Basic Essentials Backpacking, 3rd

by Russ Schneider

An information-packed tool for the novice or handy reference for the veteran. Distills years of knowledge into an affordable and portable book. With this handy book you'll discover how to plan a trip with the right level of challenge, select the appropriate gear and provisions for your trip, get your hiking boots to fit you comfortably, find your way in the wilderness, and prepare a quick, easy and hearty meal.

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1989

About the author

Russ Schneider has been a backpacking, rafting, and fishing guide with Glacier Wilderness Guide in West Glacier, Montana, since 1993. He has also served as an editor for many of Falcon's how-to books. His numerous books include Backpacking Tips, Best Hikes Along the Continental Divide, Fishing Glacier National Park, and Hiking the Columbia River Gorge.

Reviews

[Renata · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was originally published in 1989 and it definitely makes more sense in a pre-internet world. Like it's a good basic introduction? It feels like a series of Wikipedia articles in print. I think it was a little more basic than what I was looking for? But "Basic" is literally in the title, and this would probably be great for someone looking for, uh, a very basic introduction.

[Anne Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little guide for the beginning day tripper or overnight backpacker. Having spent a fair amount of time hiking and backpacking our local southwestern desert's wilderness areas, I can vouch for a lot of the advise given in this book. One thing I found missing among his equipment lists, though, was a functional hiking stick, which can serve to help you maintain your balance when on rough terrain or while crossing streams. Likewise, I found no advice for actually doing stream crossings, which can be touchy with fast water, slick rocks, and the potential of being dragged under by your backpack if you don't take the initiative to unstrap it enough to be able to get it off quickly in the event you go for a dip.

The appendices are helpful summations of things you will need as well as organizations that you can affiliate with. However, I would have found the latter to be better arranged if the organizations had been listed by state. (Would someone in California think to look under N for North Star High Adventure Team in San Jose?) I'm sure that this list is dated as well and am uncertain if the book has been updated since I obtained my copy.

Still, the basic information is sound and will serve the beginner well, acting as a base for knowledge that will accumulate with additional experience.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent. No-nonsense, could have gone into greater detail on a number of things, but this book was as much about mindset as it was about the gear.

[Mikayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like most introductory hiking texts, content deserves 5 stars, but language and style gets a solid 0 stars. I get the feeling that the author really knows his stuff but is a complete and utter douchebag.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super no nonsense quick guide to reviewing the basic essentials in backpacking.
Liked his diagram on proper packing.
And only 58 pages.

[John Weibull · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very basic book for the beginner backpacker, filled with useful information.