Backwoods Ethics: A Guide to Low-Impact Camping and Hiking [Paperback]

Laura Waterman (Author), Guy Waterman (Author), Bill McKibben (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2003

When "Backwood Ethics" was first published in 1979, the Watermans' "new ethic" was enthusiastically received by environmentalists, hikers, and wilderness managers. This expanded edition brings the basics of low-impact hiking, camping and cooking, and alpine management into the 21st century. Here the authors take a fresh look at ways to protect the physical environment of our mountains and backcountry.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A classic of backpacking literature. -- Backpacker

A gem...a bright enjoyable book with something to say. (Tacoma News Tribune -- Tacoma News Tribune

Humorous, intelligent, thoughtful and kindly...a down-to-earth guide to low-impact camping. -- Sierra

About the Author

Laura and Guy Waterman are known throughout New England for their passionate commitment to hiking, climbing, and conservation in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They have lectured and written on environmental issues for periodicals including Backpacker, Appalachia, and New England Outdoors. Their books include Wilderness Ethics: Preserving the Spirit of Wildness; Forest and Crag: A History of Hiking, Trail Blazing, and Adventure in the Northeast Mountains; Yankee Rock and Ice: A History of Climbing in the Northeastern US; and A Fine Kind of Madness: Mountain Tales Tall and True. Guy died in February 2000; Laura lives in East Corinth, Vermont.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Countryman Press; 2 Rev Sub edition (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088150257X
• ISBN-13: 978-0881502572
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,110,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The original source book for the minimum impact movement, February 10, 1999

By 

Pete Ketcham ([e-mail]) (Moscow, Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Backwoods Ethics: A Guide to Low-Impact Camping and Hiking (Paperback)

This book was one of the originals in this subject, not to mention one of the best. What is great about this book is that not only is it a how-to manual for leave no trace camping, but it also explores the multi-faceted issue of "what are we trying to preserve" with our remaining wild lands. As someone who works in the field of backcountry land management, I couldn't recommend this book more highly to both hikers and land managers alike. Check out the companion book, Wilderness Ethics as well. Pete Ketcham, Green Mountain Club, Vermont.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mighty fine book!, February 20, 2001

By 

P. W. Duggan (Winnetka, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Backwoods Ethics: A Guide to Low-Impact Camping and Hiking (Paperback)

If you are an outdoors-person, then this is a must read. Anyone involved in any outdoor groups should read this and have members read this! Newcomers and old pros alike may love this literature, for its leasons are timeless! Thank you, Laura and Guy Waterman!

3.0 out of 5 stars Older, less complete than newer Leave no trace books, June 14, 2010

By 

J. Hulstein - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Backwoods Ethics: A Guide to Low-Impact Camping and Hiking (Paperback)

Let me start out by telling you that this is a five star book, as a snapshot of its value in the 1990s. I gave it three stars as a snapshot of its value in 2010. In the early 1990s, this book was an excellent and ground breaking release. However, now in 2010, I think there are many more informative and more universal books on the subject leave no trace. If you are trying to gain the most complete information shop elsewhere.

That being said the information is really personal to the authors, in that it pertains to how they were directly related to the problems at hand in the northeastern states prior to 1990. It is not that they are no longer valuable, it is that the authors are very long winded about problems on the mountain tundra, wintertime hiking, trail maintenance, and backwoods crowds. And to that end, I did learn something new about each of these topics.

What I want a book of this type to cover is factual scientific reasons why and how to not erode soil, or pollute waterways, use the bathroom, and stay sanitary while in the backwoods. Some of which the authors did gloss over or lightly mention, just no to the degree I am looking for.