The NOLS Wilderness Guide

by Mark Harvey

The National Outdoor Leadership School’s Wilderness Guide is called “The Classic Handbook,” because it’s the source so many adventurers go to for information on backpacking and hiking. In this book, you’ll discover how to:

The NOLS Wilderness Guide

  • Pick appropriate gear for your needs, including boots, packs, stoves and tents
  • Properly pack a backpack
  • Dress for the backcountry
  • Navigate with a map and compass
  • Cook in the wilderness
  • Deal with emergencies- weather, bears, search and rescue
  • Camp in a low impact way, so you Leave No Trace

As a 1999 book, this doesn’t cover the latest in ultra-light backpacking gear. For that, you could order Backpacker magazine. The Classic Handbook does do an excellent job of providing the knowledge and techniques you need to travel more comfortably and safely in the wilderness.

This book review was written by Curt Remington