The Backpacker's Handbook
|
List Price: $19.95
Our Price: $11.45
Your Save: $ 8.50 ( 43% )
|
|
|
Average Customer Rating: 
|
|
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.51
EAN: 9780071423205
ISBN: 0071423206
Label: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
Manufacturer: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 448
Publication Date: 2004-09-12
Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
Studio: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating:
Summary: Backpacking newlyweds
Comment: 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 them.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Wise Mr. Townsend....
Comment: Honestly, this is my backpacking bible. I love backpacking how-to books and books on the trail, and Mr. Townsend brings the both of those together in a manual that covers everything from specific components of boot construction to the five different kinds of ways to sew a sleeping bag. This book goes into EXTREME detail about what kind of gear he would recommend and why, so it's hard to read straight-through (I did anyway). He manages to insert his own stories and experiences to give you sort of a context as to why he thinks the way he does, and it lends the book the air of wisdom, like you're talking to a veteran scoutmaster or an experienced thru-hiker (which he is).
I wish he was a little more knowledgable about newer backpacking equipment, but other than that the entire book is priceless. Definitely a must-own for any backpacker, from day- to thru-hiker.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Informative Book on Backpacking
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Average. It could have been excellent.
Comment: 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. In part, the author suffers from being knowledgeable of the past but not the present gear, clothing, or technology. The author researched enough to find out about what is now available, but it often appears as though he has only read about it on the Internet or in product literature. A quick example is the utility of a GPS. He mentions his own heavy weight relic and also the lightweight Garmin Geko. He considers a GPS an interesting gadget but he doesn't know how to really take advantage of a GPS combined with topographic mapping software for pre-trip planning and route finding. The old heavyweight relic of a GPS that the author has, gets the most coverage in the text and he simply mentions he might use a GPS more, if he had a Geko.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A good one
Comment: 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.
|
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
