Backpacker's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Backpacking (Start-Up Sports): 10 - Softcover

WERNER, DOUG

Softcover

ISBN 10: 188465410X ISBN 13: 9781884654107

Publisher: Tracks Publishing, 1999

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

Doug Werner is the author of 15 books on sports and fitness, including the books in the Start-Up Sports series. He lives in San Diego, California.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Backpacker's Start-up

A Beginner's Guide to Hiking & Backpacking

By Doug Werner

Tracks Publishing

Copyright © 1999 Doug Werner
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-884654-10-7

Contents

Cover, 
Title Page, 
Copyright, 
Acknowledgements, 
Preface: Plan for fun, 
Introduction: Rewards, 
1. Getting started the right way: Dayhikes, 
2. Footgear, 
3. Clothing, 
4. Backpacks, 
5. Sleeping bags & pads, 
6. Art of packing, 
7. Tents, 
8. Water treatment, 
9. Making & breaking camp, 
10. Eating, 
11. Stoves, 
12. Toilet, 
13. Outdoor safety & well-being, 
14. Maps, 
15. Backpacker's list, 
Glossary, 
Resources, 
Index, 
Bibliography, 
About the Author & Start-Up Sports, 
Ordering More Start-Up Sports Books:, 
Back Cover Material, 

CHAPTER 1

Getting started the right way: Dayhikes

My wife and I dayhiked for years. Scores of hikes of various distances over different terrain in all kinds of weather. Before we ever considered backpacking, we were accustomed to the pounding in our joints and the utter weariness of occasionally hiking too long and far. We knew the importance of hiking with essential gear because we had suffered without a time or two. (Image 1.1)

Our hikes averaged around 10 miles, but there were times we covered up to 20 in a day. Three times we hiked from 5,000 feet to 10,000 feet (and back) covering more than 16 miles. With friends I hiked up and down Mt. Whitney (14, 494 feet) in a day and that's a 22-mile journey.

Hiking in and out while the sun's up defines dayhiking. You need little beyond proper footwear, clothing and water to enjoy a complete escape into nature. Your dayhiking experiences can be so fulfilling that you may never feel the need to camp. Once you've developed as a hiker, 10-, 15-, even 20-mile excursions are very doable in a day. You'll reach (and come back from!) those places that you once only dreamed of or saw on the nature channels.

If your ultimate goal is to pack it in for days on end, dayhiking is where you begin and develop.

The physical challenge

Dayhiking will get you used to the physical and mental requirements needed for tromping over miles of natural terrain. You'll use certain muscles to go up and different muscles to go down. You'll feel the pounding in hips, knees, ankles and feet. Although we all walk everyday, most don't do it in five-mile chunks over hill and dale. Like any new physical activity your body will complain the next day or two after a hike, but you will grow accustomed to the new exercise over time. (Image 1.2)

The right mind set

Hiking, of course, isn't like driving a car. It may take an hour to travel only two or three miles. For most modern people it's Really Slowing Down, this hiking business. Some become annoyed and bored with mere plodding and what seems to be an unchanging setting (if you've seen one tree, you've seen them all!). The joy of hiking may take time to discover. It's not often a rush or a thrill. A hiker needs to develop patience as well as leg strength and stamina. Patience for what? I can almost hear certain readers exclaim. Well, that's for you to discover for yourself. (Image 1.3 and Image 1.4)

Daypack and essential gear

Carry what you need in a small day-pack or fanny pack. Even with overkill, the loaded pack shouldn't weigh much more than a very manageable 10 pounds. Anything under 20 pounds can be comfortably

Edition details

• Publisher: Tracks Publishing
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 188465410X
• ISBN 13: 9781884654107
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 1