou in the What every woman needs to know about nutrition, first aid, and personal care to stay healthy on the trailPushing Backcountry knowledge and skills around land navigation, terrain, and weather take your travels to the next levelReaching New Beyond the basics, understand how training, setting goals, and engaging strategies for success add a new and exciting dimension to your outdoor lifeNext Leave the flatlanders and fair-weather hikers behind with an introduction to high altitude mountaineering, winter camping, glacier travel, and moreThe backcountry beckons, and women want to go. With Woman in the Wild, they can!

Genres: Nature

259 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2021

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of what you should keep in mind before getting into back country camping, but definitely meant to be an intro to getting more in depth books. Weirdest fact learned: when hiking snowy mountains you have to worry about the inside of your nose and the top of the inside of your mouth getting sunburned because of the sun getting reflected off the snow. Rip.

[Cary Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I found Woman in the Wild by Susan Joy Paul to be a fantastic resource for those interesting in getting into trail hiking. Not only did I find the writing to be motivating, but the book is broken down into sections of incredibly useful and thorough information - from how to choose and fit a backpack, to personal care while out on the trail. I was impressed by the amount of detailed information and thought that went into the book, and I believe it would be a very useful guide for any beginner interesting in spending more time in the great outdoors. I couldn't recommend this enough!

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a casual, day hiker, there were some nuggets to definitely take away, however, a lot of it seems geared towards extreme (almost rock climbing) or backwoods hiking. Good photos.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think for a woman interested in but brand new to backpacking, mountaineering, or rock climbing camping, this is a very good introduction. Paul discusses almost everything you'd need to consider for those trips into the wild, and includes profiles and photos of women who are already living the wild life—empowering for any woman who might doubt her own capabilities.

For someone like me, who's done some reading and research already, Woman in the Wild wasn't really what I was looking for. Because Paul covers so much, she's forced to stay fairly general, and so my hopes for information on how to travel alone as a woman or strategies for staying ultra-light weren't really realized. Instead, Paul focuses on traveling in groups and recommends seeking ultra-light resources if her readers decide to go that route.

I had that experience several times whilst reading, actually: here's some basic information, if you need to know more, look for resources that address those specific interests. Which is essentially what I've been doing since deciding to get into backpacking in the first place...and why I picked up this book, hoping for yet more information to add to my patchwork quilt of knowledge.

If you're looking to feel empowered—if a little overwhelmed—Woman in the Wild is a good choice. But if you know you need specific training or information, you're probably better off seeking out those resources directly.

[Giulietta Nardone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic guide for women of all hiking levels who want to up their outdoor game, be it traversing a gently undulating back country trail or hiking up a 14,000-footer. Susan covers everything under the womanly sun and then some. (I’m getting a bear-proof canister and a head lamp myself!) Her knowledge is vast and impressive, which she conveys in a straight forward and easy to read writing style. At the end of each chapter she suggests action steps related to that particular topic. But what I loved the most were the inspiring pictures of Susan hiking and mountain climbing in the wilderness. Her obvious love of the outdoors will awaken your own wild soul.

[Jelly-Jam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers on its premise of being a guide to women unfamiliar with hiking and backpacking outdoors. It is well organized, set from easier hiking excursions, basic gear, and outdoor hygiene information to rock climbing, hiking on glaciers and international travel.

5 stars for delivering on premise with clear checklists and great photos.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up on this one. There were some nuggets of helpful information for a very very casual hiker like me, but definitely geared more towards someone interested in much more intense (and expensive!) outdoor experiences.

[Marilyn Sue Michel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent discussion of the dangers of the backcountry, and equipment needed to stay as safe as possible. There have been several deaths in the Wasatch Mountains in the past few months, mostly from falling. Overconfidence is not an asset.

[Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fair deal of this material, is of use to me as a beginner- some of it I probably will not use, specifically the rock climbing at my age and level of fitness, seems a bit far fetched. Recommended.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid entryway into the outdoors, tailored to both hobbyists and true mountaineers.

[Giulietta Nardone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic guide for women of all hiking levels who want to up their outdoor game, be it traversing a gently undulating back country trail or hiking up a 14,000-footer. Susan covers everything under the womanly sun and then some. (I’m getting a bear-proof canister and a head lamp myself!) Her knowledge is vast and impressive, which she conveys in a straight forward and easy to read writing style. At the end of each chapter she suggests action steps related to that particular topic. But what I loved the most were the inspiring pictures of Susan hiking and mountain climbing in the wilderness. Her obvious love of the outdoors will awaken your own wild soul.

[Renee Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide for women in the wilderness. Definitely purely geared more for hiking areas like the Rockies—glaciers, rock climbing, snow, and high peaks. But first half is super informative for just general trail stuff—equipment and gear, planning, expectations, etc.

Glad I read this. Has helpful checklists.