With restrictions loosening and the summer in full swing, our collective cabin fever will hopefully be relieved soon. Although some shelter in place restrictions are no longer enforced, most of us are still being asked to practice social distancing. This means that the outdoors may currently be one of the few places that we can venture out and be active. And some may be venturing out for the first time, the COVID-19 induced lockdown hatching new interests in outdoor activities that may have not existed before the pandemic.
Jason Stevenson is a writer and editor who specializes in outdoor activities as well as lifestyle, nature, science, and technology. A former editor at Backpacker magazine, he has contributed to Runner’s World, Men’s Health, and Men’s Journal. He is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backpacking and Hiking. This Outdoor Adventure Guides: Backpacking and Hiking was released earlier this month and is an update to the original guide published in 2010.
The guide has 368 densely filled pages of information; all aspects of backpacking and hiking are covered in detail in a logical format. 20 chapters are divided into four parts to guide aspiring hikers and backpackers:
- Part 1 – “The Great Outdoors at Your Feet,” covers skills, abilities, and fitness to advance from day hiking to overnight camping, and finally, backpacking.
- Part 2 – “Gearing Up,” a buyer’s and user’s to the plethora of gear available for today’s hikers and backpackers, and includes tips on how to save money.
- Part 3 – “Living on The Trail,” covers the food, shelter, and water requirements for a successful trip, including cooking on the trail and staying as clean as possible.
- Part 4 – “Surviving The Outdoors,” explains how to address problems, from animal encounters to injuries.
Although this wealth of information is seemingly aimed at those new to the outdoors, there are bits of information, like an introduction to digital maps, that may be new to those experienced with hiking and backpacking.
The Outdoor Adventure Guides: Backpacking and Hiking is a worthy manuscript to consider especially for newbies looking for a comprehensive manual to guide them from day hiking to full-on backpacking trips.
Get your copy here: Outdoor Adventure Guides: Backpacking and Hiking