Best of
Outdoors

2004

The Final Frontiersman: Heimo Korth and His Family, Alone in Alaska's Arctic Wilderness


James Campbell - 2004
    Originally from Wisconsin, Heimo traveled to the Arctic wilderness in his twenties. Now, more than three decades later, Heimo lives with his wife and two daughters approximately 200 miles from civilization—a sustainable, nomadic life bounded by the migrating caribou, the dangers of swollen rivers, and by the very exigencies of daily existence. In The Final Frontiersman, Heimo’s cousin James Campbell chronicles the Korth family’s amazing experience, their adventures, and the tragedy that continues to shape their lives. With a deft voice and in spectacular, at times unimaginable detail, Campbell invites us into Heimo’s heartland and home. The Korths wait patiently for a small plane to deliver their provisions, listen to distant chatter on the radio, and go sledding at 44 degrees below zero—all the while cultivating the hard-learned survival skills that stand between them and a terrible fate. Awe-inspiring and memorable, The Final Frontiersman reads like a rustic version of the American Dream and reveals for the first time a life undreamed by most of us: amid encroaching environmental pressures, apart from the herd, and alone in a stunning wilderness that for now, at least, remains the final frontier.

Surviving the Extremes: What Happens to the Body and Mind at the Limits of Human Endurance


Kenneth Kamler - 2004
    A vice president of the legendary Explorers Club, as well as surgeon, explorer, and masterful storyteller, Dr. Kenneth Kamler has spent years discovering what happens to the human body in extreme environmental conditions. Divided into six sections—jungle, high seas, desert, underwater, high altitude, and outer space—this book uses firsthand testimony and documented accounts to investigate the science of what a body goes through and explains why people survive—and why they sometimes don’t.

Ultimate SAS Survival


John Wiseman - 2004
    From making camp and finding food in the wild to security and self-defence in the streets, be prepared on land or sea. SAS legend John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman’s unrivalled guide will teach you:Preparation – Understanding and assembling latest, most resilient, kit.Navigation – Skills, technologies and techniques to get you through unfamiliar terrain.Food and Health – Finding resources in your environment, feeding yourself, healing yourself and avoiding disease.Safety and Security – Recognising dangerous situations, defending yourself and saving others.Disaster Survival – Dealing with unstable environmental conditions: what to do in the face of flash flooding or fast-spreading fire.

Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession


Richard Askwith - 2004
    With personal narrative by one of the participants of fell-running—a sport that little is known about, but one that also boasts mass-participation—this fascinating account of arduous circuits, week-long marathons, and pounding the mountainous trails of the Lake District and Snowdonia is a unique and compelling account of stamina and courage that stretches the limits of belief.

The Golfer's Mind: Play to Play Great


Bob Rotella - 2004
    His books Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect, Golf Is a Game of Confidence, The Golf of Your Dreams, and Putting Out of Your Mind have all become classics for golfers everywhere. Weekend golfers and pros like Brad Faxon, Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Tom Kite, and Davis Love III all read and listen to the man they call Doc because his teachings are simple and direct -- and in the end, what Doc says makes them play better golf. The Golfer's Mind was actually first suggested by Davis Love, Jr. -- Davis Love III's dad -- who encouraged Doc to write an instruction book on golf's mental challenges, organized by topic. Love thought that golfers could keep the book with them, or at least nearby, at all times. When they needed a refresher on a certain issue, they could consult the book, read for a few minutes, and take away solid guidance regarding their difficulties. Doc heard what Love said, and twenty years later, The Golfer's Mind is that book. From his Ten Commandments (Commandment I. Play to play great. Don't play not to play poorly) to just about any topic a golfer might imagine, this is the ideal way for players to get all of Rotella's teachings. Doc covers topics including:ButterfliesPracticing to Play GreatThe Rhythm of the GameRoutineSetbacksHow Winning HappensIn the perfect format for the busy golfer, The Golfer's Mind is the concise and convenient quick-reference tool to appeal to Rotella's millions of followers and is sure to become a golf classic.

