The how-to book for long-distance hikers who want to finish.

The most famous long-distance hiking trail in North America, the 2,181-mile Appalachian Trail—the longest hiking-only footpath in the world—runs along the Appalachian mountain range from Georgia to Maine. Every year about 2,000 individuals attempt to “thru-hike” the entire trail, a feat equivalent to hiking Mount Everest sixteen times. In Walking on the Wild Side, sociologist Kristi M. Fondren traces the stories of forty-six men and women who, for their own personal reasons, set out to conquer America’s most well known, and arguably most social, long-distance hiking trail. In this fascinating in-depth study, Fondren shows how, once out on the trail, this unique subculture of hikers lives mostly in isolation, with their own way of acting, talking, and thinking; their own vocabulary; their own activities and interests; and their own conception of what is significant in life. They tend to be self-disciplined, have an unwavering trust in complete strangers, embrace a life of poverty, and reject modern-day institutions. The volume illuminates the intense social intimacy and bonding that forms among long-distance hikers as they collectively construct a long-distance hiker identity. Fondren describes how long-distance hikers develop a trail persona, underscoring how important a sense of place can be to our identity, and to our sense of who we are. Indeed, the author adds a new dimension to our understanding of the nature of identity in general. Anyone who has hiked—or has ever dreamed of hiking—the Appalachian Trail will find this volume fascinating. Walking on the Wild Side captures a community for whom the trail is a sacred place, a place to which they have become attached, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Hiking & Backpacking: Essential Skills to Advanced Techniques provides backpackers of all skill levels with the fundamental techniques and advanced tricks of trailsmithing needed to plan and carry out an enjoyable and rewarding outdoor adventure.

WINNER OF THE 2017 NATIONAL OUTDOOR BOOK AWARDS (INSTRUCTIONAL CATEGORY) Make the Dream of a Long Distance Thru-Hike a Reality Have you been dreaming of the summer when you can hike the Appalachian Trail? Or marvel at the snow-capped peaks along the Pacific Crest Trail? Or simply section hike the Continental Divide Trail? In Backpacker’s Long Trails, Liz “Snorkel” Thomas, former women’s speed record holder for the AT and veteran of twenty long trails, gives you the tools to make this dream a reality. Included is trail-proven advice on selecting gear, stocking resupplies, and planning your budget and schedule, complete with gorgeous photographs of life on the trail. Along the way, enjoy sneak peeks into not only the Triple Crown trails, but also lesser-known long trails throughout North America.

The Rough Guide to Norway covers everything from urbane Oslo to the remote Arctic town of Tromso and from the idyllic off-shore islands to the awe-inspiring fjords. It contains a 24 page, full-colour photographic introduction, previewing the country's highlights as chosen by the author.

How to plan and prepare for a long-distance hike on the Appalachian Trail. Includes information on trail nutrition, culture, first aid, gear, weather conditions, and more. Expert advice from an experienced long-distance hiker along with useful information for any long-distance trek.

Trekking the Continental Divide from the U.S. border to Kakwa Lake is a demanding adventure. In this revised and updated guidebook devoted to Canada's 1,200-kilometre Great Divide Trail (GDT), Dustin Lynx helps hikers piece together the myriad individual routes that form a continuous trail along the Divide. Outlining the six major sections of the GDT, Lynx breaks the trail into shorter, more attainable segments and thoroughly describes the terrain and condition of each. Not only are these trail segments invaluable for planning shorter trips along the GDT, Lynx's pre-trip planning advice will also prove indispensable for long-distance hikers overcoming such daunting logistical challenges as resupply, navigation and access.

The Plateau of Doubt details a 725 mile, two-season trek tracing the Hayduke Trail across the Colorado Plateau. Not only does it describe the stunning scenery spanning six national parks, two national forests, three wilderness areas, two national monuments and one national recreation area, but the underlines the challenges involved in hiking one of the most remote and desiccated landscapes on earth. It illustrates the dramatic impact a warming world and over-grazing are having on the fragile environment of the Colorado Plateau.

The complete reference to recommended trails in the state. The best of each region from Keystone Trails Association members. Descriptions of hundreds of trails plus a chapter on state's nine long-distance trails.