Backpacker's Start-Up: A Beginner?s Guide to Hiking and Backpacking (Start-Up Sports series)

Aimed specifically at the novice outdoor adventurer, this comprehensive guide explains the essential gear, preparations, precautions, and techniques required for day hiking and short backpacking trips. Through informative, entertaining, and encouraging personal anecdotes, the guide emphasizes the physical, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits of spending time in nature. Essential first aid and map-reading information is also included. Copyright ......Page 3 Acknowledgements......Page 5 Preface: Plan for fun ......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Introduction: Rewards ......Page 10 Dayhikes ......Page 12 Overnights ......Page 20 2. Footgear ......Page 28 3. Clothing ......Page 34 4. Backpacks ......Page 42 5. Sleeping bags & pads ......Page 50 6. Art of packing ......Page 58 7. Tents ......Page 66 8. Water treatment......Page 74 9. Making & breaking camp ......Page 80 10. Eating ......Page 86 11. Stoves ......Page 98 12. Toilet ......Page 104 13. Outdoor safety & well-being ......Page 108 14. Maps ......Page 120 15. Backpacker’s list ......Page 124 Summary of costs ......Page 127 Making sense of the costs ......Page 129 Glossary ......Page 130 Resources ......Page 132 Bibliography ......Page 138 Index ......Page 140 About the Author & Start-Up Sports......Page 144 Copyright 3 Acknowledgements 5 Preface: Plan for fun 6 Contents 8 Introduction: Rewards 10 1. Getting started the right way 12 Dayhikes 12 Overnights 20 2. Footgear 28 3. Clothing 34 4. Backpacks 42 5. Sleeping bags & pads 50 6. Art of packing 58 7. Tents 66 8. Water treatment 74 9. Making & breaking camp 80 10. Eating 86 11. Stoves 98 12. Toilet 104 13. Outdoor safety & well-being 108 14. Maps 120 15. Backpacker’s list 124 Summary of costs 127 Making sense of the costs 129 Glossary 130 Resources 132 Bibliography 138 Index 140 About the Author & Start-Up Sports 144 An introduction to backpacking and hiking that includes information on finding the proper gear, preparing for a hike, taking precautions against injury and illness, and learning the basic techniques required for dayhiking and short backpacking trips Beginner guides that explore the basics of the chosen sport. Included is information about equipment, safety, along with reader-friendly down to earth text. My wife and I dayhiked for years.