Outward Bound Backpacker&##39;s Handbook is a comprehensive guidebook, backed by the renowned outdoor leadership program Outward Bound, that will help all lovers of the outdoors venture beyond the trailhead. Whether you are planning a short hike on a local path or a complete traverse of the Continental Divide Trail, this guide provides all the essential information you&##39;ll need to plan and complete your adventure with skill and confidence. 

Inside are invaluable advice and tips on: 

• finding the right boots, tents, stoves, and sleeping bags
• planning safe and rewarding trips
• organizing, packing, and preparing backcountry food
• choosing and using the latest in outdoor clothing
• preserving the wilderness by hiking responsibly
• using wilderness navigation
• trekking with children
• dealing with backcountry annoyances and hazards, from blisters and mosquitoes to bears and lightning
• handling wilderness emergencies