Backpacking: One Step at a Time

I bought this book ar EMS in Boston in 1973 when I first started backpacking. the priciples he teaches this book still hold true today. I strongly recomend this book to any novice backpackers, along with Karen Berger's new Hiking and Backpacking. My grandson is learning and enjoying from this edition now. This book is timeless. It is a must read!

I purchased one of the first editions of this classic way back in 1973 or 1974. I still have that book, dog-eared pages and all and consider it the best book on the subject ever written. The hilarious cartoon drawings hit the nail on the head in how they demonstrate visually what the author was trying to convey in words. My edition is somewhat dated now, but the concepts and techniques never really change. This book in my opinion set the standard. During those times I am confined to house and home, I often pull this book off the shelf and thumb thru it. Just looking thru it is enough to get one fired up about getting out. It is a well done...well thought out book with wonderfully creative writing highlighted with comical illustrations. It goes beyond the mechanical technical aspects of backpacking and explores the how and why of the endeavor. I most highly recommend this book for the beginner or experienced hiker.

I am on my second copy of Backpacking One Step At A Time, and have used it for years on end to help fine tune the art of whittling down my weight, and improving the art of backpacking. When friends ask what I would reccomend gear wise, I toss them a copy of this book. But there have been so many advances in ultralight gear over the last 20 + years since the release of this book, that it is woefully behind the times. I love the book, I love the writing style of Mr. Manning, I just wish that there was a 5th or so Edition. I would hate to see the wonderful, and helpful information in this book go to waste because gear technology has changed. There is just too much priceless information to let it slide into oblivion.

Before I ever set foot into the wilderness, I read Harvey Manning's book cover to cover (several times). It prepared me for a lifetime of low environmental impact adventures in the ever more crowded wild parts of the country. Though the equipment advice may now be dated, his approach to living and playing in the great outdoors is timeless. "TAKE ONLY PHOTOGRAPHS, LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS" is more important now than ever before. Mr. Manning's book teaches/reminds us that there is a limited amount of wilderness out there to be enjoyed by an always growing number of people. Following the advice in this book will help prepare the reader for a more safe, comfortable and, ultimately, more enjoyable experience outdoors.Sure, there are more up-to-date guides on equipment. Buy the ultimate hiking boot and six months later there's a new, improved model available. Equipment guides are that way. The wilderness, however, is different. Trash a meadow, cut down a 500 year old tree, scrawl your name on a rock face and the special feeling that you are in a pristine, untouched place is gone. That place has been ruined for every backpacker and hiker who follows. This book shows how to enjoy what is out there without destroying the reason we escape into the wilderness in the first place!

Manning's book covers everything you need to know about venturing into the out of doors. From equipment selection to breaking camp, this book is packed with information for beginners and experience outdoorsmen alike. -Mike Harmer, Editor of Scouting Onlin