Get ready to hit the trails!
Hiking is one of the world’s most popular outdoor activities, and Hiking & Backpacking For Dummies is the inclusive reference you need to get started exploring the great outdoors on foot. Whether you’re day hiking in a nearby state or national park or heading into the woods for your first backpacking trip, this book has all the information you’ll need to hit the trail with quiet confidence. From tips on trip planning, gear selection, and health and safety to practical advice on how to optimize your time both on trail and in camp, Hiking & Backpacking For Dummies is a fun and approachable book that will prepare you for the challenges and adventure of hiking in the wilderness.
? Get started with hiking, even if you’ve never set foot on a trail before
? Cut through the marketing hype and discover what hiking apparel and equipment are right for you
? Acquire the knowledge and skills that will allow you to hike safely and responsibly in different environments and seasons
? Learn about the seven principles of "leave no trace hiking and camping,” the golden rules of the great outdoors
Irrespective of age or athletic ability, Hiking & Backpacking For Dummies is for anyone who loves heading outdoors and experiencing the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits inherent in walking in nature.
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Hiking 5
CHAPTER 1: Hiking and Backpacking 101 7
CHAPTER 2: Finding Your Hiking Style: Solo, Group, Family, and Canine
Adventures 13
CHAPTER 3: Planning Your Journey into the Wild 23
CHAPTER 4: Building Strength and Stamina for Hiking 29
CHAPTER 5: Leave No Trace Hiking and Camping 41
CHAPTER 6: Trip Checklists: Day Hikes and Backpacking Excursions 45
Part 2: Gearing Up 51
CHAPTER 7: Using Gear to Hike, Not Hiking to Use Gear 53
CHAPTER 8: Choosing Your Big Four: Backpack, Shelter, Sleeping Bag, and
Sleeping Pad 61
CHAPTER 9: Selecting Clothing and Footwear for Hiking 85
CHAPTER 10: Packing for Your Trip 97
Part 3: Setting Out on the Trail 107
CHAPTER 11: Optimizing Your Hiking Day 109
CHAPTER 12: Finding Your Way in the Wilderness 117
CHAPTER 13: Encountering Animals in the Woods 131
CHAPTER 14: Five Essential Hiking Skills 145
CHAPTER 15: Dealing with Mother Nature's Curveballs 165
Part 4: Creating a Home Away from Home 171
CHAPTER 16: Finding and Setting Up Your Campsite 173
CHAPTER 17: Evening and Morning Camp Routines 183
Part 5: Prioritizing Health and Safety 189
CHAPTER 18: Eating Well on the Trail 191
CHAPTER 19: Hydrating and Purifying: Wilderness Water Solutions 199
CHAPTER 20: Staying Clean(ish) While Hiking and Backpacking 211
CHAPTER 21: Navigating Bites, Stings, and Skin Conditions 221
CHAPTER 22: Regulating Body Temperature in the Wilderness 237
CHAPTER 23: Hiking at High Elevations 249
CHAPTER 24: Surviving Nature's Emergencies 257
CHAPTER 25: First Aid Essentials for Hikers 267
Part 6: The Part of Tens 273
CHAPTER 26: Ten Hiking and Backpacking Myths 275
CHAPTER 27: Ten Mistakes Beginner Hikers Make 281
CHAPTER 28: Ten Dream Hiking Destinations 289
Index 297
Cam Honan is a famed long-distance hiker and wilderness advocate. Over the past 30 years, he has trekked in 61 countries across six continents, set hiking speed records, and pioneered long-distance routes in some of the worlds most rugged environments. He documents his journey on his blog, The Hiking Life. His books include Wanderlust and Wanderlust USA.
