Trail Life: Ray Jardine's Lightweight Backpacking
by Ray Jardine
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ray JardineEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-01
ISBN: 0963235974
Number of pages: 399
Publisher: Adventurelore Pr
Book Reviews of Trail Life: Ray Jardine's Lightweight Backpacking
Book Review: Trail Life
Summary: 4 Stars
When I found out Ray Jardine was publishing a new edition of Beyond Backpacking I went to his web site and ordered a copy immediately (it not yet being in stores at the time). Beyond Backpacking having gone out of print quite some time ago, I was eager to read this book so many backpackers talk about. Perhaps the anticipation caused me to have expectations that were a bit too high. Don't get me wrong, it is a good book, with some great ideas and information, I was just expecting, well...more.
Trail Life is an updated version of Beyond Backpacking which is an updated version of Pacific Coast Trail Hiker's Handbook. I'm not sure why Mr. Jardine thinks it is a good idea to keep changing the title. As far as I can tell it is more or less the same content somewhat edited and updated. Overall I like the book, or at least I like Ray Jardine. As a backpacker It is hard not to respect this man who has hiked over 25,000 miles and help to change backpacking in some fundamental ways, Mr. Jardine having been one of the `pioneers' of light weight backpacking.
Trail Life can be enjoyed by anyone who loves to hike and backpack, but I would be hesitant to recommend this book to beginners. Primarily because the book appears to be an all inclusive `everything you wanted to know about backpacking' kind of backpacker's bible - but it's not. There are many sections discussing gear or skills where Mr. Jardine leaves out several pertinent pieces of information. For example; there is a thirteen page chapter on water discussing dehydration, purification, etc. Included are a few paragraphs on boiling and using iodine. Nothing on chlorine dioxide products (e.g. Aquamira) or ultraviolet pens (e.g. SteriPEN). This type of omission makes it obvious this book was not updated enough.
Mr. Jardine appears to have quite a bit of distain for outdoor equipment manufacturers (perhaps for capitalism in general). He recommends we make our own gear and clothes - which is a good way to go at times, but he goes much farther. He feels that if we do buy commercially made clothes we should sew patches over the logos rather than be `walking billboards'. His contempt for commercial manufacture's causes him to spurn practically all their products - so the book gives no useful advice on what gear to buy in regards to cloths, tents, packs, bags - we should make it all ourselves.
On the more positive side, Mr. Jardine does give some great advice about hiking itself. He includes a wonderful chapter on "Trail Shock" discussing how he and Jenny (his wife) have experienced in most journeys the point early on in a trip where you muscles start to ach or get stiff and you begin to feel like you should quit. It is reassuring to know this happens to everyone from time to time. His chapters on mileage, resupplies, hiking partners, hiking enjoyment and many other chapters are filled with tips from his experiences. I wish the book was filled with more of this. I'm sure after the many trips he has walked there is much more insight into the hiking experience Mr. Jardine could share with us. I hope he writes a NEW book someday - leaving out his views about gear and how to sew, and share with us more of what trail life really can be like.
[...]
Summary of Trail Life: Ray Jardine's Lightweight Backpacking
This is Ray Jardine's new, full-colour, 2009 edition of his best-selling book "Beyond Backpacking". Now full of colour photos and diagrams, this new title reflects a multitude of updated information, detailing Ray Jardine's lightweight backpacking techniques, his gear, and his methods for enjoyable and safe trekking and camping. Sections and chapters include Packweight, Equipment, Food, Water, Trail Biology, Sewing Your Own Gear, Hiker's Well-Being, Wilderness Skills, Insects, Long-Distance Trekking, a chapter specifically for women, and much more. "Trail Life" will be the new standard reference book for the backpacker. If you have ever thought your pack weighed too much on a week long hike, this book shows hikers how to cut the weight out and explodes myths about heavy equipment. This is the most comprehensive long distance trekking guide ever written. A lightweight approach to backpacking is here to stay. "Trail Life" is for all hikers, at all levels of experience, from beginners to the most advanced. It includes 400 pages, over 50 chapters with more than 230 colour photos. The author and his wife have hiked well over 25,000 miles along all the well known trails as well as a myriad of other routes. Their experiences will prove to be an invaluable guide for those who love to hike and those who seek the solitude of the outdoors.Camping Books
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