The Hiking Companion

Description

When it comes to hiking, Michael Robbins is all about the experience. "You can see and hear a lot in just one mile of hiking in a mature deciduous forest" he says, "or just one mile of rocky switchbacks up the face of a serious mountain". The way Robbins sees it, someone who is trying to maximise mileage during a day hike is missing the point. Part of enjoying the hiking experience is having the right clothes and equipment. So in THE HIKING COMPANION, Robbins devotes an entire chapter to the essential equipment a hiker needs, even for a day hike. But he really emphasises good shoes and comfortable socks. After all, on the hiking trail your feet are doing all the work. THE HIKING COMPANION is the perfect combination of hardcore, down-to-earth, expert advice, with the exciting stories of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that await you in the wild.

Michael Robbins is a writer and a former editor of Audubon and Oceans magazines and the author of Birds: A Family Field Guide.

"Before you head out to tackle the terrain, leaf through The Hiking Companion for advice on avoiding classic beginner pitfalls." -- Self "[C]onsider this hiking guide from Michael Robbins. He tells you how to hike smart, what to bring and where to go, as well as basic navigation, and trail etiquette." -- New Orleans Times-Picayune "... easy to read and almost small enough to fit into a back pocket. It is an excellent reference for the beginning hiker or someone planning his/her first backpacking trip." -- Trail Walker " ... the perfect combination of hardcore, down-to-earth, expert advice, with exciting stories of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that await you in the wild." -- Colgate Scene "... the author entertains and informs. In addition to some basic advice, there's the voice of experience suggesting historical research prior to your adventure ... " -- Sweat