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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Backpacking and Hiking
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Get Started with Day-Hiking
Getting started with shorter hikes that allow you to sleep in your own bed at night.
Chapter 2: Hiking for All Ages and Types
Finding a satisfying trail whether you hike by yourself, with a partner, or in a group.
Chapter 3: Camping Overnight
The complete guide to a comfortable night's sleep at parks, campgrounds, and backcountry tent-sites.
Chapter 4: Backpacking Basics
Getting deeper into the woods, mountains, or wherever you want to explore by carrying everything you need on your back.
Chapter 5: Training Your Body for the Trail
Everyday fitness routines to get you in shape for any level of hiking.
Chapter 6: Never Get Lost (Again)
Easy-to-follow map, compass, and GPS tutorials to keep you on the right trail.
Chapter 7: Essentials for Every Trip
The lifesaving gear you should never leave home without.
Chapter 8: Welcome to Gear World
Expert advice on how to buy high-quality and long-lasting equipment.
Chapter 9: Footwear Fundamentals
Finding hiking boots or trail shoes guaranteed to keep your feet happy and blister-free.
Chapter 10: Outdoor Clothing 101
Smart layering advice for weather that's either fair or foul.
Chapter 11: Hauling Your Daypacks and Weekend Packs
The surefire guide to finding and loading the ideal backpack.
Chapter 12: Shelter from the Storm
Building the perfect sleep system by combining tents, sleeping bags, and ground pads.
Chapter 13: The Outdoor Kitchen
Cooking advice and recipes to fuel every hike and hiker.
Chapter 14: Liquid Refreshment
Where to find water and how to make it safe to drink.
Chapter 15: Hygiene on the Trail
Sensible strategies to keep clean on the trail.
Chapter 16 How to Survive
The no-panic plan on how to respond when trouble arises.
Chapter 17: First Aid
The on-trail prescription to fix blisters, bumps, and bruises.
Chapter 18: The Wild Things
Keeping encounters with poisonous plants and wildlife at a safe but exciting distance.
Chapter 19: High-Country Hazards
Hiking and camping tips for more challenging trails and terrain.
Chapter 20: Expanding Your Skills
Where to seek your next great adventure.
Appendixes
A Glossary
B Resources
C Equipment Checklists
Chapter 1: Get Started with Day-Hiking
Getting started with shorter hikes that allow you to sleep in your own bed at night.
Chapter 2: Hiking for All Ages and Types
Finding a satisfying trail whether you hike by yourself, with a partner, or in a group.
Chapter 3: Camping Overnight
The complete guide to a comfortable night's sleep at parks, campgrounds, and backcountry tent-sites.
Chapter 4: Backpacking Basics
Getting deeper into the woods, mountains, or wherever you want to explore by carrying everything you need on your back.
Chapter 5: Training Your Body for the Trail
Everyday fitness routines to get you in shape for any level of hiking.
Chapter 6: Never Get Lost (Again)
Easy-to-follow map, compass, and GPS tutorials to keep you on the right trail.
Chapter 7: Essentials for Every Trip
The lifesaving gear you should never leave home without.
Chapter 8: Welcome to Gear World
Expert advice on how to buy high-quality and long-lasting equipment.
Chapter 9: Footwear Fundamentals
Finding hiking boots or trail shoes guaranteed to keep your feet happy and blister-free.
Chapter 10: Outdoor Clothing 101
Smart layering advice for weather that's either fair or foul.
Chapter 11: Hauling Your Daypacks and Weekend Packs
The surefire guide to finding and loading the ideal backpack.
Chapter 12: Shelter from the Storm
Building the perfect sleep system by combining tents, sleeping bags, and ground pads.
Chapter 13: The Outdoor Kitchen
Cooking advice and recipes to fuel every hike and hiker.
Chapter 14: Liquid Refreshment
Where to find water and how to make it safe to drink.
Chapter 15: Hygiene on the Trail
Sensible strategies to keep clean on the trail.
Chapter 16 How to Survive
The no-panic plan on how to respond when trouble arises.
Chapter 17: First Aid
The on-trail prescription to fix blisters, bumps, and bruises.
Chapter 18: The Wild Things
Keeping encounters with poisonous plants and wildlife at a safe but exciting distance.
Chapter 19: High-Country Hazards
Hiking and camping tips for more challenging trails and terrain.
Chapter 20: Expanding Your Skills
Where to seek your next great adventure.
