Best of
Outdoors

1999

Waterlog


Roger Deakin - 1999
    Engaging, thoughtful and candid' Telegraph Waterlog celebrates the magic of water and the beauty and eccentricity of Britain.In 1996 Roger Deakin, the late, great nature writer, set out to swim through the British Isles. From the sea, from rock pools, from rivers and streams, tarns, lakes, lochs, ponds, lidos, swimming pools and spas, from fens, dykes, moats, aqueducts, waterfalls, flooded quarries, even canals, Deakin gains a fascinating perspective on modern Britain.Detained by water bailiffs in Winchester, intercepted in the Fowey estuary by coastguards, mistaken for a suicide on Camber sands, confronting the Corryvreckan whirlpool in the Hebrides, he discovers just how much of an outsider the native swimmer is to his landlocked, fully-dressed fellow citizens.This is a personal journey, a bold assertion of the native swimmer's right to roam, and an unforgettable celebration of the magic of water.

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship


John Rousmaniere - 1999
    Used throughout America as a textbook in sailing schools and Power Squadrons, The Annapolis Book of Seamanship thoroughly and clearly covers the fundamental and advanced skills of modern sailing. This edition of Annapolis is a major overhaul. Over half the book has been revised; old topics and features have been updated, and many new ones have been introduced. The design has been modernized, and many color illustrations have been added. As big and detailed as Annapolis is, the wealth of technical information (including dozens of step-by-step instructions) is presented here in a way that is uniquely readable; it's both useful and easy to use. This is because John Rousmaniere and artist Mark Smith bring to Annapolis decades of experience both as sailors and as professional communicators. Annapolis emphasizes the standard skills and proven methods that eliminate error and confusion, ensure security in emergencies, and allow every sailor more time for enjoyment on the water. Much has changed on the water since 1983 when this book was originally published. Black buoys are now green, the Global Positioning Satellite navigation system (GPS) is almost universally used, new types of anchors and sails have appeared, safety skills and gear are vastly improved, many more women are commanding boats, and catamarans and trimarans are common where only monohulls used to sail. But for all these modern developments, the basic skills and spirit of sailing have not changed at all. Sail trimming, keeping up steerageway, maintaining the dead reckoning plot, heaving-to -- these fundamentals are as important now as ever and receive much attention here. Among the innovations in this edition are: * Basic skills in early chapters: Fundamental sailing and boat-handling skills and gear, which are introduced in chapters 1, 2, and 3.* "Hands On" segments: Three dozen special sections, each devoted to a particular seamanship problem and an expert solution.* More how-to tips: Additional rules of thumb that guide a crew quickly and successfully through seamanship problems.* New coverage of multihulls: Advice on evaluating, anchoring, and handling catamarans and trimarans under sail (including in storms).* More on emergencies: New material on emergencies, safety, and heavy-weather sailing, including a section on preparing a docked boat for a hurricane.* Equipment updates: Expanded coverage of the use and care of modern gear and hardware, including radar, GPS, rescue devices, and asymmetrical spinnakers.* Terminology: Full definition and illustration of major terms when they're first introduced, with alternative language provided in parentheses.* Gender: The use of feminine personal pronouns, which reflect the fact that more women are captaining and sailing boats than ever before. From navigation and seamanship to boat and gear maintenance, from pleasure cruising to heavy-weather sailing, here is the definitive, state-of-the-art guide that provides systematic step-by-step techniques to see you through every situation on deck and in the cockpit.

The Longest Silence: A Life In Fishing


Thomas McGuane - 1999
    As he travels the fish take him to many and various subjects ripe for random speculation: rods and reels, the classification of anglers according to the flies they prefer, family and memory - right down to why fishermen lie.The Longest Silence sets the heart pounding for a glimpse of moving water, and demonstrates what a life dedicated to sport reveals about life.

Standing in a River Waving a Stick


John Gierach - 1999
    Recounting both memorable fishing spots and memorable fish, Gierach discusses what makes a good fly pattern, the ethics of writing about undiscovered trout waters, the dread of getting skunked, and the camaraderie of fellow fishermen who can end almost any conversation with “Well, it’s sort of like fishing, isn’t it?” Reflecting on a lifetime of lessons learned at the end of a fly rod, Gierach concludes, “The one inscription you don’t want carved on your tombstone is ‘The Poor Son of a Bitch Didn’t Fish Enough.’” Fortunately for Gierach fans, this is not likely to happen.