Coast to Coast Path: St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay


Henry Stedman - 2004
    Crossing three fabulous National Parks--the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the North York Moors--it samples the very best of the English countryside--rugged mountains and lakes, gentle dales and stone-built villages; country lanes and wild moorland; and sea cliffs and fishing villages. Includes 94 large-scale walking maps showing route times, places to stay, points of interest; itineraries for all walkers--whether walking the route in its entirety over 12-14 days or sampling the highlights on day walks; St. Bees through to Robin Hood's Bay--where to stay, where to eat, what to see, plus detailed street plans; comprehensive public transportation information--for all access points on the trail; historical and geographical attractions; flora and fauna--four page full color flower guide, plus an illustrated wildlife section.

Hiking Death Valley: Guide to Its Natural Wonders and Mining Past


Michel Digonnet - 2004
    Hundreds of miles of trails and cross-country routes lead to countless canyons, springs, and abandoned mines, most of them infrequently visited. Whether you want to stroll on salt flats, hike a lonesome canyon, climb a rugged peak, visit a remote gold mine, or simply explore the backcountry by car, this comprehensive guidebook provides dozens of destinations suited to your interests. Illustrated with original topographic maps, this book will guide you to Death Valley's most popular sites and many spectacular, out-of-the-way places, illustrating the remarkable diversity of its terrain, geology, flora, and fauna. Many of the region's historic mines, camps, and ghost towns are also described, including accounts of their fascinating and colorful past.

The Mountaineering Handbook: Modern Tools and Techniques That Will Take You to the Top


Craig Connally - 2004
    The Mountaineering Handbook will teach you the skills that will take you to the top. Even if you're already an experienced mountaineer, you'll find detailed descriptions of the newest and most effective techniques to refine and organize your methods and equipment. The Mountaineering Handbook isn't mired in outdated traditionalism; its new-school techniques are safer, more effective, and more fun for mountaineers at every level. With constant emphasis on light, fast, and efficient mountaineering, Craig Connally shows you how to:Move quickly up and down rock, snow, and ice with appropriate safety systemsManage mountain hazards, including rockfall, avalanche, lightning, and high-altitude illnessSelect the best equipment for your personal style and objectivesMaintain sound nutrition and training according to the most up-to-date scienceUnderstand the human factors of mountaineering--the social and psychological forces that influence critical decisionsConnally's passion for mountaineering is evident in his writing--The Mountaineering Handbook is clever, insightful, and entertaining. He intends to move mountaineering into the twenty-first century, but he's also determined to turn the traditional how-to book on its ear by injecting personality, humor, and thoughtfulness into every page.

Kaufman Field Guide to Mammals of North America


Kenn Kaufman - 2004
    More than 1,200 photographs have been digitally edited to show correct sizes, comparative colors, and the field marks necessary for identification in the wild. With each title in the distinguished Kaufman Field Guide series, Kenn Kaufman engages and educates naturalists of all ages and skill levels about the wonders of nature. In Mammals of North America, the format has been designed for easy field use, with illustrations, maps, and text arranged side by side. Detailed range maps show where each species is common or rare. The authoritative text discusses the identification of these animals and the essential facts about their habitats and behavior. Hundreds of illustrations show tracks, dens, and other signs that we may notice even when the animals themselves are out of sight.

Alpine Climbing: Techniques to Take You Higher


Mark Houston - 2004
    The technical protection systems are covered, of course. But 30 years of alpine climbing experience has convinced the authors that mastery-and safety-lie in the far more difficult task of knowing exactly which techniques to use, where and when. Therefore, they teach step-by-step decision-making skills, providing scenarios, checklists, and self-posed questions to inform the decision process.Alpine Climbing assumes some prior knowledge, primarily in rock climbing skills and techniques. Basic knots, belaying, rappelling, building rock anchors, leading, placing rock protection, and movement skills on rock: variations of these skills that are of particular value in the alpine environment are addressed in this book.Kathy Cosley and Mark Houston have been guides and climbing instructors for more than 20 years. In 1988, Kathy was the first American woman to climb the Eiger's North Face. Mark was among the first guides certified by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association. Together, they made a lightweight and fast ascent of the South Face of Aconcagua.Part of the Mountaineers Outdoor Expert series.

