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The Backpacker's Handbook
 
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The Backpacker's Handbook [Paperback]

Chris Townsend (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
List Price: $19.95
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Frequently Bought Together

The Backpacker's Handbook + The Backpacker's Field Manual, Revised and Updated: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Backcountry Skills + Trail Food: Drying and Cooking Food for Backpacking and Paddling
Price For All Three: $33.21

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Written in an easy-flowing style with plenty of illustrations and diagrams!this is an invaluable read for anyone aspiring to live amongst nature. Walk 20050502

Product Description

A top-selling recipient of the "Outdoor Writers Guild Award for Excellence," The Backpacker's Handbook owes its success to its enormous practicality for backpackers of all skill levels, covering everything from essential techniques for every backpacking trip--such as map and compass work--to the skills needed for more remote wilderness journeys--such as how to ford rivers safely and how to choose a route through untracked terrain.
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 3 edition (September 12, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0071423206
  • ISBN-13: 978-0071423205
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #125,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #67 in  Books > Outdoors & Nature > Hiking & Camping > Walking
    #63 in  Books > Outdoors & Nature > Hiking & Camping > Camping
    #16 in  Books > Sports > Mountaineering > Instructional

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More About the Author

Chris Townsend
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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
5 star:
 (9)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for your Backpacking Library, March 2, 2006
This review is from: The Backpacker's Handbook (Paperback)
What I liked most about this book is that it is very up to date with available equipment. This is a very informative book and Mr. Townsend does an excellent job of preparing you for a successful backpacking trip. I sell backpacking gear for a living and this is one of the books that I recommend to customers both novice and experienced.
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A good one, August 31, 2006
By G. Stratton (San Luis Obispo, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Backpacker's Handbook (Paperback)
The Backpackers Handbook is more informative and easier to read than the other two books I bought recently (Hiking Light Handbook, and Everyday Wisdom). Save your time and read this one alone.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative Book on Backpacking, February 19, 2008
By D.J. Young (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Backpacker's Handbook (Paperback)
This is a detailed book on backpacking and backpacking equipment. Chris Townsend is the TGO Magazine (The Great Outdoors Magazine) gear editor. He receives all the new equipment, before it hits the shops, to test and write revues on. He has been hiking for over 25years and has walked over 20,000 miles so he has a good idea of what he is talking about. Unlike Ray Jardine's book, beyond backpacking, which advocates making your own gear Chris explains, in a lot of detail, all the different types of gear you can buy for backpacking. He gives his worldly advice on equipment and hiking techniques. If you want to listen to Chris talk about gear try going to backpackinglight.co.uk and click on podcast and you should be able to find some interviews with Chris.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Really just a gear guide
This is really a gear guide rather than a backpacking guide. It is hundreds of pages of gear reviews, with details such as weight and the author's opinions. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Benjamin Kanten

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for Beginners and Experienced
An excellent book for both beginners and those more experienced. Chris Townsend has logged thousands of miles on a few continents. He's done every major trail in the U.S. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Vaughn Newman

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice book for beginners and intermediates
This book is very thorough in backpacking techniques and equipment selection. If you have done a lot of backpacking already it might not be too helpful. Read more
Published 9 months ago by F. Carter

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
I have read through this book and i must say it was full of really useful infromation. I am a new backpacker and i'm planning my first trip through the smoky mountains. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Joel Williams

5.0 out of 5 stars Backpacking newlyweds
Bride to be says these will make a wonderful addition to their camping experience. They are advid campers and had wanted these items, so I imagine they will make great use out of... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Kim Moyer

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wise Mr. Townsend....
Honestly, this is my backpacking bible. I love backpacking how-to books and books on the trail, and Mr. Read more
Published on July 24, 2008 by Jacob A Moffitt

3.0 out of 5 stars Average. It could have been excellent.
There is a lot of detail in this book. I cannot strongly recommend it though because there isn't that much that is unique. It isn't bad. It just isn't great. Read more
Published on November 21, 2006 by Craig A. Shelley

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book of its kind i have seen
I got three backpacking type handbooks at a library and read all three this is by far the best one. It has the most in depth information and is enjoyable to read.
Published on July 1, 2006 by Mr. Michael T. Redington

5.0 out of 5 stars The title says it all...
This is, without doubt, the best book on backpacking I've read. Just the right balance between specific recommendations and general advice, objective information and personal... Read more
Published on June 26, 2006 by Y. Pragne

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