Birds of Wisconsin Field Guide


Stan Tekiela - 1999
    There's no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don't live in Wisconsin. This book features 111 species of Wisconsin birds, organized by color for ease of use. Do you see a yellow bird and don't know what it is? Go to the yellow section to find out. Fact-filled information, a compare feature, range maps and detailed photographs help to ensure that you positively identify the birds that you see.

Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History


Eric H. Borneman - 1999
    World-class photographs and text reviewed by leading coral biologists and coral keepers guides the reader through the selection and husbandry of hundreds of species.

Dispossessing the Wilderness: Indian Removal and the Making of the National Parks


Mark David Spence - 1999
    While visions of pristine, uninhabited nature led to the creation of these parks, they also inspired policies of Indian removal. By contrasting the native histories of these places with the links between Indian policy developments and preservationist efforts, this work examines the complex origins of the national parks and the troubling consequences of the American wilderness ideal. The first study to place national park history within the context of the early reservation era, it details the ways that national parks developed into one of the most important arenas of contention between native peoples and non-Indians in the twentieth century.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States


National Audubon Society - 1999
    Filled with concise descriptions and stunning photographs, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States belongs in the home of every resident of the Southeast and in the suitcase or backpack of every visitor.This compact volume contains: An easy-to-use field guide for identifying 1,000 of the state's wildflowers, trees, mushrooms, mosses, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, butterflies, mammals, and much more;A complete overview of the southeastern region's natural history, covering geology, wildlife habitats, ecology, fossils, rocks and minerals, clouds and weather patterns, and the night sky;An extensive sampling of the area's best parks, preserves, hiking trails, forests, and wildlife sanctuaries, with detailed descriptions and visitor information for 50 sites and notes on dozens of others.The guide is packed with visual information -- the 1,500 full-color images include more than 1,300 photographs, 13 maps, and 16 night-sky charts, as well as more than 100 drawings explaining everything from geological processes to the basic features of different plants and animals.For everyone who lives or spends time in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee, there can be no finer guide to the area's natural surroundings than the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States."

Backyard Birds


Jonathan P. Latimer - 1999
    Comprehensive and authoritative, they are essential additions to any naturalist's bookshelf or backpack.

Guide to Fly Fishing Knots


Larry V. Notley - 1999
    Larry includes: parts of your line; IGFA line test; tippet to fly size chart; knot-tying tips; terminology; knot applications; and of course, step-by-step instruction for joining lines, lines to flies, loop knots, dropper knots, and yarn indicator knots. Also included are basic fresh- and saltwater leaders and trout and panfish leaders. Twenty different knots are covered with concise text and simple, clear illustrations showing each step. These knots offer a solid base for your knot-tying arsenal. So whether you fish salt water or fresh, this pocket-size book is perfect for your vest, boat, car, or tube.

Hiking Oregon's History


William L. Sullivan - 1999
    Come follow Lewis and Clark's trail across Tillamook Head. Ride with Chief Joseph on his tragic retrat through Hells Canyon. Discover paths to fire lookouts, lighthouses, and abandoned gold mines. Relive legends, discoveries, scandals, and triumphs that rocked the West. Come hike Oregon's history!

National Audubon Society Regional Guide to the Rocky Mountain States


Peter Alden - 1999
    Filled with concise descriptions and stunning photographs, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Rocky Mountain States belongs in the home of every Rocky Mountainresident and in the suitcase or backpack of every visitor.  This compact volume contains:An easy-to-use field guide for identifying 1,000 of the state's wildflowers, trees, mushrooms, mosses, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, butterflies, mammals, and much more;A complete overview of the Rocky Mountain region's natural history, covering geology, wildlife habitats, ecology, fossils, rocks and minerals, clouds and weather patterns, and the night sky;An extensive sampling of the area's best parks, preserves, mountains, forests, and wildlife sanctuaries, with detailed descriptions and visitor information for 50 sites and notes on dozens of others.The guide is packed with visual information -- the 1,500 full-color images include more than 1,300 photographs, 11 maps, and 16 night-sky charts, as well as more than 100 drawings explaining everything from geological processes to the basic features of different plants and animals.  For everyone who lives or spends time in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, or Wyoming, there can be no finer guide to the area's natural surroundings than the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Rocky Mountain States.

