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Thatbakerkid 
Group: Members
Posts: 185
Joined: Dec. 2011
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Posted on: Dec. 29 2012, 12:53 am |
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Got this book as a gift from my mother in law this week. Wrote a quick review HERE.
Great book for folks looking to start buying, or unsure about buying, gear!
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No matter how beautiful the strategy, one should occasionally look at the results.
My Blog about travel, backpacking and the universe.
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hikerjer
Group: Members
Posts: 9129
Joined: Apr. 2002
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Posted on: Dec. 29 2012, 7:17 pm |
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I enjoyed this book. While I don't subscribe to all of Skurka's ideas, it's certainly food for thought and worth reading for anyone interested in backpacking.
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"Too often I have met men who speak only of how many miles they've traveled and not of what they've seen." - Louis L'Amour
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Thatbakerkid
Group: Members
Posts: 185
Joined: Dec. 2011
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Posted on: Dec. 29 2012, 7:28 pm |
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I appreciated his thesis. He sets out to educate people to make informed decisions and always puts up a flag when he states an opinion.
As I said in my review; I'm always leery of gear guides. I think Skurka is really successful in his stated goal however of teaching people to look past the gear itself to their personal objectives and the construction and capabilities of TYPES of gear.
If I were looking to get into backpacking for the first time, it would be a good modern look at gear styles and construction.
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No matter how beautiful the strategy, one should occasionally look at the results.
My Blog about travel, backpacking and the universe.
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AndrewSkurka
Group: Members
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Joined: Jan. 2011
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Posted on: Dec. 31 2012, 10:06 am |
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Ash -
Thanks for the book review, and for posting it here.
Your assessment is exactly how I wanted readers to respond to the book. Admittedly, the title is misleading, as it shares little in common with the "gear guides" produced by Backpacker et al each year. (Sadly I didn't have final say over the title.) Really, the book contains a framework for identifying the "best" gear, supplies, and skills needed for a trip.
What determines the "best"? Two factors:
1- Trip objectives, specifically how much hiking versus how much camping or other static activities one plans to do.
2- Environmental and route conditions, like temperatures, precip, sun exposure, water availability, insects, etc.
I was quite clear that the opinions in the book are written from the perspective of a backpacker who loves to hike. Thus, there is a strong emphasis on packing light and moving efficiently. My style is definitely not for everyone, but I've received a lot of really positive feedback even from backpackers who seek more of a hiking/camping balance -- they say the book helped them to enjoy hiking more, instead of it being "work" or some arduous chore they must do between campsites.
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Thatbakerkid
Group: Members
Posts: 185
Joined: Dec. 2011
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Posted on: Dec. 31 2012, 12:44 pm |
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Hey Andrew,
Thanks for the book! I'm actually planning on re-gifting it to a friend who has recently decided to do some backpacking with his wife (his first trip was with me in March of this year). I think it will help him quite a bit with dropping items he might otherwise bring 'just in case' when he's out and about next year (winter being in full swing in Ontario).
Again, good read. Wish I had the time for thru hiking!
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No matter how beautiful the strategy, one should occasionally look at the results.
My Blog about travel, backpacking and the universe.
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| Post Number: 6
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hikerjer
Group: Members
Posts: 9129
Joined: Apr. 2002
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Posted on: Dec. 31 2012, 2:49 pm |
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I actually gave this book to my son last fall for his birthday. He really enjoyed it and has adopted a lot of your suggestions. But then, he's young and much more into distance and marathon hikes than an old guy like me who likes his comforts more and more. Like I said though, a good read for everyone regardless of their hiking style. You're bond to learn something of use.
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"Too often I have met men who speak only of how many miles they've traveled and not of what they've seen." - Louis L'Amour
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
