For the first time ever, here is a collection of Mother Nature's best kept secret hikes, chockful of life-list worthy views, campsites, waterfalls, wildlife, and more. Backpacker Hidden Gems book spills every secret and pulls back the curtain to reveal the top 100 trips across the country, with information on how to reach them, when to go, and what you'll see.
The path to an adventurous life seems straightforward: Crush at an outdoor sport; amass a legion of followers who drool at your hero shots on Instagram; host TED talks exhorting people to live their best life, brah. But there is another way: the way of the Wilderness Idiot. Author Ted Alvarez built a career and an outdoor lifestyle by simply not being smart enough to say no to things that will probably kill him, or at least embarrass him severely. From nearly drowning in pro kayak races to hallucinating on solo trips across bear-and-bug-infested wildernesses, his work exists to show that the outsider Everywoman and -man can have the spotlight. In a series of hilarious and insightful essays, Alvarez shows that you don't need to shred sick lines to find adventure--you just have to embrace the blank spots beyond your comfort zone. That way lies self-knowledge, soul-quieting confidence, and the soul of wilderness. More than most, Alvarez knows outsiders belong outside--and he wants to welcome them into the tribe. The Wilderness Idiot airlifts readers to the world's most remote places (in reality and in the mind) and make them feel so at home they'll start dreaming about adventures of their own.
Survival skills are presented through practical advice on finding food, building shelter, and securing water, complemented by fun, unconventional tips like crafting a fishhook from a beer can. This guide by Ted Alvarez, a contributor to "Backpacker" magazine, combines essential survival techniques with entertaining tricks, making it both informative and engaging for readers looking to enhance their outdoor skills.
Explore the crystal clear waters on the Summit Lakes Trail at Lassen Volcanic National Park, take in the expansive views at Shenandoah National Park's Old Rag Mountain, or traverse the sandstone cliffs at Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. Choose your adventure from any of the forty-four national parks profiled throughout the book. This book delivers jaw-dropping photos, detailed hike descriptions and maps, ranger essays, and more, all of which combine to create an intimate look at the best our national parks have to offer.
Do you dream of the summer when you can hike the Appalachian Trail? Or marvel at the snowcapped peaks along the John Muir trail? Or hope to walk the Pacific Crest Trail over many summers? This book gives you the tools to make this dream a reality.