Wilderness Basics: Hiking, Backpacking, Mountain Biking (Mountaineers Outdoor Basics) (Paperback)

~ Kristi Anderson (Editor), Arleen Tavernier (Editor), Sierra Club San Diego Chapter (Corporate Author) "Earth, the third planet from the sun, is the mildest and most hospitable of the nine..." (more)
Key Phrases: orienting arrow, circular housing, declination lines, United States, North America, Jerry Schad (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A very thorough introduction to travel in the outdoors. -- The Cascadian

[This] book will still provide tips and suggestions for how to best venture into the wilds. -- Idaho Falls Post Register

Product Description

A classic handbook for the outdoor novice--extensively updated to reflect new trends in wilderness recreation.

*New chapters on mountain biking, Leave No Trace strategies, and avoiding dangerous encounters with wild animals *Wilderness instructors address the real questions of people heading into the backcountry for the first time

Instructors for the Wilderness Basics Course of the San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club have taught tens of thousands of people how to enjoy the wilderness. Now they have updated their indispensable guide to backcountry adventure--from planning a trip and selecting gear to fitting a backpack and practicing first aid. Additional new material includes GPS use and sample menus utilizing the latest food products on the market.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books; 3 edition (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898868149
• ISBN-13: 978-0898868142
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #321,501 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not enough detail!!!, January 30, 2001

By	Chris Phillips "chrisph" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wilderness Basics: The Complete Handbook for Hikers & Backpackers (Paperback)

Although Wilderness Basics covers the essential topics regarding roughing it in the outdoors, it lacks sufficient detail for novice campers. The authors should have added more depth to the gear section, particularly about tents. Furthermore, they failed to adequately discuss weatherproofing for tents, a definite basic for me! There are some topics that are informative, and campers should know them, but I was looking for a book to keep in my pack for reference. This book was not it. Happy travels!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars okay, but needs updating, September 18, 2001

By	Joseph Bullough (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Wilderness Basics: The Complete Handbook for Hikers & Backpackers (Paperback)

I found this to be a decent source of information on basic hiking and backpacking skills, but felt it was somewhat lacking in detail. I picked up a few good tips here and there, but anyone looking for detailed information on the topics covered in this book would be better off looking elsewhere. Also, the book is starting to show signs of age, especially in the chapter on equipment - example; GPS navigation is not covered in the book. A revised or new addition should solve this problem. A good book, but not outstanding.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great wilderness guide!, July 31, 2009

By	Kristi Anderson (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Please note that the three reviews showing which are dated 2001 are obviously for the previous edition of this volume. This 3rd edition volume published in 2004 - please disregard these reviews!!! Thank you.