Hit the trails with all the backpacking and hiking information you need You know there's nothing quite like spending time with nature, enjoying the fresh air and magnificent vistas. But thinking about where to go, what to bring, and how to protect yourself from the elements might have you feeling less adventurous than you'd like. Well, it's time to get off the couch and onto the trail with Outdoor Adventure Guides: Backpacking and Hiking. Filled with practical tips, this guide gives you all the information you need to survive and thrive in the great outdoors. Packed with information ranging from preparing your body and choosing what to bring to handling the elements and knowing your first aid, this no-nonsense guide has everything you've been looking for in a trail buddy--and its travel-friendly size means it fits in any backpack you bring! So what are you waiting for? Go have an adventure! "One of the purposes for Stevenson in writing his book was to help readers reach new goals or activity levels."It's designed for many levels of hiking," Stevenson explained. "From beginners all the way to people who want to transition from car camping to backpacking, and then people who want to go from backpacking to what I would just call light mountaineering." "It gives people the tools and advice about how to make that step," he said. Beginners who want to start getting outdoors should start small, like with a day hike, Stevenson suggests. He also says it's a good idea to go on a first backpacking or camping trip with friends or a group that are more experienced, because they can share tips and advice or even loan out extra gear. For those who don't yet have experience with hiking or camping, it's never too late to start. "What I think is interesting about hiking and backpacking and being outside is that you can enter it at different phases in your life," Stevenson said. "You can really rediscover the outdoors at any point in your life. You don't have to say that you can't do it anymore, because there's always a way." - Valerie Jones , The Deseret News "Stevenson's guide answered pretty much all of my questions. It is filled with useful information, covering all the basics and more. It's well organized, easy to jump around, and his advice is based on decades of experience. I dove right into his book as soon it arrived, checking to make sure I was doing it right, and also discovering new ideas." - Joshua Berman , author of Moon Colorado Camping: The Complete Guide to Tent and RV Camping, 6th Ed. "The guide has 368 densely filled pages of information; all aspects of backpacking and hiking are covered in detail in a logical format. 20 chapters are divided into four parts to guide aspiring hikers and backpackers. Although this wealth of information is seemingly aimed at those new to the outdoors, there are bits of information, like an introduction to digital maps, that may be new to those experienced with hiking and backpacking. The Outdoor Adventure Guides: Backpacking and Hiking is a worthy manuscript to consider especially for newbies looking for a comprehensive manual to guide them from day hiking to full-on backpacking trips." Seiji Ishii , The Gear Institute In Outdoor Adventure Guides: Backpacking and Hiking you'll discover: -A plan for starting small and building your way to longer and bigger adventures -User-friendly information on trail safety, navigation, and first aid -Tips on hiking with kids, pets, seniors, and more -A rundown of the modern equipment you'll need -Expert ways to keep yourself and any hiking companions safe "Stevenson's clear instruction and trail-tested advice makes exploring the world of hiking and camping easier than ever." Shannon Davis, editor-in-chief Backpacker magazine Jason Stevenson is a writer and editor who specializes in outdoor activities as well as lifestyle, nature, science, and technology. A former editor at Backpacker magazine, he has contributed to Runner’s World , Men’s Health , and Men’s Journal . He is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backpacking and Hiking .