Appendixes
A Glossary
B Resources
C Equipment Checklists
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2010
127 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 9, 2012
Good general refernce book for those not schooled in the art of Backpacking.
May 12, 2017
I don't have any strong feelings on this, except to say if I were to buy a guide on backpacking, this probably wouldn't be it. (Got it from the library)
December 30, 2018
A great very broad introductory overview of the subjects at hand. It will provide information for the novice about what they need to learn for each area and provide them with the basics.
May 24, 2024
great beginner foundation!
February 23, 2016
This is definitely a great book for those of us who are getting starting in backpacking and hiking!!! It has a lot of general information and some specific information. You should see my book, with all of the highlighting and all of the pages I've tagged!!!
However if you are looking for a book for a specific area hike or backpacking type, this is not your book. You will need to look for a book and map for that specific area/state and hiking/camping type. As I learned with this book, there are many different types of equipment needed for the different types of hiking/camping and you MUST be prepared for what you are going out for so research, pack and be prepared!!!!! This means, reading this general book, reading other specific books, getting maps, getting the right gear, and so forth.....
Like I said this is a wonderful general, getting started book and I totally recommend it!!! But don't let this one be your last one. It's not mine :-)
However if you are looking for a book for a specific area hike or backpacking type, this is not your book. You will need to look for a book and map for that specific area/state and hiking/camping type. As I learned with this book, there are many different types of equipment needed for the different types of hiking/camping and you MUST be prepared for what you are going out for so research, pack and be prepared!!!!! This means, reading this general book, reading other specific books, getting maps, getting the right gear, and so forth.....
Like I said this is a wonderful general, getting started book and I totally recommend it!!! But don't let this one be your last one. It's not mine :-)
September 24, 2010
Very well-written and concise.
A lot of this was a refresher-course for me, but there were some things I hadn't even considered before, like using a Pemethrin treatment on clothes and gear rather than (or in addition to) DEET. Even topics like the use of antimicrobial fabrics were pretty interesting. Usually, it seemed like most books focus on layering, which is great in cold climates but doesn't apply much to summer camping/hiking in Florida ;)
Other sections slowly changed my mindset on certain things -- mainly with the use of sleeping pads. The author makes a convincing case for their use.
I guess things have changed over the past few years and they aren't all bulky and heavy like they used to be. I'm also looking forward to trying out an inflatable pad, myself, and seeing if it's really as great as everyone claims.
A lot of this was a refresher-course for me, but there were some things I hadn't even considered before, like using a Pemethrin treatment on clothes and gear rather than (or in addition to) DEET. Even topics like the use of antimicrobial fabrics were pretty interesting. Usually, it seemed like most books focus on layering, which is great in cold climates but doesn't apply much to summer camping/hiking in Florida ;)
Other sections slowly changed my mindset on certain things -- mainly with the use of sleeping pads. The author makes a convincing case for their use.
I guess things have changed over the past few years and they aren't all bulky and heavy like they used to be. I'm also looking forward to trying out an inflatable pad, myself, and seeing if it's really as great as everyone claims.
August 2, 2014
3.5-4: for me, i found this helpful in just sorting out some of the terminology and thinking through some of the different aspects of a backpacking trip. i actually read this whole book, which i actually didn't expect going into it. it was clearly written and there were some places where i wanted a bit more detail, but he was very consistent in writing "just enough", so i felt like there were other resources i could turn to if it was more detail i wanted. i wish these "idiots" books had more photos, but i realize it's not quite the point. i enjoyed it.
July 23, 2015
An insider’s guide to the basic set of information you should know before you go backpacking and hiking. Easy to read and understand, this book will get you on the path to accomplishing your goals of adventure!
I highly recommend this book. More of my review can be found at: hesaidbooksorme.blogspot.com
I highly recommend this book. More of my review can be found at: hesaidbooksorme.blogspot.com
August 10, 2016
Skim/read this today. There is a lot of information here and though I have learned much of it before, there was plenty that I needed. We are trying for our first backpacking trip this fall.
December 11, 2013
Does what it says on a tin. A good guide to backpacking and hiking (mostly backpacking) that feels thorough without being overwhelming.
September 12, 2014
Lots of good tips and a great overview of hiking and backpacking. A light an easy read that sparks my interest to do more of the subject.
December 11, 2014
Wonderfully practical introduction to backpacking. Doesn't talk down to you, but also doesn't gloss over the basics that out-of-practice people like me need.
March 30, 2014
Good basic guide. Now I just need to get the gumption to do something with it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews