The Honest Backpacker: A Practical Guide for the Rookie Adventurer over 50

The Baby Boomer’s Handbook for Hitting the Trail The soul-stirring majesty of watching the sunrise from the top of a mountain. The simple pleasure of getting drinking water from a cool, crystal-clear woodland stream. The warm camaraderie that you only find on the trail. Backpacking is a magical pursuit. It’s not only an excellent way to achieve lifelong fitness and health, but it can also be a profoundly moving and unforgettable experience. It sparks something primal inside us and allows us to connect with nature on a deeply personal level. But preparing for a trip into the great outdoors can seem like a daunting task for the first-time adventurer, especially those of us approaching and rebelling against our “golden” years. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. In The Honest Backpacker: A Practical Guide for the Rookie Adventurer Over 50 seasoned backpackers Jim and Nicole Klopovic share a step-by-step plan for preparing for your first backpacking trip tailored to the novice, mature adventurer. They provide essential advice and trail-proven tips on a wide variety of topics, including getting your body, mind, and spirit in shape for your trip; planning your hike (what, where, when); what gear you’ll need and how to select it; creating healthy menus and purchasing food for the trail; what to pack and how to pack it; trail safety and etiquette; and much, much more. You’ll learn everything you need to know to have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable backpacking experience . . . and want to do it again. Plus, to inspire and motivate you, Jim shares stories of the spectacular sights and fascinating people he met while trekking across northern England on the England Coast-to-Coast Walk. Much more than just another “how-to” guide, The Honest Backpacker is your invitation to venture out into the wilderness, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of nature.

When Jim Klopovic retired after two careers and 50 years of "flying a desk," he resolved to spend the best years of his life making new friends, creating memories and giving back. He decided to try backpacking and immediately fell in love with it. His many backpacking adventures have included hiking the England Coast-to-Coast Walk and portions of the Appalachian Trail while continuing to explore the world. Jim's motivation for writing The Honest Backpacker is to inspire his fellow baby boomers (and others) to stay active, to take the road less traveled through the outdoor recreation of hiking, and to experience the wonders of the hiking trail. He lives in Morrisville, North Carolina.