The Backpacker's Field Manual

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.

Rick Curtis has been the director of the Outdoor Action Program at Princeton University since 1981. He lectures regularly on topics such as outdoor saftey, running a wilderness orientation program, training college wilderness leaders, and building Web sites. He has been backpacking and camping across the United States for the past twenty years.