A Paddler's Guide to Algonquin Park


Kevin Callan - 2004
    This book features a variety of routes, from true wilderness adventures to less rustic excursions.Trips include:Canoe Lake Circuit Big Trout Lake The Brent Run Ragged Lake Loop Lake Louisa Loop Dividing Lake Rock Lake Big Crow Lake Lake Lavielle/Dickson Circuit Happy Isle Lake Booth Lake Upper Petawawa Loop Tim River Loop Rosebary Lake Loop Nipissing Loop Three Mile Lake Loop Erables Lake Hogan Lake Loop Barron Canyon Lower Petawawa River

Sedona's Top 10 Hikes


Dennis Andres - 2004
    It appeals to anyone interested in hiking in Sedona. Author and adventure guide, Dennis Andres has outdone himself with the format of this book. This 112 page book packs a wealth of information in this easy to use guide. It distinguishes its hikes as easy, moderate and strenuous and has something for every level of fitness. It combines in depth information about the landscape and trails, easy to understand maps, directional guidance, and spectacular full color photography that lets you know what types of vistas await you along the trails and make this Sedona's most intense, beautiful and descriptive hike book. From drive times to geological tips, and from photographic points to GPS data, this beautiful book is full of details to make the most of your outing. Hikes are rated from easiest to most strenuous, and include round-trip mileage and times, vortex notes and ideas for where to go after the hike and much more!!

Self-Portrait with Turtles: A Memoir


David M. Carroll - 2004
    Carroll is exceptionally skilled at capturing nature on the page. In Self-Portrait with Turtles, he reflects on his own life, recounting the crucial moments that shaped his passions and abilities. Beginning with his first sighting of a wild turtle at age eight, Carroll describes his lifelong fascination with swamps and the creatures that inhabit them. He also traces his evolution as an artist, from the words of encouragement he received in high school to his college days in Boston to his life with his wife and family. Self-Portrait with Turtles is a remarkable memoir, a marvelous and exhilarating account of a life well lived.

The John Muir Trail: Through the Californian Sierra Nevada (Cicerone Guide)


Alan Castle - 2004
    It runs for 216 miles through the high Sierra Nevada mountains of California, from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney (14,496 ft), the highest peak in the USA outside Alaska. The walking trail, which is named after the great 19th century Scottish naturalist, conservationist and writer John Muir, is entirely through the unspoiled wilderness of the American West and passes through three National Parks, Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. A land of dramatic towering peaks, tranquil mountain lakes, cascading rivers and ancient forests.Despite the fact that the JMT negotiates several mountain passes over 10,000 ft in altitude the trail is well graded and is well within the capabilities of the average hill walker, requiring no scrambling ability. The trail guide divides the route into 21 daily stages, each finishing at a good camping area. The optional detour to climb Half Dome, the jewel in Yosemite's crown, is included.

Now Go Home: Wilderness, Belonging, and the Crosscut Saw


Ana Maria Spagna - 2004
    How did a quintessential California girl end up earning her living in the Pacific Northwest with a crosscut saw? In Now Go Home, Spagna reflects on the journey that took her from a childhood in the suburbs of LA to a trail crew in Washington's North Cascades, where she falls in love with a place and, unexpectedly, with a woman.

The Adirondack Atlas: A Geographic Portrait of the Adirondack Park


Jerry C. Jenkins - 2004
    Generously illustrated-complete with 450 full-color maps and 250 figures, graphs, tables, charts, and scientific drawings-this volume covers 130 topics on the six-million-acre Adirondack Park. As the first book of its kind, it is both a work of art and an authoritative reference.The Park has a complex history. It is one of the only parks in the world to combine large wilderness areas with extensive private lands and a substantial residential population. Jerry Jenkins explores this connection between the wild and human communities within a protected landscape. As he maps out the diverse and ever-changing environment--the recreational growth, conflicts between users, development, pollution, and climate change--he highlights elements that threaten to alter the Park and undo the protection it now enjoys.Jenkins includes old stories of fur routes and battles, log drives and Shea engines; new stories about school taxes and education, conservation easements and local economies, artistic ferment and social ills, about healthy towns, dying trees, and deer harvests. As a comprehensive and standard resource, the Atlas captures the full scope of the park's topographic, hydrographic, and ecological history for a wide audience of geographers, historians, and Adirondack enthusiasts.

