The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide, Second Edition: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail

I have just returned to backpacking after many years away! This book has been VERY helpful in my journey to get there! I love all the pictures and illustrations! Great, comprehensive book for the newbie or experienced backpacker! I keep going back and looking at it for more insight. The author has a great style of writing and makes understanding the information easy.

Put simply, Skurka’s gear guide is the most efficacious written compilation of hiking and backpacking knowledge for outdoor enthusiasts (not just hikers!) of all levels and ages that I have come across. The focus is not just on the gear, but also on how and when to use it, in addition to expert tips and techniques from trip planning to campsite selection. I have learned a great deal from perusing the first edition and have referred back to it on countless occasions. I have recommended it to many friends and acquaintances, gifted several copies, and even included it in a raffle for BigCityMountaineers. And if you already own the first edition, the second one is still worth getting as it offers a comprehensive update that makes this guide the most up-to-date on the market (e.g. to Cuben fibre, or not to?). Sure, there are other good hiking books and plenty of free online advice (Chris Townsend's meatier "Backpacker's Handbook" and SectionHiker.com come to mind), but few sources are as concise, insightful, comprehensive, and well presented as this one. Best of all, you will save hundreds of dollars on future gear purchases by making more informed decisions--the book pays for itself many times over!

#1, No mention of common and 2week very painful itchy rash from POISON OAK on W Coast and POISON IVY on E Coast and POISON SUMAC all "leaves in 3s" so carry TECNU super concentrate soap to add a few drops to hand soap washcloth or dog shampoo. My experience: 13 days rafting Colorado River in 5pax raft with ARR in mid Summer 120F in shade TOO HOT!! Should have gone early Spring or late Autumn. Neither NPS nor ARR warned me of non-native POISON IVY planted along river in GCNP, "it is not native". So I did not bring 2wks supply of TECNU in a better Nalgene bottle. Caught the RASH the first day, arms and legs, very itchy! Cooled in 36F river and rubbed raw the scabs with sand. Utter Misery.POISON OAK is very abundant on West Coast even at Muir Woods or Ano Nuevo. "It is a native", so no warning signs! Also abundant in Sierra "foothills" with "rattler" VENOMOUS rattlesnakes!! As a child I almost stepped on one at Florence Lake, a FRIGHT I will never forget.Another CAUTION: The weather in the mountains like the Sierra Nevada can completely change in 1 hour! In 1970s I XC skied the Yosemite Glacier Point Road set tracks as the NPS forecast was "blue skies all day and high winds in E crest peaks." WRONG. Within 1 hour, the sunny warm populated area turned to a WHITE OUT, the "worst storm of the decade"! I dug a snow cave but a MD ahead of me curled up at the base of a tree... and died.Suggest rookies and newbies practice lots camping on the lawn in their backyard. So fun!Or try Glamping lots before going Backpacking overnight or Horse packing or River rafting!The Spring and early Summer, versus late Summer and Autumn MOSQUITOS can be unbearable in huge black cloud swarms (Evolution Valley). Also the notorious BLACK FLIES of Ontario Canada in Summer!!I totally agree about avoiding stiff leather (crampon) boots for dry Summer hiking and also avoid WATERPROOFING, sweaty moist feet will BLISTER! I sold Pivettas 2 years at Curry. Yes, I know it is extremely hard to find stitched Vibram soles and leather to fabric uppers that are BREATHABLE, but it can be done. Many glued sole boots are expected to only last a year of use, or Much Less!!As for the smaller "black bear" of the Lower 48, I lived in Yosemite 10 years and always sprinkled red hot chili pepper and red pepper flakes, bought cheap in bulk, around my car doors;.I saw 1000s of nightime bear attack pulled down doors and there are zero fenced, gated parking lots to stop bears from doing this in Yosemite or any NP I've ever been too. Lots of warnings about food in cars, but not enough about car- bear DESTRUCTION. How's your car insurance? Most trailheads are not patrolled daily or fenced gated or have security cameras.Also, pricing in our National Parks is Not by local rates but "park to park" very inflated, not competitive! Curry tent cabins are up to $160/ night. $80 was outrageous. So I have a year/ Senior Pass now and stay in Oakhurst on W or Lee Vining on E side in motels, as I am not Rich.My dear Dad took his only son out of school very often and my 3 sisters mostly chose to stay home, so I am very experienced.My town has an annual family tent in the park weekend every year with a big pancake feed, so fun! Your town could too on a big big tree shaded HS lawn. Not everyone "enjoys" the many hardships and hazards of Overnight Backpacking. Don't feel bad, you may not be missing much for Your tastes and wallet and healthy. One lung old diabetic at 9000ft had to be quickly driven lower! Check out huge casinos at Lake Tahoe instead! Use your car to hide from the early Spring mosquitoes or flee! Enjoy, don't get stuck SUFFERING or DYING(snow field sliding, close!). Hazards are real and numerous. Women are being Assaulted!

The first edition of this book was my first real introduction to Ultralight backpacking. I read it through multiple times. I highlighted and annotated it. I even did further study by going to his online blog to have Skurka answer my questions.I didn't think Skurka had anything else to teach me, I was wrong. Since being awarded National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for his Alaska-Yukon trip, Skurka has spent his time designing backpacking gear for Sierra Designs, leading guided trips and holding backpacking clinics, and designing and hiking off-trail routes in the Wind River mountains and Kings Canyon High Basin.Those experiences really show in this book. It's much more fleshed-out and relevant than the 1st edition. The writing and editing is also a lot better, making it much easier to read.It's a must-own for every otudoors enthusiast from novice day-hikers to veteran expedition backpackers and trekkers.

Andrew Skurka adds to his original Ultimate Hiker's Guide with more in depth information concerning hiking. This is must for any novice or pro who wants the experience of a hiking legend that has hiked more than 33,000 land miles during a number of long trail hikes, off trail hikes, and shorter technical hikes. Over this distance Andrew has honed his skills to be able to engage almost any conditions know to man with calm resolve and know how. He attempts to teach methods about how to increase your equipment knowledge which ultimately enables you to lighten up your pack weight. And anyone who hikes knows that a pack that is lighter allows for greater ease of travel and enjoyment in the back country, or on the trail.The book is very descriptive, informative, and entertaining.This is a must have and great resource for hikers of any and every level.I highly recommend this book.