Harvey Manning (1925–2006)

Almost fifty years later, this is still an excellent introduction to backpacking. It has weathered the decades because mostly talks about skills and attitude.

Obviously, some of the gear sections are out of date—boots and stoves have changed beyond recognition since 1972 (the MSR expedition stove was introduced in 1973).

But other sections are quite useful. Tarps and tents have become much lighter, but balancing condensation and weatherproofing is still a challenge. For food, we still target show more 1.5 to 2 pounds per person per day. The emphasis on finding supermarket food suitable for backpacking is welcome. Modern books could learn from that.

The last chapter, on the new wilderness ethic, is still entirely relevant. It is one of the best short descriptions I've ever read. Read that first, then go back and work through the book. show less

History of REI

This book covers an area extending from Bremerton to Tacoma and to the southwest, and includes the following routes:
Carbon River; Puyallup River; Nisqually River; Southern Frontier; Bald Hills; The Prairies; Black Hills; Puget Sound Trail - Tacoma to Olympia to Allyn; Islands in the Sound - Blake, Vashon, Maury, Fox, McNeil, Anderson, Hartstene; South Kitsap Peninsula; South Olympic Peninsula.

This book covers an area extending southeast from Everett, and includes the following routes:
Snoqualmie River - from the confluence to Three Forks, South Fork Snoqualmie River, Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, North Fork Snoqualmie River - via North Fork County Road, Great Big Western Tree Farm - via roads beyond Spur 10 gates, Great Big Western Tree Farm - north of Tolt River, Skykomish River - upstream to the moraine, Skykomish River - the moraine above.