Browsing the camping section of a local bookstore I came across The Complete Walker IV. This fourth edition of Colin Fletcher's classic work was co-written with Chip Rawlins, who was brought on board due to his more current knowledge of equipment.
The sheer size of this book, 845 pages if you include the index, initially was a detractor; however, once delving into its pages and realizing that it is written in a truly engaging and humorous style, the voluminous nature became a plus!
Anyway, these guys' love of the outdoors is infectious and their anecdotes very entertaining. Has me wishin' I could do my third Guadalupe Mountains trip sooner than my planned dates in early June!
As the book was published in 2002, some of the equipment reviews are already obsolete; however, still worth reading just for the humorous stories that are included, but also the principles of equipment selection are good. Ultimately, as they repeatedly point out, equipment reviews are what they are and the hiker must find what works for him/her and fits into his/her style of hiking and the nature of the specific hikes being undertaken.
Bottomline, on a 5 star scale, I'd give this one an unwavering 5 stars.:thumbsup::thumbsup: Afterall, you can always find current equipment reviews online.
JohnK
If you enjoyed Fletcher's Complete Walker, then you will probably enjoy The Man Who Walked Through Time, which recounts his memorable walk along a continuous route through the Grand Canyon in 1963. He was the first person to do this. It's a very good read if you enjoy this sort of thing -- and I do.
DayTripper
The technical aspects of backpacking are secondary to the mental and emotional state you need to be in (IMHO). Books that speak only of how to use gear are missing the main point and aren't going to turn anyone into a backpacker. Nights spent in quiet, beautiful places are what turn you into a backpacker.
I need to read "The Complete Walker" sometime. I also want to read Edward Abbey's book.
The Complete Walker IV is encyclopedic in scope with regard to the technical aspects of backpacking; however, the authors definitely address the mental components as well. The initial chapter is titled "Why Walk?". Also, as I mentioned, they include stories and opinion throughout the book that convey their love for the outdoors. Anyway, toejam, if you read it, I suspect you'd feel it's a worthwhile read.
DayTripper, thanks for recommending The Man Who Walked Through Time. It's definitely on my reading list. Colin Fletcher is such an engaging author I'm really looking forward to reading this and possibly some of his other books.
JohnK
Toejam, which Abbey book are you referring to? I've read Down the River, Desert Solitaire, and The Monkey Wrench Gang. Although Desert Solitaire definitely deals with spending time alone in quiet, beautiful places, none are about backpacking per se.
DayTripper
I finally got around to reading Colin Fletcher's The Man Who Walked Through Time. It was an excellent memoir of his trek through the Grand Canyon. For someone wanting to read something about the "why" of backpacking, this is a good read. My only real disappointment with the book is that the tone of the writing is so saturated with the awe that Fletcher felt as he traversed this magnificent natural wonder that his dry, British humor that came through so well in The Complete Walkerwas completely subdued.Originally Posted by DayTripper
Anyway, I read it mostly while doing a solo trip in the Guadalupe Mountains in June and it was certainly an inspiration. Hope to post a web journal with photos from that trip in the next few weeks.
Have any of you read Fletcher's The Thousand Mile Summner? I'm thinking about looking for a copy.
JohnK
JohnK,
If you are just looking for a great read. I recommend "Into the Wild." Krakauer is a good author and makes this an easy and entertaining read.
Hope this helps,
Jeff Marshall
Camping Books
Still haven't read Krakauer's Into the Wild. Guess I'm on a roll with Colin Fletcher's works. I found a signed hardbound copy of the first printing of Fletcher'sThe Thousand Mile Summer at a used book vender's website, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. This book chronicles Fletcher's experiences hiking from the southern border of California with Mexico to the Oregon border during the Summer of 1958.
What an inspiration! I'd love to do something like that some day, though it's unlikely to happen until I retire. Hopefully I'll be like Fletcher and be able to continue hiking into my elder years.
JohnK
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