The Ultimate Desert Handbook : A Manual for Desert Hikers, Campers and Travelers [Paperback]

Mark Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 26, 2003

Discover the joys of desert camping, hiking, and travel. Harsh, yet hauntingly beautiful; arid, yet teeming with life; inhospitable, yet profoundly peaceful - the earth's deserts beckon the poet and the backpacker, the artist and the adventurer. If you're heading into the desert, however, you should know what to expect, what to look for, and how to withstand extreme desert conditions. Richly illustrated with photographs and drawings, "The Ultimate Desert Handbook" is your complete guide to hiking, exploration, and survival in fascinating but unforgiving desert terrain.It gives you the crucial information you need to make the most of any desert sojourn, including detailed descriptions of North American deserts, their plants and wildlife, and their distinctive geological features. You'll also find the most comprehensive tutorial on desert navigation ever published and expert advice on equipment, safety, and first-aid techniques. You'll learn how to: select the perfect desert campsite; manage your water supply; share the landscape with desert wildlife; maintain vehicles in desert conditions; protect yourself with the right clothing and equipment; and be at home in a vast and elemental terrain.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...This is a reference book that people who want to be serious [desert] hikers should own in their collection." -- Judy Hedding, About.com

From the Author

I intended The Ultimate Desert Handbook to be the reference I always wanted to have with me when exploring the desert, but could never find on the shelves. Not just a ordinary trail guidebook, the Ultimate Desert Handbook was written to provide hikers and other desert visitors with information on the deserts of the world, the peoples, plants and wildlife of North America, and how to safely coexist and survive in a new and perhaps unfamiliar part of our world. The book's 296 pages covers all aspects of desert hiking, backpacking, wheeled travel, equipment, navigation, and survival. Whether it's getting water out of primitive wells, using a map and compass, trip preparation, clothing recommendations, emergency water collection techniques, or GPS navigation tips, the Handbook provides much needed information on how to thrive in the desert environment. The book also contains extensive historical background and modern examples to demonstrate the importance of desert skills to the reader. Whether you're an experienced 'desert rat' or a newcomer to the desert, you'll find The Ultimate Desert Handbook provides more useful information on the desert than anything else in print. May it help you enjoy countless desert adventures of your own!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (March 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007139303X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071393034
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Walking
  • #70 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Hiking & Camping > Camping

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dry Topic  This is NOT!, August 15, 2003

By 

Troy A. Lettieri "Professional Warrior" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Ultimate Desert Handbook : A Manual for Desert Hikers, Campers and Travelers (Paperback)

This is the only book you will ever need for desert survival in any desert around the globe. It covers introductions to the world's deserts, with emphasis on North American deserts. The book covers general skills pertaining to desert survival (Water, shelter, food, navigation etc.) and also has sections on desert hiking, biking and photography that were good for the novice and refresher for the expert. The chapter on desert transportation was excellent and a subject often over looked in similar titles. Over all I found the book to be quite good for the novice hiker to experienced desert dwellers like extreme adventures and military types.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A hot book!, February 28, 2004

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate Desert Handbook : A Manual for Desert Hikers, Campers and Travelers (Paperback)

I am a hiker, so I looked at the book from a hiking perspective and found it excellent. It is by far the best hiking book I've seen that specifically addresses the unique rigors of being in the heat for lengthy periods. Johnson has a nice little ranking system for each journey, from ranges from one star for easy treks and 4 stars for the strenuous ones. I do think his ranking system is just a trifle soft. Some of the hikes that get 4 stars aren't really that difficult, nor do they have exceptional elevation gains. But this is a minor criticism.

The bext part of the book is the descriptions of how brutal heat can wither the human body. Johnson gives helpful tips on how to protect your skin, face and eyes from the ravaging effects of the sun. I once hiked 24 miles Rim to Rim in one day in the Grand Canyon without sun glasses and can attest how vicious an experience that was on the eyes. He also stresses that you'll need a minimum of one gallon of water, per person, per hour when you're in 100+ degree temperatures. Many scoff and say, "That is too much water!" Believe me, it isn't.

All in all, a good book and one which every desert hiker or desert fan should own.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, November 28, 2005

By 

Sean Ronters (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate Desert Handbook : A Manual for Desert Hikers, Campers and Travelers (Paperback)

As a long-distance desert backpacker and thru-hiker for the last 10 years, I was recommended this book by a friend. I read it cover to cover the first day. On our local ERT it is passed around and used on an almost daily basis, and our local desert park staff saw a copy and promptly got it stocked at the gift shop. In terms of getting prepared for a desert hike, avoiding the dangers of getting lost, dehydration and snakebite it's a very informative and useful guide. I use a 4WD truck to get to desert areas and remote trailheads I plan to hike, and those people who enjoy fourwheeling will also find it helpful in preparing their vehicle for long trips.

Johnson covers a lot of ground in this book, from backpacks to wild critters to first aid, even mountain biking. Because it covers so many desert activities and so many deserts, I'm sure that anyone could pick and choose advice they don't agree with. That doesn't mean it's wrong - just that the critic doesn't have enough experience. One guy didn't appreciate criticism of old canvas backpacks, well I can tell you that they may work for dayhikes, but no one I've ever seen backpacking the desert puts up with their weight or sweat-stink for more than a few miles. The advice on avoiding smugglers and other unfriendly types in the desert is far from hysterical, it's right on - speaking from someone who's had to talk their way out of a few unpleasant late-night encounters. And lightweight boots with good soles may not be enjoyable to a retired couple on a two-hour walk, but with a heavy backpack and 20 miles a day they're just the ticket, especially over broken rock. I also use the recommended green flashlight at night to preserve my night vision, just like military helo pilots do. And, you DO need to keep your attention to what's in front of you on night hikes - unless you like to step on rattlesnakes.

For anyone who really wants to do serious desert tripping or learn about the desert environment, this is the book to have. I'm not giving away my copy.