Tricks of the Trail: A Guide to Modern Backpacking (Hiking & Biking)

Everything you need to know to make your wilderness experience safe and enjoyable--for the beginner as well as the expert. Includes current information on outdoor products, what works well and what doesn't.

How we approach the outdoors reflects our individual personalities. Perhaps that's why it seems that every outdoors book evokes quibbles with individual readers. I react with horror that the author of Trick of the Trail includes "Walkman (headphones/tapes)" on his backpacking equipment list , and I quibble with the assertion that a tent (a relatively heavy item in the pack) is always necessary. On the other hand, the author never gets rained on overnight. Quibbles aside, the book is a solid guide to backpacking basics. Among other attributes, it offers thorough discussions for dealing with bears and the relative merits of external versus internal frame packs. It contains an excellent chapter on carrying, finding and purifying water. However, in the end, little distinguishes this book from others in the field. Experienced backpackers won't find much new here and neophytes can find the same information elsewhere. -- From Independent Publisher

Tricks Of The Trail: A Guide To Modern Backpacking provides current information on outdoor products from water filters and insect repellents to stoves and synthetic fabrics. Readers will learn what works well, what doesn't, and why. a handy reference guide at the end lists names, addresses, phone numbers, and internet sites of selected national parks in the United States and Canada, equipment suppliers, outdoor magazines, great backpacking and outdoor websites, and all kinds of practical help to plan a successful backpacking adventure. Tricks Of The Trail is a veritable compendium of "tips, tricks and techniques" that will enhance the backpacking experience. -- Midwest Book Review