Reader Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5

Reading this book reminds me that it’s possible to learn from all types of backpackers. The book is well written and illustrated. The illustrations have ideas that are not always in the text.

Allen O’Bannon clearly is not in the lightweight backpacking camp, which I am. O’Bannon writes about heavy pack loads (how to properly put on a heavy pack) and leather hiking boots. The book is loaded with ideas that will be interesting to all backpackers. I wouldn’t recommend the book to someone just starting out with backpacking. For those readers I would give it just two stars. However, I would recommend it for a current backpacker that wants some fresh ideas or a fairly new backpacker that has read a couple books on lightweight backpacking first. The book isn’t loaded with a lot of fluff that can be found everywhere. It is also easy to read and not nearly as boring as many backpacking books.

Edited by craig_shelley on 11/21/2006 06:58:46 MST.

Rating: 4 / 5

Light/UL/SUL books sometimes offer instruction for fast and light travel in optimal conditions. This book is not for lightweight, but gives more universal aspects of backpacking.

The text covers the less-fun necessities at some depth while the illustrations help avoid confusion. Detailed sections on trip planning, river crossing, orienteering, reading the weather, and hiking in groups are particularly useful.

The technical skills support a particular theme of "style." This style refers to ethics for treatment of the outdoors and people. It strikes a balance of reliance on self and others.

This is a bit deep for first-time backpackers, but perhaps immediately accessible upon return.