The Cruiser's Handbook of Fishing


Scott Bannerot - 1999
    It gives you what you need to know about catching fish in tropical or middle-latitude seas - from a cruising boat underway or at anchor, from a dinghy, in the surf, and while diving reefs.

Hiking Montana


Bill Schneider - 1999
    This is the classic guide to Montana hiking, now completely field-checked and updated.

Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes in Michigan: Sixty Walks, Day Trips, and Backpacks in the Lower Peninsula


Jim Dufresne - 1999
    Hikers will learn where to find the best trailside fishing, birding, and wildlife watching, as well as where to go to find fall color and undisturbed backcountry camping. Each hike description includes directions to the trailhead; a detailed map; trail distance, difficulty, and hiking time; explicit trail directions, and a description of natural and historic features along the way.

Mount Rainier: A Climbing Guide


Mike Gauthier - 1999
    Name any route on Rainier, and he can describe its rewards and specific challenges (he's summited Rainier more than 170 times during all seasons and under intense conditions). Whether you choose the classic Liberty Ridge route, the drama of Success Cleaver, or the rarely attempted Mowich Face, Gauthier provides all the details you'll need for a successful and enjoyable climb.This edition presents the information on logistics, regulations, and permits. It includes expanded material on understanding and surmounting Rainier's famed glaciers; tips on selecting a guide service; excellent mountaineering training sites around Rainier for those bound for the world's highest peaks; and bonus routes on adjacent Little Tahoma, Washington's third highest peak.

The Beachcomber's Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest


J. Duane Sept - 1999
    Illustrating each entry is a full-colour photo of the species in its natural habitat, so that even the novice can identify it confidently - without disturbing it.There are special sections on great Pacific Northwest viewing sites for intertidal life, ways to understand tides and choose the best times to look for beach wildlife, intertidal habitats ranging from sandy beaches to aging wharves to rocky, wave-swept shores, and ecologically friendly observation methods.Packed with expert information but wonderfully accessible to any interested layperson, this book is perfect for a family or a school group, a Saturday beachwalker or a naturalists' club. The species described here include sponges, clams, snails, crabs, sea stars, sea anemones, jellies, fishes, seaweeds and others. This informative guide was written to be both accurate and easy to understand. Details for each plant or animal include; description, habitat, range, additional notes and more.Many intertidal sites found in the Pacific Northwest are also featured in this guide. Additional information found here include tidal actions, intertidal habitats, and environmentally friendly beachcombing.

Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands: 60 Trips in Northwest Inland Waters, Including the Gulf Islands


Rob Casey - 1999
    Beautiful scenery, intricate and protected waterways, and abundant marine life define the area, while on shore are ample public parklands for camping and exploring.The 60 trips in this extensively updated 3rd edition of the bestselling Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands cover the Sound's myriad islands, fjord-like canals, and inlets from Canada's Gulf Islands to the Nisqually River Delta, including the fabulous San Juan Islands and the unique Hood Canal. Each trip description covers all the details paddlers need to plan and complete specific tours throughout the region.Other important updates to this 3rd edition include: modern safety tips (emphasis on proper gear and PFDs); a list of weather resources; how to make use of cell phones and mobile apps that utilize GPS and real-time navigational data; a resources section on kayaking training in the region through paddle clubs, certification groups, and paddle shops; how to prepare for open water trips; new info on how to cross into Canada; and more. Kayaking Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands, 3rd Edition, gives novice paddlers, weekenders, and lifelong kayakers the inspiration and knowledge to get out and explore the Northwest via its singular waterways.

Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses


James H. Miller - 1999
    Packed with detailed color photographs, the book is a must-have for forest landowners, game and wildlife managers, biologists, outdoors enthusiasts, students--anyone with an interest in the intricate and often unexpected interrelationships between the flora and fauna of our region’s forests.Features:Descriptions of native and nonnative (exotic or invasive) plants, including 330 species of forbs, in 180 genera: grasses, sedges, and rushes; woody vines and semiwoody plants; shrubs; palms and yucca; cane; cactus; ferns; and ground lichen650 color photosMap of physiographic provinces56 simple black-and-white drawings of flower parts, flower types, and inflorescences, leaf arrangements, leaf divisions, shapes, and margins, and parts of a grass plantGlossaryIndex of genera by family, index by wildlife species, and index of scientific and common names

