Category: books and magazines

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book – Ten Million Steps

Ten million steps is the incredible story of a 10-month walk from the Florida Keys to Quebec.

“Eb” Eberhart has another book, Where Less the Path is Worn: First Trek O’er Appalachians of North America, recounting a 347-day trek, over 5000mi, from Belle Isle, Newfoundland to the tip of Key West, Florida.

After getting medical advice he needed a pacemaker, Eb instead he walked over 17,000mi since 1998. If you see him on the trail, he goes by the monicker of Nimblewill Nomad. Age-68, he is not slowing down yet. He did the Lewis and Clark Trail in 2006.

Ten million steps

NimblewillNomad.com – official website

(via Two-Heel Drive)

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book – Crossing Arizona

I am a huge fan of Scottish hiker / writer Chris Townsend.

Just finished Crossing Arizona: A Solo Hike Through the Sky Islands and Deserts of the Arizona Trail.

It’s both a travelogue and a how-to guide for the 800mi (1287km) Arizona Trail.

I love his insight into the joys of hiking — and his honesty. Townsend, one of the greatest hikers ever, got lost both finding and leaving Tuscon. (That’s something I would have left out of my own book.)

A Solo Hike Through the Sky Islands and Deserts of the Arizona Trail

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trekking in Bhutan

I’ve long been a fan of Bhutan-Trails.org.

bhutan-trails.jpg

I asked editor Rogier Gruys when Bhutan would open to “independent hikers”. Not soon, he says.

As for trekking in Bhutan … you do have to go through a local travel agency. They are not likely to change that …

… you can go with one or two people, and set up exactly the itinerary you want with the agency. The only thing is that you pay US$230/day (for less than 4 people in a group). … But that does include all meals, all local transport, hotel/tent etc. So compared to a typical trip to NY city it is not all that bad!

If I could afford $200 / day I would be booking my next holiday to Bhutan, for sure.

The most famous hikes in Bhutan are the Snowman Trek and Jhomolhari-Laya-Gasa, but Rogier points out there are other great hikes that you can do year round.

Even the hikes out of the capital Thimphu are excellent. In particular, Rogier recommends walking to Tango/Drolay goempas. Or radiotower to Phajoding. “Great views, and a beautiful monastery along the way.”

A Trekker's Guide (Cicerone Guide)
Bhutan: A Trekker’s Guide (Cicerone Guide)

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Sierra High Route, California

Just finished listening to the final episode of Steve Howe’s on-the-trail audiocast of his solo Sierra High Route trek in California.

Howe is BACKPACKER’s Rocky Mountain editor.

Sounds fantastic! And very few hikers do it each season.

Howe posted daily to an interactive map. Very cool.

He was 37 days, 280mi (450km) on the trail starting August 26, 2006.

If you are looking for a much-more-dangerous alternative to the John Muir Trail, this is it. Much of the walking is above the treeline.

There’s no real continuous trail. Some experience in off-trail route finding is needed.

Scouting the High Route – GORP


“The Sierra High Route: Traversing Timberline Country” (Steve Roper)

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Rucksack – Exploring the Inca Trail

Exploring the Inca Trail is the latest in the excellent Rucksack hiking guidebook series. It’s a perfect format for a guidebook you can carry on the trail. (waterproof, lightweight, open-flat with built-in map).

But are the authors expert?

I’ll say. It’s written by Roy Davis, editor of the most comprehensive Inca Trail website, and Jacquetta Megarry, founder of the Rucksack series.

That’s all we needed to know. The Rucksack Guide instantly jumps to our most recommended guidebook for the Inca Trail. It’s also the lightest and most durable.

That said, the Inca Trail is far over-rated. Our advice is to take the train to Machu Picchu and save your hiking days for one of the many, many other wonderful South American hikes. For our reasons why, check Inca Trail – besthike.com


“Explore the Inca Trail (Rucksack Readers)” (Jacquetta Megarry, Roy Davies)

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Chena Dome Trail, Alaska

Just added the Chena Dome Trail to our list of best hikes in the world.

Chena Dome is a very challenging 3-4 day adventure, 29.5mi (47.5km) loop mostly on ridgetop above the treeline.

It’s famed for great views and tasty berries in August. Finding water can be a problem late in the season.

About 50mi from Fairbanks, Alaska, this hike can be combined with a visit to Denali (Mt. McKinley), the highest mountain in North America.

I’m considering a trip to Alaska for summer 2007.

I started my research with Lonely Planet Alaska

Lonely Planet Alaska.

Next I’ll need Lonely Planet Hiking in Alaska (Lonely Planet Walking Guides). I always start with Lonely Planet when planning a trip.

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camp free in B.C.

Want a wonderful camping / hiking holiday on a very low budget?

We recommend beautiful British Columbia, Canada. (Summer only, of course.)

The best guidebooks are the Camp Free in B.C. series by Kathy and Craig Copeland.

They guide you to the best B.C. Forest Service and community group campgrounds, the majority of which are free.

Expect just the basics — pit toilets and drinking water. But some of the best, least visited hikes and paddles in Canada are accessible.

The only downside is that normally you need your vehicle to get to them. Public transport and hitchhiking are poor in the wilderness areas of B.C.

Central British Columbia

Camp Free in B.C. Vol. Two: Central British Columbia

Camp Free in B.C. – Vol. One: Trans-Canada Hwy to US Border, Vancouver Island to Rocky Mts.

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Tramping in New Zealand

One of our favourite hiking guidebooks has been updated for 2006.

Hiking 3 months in New Zealand, this book was my bible.

lpnzlarge.jpg

Make tracks across the spectacular range of New Zealand landscapes. The deep valleys of Fiordland and Mt Aspiring beckon, the Marlborough Sounds call, the volcanoes of Tongariro are steaming … explore on foot the natural wonders of this country from coast to Cook. … 53 detailed trail descriptions for trampers of all levels

Amazon.com: Lonely Planet Tramping in New Zealand: Books: Jim Dufresne

For variety, trailhead transport, ease of access, cost — New Zealand is the best destination in the world for most hikers.

best hikes in New Zealand – besthike.com

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recommended hiking books

I spend a lot of time checking Amazon, the world’s largest bookstore, especially the user reviews.

If you click through to Amazon.com from this site, we get a small commission, about 4%. This helps pay for the hosting of besthike.

Amazon is happy. We are happy. And you are happy if we get the recommendation right on the best hiking guide. We don’t endorse a book unless we have seen it.

Most amazing about Amazon to me are their low prices. I always check Amazon prices first before cycling over to my local bookstore. If you do not live in the USA, shipping is normally no hassle though Amazon can’t guarantee books won’t be stopped at your border. (It is out of their control.)

Amazon launched a new service where besthike now hosts our own bookstore page.

bestbooks.jpg

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book – Lightweight Backpacking and Camping

I signed up with AppalachianTrail.org in anticipation of a trip to Appalachian Trail Days in 2007.

They strongly recommend Lightweight Backpacking and Camping: A Field Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style.

Reading the reader reviews on the Amazon site (always a good idea) comments are somewhat mixed.

But I am IN. It’s added to my “to read” list.

Already a lightweight Backpacker, I’m now simply fine-tuning my kit and food for various hikes. Looks like a perfect resource for me.

A Field Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style (Backpacking Light)