The Hiker S Way

Whether it be through far-flung deserts, luxuriant forests or majestic alpine terrain, when we choose to walk rather than fly or drive, something wonderful happens: our awareness and appreciation of the natural world begins to grow. It can be the faint sound of a gently meandering stream, the distinct smell of decaying leaves on a crisp autumn morning, or even a bowl of cereal that never tasted better than when eaten on a mountaintop at sunrise. Whatever your hiking dreams and goals may be, this book will inspire you to plan and realize your your journeys.

Get the most out of life-on and off the trail. Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, hiking trails near and far, reconnecting with nature or just learning more about the fine art of hiking, this book will show you the way. John McKinney motivates and empowers, amuses and uplifts hikers on this amazing path we call life. The Hiker's Way illuminates the way to: Hike Smart. Learn how to prepare for a hike and master practicalities in a way that you'll remember them. Live Well. Gain the benefits of good health, physical- mental-spiritual rejuvenation. Go Green. Learn the hiker's way to re-connect with nature and get all the benefits of "green exercise." Forget the old concept of hiking as a march from Point A to Point B. Hiking doesn't have to be so hard. It really doesn't. John has spent more than three decades learning how to get the most out of time on the trail. Join John McKinney, a.k.a. The Trailmaster, as he teaches you: * What the crucial difference is between going on a hike and becoming a hiker. * How to choose gear-and adopt a gear philosophy-that's right for you. * How hiking in nature improves health; how to go from feeling stressed to feeling blessed. * What makes a good hiking companion and when it's okay to go it alone. * How to appreciate each season, and hike safely over all kinds of terrain. The author of 20 books and a thousand articles about hiking, McKinney has hiked and written about the best trails all across America, as well as in Europe and many more locales from Carribbean nations to Pacific islands. He's guided hikes all around his native California and trained hike leaders to teach beginners the joys of hiking and the basics of safety on the trail. In The Hiker's Way, he shares his trail wisdom and colorful stories in a very inspiring and entertaining way. This book is a great gift for that special hiker-or would-be hiker-in your life.

In Whistler's Way, Bill Monk's second and much-anticipated book, the intrepid 60 year-old tackles the wildly gorgeous Pacific Crest Trail, 2,653 miles from the Mexican border to British Columbia, from sea level to a nosebleed-inducing 13,153 feet, a truly life-changing trek. Bill brings readers along on his epic journey, describing every detail of five long months filled with breathtaking views, heart-stopping danger, and unrelenting adventure, testing his physical and mental stamina to the limit. Readers will be delighted that he is joined by his friend Scooby for the first couple of months. People who have hiked or plan on hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, lovers of nature, and those who want know what it's like to accomplish a seemingly insurmountable goal will relish this uplifting story, which paints a magnificent portrait of the outdoors and what it's like to fully immerse oneself in nature's glorious, awe-inspiring, and occasionally very challenging beauty.

Derick Lugo had never been hiking. He didn't even know if he liked being outside all that much. He certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. But with a job overseas cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the greater New York comedy circuit began to think about what he might do with months of free time and no commitments. He had heard of the Appalachian Trail and knew of its potential for danger and adventure, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,192 miles of it. Then again, what could go wrong for a young black man from the city trekking solo through the East Coast backwoods? The Unlikely Thru-Hiker is the story of how an unknowing ambassador of one of the AT's least common demographics, unfamiliar with both the outdoors and thru-hiking culture, sets off with an extremely overweight pack and a willfully can-do attitude to conquer the infamous trail. What follows are eye-opening lessons on preparation, humility, race relations, and nature's wild unpredictability. But this isn't a hard-nosed memoir of discouragement or intolerance. What sets Lugo apart from the typical walk in the woods is his refusal to let any challenge squash his inner Pollyanna. Through it all, he perseveres with humor, tenacity, and an unshakeable commitment to grooming--earning him the trail name "Mr. Fabulous"--that sees him from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin in Maine.

“The Hike just works. It’s like early, good Chuck Palahniuk. . . . Magary underhands a twist in at the end that hits you like a sharp jab at the bell. . . . It’s just that good.” —NPR.org “A page-turner. . . . Inventive, funny. . . . Quietly profound and touching.”—BoingBoing From the author of The Night the Lights Went Out and The Postmortal, a fantasy saga unlike any you’ve read before, weaving elements of folk tales and video games into a riveting, unforgettable adventure of what a man will endure to return to his family When Ben, a suburban family man, takes a business trip to rural Pennsylvania, he decides to spend the afternoon before his dinner meeting on a short hike. Once he sets out into the woods behind his hotel, he quickly comes to realize that the path he has chosen cannot be given up easily. With no choice but to move forward, Ben finds himself falling deeper and deeper into a world of man-eating giants, bizarre demons, and colossal insects. On a quest of epic, life-or-death proportions, Ben finds help comes in some of the most unexpected forms, including a profane crustacean and a variety of magical objects, tools, and potions. Desperate to return to his family, Ben is determined to track down the “Producer,” the creator of the world in which he is being held hostage and the only one who can free him from the path. At once bitingly funny and emotionally absorbing, Magary’s novel is a remarkably unique addition to the contemporary fantasy genre, one that draws as easily from the world of classic folk tales as it does from video games. In The Hike, Magary takes readers on a daring odyssey away from our day-to-day grind and transports them into an enthralling world propelled by heart, imagination, and survival.

A one-stop resource for hiking backpackers in beautiful British Columbia. Planning your next backpacking adventure? This book covers all the essentials including: 40 overnight hiking trails: discover the many different routes that BC has to offer Packing tips: take only the most essential items with you (plus a few comforts) Permitting: find out what permits you’ll need, and where to get them Camp set-up: tips for where to pitch your tent and how to find water Environmental impact: learn how to Leave No Trace behind in the wilderness This book features backpacking routes from the North Shore up to Pemberton and Lytton and from the Sunshine Coast out to the Similkameen Valley. Beautiful photographs showcase what you’ll see along the way: mountain peaks, alpine meadows, waterfalls, old-growth forests, and more. Every backpacking route in the book includes bonus features: Trail maps and route descriptions Elevation, distance and time information Points of cultural and natural history Pre-planning hints about fees, permits, and reservations Suggested side trips and points of particular interest Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia also shares options for extending an overnight excursion to several nights or a week, and for selecting hikes that match your timeline/fitness level.

Supreme long-distance hiker Andrew Skurka shares his hard-earned knowledge in this essential guide to backpacking gear and skills. Described by National Geographic as “one of the best traveled and fastest hikers on the planet,” and named “Adventurer of the Year” by Outside and “Person of the Year” by Backpacker, Skurka recounts what he’s learned from more than 30,000 miles of long-distance adventures, most recently a 4,700-mile 6-month loop around Alaska and Canada’s Yukon. Whether you’re a first-time backpacker, an occasional weekend warrior or a seasoned long-distance trekker, you’ll love this guide. Learn exactly what you need to carry – both on your back and between your ears – for all seasons and circumstances through a show-and-tell of clothing, footwear, backpacks, shelter and sleep systems, and more, as well as through detailed articles on foot care, campsite selection and hiking efficiency. Skurka’s practical and priceless recommendations give you all the tools and techniques you’ll need to hit the trail. From the Trade Paperback edition.