Whelks to Whales: Coastal Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest


Rick M. Harbo - 1999
    The concise handbook is a ready reference to the 420 most common species that can be observed along the west coast. The shorelines of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and northern California are so generously populated with marine animals and plants that divers, beachcombers, whale watchers, naturalists and biologists from all over the world come here to enjoy the natural wonders of the coastline. The gentle climate and warm ocean current of this region support thousands of plants and animals, from the microscopic planktonic algae that bloom and colour the water, to the smallest snails on the seashore, to the blue whale, the largest animal on earth. The Pacific Northwest is home to the world's tallest anemone (plumose anemone) and many of the world's largest species, including the giant Pacific octopus, barnacle (giant barnacle) sea slug (orange peel nudibranch), intertidal clam (geoduck) and sea urchin (red sea urchin).Whelks to Whales is designed for everyone from the expert biologist to the weekend naturalist and is a ready reference to the 420 most common species, the fascinating local sponges, jellyfish, crabs, shrimp, barnacles, clams, snails, seals, fish, whales, sea algae and hundreds of other living things that can be observed and identified without being disturbed.This accessible full-colour field guide is arranged for quick identification with colour-coded sections, photographs of all species - most pictured in their natural habitat - and comprehensive but concise information on size, range, habitat and facts of interest about each species. With a glossary, checklist, reading list and full index included, Whelks to Whales is the only book you will need to identify and learn about the diverse marine life you are likely to encounter while exploring the waters and seashores of the Pacific Northwest.

Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail


Leonard M. Adkins - 1999
    thru-hickers who happen to be publishing pros, too.

Maine Mountain Guide, 8th: The hiking trails of Maine featuring Baxter State Park


Appalachian Mountain Club Books - 1999
    This revised edition now features new, full-color, GPS-rendered trail maps -- the first and only GPS plotted maps available for the area. From Baxter State Park and spectacular Mt. Katahdin to the rugged Mahoosuc Range, here is the ultimate guide for exploring the Maine wilderness.

The Best in Tent Camping: Colorado: A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos


Johnny Molloy - 1999
    The Best in Tent Camping: Colorado will guide you to the quietest, most beautiful, most secure, and best managed campgrounds in the Centennial State. Painstakingly selected from hundreds of camping options, each profiled campground is rated for beauty, noise, privacy, security, spaciousness, and cleanliness. Also included are suggestions for nearby outdoor recreation and sightseeing, pinpointing attractions that often go unnoticed.

Hiking Grand Teton National Park


Bill Schneider - 1999
    Thirty-five of the best hikes in this Wyoming park.

Fishing for Catfish: The Complete Guide for Catching Big Channells, Blues and Faltheads


Keith Sutton - 1999
    But times have changed. Today, nearly 10 million anglers wet a line hoping to do battle with a monster cat. Learn how to catch bigger catfish than ever before.This book is a comprehensive look at the world of catfish. Beginning with the biology of catfish, Author Keith Sutton then follows with the where-to and how-to information that will lead to successful fishing. Beyond locating fish and rig & tackle techniques, there's even a section on cleaning and cooking your catfish.

Conditioning for Outdoor Fitness: Functional Exercise & Nutrition for Every Body


David Musnick - 1999
    Written by a team of sports fitness experts, this book explores how each region of the body works and describes convention and functional exercises to improve your fitness and activity performance.With new information on everything from exercising with tendonitis to footwear and orthotics, people of all fitness levels will find something to help them to the next level.David Musnick, M.D., is a sports medicine physician in Seattle trained in exercise design, nutrition, and injury rehabilitation. Mark Pierce, A.T.C., is an athletic trainer in Bellevue, Washington, specializing in functional strength training and optimizing physical performance.

Secrets of Warmth: For Comfort or Survival


Hal Weiss - 1999
    This book has the keys to keep you warm in any conditions.

