Books on Hiking and Backpacking

[tim8557]

I don't wish to hijack the "Hiking Boots" thread so I'll start another.

At age 60, I've decided to start hiking, starting with the State and local metro parks. I hate "fanny Packs" so I just bought a small back pack that would allow you to carry whatever you'd need.

Can any of you seasoned hikers recommend a bible of Hiking?

[Gruder]

What sort of information are you looking for, Tim? Nothing comprehensive comes to my mind, though my introduction to hiking came with a Boy Scout Handbook in my pack.

A book you may enjoy, though not a technical guide by any means, is Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods".

[Taipei Personality]

If you're looking for philosophical, rather than technical, books I would recommend Colin Fletcher, especially, "The Secret Worlds of Colin Fletcher" and "The Man Who Walked Through Time". He also has a quasi-technical book, "The Complete Walker". I am sure they are out-of-print, but you can likely find them on www.addall.com.

Phil

[tim8557]

What sort of information are you looking for, Tim? Nothing comprehensive comes to my mind, though my introduction to hiking came with a Boy Scout Handbook in my pack.

A book you may enjoy, though not a technical guide by any means, is Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods".

I was looking for probably something on the technical side. How to use Topo Maps, GPS, compasses. What are some of the essentials that should be in the pack. I see myself working up to day long hikes in the forests in S. Ohio and Kentucky.

Mainly, with my rampant OCD kicking in, when I find something of interest (wine, cigars, golf, knives etc) I read as much about the subject as I can (obsessively).

Thanks for any insight.

[Gruder]

I was looking for probably something on the technical side. How to use Topo Maps, GPS, compasses. What are some of the essentials that should be in the pack. I see myself working up to day long hikes in the forests in S. Ohio and Kentucky.

Mainly, with my rampant OCD kicking in, when I find something of interest (wine, cigars, golf, knives etc) I read as much about the subject as I can (obsessively).

Thanks for any insight.

I'm with you on gathering as much information as possible before diving in. I use the same approach for buying big ticket items. Then again, my wife tends to get a bit miffed at times when it takes me a few months to decide on an appropriate new microwave

The best book I can think of to meet your needs, though I'm sure there are others, it the Boy Scout Fieldbook (not the handbook). It covers things such as packing, navigation, and map reading in good detail. (In the interest of full disclosure, I haven't perused the latest version -- mine's a couple of editions older as I gave up the Assistant Scoutmaster game when I moved a few years back). It won't be available at your local bookstore, I'm guessing, but a local Scout supply shop should have one, or it can be ordered through the website: http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/...COUTS&C4=&LV=3.

[whodat]

Hiking, backpacking and most things outdoors are hard to learn in books. My suggestion is to find an organization that teaches the kinds of things you want to learn. In California, I always recommend avid hikers / people interested in becoming avid hikers to look into joining a volunteer Search and Rescue team in their area.

SAR teams are run by County Sheriff's Departments here -- not sure how it is in your area. The members are almost 100% volunteers. They train and practice outdoor skills including navigation, first aid, etc. etc. -- all good stuff for an individual wanting to further their knowledge in how to get by in the outdoors.

I like the applied approach -- philosophy and theory are nothing without doing something.

I've run California-wide trainings for SAR volunteers and the primary goal is always to make the volunteer searcher self-sufficient and able to care for themselves and others in the field. This is good stuff.

[Rorschuck]

If you're looking for philosophical, rather than technical, books I would recommend Colin Fletcher, especially, "The Secret Worlds of Colin Fletcher" and "The Man Who Walked Through Time". He also has a quasi-technical book, "The Complete Walker". I am sure they are out-of-print, but you can likely find them on www.addall.com.

Phil

I was going to suggesst "The Complete Walker" as well. It's still in print, and was at edition 4 several years ago. Definitely the one to own if you own only one.

If you own two, get "Beyond Backpacking" by Ray Jardine. His philosophy is a bit odd and his ideas border on the extreme at times (backpacking in sandals, nothing but wheat pasta), but if you can overlook that, there's a wealth of information. You might have to get it from his website (rayjardine.com, IIRC).

What he espouses is akin to DE shaving for backpacking; he makes much of his own gear and eschews mainstream practices and manufacturers.

[Bluestaco]

Ray Jardine's books, and anything he has about ultralight backpacking are worthwhile reads, even if you aren't looking to cut load weight.

[Velomane]

My recommendation would be Chris Townsend's "the Backpacker's Handbook". It is extremely thorough including some information on GPS and navigating in the bush, buying gear and ultralight hiking as well.

Mike

[TwelveBravo]

Tim,
I would recommend "Hiking & Backpacking, A Trailside Guide" by Karen Berger and/or "The Backpacker's Handbook" by Chris Townsend as far as "how to" books go. I have read both and found them useful. Another excellent source would be Backpacker Magazine's "Day Hiker's Handbook" by Michael Lanza. This is broken down into user friendly sections from "Getting Started" to "Gear" to "Water and food" to "health and safety" as well as map and compass basics. A VERY useful book.

I live just north of Cincinnati and as for "where to hike" guide books, I would recommend the Falcon guides "Hiking Ohio" by Mary Reed and "Hiking Kentucky" by Michael H. Brown. Also of interest are "50 Hikes in Ohio" and "50 More Hikes in Ohio" both by Ralph Ramey, and "50 Hikes in Kentucky" by Hiram Rogers. All of these are decent resources. They have directions to trail heads, mileages, over views of the hikes, and basic maps as well as check lists for hikes.

Hope this is of some use to you. I can't wait for the weather to cool down some and to hit the trail. Good luck.

Rick

[tim8557]

Some great info from all of you. Rick, your references on the Ohio and Kentucky Guides will come in very useful.

I live is West Chester, so we must be close to being neighbors.

Thanks to all that responded.

[TwelveBravo]

Tim,
Actually I live in Hamilton, so we are just about neighbors. If you get just one "how to book" I would suggest "Day Hiker's Handbook". It is the best quick overview.

Good luck to you. If can be of any further help, let me know.

Rick

[Confilo]

I don't wish to hijack the "Hiking Boots" thread so I'll start another.

At age 60, I've decided to start hiking, starting with the State and local metro parks. I hate "fanny Packs" so I just bought a small back pack that would allow you to carry whatever you'd need.

Can any of you seasoned hikers recommend a bible of Hiking?

Just for the fun and a good time hiking, read "A walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson.
Bill and friend try to hike the Appalachian Trial and is a true story

[otherstar]

The best book I can think of to meet your needs, though I'm sure there are others, it the Boy Scout Fieldbook (not the handbook). It covers things such as packing, navigation, and map reading in good detail. (In the interest of full disclosure, I haven't perused the latest version -- mine's a couple of editions older as I gave up the Assistant Scoutmaster game when I moved a few years back). It won't be available at your local bookstore, I'm guessing, but a local Scout supply shop should have one, or it can be ordered through the website: http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/...COUTS&C4=&LV=3.

+1 on the Boy Scout Fieldbook and the Handbook. Both of chock full of basic outdoors information, including first aid.