While the internet is filled with hiking and backpacking guides, sometimes you would rather crack open a real book to help you on your hiking and backpacking journey. This can be especially true when you’re in areas with limited wifi, or you simply want to disconnect from technology.
In this post, seasoned explorers shared 12 backpacking/hiking books and guides for beginners to ease their need and understanding of the wilderness of survival.
1. The Complete Walker IV
Experienced voyagers believe that this fourth edition book by Colin Fletcher, an author and hiker who’s a publisher of many outdoor camping books, and Chip Rawlins, an avid writer and a poet from Wyoming.
This book was published 18 years after the publication of the third edition. The Complete Walker IV is regarded as the bible in the backpacking world. The book covers hiking and camping in various aspects, including tips on wildlife, outdoor gear, cooking, and clothing.
2. The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide, Second Edition: Tools And Techniques To Hit The Trail
The second edition of The Ultimate Hiker’s Guide by Andrew Skurka is deemed excellent by professional hikers. Andrew Skurka is an expert hiker, a professional athlete, a writer, and a guide who shares his precious knowledge with beginners in the survival world.
The second edition of The Ultimate Hiker’s Guide had an additional 16 pages, including topics for food on the trail and updates on gear recommendations with the usual guide to clothing, footwear, camps, cooking, and efficient hiking techniques.
3. Allen & Mike’s Cool Backpackin’ Book: Traveling & Camping Skills For A Wilderness Environment (Allen & Mike’s Series)
Expert travelers are of the opinion that this book by Allen and Mike has tons of information lying within the book. Additionally, the book is super interesting to read as it has the perfect blend of comedy and sarcasm.
This dynamic duo has been the reason behind the incredible success of their previous two blockbuster books. From day-hiking to extended expeditions, this book briefly explains all the perspectives of backpacking adventures and is termed to be the supreme in the genre.
4. The Backpacker’s Field Manual: A Comprehensive Guide To Mastering Backcountry
This guide is regarded as a bible by many expert globetrotters. The Backpacker’s Field Manual by Rick Curtis is termed one of the most comprehensive backpacking guides available in the market.
This Manual by Rick Curtis explains every perspective, from choosing a campsite to handling unexpected situations. Although this manual is loved by most and has more than 100 illustrations drawn for easy understanding of valuable skills, some voyagers of the wilderness think that it has become too old school, but still, this can be a good guide, and you might even find some old tricks that are easy to learn but highly effective.
5. REI Backpacking Checklist
Some pro scouts introduced this website, which includes free material that can be great for those who want minimum investment but maximum enjoyment. It talks about what you should bring while backpacking, what is light backpacking, and a lot more outdoor tricks and essentials.
The website acts as a guide for beginners and marks all the essentials for your backpacking adventure. Furthermore, the website is deliberately comprehensive, with explained tips and tricks for trips in the backcountry.
6. The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Backpacking And Hiking
Another book is praised by newcomers in the backpacking field and is said to be perfect for hiking due to its easy-to-understand and straightforward advice. Experts suggest this guide to be the most suitable for beginners.
This book by Michael Mouland covers everything from selecting suitable gear to understanding backpacking etiquette. The guide helps you build the skills and techniques to enjoy your outdoor activities with efficient use of your equipment.
7. The Backpacker’s Handbook
An intermediate adventurer shared his experience with this book. He, being a professional backpacker, suggests this book to the novices. Experts believe that whether you’re a veteran or it’s your first time on the trails, this enormously practical guide will help you a lot along the way.
Chris Townsend’s guide includes essential techniques such as using a compass and the skills needed for more remote wild journeys. The books include more elaborated topics on choosing the perfect footwear, GPS devices, stoves, and reviews from previous editions.
8. A Walk In The Woods
“A Walk In The Woods” by Bill Bryson is subsequently different from the traditional guides. A regular hiker mentioned that he enjoyed giving this book a read because it doesn’t bore the audience.
In the book, Bill humorously recounts his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trial. While this isn’t a traditional backpacking guide, this book offers its readers a delightful experience as the author introduces the history and ecology of the Appalachian Trail. He briefly explained the meetups of the wilderness of the trail. A Walk in the Woods is a classic book to read while sitting in a comfortable chair.
9. Wild: From Lost To Found On The Pacific Crest Trail
A #1 New York Times bestseller written by Cheryl Strayed. Voyagers love this book due to its suspense and humorous tone. The author tells the story of her eleven-hundred-mile solo hike that broke her and made her into a magnificent human being.
A commenter concludes that this book is a journey of discovery and growth. He believes that the author didn’t spend all her time hiking and facing challenges, but most importantly, she did it all alone and all by herself. Her description of places and her physical endurance made you feel you were right there with her.
10. Ultralight Backpackin’ Tips
Another splendid publishment of Mike Clelland is an origin of praise from beginners to expert voyagers. The book demonstrates how impractical it is to carry out your journey with a heavy pack. A light pack will help you get more out of your adventure.
Outdoor professional and illustrator Mike Clelland portrayed advanced packing etiquettes without omitting the crucial things and yet staying well fed and comfy. Some of the tips listed in the book are using a scale, being nerdy is okay, and trying something new every time you go camping.
11. Trail Life: Ray Jardine’s Lightweight Backpacking
This four-hundred-page book is praised by many experts and backpackers. This book by Ray Jardine demonstrates lightweight backpacking tricks and Ray’s methods for safe and enjoyable hiking and camping.
The book offers guidance in managing equipment, food, water, and especially on how to deal with reptiles such as snakes and other wild animals. Furthermore, Trail Life is one of the few books to include a chapter, especially for women.
12. Into The Wild
An avid reader and adventurer believes that the thing that sets this book apart from others is that it isn’t a traditional backpacking guide. The book tells the story of Author Christopher McCandless, a young individual who set out on a journey to explore the wilderness of Alaska. Into the Wild explores aspects of adventures, discoveries, and difficulties of living off the grid.
Readers believe that this book is among the very few that can be said to be classic.
Source: Reddit
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