Growing Herbs and Vegetables: From Seed to Harvest


Terry Silber - 1999
    The Silbers tell us how to go about searching for just the right seeds, plants, and information; how to determine the number of plants we need; how to set up a germinating area; how to seed and transplant; how to use cold frames and other methods of "hardening off" our seedlings. They take us into the garden and explain how to evaluate soils and break up top growth. We learn about setting out plants; about direct seeding in mulched areas and open ground; about weeding, watering, and fertilizing. They share their wisdom about controlling insect damage and battling plant diseases; about accommodating animals while protecting crops; about harvesting, fall cleanup, and collecting, saving, and storing seeds from our own gardens. Specific, detailed instructions are given for growing 37 vegetables--alphabetically arranged from asparagus to turnips--and 51 herbs, from angelica to woad. Well-organized charts make it easy to find essential information quickly, and drawings and photographs provide visual direction. Conveniently located sidebars give us guidance on such topics as growing hot peppers, planting mesclun, making sauerkraut, braiding onions, blanching cauliflower, growing moth-repellent herbs, making herb tempura and vinegars, and crystallizing flowers.Here is a book guaranteed to inspire us to dig into the gardening catalogues and then into the earth to begin the adventure of producing our very own bountiful harvest.

Tom Brown's Science and Art of Tracking


Tom Brown Jr. - 1999
    Tom Brown was taught the ancient skills of survival by a Native American he called Grandfather. His most advanced lessons were those of the scouts, members of a secret society who were highly attuned to nature. The scouts refined tracking to a disciplined science and art form. With these physical skills came enhanced perception and true enlightment. "Tracking was their doorway to the universe," Tom Brown writes, "where they could know all things through the tracks..."Now Tom Brown, Jr. shares generations of wisdom through one of the most rewarding pursuits to be found in nature. Tracking lets us unlock the secrets of each animal we follow, and in turn, to become more aware of our own place in nature and the world. It is a journey of discovery that engages the senses, awakens the spirit, and enlightens the soul.

Backpacking Oregon


Douglas A. Lorain - 1999
    Trips from three days to two weeks are described in terms of scenery, popularity, difficulty, mileage, elevation gain, length of trail, and shuttle distance, if any. The author includes detailed advice on creek crossings, water availability, side trips worth doing, and weather.

Soap Carving: For Children of All Ages


Howard K. Suzuki - 1999
    Suzuki quickly found out that wood was not the most suitable medium. It took too long to show much progress in the limited time available. He decided to use bars of soap to demonstrate basic techniques on carving and sculpturing. Soap is an inexpensive and very desirable carving medium. Soon demonstrations developed into hands-on experiences for his students. In this book, Dr. Suzuki describes and illustrates with color photographs how to make safe and simple wooden carving tools. He demonstrates basic soap-carving techniques using several stepwise how-to examples, from a simple heart to a more complex turtle. Dr. Suzuki integrates art and science into his instructions and combines them to produce a super learning experience for children (of all ages) who do learn to carve through his methods.

Patagonia: Notes from the Field


Nora Gallagher - 1999
    Patagonia: Notes from the Field delivers an intense glimpse of those front lines in a spectacular collection of essays and photographs commissioned for Patagonia. Authors such as Paul Theroux, Gretel Ehrlich, Russell Chatham, Rick Ridgeway, and Tom McGuane offer first-hand perspectivesoften off-beat and sometimes unsettlingon our relationship to the natural world. Their words capture life-threatening moments and sudden insights into the soul of a sport. The accompanying images may command silence (the tiny silhouettes of climbers on a distant snowy ridge) or elicit a whoop of joy (a kayaker dropping off a 20-foot waterfall). Editor Nora Gallagher has collected the best essays and images from Patagonia's award-winning catalog and melded them with newly commissioned material to create an intelligent, powerful, and vital portrait of "life out there." Patagonia: Notes from the Field will appeal to adventurers, travelers, and dreamers everywhere.

The Best in Tent Camping: Southern Appalchian and Smoky Mountains: A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos


Johnny Molloy - 1999
    The Best in Tent Camping: The Southern Appalachian & Smoky Mountains is a guidebook for tent campers who like quiet, scenic, and serene campsites. It's the perfect resource if you blanch at the thought of pitching a tent on a concrete slab, trying to sleep through the blare of another camper's boombox, or waking to find your tent surrounded by a convoy of RVs. Painstakingly selected from hundreds of campgrounds in eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia, and western North and South Carolina, each campsite is rated for beauty, noise, privacy, security, spaciousness, and cleanliness. Each campground profile provides essential details on facilities, reservations, fees, and restrictions, as well as an accurate, easy-to-read map making the campground a snap to locate.

Fly-Fishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry


Rich Osthoff - 1999
    The actual destinations are explored in depth. 33 color illustrations.