The Twelfth & After


J.K. Stanford - 2004
    The Twelfth & After includes chapters written subsequently by J.K. Stanford and forms a complete memoir of Colonel the Hon. George Hysteron-Proteron, known as one of the best shots in the country. A light-hearted and often hilarious satire, it traces George Hysteron-Proteron's life from the time when still in his cot, he shot his Scottish nanny in the behind with a pea-shooter.

How to Read a North Carolina Beach: Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Runnels


Orrin H. Pilkey - 2004
    What makes sea foam? What are those tiny sand volcanoes along the waterline? You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story.Orrin Pilkey, Tracy Monegan Rice, and William Neal explore large-scale processes, such as the composition and interaction of wind, waves, and sand, as well as smaller features, such as bubble holes, drift lines, and black sands. In addition, coastal life forms large and small--from crabs and turtles to microscopic animals--are all discussed here. The concluding chapter contemplates the future of North Carolina beaches, considering the threats to their survival and assessing strategies for conservation. This indispensable beach book offers vacationers and naturalists a single source for learning to appreciate and preserve the natural features of a genuine state treasure.Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina PressWhat North Carolina island migrates sixteen feet toward the mainland every year?What forms the tiny volcanoes of sand that ooze bubbles of water?What is barking sand?Why do you sometimes sink ankle-deep in beach sand?What type of wave is not formed by wind? Why are clamshells usually found open-side-down in the sand?You'll find the answers to these questions and dozens more in this comprehensive field guide to the state's beaches, which shows visitors how to decipher the mysteries of the beach and interpret clues to an ever-changing geological story. Take a walk on the beach with three coastal experts who reveal the secrets and the science of the North Carolina shoreline.Southern Gateways Guide is a registered trademark of the University of North Carolina Press

Big Open: On Foot Across Tibert's Chang Tang


Rick Ridgeway - 2004
    On foot and on their own, four adventurers brave the challenges of nature on a 275-mile trek through one of the most beautiful-and most remote-regions of the world.

Camping Idaho


Randy Stapilus - 2004
    The listings include campsites in state, city, and county parks; in the national parks and national forests; at wildlife refuges; and on other public lands. With each listing, campers will find vital information on location, hookups, fees, reservations, facilities, and recreational activities. Simple maps and charts help readers to choose the ideal campsite for them.

Illinois Wildflowers: Color Photos and Descriptions of More Then 400 Flowers in the Prairie State


Don Kurz - 2004
    Book by Don Kurz

The Wilderness Life


Calvin Rutstrum - 2004
    In the process he reveals many adventures, including his first trek into the deep Canadian wilderness, a journey by dogsled to bring out a human body, and a rescue mission to save two lost, inexperienced campers. Always respectful of nature and the skills of his Native American neighbors, Rutstrum argues for a modern esteem for true wilderness and explains what one can do with "all of that leisure time."

Vernal Pools: Natural History and Conservation


Elizabeth A. Colburn - 2004
    A lengthy appendix lists and d

Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Longer Trails


Jeff Smoot - 2004
    This guide not only covers backpacking options inside the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, but includes many of the popular routes across the highway for a selection of the best overnight hikes in the region.

The Outdoor Knots Book


Clyde Soles - 2004
    His unique book explains how to select and use ropes, cordage, and webbing for the outdoors. Invaluable information is provided on rope handling techniques (how to avoid dreaded tangles) and the best methods for rope care and maintenance. Step-by-step directions for tying over 40 knots are clearly illustrated with photographs. Other useful features include a glossary and a knot comparison chart by activity.Chapters include Knots Basics (from Tripod Lashing to the Figure 8 Loop), Knots for Hikers and Climbers (from the Prusik knot to the Autoblock), Knots for Canoeists and Kayakers (from the Buntline hitch to the Bowline on a bight), and more. This is the definitive text on ropes and knots for anyone who plays in the outdoors!

The Catch: Families, Fishing, And Faith


William J. Vande Kopple - 2004
    But onother, more significant levels, the pieces address interesting phenomena innature, some of the geography of Michigan and Iowa, quirks of personalpsychology, strains in family relationships, and especially grapplings withspiritual matters -- such as the roles in the universe of grace and play, of freedom and law, and of human and divine control.

Abundantly Wild: Collecting and Cooking Wild Edibles in the Upper Midwest


Teresa Marrone - 2004
    This book will help you safely harvest and enjoy wild edibles! Its 250+ recipes are delicious and easy to prepare.