Backpacker & Hiker's Handbook

by William Kemsley

- Must-know trail skills: finding your way, purifying water, cooking on the trail, where and how to set up camp - Solo backpacking, all-female groups, and hiking with children, seniors, and pets plus ideas for going light and enhancing your trail photography - How to handle dangerous situations--encounters with bears, inclement weather, and medical emergencies Backpacker and Hiker's Handbook tells how to plan and prepare for a backpacking trip and discusses equipment, safety, and the essential trail skills of using a compass, purifying water, cooking, and where and how to set up camp.

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 13, 2007

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems like a very useful resource for everything related to hiking and backpacking. Probably more than I'll need - in this life, at least - but a book I plan to buy; (the one I read was from the library). No doubt a five-star book, but since I'm a novice, I can't really vouch for the validity of Kemsley's advice (at least not yet!).

UPDATE (2/11/2014): After six months of hiking (but no backpacking yet), I can say that I've found no evidence that this book deserves anything less than five stars. This is based on my own limited experience, plus what I've picked up from the many experienced hikers and backpackers I've hiked with. Every tidbit of advice seems to be right on the money. (Note: I borrowed this book from the library, but then bought my own copy after I read it the first time.)