The Outward Bound Backpacker's Handbook [Paperback]

Glenn Randall (Author)

Book Description

Series: Outward Bound | Publication Date: December 1, 1999

This manual includes instructions for everything from ecologically conscious trailside cooking to responsible trip-planning.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's not every day you find a how-to guide that's laugh-out-loud funny--which is why, in addition to being a handy resource, The Outward Bound Backpacker's Handbook is such a treat. Author and mountaineer Glenn Randall entertains as he teaches, using witty accounts from a lifetime in the outdoors to illustrate lessons on packing light, planning a route, keeping warm in the cold, and steering clear of mosquitoes, bears, and poisonous plants. A beautiful alpine hike spoiled by "toilet paper flowers" along the trail highlights, for instance, the need for sanitation in the backcountry; a miserable, soggy night spent in a down sleeping bag shows the importance of choosing the right gear. Veteran backpackers will recognize the accuracy of Randall's advice (and even learn a few things), while greenhorns will find excellent instruction on the essentials, from reading a topographic map to cooking outdoors to crossing a mountain stream.

Randall devotes half the pages to shopping for gear, which might seem odd considering this is a book on exploring the great outdoors. But, as the author notes, choosing the right equipment can be half the battle. The Handbook addresses questions like: How warm a sleeping bag do you need? Is Gore-Tex gear really worth it? Why is cotton fabric a no-no in the outdoors? What are the pros and cons of internal-frame backpacks?

After covering equipment, the Handbook turns to outdoor instruction, offering advice on map-and-compass orienteering, selecting a campsite, purifying water, camping cleanly, hiking with children, and first aid (for a thorough examination of this last topic, try The Outward Bound Wilderness First-Aid Handbook). Throughout, Randall's tone remains laid-back and conversational, as if he were sharing his expertise around the campfire. Fellow mountaineer and Into Thin Air author Jon Krakauer calls this "without question the best backpacking manual I've ever seen," and after reading The Outward Bound Backpacker's Handbook, you may well agree. --Demian McLean

Review

"Without question the best backpacking manual I have ever seen." --Jon Krakauer

 

"Budding gearheads and beginning backpackers venturing into challenging terrain will be well served by this guide." --Backpacker

"Randall covers the gamut, from buying the right kind of books to camping with kids... valuable for backpackers of all levels." --Pursuit Northwest

"Experienced and new campers alike will find a caring environmental ethic along with impeccable advice on choosing equipment." --Ted Kerasote

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press; 1st edition (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558219412
• ISBN-13: 978-1558219410
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,046,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you need to know, February 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Outward Bound Backpacker's Handbook (Paperback)

Outward Bound does a great job with these books. We were beginners when we bought it, but still look through it's pages on occasion. Small enough to stuff into a pack without weighing it down, a very good and informative read.

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible, lacks useful information, with many bible/christian references, January 21, 2012

By 

Gear Freak (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Outward Bound Backpacker's Handbook (Paperback)

The book read like a lecture from a preacher, with references to the second coming of christ, and noah's ark. About 75% of the book was very preachy, spouting his unrealistic views on morals. Nearly HALF the book was about packing out trash, picking up other peoples' trash as you hike, including human feces and toilet paper.

This book seems very dated, even though the copyright isn't that old, from 1999. The author is old, explaining most of his experience from the sixties and seventies. This book is like an overview of what you should know, without going into any details. The weak attempts at humor were not well done, making me cringe with ever poor joke.

The paper stock is similar to newspaper print, with a few grey scale drawings, which were just as useless as the book.

The author is against all forms of fire, touting backpacking stoves instead. There is no information on fire starting, or tying knots. He says to tie a string around a rock, but doesn't tell you how. His bear bag hanging technique was useless.

Unfortunately, I ordered two books from this author, and I lament the arrival of the other book I ordered. This book is good for one thing. Kindling for a CAMPFIRE!