The smart guide to hiking and backpacking

Introduction

Why hike?

Part 1: preparing for the trail. Buying gear ; Buying food for the trail ; Packing for the trail

Part 2: on the trail. Trail etiquette ; Low-impact hiking ; Finding your way ; Health and safety ; First aid in the wilderness ; Weather

Part 3: major regions of North America. Mountains and tundra ; Plains and prairies ; The deserts of North America ; Public lands, national parks, and forests ; National trails

Part 4: destinations. Pacific Northwest ; Pacific Southwest ; Interior Southwest ; Northern Rockies ; Southern Rockies ; Central states ; The midwest ; New England ; Mid-Atlantic states ; The Southeastern states ; Canada

Part 5: connections. The bigger world of hiking.