The Hiking Companion: Getting the most from the trail experience throughout the seasons: where to go, what to bring, basic navigation, and backpacking

by Michael W. Robbins

Strap on your boots and get out on the trail! Drawing from personal experience, Michael W. Robbins describes what to expect when hiking in various terrains — from forests to fields and lake edges to mountains. Informative and fun, The Hiking Companion combines tips for trip planning, equipment, navigation, and safety with exciting stories of once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Whether you’re an expert hiker or setting out on your first overnighter, this inspiring guide is full of practical advice to make your next outing a success. 

Genres: Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2003

Reviews

[Cris · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good choice for someone with little to no experience hiking--someone who's considering giving it a try. Robbins provides a wealth of personal experience and stories about his experiences to persuade readers of the benefits of hiking.

I've been day-hiking for years, and I'm not interested in backpacking, so little of the contents was new to me. Still, Robbins is an accessible and engaging author.

I'll admit I got a kick that I've already hiked so many of the locations that Robbins highlights as the places he would happily return to. (Others I'd like to visit, like Canyonlands National Park in Moab, UT.)

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting anecdotes of his hiking experience made this book an easy and enjoyable read. That said, for a novice hiker, city person like myself, he assumes far too much. For me, navigation is the biggest concern and problem. His section on that is vague at best, and assumes the reader already has a robust understanding of and experience in orienting and map reading. This was a pleasant read, but does not suffice as a primer.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It didn't have a ton of new info about hiking, but I did glean a couple new bits of advice from it. It sure makes me look forward to getting out there soon on another hike!