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THE BACKPACKER'S HANDBOOK (Paperback)

by Chris Townsend (Author)

4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

RRP:	�11.99
Price:	�8.97 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Product details

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 3 edition (1 Nov 2004)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0071423206
ISBN-13: 978-0071423205
Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 18.8 x 2.2 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 42,845 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#11 in	Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Fishing, Birdwatching & Other Outdoor Pursuits > Active Pursuits > Camping & Woodcraft
#12 in	Books > Reference > Atlases & Maps > Special Interests > Camping & Caravanning
#52 in	Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Climbing & Mountaineering

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Product Description

Review

Written in an easy-flowing style with plenty of illustrations and diagrams…this is an invaluable read for anyone aspiring to live amongst nature. (Walk )

Product Description

"The most up-to-date and comprehensive guide to equipment and technique available anywhere."—Backpack (UK)

This enormously practical guide includes everything from essential techniques 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. As a gear advisor, this book is unequaled. You'll find the last word on:

How to choose packs and footwear—and make sure they fit
What clothing to take on the trail
Tents, tarps, stoves, water purifiers, and other gear
GPS, cell phones, and other electronic devices
And much more

Now in its third edition, The Backpacker's Handbook also covers desert hiking, ultralight backpacking, and adventure trekking in distant corners of the globe. Indeed, there is little about backpacking Chris Townsend does not cover. This trusted reference will prepare you for the challenges and excitement of backpacking the wilderness.

"A clear and comprehensive primer on backpacking gear. Townsend's knowledge is immense."—Sierra

"Belongs in every bookcase dealing with outdoor topics. . . . Chockablock full of useful, practical, commonsense info. . . . If you tramp the outdoors, get this book."—Maine Sportsman

"For those thinking of taking a backpack journey, The Backpacker's Handbook is required reading."—Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)

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Customer Reviews

3 Reviews

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4.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hiking, camping, backpacking don't leave without reading this book, 28 Jun 2006

By	David Marshall (Bristol, South Gloucester United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is excellent. It covers everything you need to know about backpacking. It is easy to find your way around the book. It's written in a story and reference format, so you don't need to read every chapter to find the particular information you might be looking for. Chris Townsend has obviously got so much experience you would be mad not to take his advice.

Chris Townsend has written a book that covers how most people will go backpacking. He is not like Ray Mears. This is not bushcraft, which is a totally different experience to backpacking.

The only negative aspect of the book is that it is written only using imperial units of measurement. So, for example, when the book refers to backpacks in cubic inch sizes you need to convert them to litres to compare them to backpack sizes in the UK shops.

If you are thinking of going backpacking buy this book.

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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Backpacking in a new light, 7 Jan 2006

By	Tony Hobbs (Bristol, S Glos United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had to wait several months for this book. I would have got it sooner but that would have been the second edition and a little bird suggested waiting awhile as the third edition was due out! It was worth the wait. Whenever I get a "how to" or "equipment suggestions" book I seldom read it cover to cover. This was an exception! Like some other books by Chris I had to special order the Handbook. I hope that by now the publishers make it more readily available! I have to say it was easy to special order and arrived within a week!

The handbook is divided into into easy to read sections for Preparation, Choosing Footware, Packs, Clothing, Camping, Food, Comfort and safety, Skills, Hazards inc map reading, Travel Abroad and the usual apendixes which inc. metric conversion.

Each section is thoughly investigated and explained. I've never read so much on packs and their fitting than in the Handbook. I have to agree that it is not that straight forward having owned several ill fitting packs! The Handbook helped with that issue!

Some people may not agree with all that Chris says on the subject of trail shoes vs boots vs sandles! I have yet to find a comfy pair of sandles for my skinny feet, but I am a trail shoe convert and hate the clumpyness of boots! Mind you I still wear boots on Dartmoor in the winter! Those bogs!

Chris expresses his view of Superfeet and their fitting, they really do work, I've not had a blister since Chris' suggestion!

Why is Chris right, well he has walked more miles than many a mortal man! (Check out his web site at www.auchnarrow.demon.co.uk!) That must give him all the experiance that he needs to suggest equipment to keep us warm, comfy, and above all safe!

Each chapter is well issustrated with pictures and line drawings, the wording is well expressed and easy to follow.

I feel my walking life has been greatly improved by reading and following the guidelines in the Backpackers Handbook!

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars But we live in the UK!, 28 Jul 2009

By	DC Williams "David Williams" (UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am afraid I as very disappointed with the book. Clearly Chris has unrivalled experience, but it is written almost entirely with the American market in mind. Almost all examples of equipment were American, as were the lists of suppliers. Many units of measurement used in the book were also not suitable for the British market eg don't we measure rucksack capacity in litres - Chris refers to cubic inches? Also, whilst Chris' long distance backpacks are a great achievement isn't the most common form of backpacking for those interested in a book such of this more likely to be three or four days in Snowdonia, the Lakes or Scotland rather than several months on the Appalachian Trail? So yes, Chris knows his stuff, but perhaps the nature of the book should be made clearer in the marketing blurb.

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