Seattle, 1997. 223 pp, b/w photos. Softcover. Fine.
Covers basic camping information followed by activity specific advice. Covers trip preparation, site and equipment selection, and breaking camp.
Hiking, biking, paddling, and skiing share a few common traits when it comes time to make camp. But they also have a number of unique concerns that need to be addressed. The authors of Making Camp - four field experts from Backpacker magazine - have done just that by dedicating a chapter to each pursuit. Steve Howe's backpacking chapter discusses the basics of trip planning with tips on food shopping, acquiring maps, pack essentials, and what items should remain at home.
Alan Kesselheim's paddling chapter addresses water-travel specifics such as loading a boat and waterproofing bags. Dennis Coello equips your bike for heavy loads and suggests how to combine the proper saddle, shorts, and personalized seat angle for a comfortable in-saddle experience. Finally, John Harlin tackles the world of snow camping with tips on how to adjust to a world where everything is cold and inhospitable. He teaches you how to survive the elements with a variety of shelters, including a high-wind-proof tent, and how to delicately dig your first snow cave. - Benjamin Tiffany
Well organized and entertaining, these two additions to the field of camping literature provide a great deal of information to outdoor adventurers, though some overlap does exist. Berger, a contributing editor to Backpacker magazine, gives practical advice to help hikers survive and enjoy their outdoor experiences, addressing pre-trip planning, food, cooking, weather, health, first aid, and water. Her love of camping and the wilderness is obvious throughout, making for a fun as well as vastly informative book.- From Library Journal
Howe, a field editor for Backpacker magazine, contributes the first chapter (about hiking) to Making Camp. Alan Kesselheim, a contributing editor for Canoe & Kayak magazine, writes the second chapter, dealing with the particulars of travel by canoe, kayak, and raft, and subsequent chapters are also written by experts. The final chapter addresses the highly adventurous sport of winter camping. Part of a series on backcountry skills, these two works are comprehensive and easy to use.
