The Backpacker's Field Manual, Revised and Updated: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Backcountry Skills Paperback – May 24, 2005

The author really knows what he's talking about. He covers everything you would need to know, from what to pack, to how to read the weather, navigation and how to treat (or not treat) medical emergencies. He warns hikers not to overestimate their skills and limitations, how to assign tasks to group members, how to negotiate rivers — so many things I never considered. He also notes where the book cannot explain everything you might need in specific situations, and includes a bibliography for more information. He even cross-references sections so you don't have to read all 448 pages to get what you need. It's good for beginners and more experienced hikers alike. While I know I'll never need all of the information in here, I will keep it on hand for reference.

If you are planning a backpacking trip, this book outlines the gear, food and clothing needed. It covers basic first aid and weather. For those wanting to lead a trip with friends, it covers most things that you probably won’t think of until on the trail and it is too late to change. I thought it was a very good book that covered just about everything one needs to know before hitting the trail. I found it to be well written and you are given resources to find further information should you want or need it.

I've had some experience in backpacking, but there where some gaps in my knowledge. This book had EVERYTHING that I wanted to know.I purchased this book along with a book on orienteering and another on knots to further add to my expertise. Unfortunately, all the knots (compacted onto two pages) and orienteering tricks that I needed where in this book and I needn't have purchased the others.I've been reading the book straight through. Although it is meant to be carried with you, it isn't pocket sized and has lengthy textual information for most topics including a lot about equipment and preparation. I've memorized all the info I think I'll need and won't be carrying it.The two star reviewer complained about this book's lack of depth into any topic, but as for me, I backpack only a few times a year but car camp and hike once a month or more and this book had everything I think I'll ever need to know aside from specific equipment suggestions.

This is a great book for anyone looking to get into backpacking or as a reference is the field for the seasoned trekker. The book contains plenty of up to date information covering almost everything you would need to know. The reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that it is just stacked full of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. A couple even in sections giving you numeric statistics and info. Apart from that... awesome book!

This book is very informational for all things backpacking. It's helped me prep for my upcoming trip to the mountains and made me feel more prepared for the wilderness.

I took a chance on this book and I'm glad I did. I consider myself to be a fairly experienced backpacker and hoped that this book would not be another "pack your sleeping bag at the bottom of your pack" - type book, loaded with information that I could find somewhere else. This book far exceeded my expectations; it is well organized, well written and easy to understand. The author uses gentle humor to highlight basic backpacking principles that should keep everyone safe and having a good time. The book contains useful information on all aspects of packing, from working with groups, to using Leave No Trace practices, emergency first-aid, and ultralight hiking. It also contains sample forms and a great bibliography. This book is useful for anyone involved in the field of adventure learning/teaching. I am happy to add it to my library.

This is a great book for a beginner to start with. My son, nephew, and I are just getting into backpacking, and this book has provided me with some very good information. I am a planner by profession so I have a decent sense of setting forth a good plan. However, this book has brought several things to my attention that I may not have thought of, or even overlooked.As many other reviews have stated; this book covers many topics, in a very broad fashion. Therefore, I have also taken their advise and bought the SAS Survival Handbook. Pairing these two books together, and I am very confident that we will not only survive our excursions but also enjoy our time in nature and teach the boys a few things along the way.

Lots of great information in this book. Purchased for my son as I am introducing him to backpacking and this has all he should need to know to stay safe and have fun. Was a great refresher for me as I haven’t backpacked in over a decade. Information is organized in a way that makes this a good book to reference or to read from cover to cover. Has things I would have forgot to mention for sure. Very happy with this book.