Bonnie’s Balm Climber’s Salve is one way that I reduce and minimize the effects of wet feet. Read this blog post for a fuller explanation.

How Climber’s Salve works

Climbers Salve will reduce—but not entirely not eliminate—the effects and aftermath of wet feet, specifically by:

• Minimizing the amount of moisture that the outer layer of skin will absorb, thereby reducing the severity of the maceration/pruning. The Salve does not seem to clog pores, however, which would cause other problems.
• Keeping the skin moisturized, thereby minimizing the likelihood that the skin will crack as it dries out.

How to apply Climbers Salve for best results

Apply Climbers Salve before your feet get wet, ideally hours before. If you apply it after your feet are wet, or immediately before they get wet, the effectiveness is very limited. Normally, applying Climbers Salve is one of my nighttime housekeeping chores, along with looking at tomorrow’s maps and separating out tomorrow’s daytime food.

1. After drying my feet thoroughly, perhaps with the help of a warm fire, I coat the bottom of my feet with Climbers Salve and rub it in, paying special attention to the rim of my heel and my forefoot, which seem to suffer the worst when wet.
2. Once the Climbers Salve has been rubbed in, I put on a dry and clean sock, and go to bed. I don’t spend much time in camp—if you do, then protect your dry and now-treated feet from your (potentially) wet shoes using a bread bag or other waterproof liner.
3. In the morning, and sometimes even in the middle of the night, I check my feet to determine if they need another coating of Climbers Salve. If my feet still feel waxy, then they don’t. If they are dry again, which indicates that all of the Climbers Salve was absorbed, then I reapply.

The Bundle is a digital product. Its contents have been burned onto a DVD, which is sent via First Class mail; you will need a computer with a DVD drive in order to access the files.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Purpose of the Bundle
• Targeted Audience
• Limitations of the Bundle
• Acknowledgements
• A Work-in-Progress
• Distribution &Copyright
• Components of the Bundle
• Mapset Detail
• Included Source Files
• Printing
• GPS Compatibility
• System Requirements
• Liability Waiver
• Free Sections
• Product Testimonials

Introduction

The Hayduke Trail (HDT) is one of the finest ways in which to discover the Colorado Plateau, the sparsely populated high-desert region of southern Utah and northern Arizona from which HUMMER must have borrowed the tagline, “Like nothing else.” It is a remote, rugged, and untamed land where one can really get away from it all, which isn’t easy nowadays in the Lower 48. The HDT is a very challenging hike, suitable only for hikers who have the proper backcountry skills and experience to allow them a safe and successful journey.

In addition to the inherent physical challenges of the trail, until now HDT hikers have also been challenged by an extensive pre-trip planning effort. There is a guidebook, The Hayduke Trail: A Guide to the Backcountry Hiking Trail on the Colorado Plateau, but it alone does not provide all of the information needed to go hike the route — hikers still needed to acquire topographical maps, research resupply points, determine where and how to obtain backcountry permits, find transportation to the termini, etc. I believe that undergoing this planning process makes the trip both more educational and more rewarding, though I also recognize that it can be a considerable hindrance and that it may cause some hikers to ultimately go elsewhere (or not go at all) if they do not have the time or know-how to prepare.

Purpose of the HDT Hiking Resources Bundle

My purpose in developing the Bundle was to offer a one-stop-shop for all of the critical information that is not provided by the guidebook or by other means. My hope is that the Bundle will make it easier for more hikers to experience this amazing region for themselves by reducing the time, energy, and expense that it takes to plan an HDT hike. Note that the Bundle is meant to serve as a compliment to, not as a supplement for, the guidebook, which remains an essential on-trail resource and which is very helpful in pre-trip planning.

Targeted Audience

The Bundle was developed primarily for members of the long-distance hiking community. In fact, the materials I put together in advance of my own HDT thru-hike in February/March 2009 are at the roots of this package. Thus, I’ve included some content that will be of most value to thru-hikers, including where to resupply, which direction to hike (east or west), and how to reach the termini.

But the Bundle also contains resources that are invaluable to any HDT hiker, regardless of the length of their hike. Specifically, the Bundle contains: guidebook updates, clarifications, and corrections; backcountry permit information; the status of and distances between water sources; and more.

Limitations of the Bundle

An aspiring HDT hiker who has the guidebook, the Bundle, and the proper backcountry skills is well on their way to a successful hike. However, I do not recommend that hikers “wing it” on the Hayduke Trail. This approach works on the Appalachian Trail and sometimes on the Continental Divide Trail too, but the Hayduke Trail really does require some forethought. At a minimum, before you leave I would recommend that you identify your resupply points, determine which alternate routes you will take (if any), and calculate how much water capacity you need based on your personal rate of water consumption and on the historical availability of water along the section(s) you are doing. Personally, I’m not sure I could ever limit my planning to just these three things — for example, I send maildrops, weigh every piece of gear, and set a daily caloric intake goal — but I understand there are some differing styles and preferences on this issue.

Acknowledgements

I owe tremendous gratitude to a handful of other hikers who helped me improve the accuracy, extensiveness, and helpfulness of the Bundle. Particularly: Li Brannfors, Ryan Choi, Fred Gaudet, and Anitra (“NITRO”) Kass, Joe Mitchell, and Dave Snowberg & Michelle Dodd. In numerous places throughout the Bundle I integrated their own observations and recollections of the route, which helped to offer a more diverse and accurate point of view.

A Work in Progress

The Bundle represents my best effort to make the HDT more hiker-friendly. But I’m sure that some fraction of the information in the Bundle will prove inaccurate or outdated — hopefully never disastrous — and I therefore view the Bundle as being a constant work in progress. I welcome and encourage Bundle users to submit feedback, corrections, updates, etc. Until I develop a better process, please submit your comments via email to askurka at comcast.net. Please be sure to include detailed information so that I can determine exactly where your feedback applies. Thanks.

Distribution & Copyright

Developing the Bundle and making it available for purchase has been very time-consuming, yet I sell it for a very nominal amount — the hourly wage on it is pretty awful. Please respect my effort in developing the Bundle by NOT distributing its contents freely — please refer those interested in the Bundle to my website so that they can purchase their own copy. Before making the Bundle available for purchase I recognized that I was creating a greater opportunity for illegal copying by offering it as digital media. But I did it anyway because I believe that the Bundle is more useful and powerful if it’s distributed on a DVD than as a stack of paper. Thanks in advance for your recognition of my efforts and objectives, and for your cooperation.

The mapset was created using National Geographic’s TOPO! map software, which is a powerful program and one that I highly recommended. As the author of the maps I own the copyright to them, and National Geographic has granted me an Extended User License so that they can be distributed.

Components of the Bundle

The Bundle has four parts: a Handbook, Databook, Water Chart, and Mapset, all described below in more detail.

Handbook. This document is broken into three sections: “Part A — Before You Go,” “Part B — As You Go,” and “Part C — As You Go, If You Want.”

Part A includes information about:

• HDT resources: the guidebook and website, and hiker websites;
• Skills that HDT hikers should have, and how the experience compares to other long-distance hikes;
• Thru-hiking considerations, including how long the trip should take, which direction to go, when to go, and where to resupply;
• Reaching and returning from the HDT’s eastern and western termini, and some mid-route access points;

Part B includes information about:

• The guidebook-described route: updates, clarifications, and corrections to it;
• Backcountry permits: where they are needed and how to obtain one
• Resupply points: where they are, what will be found there, and maildrop instructions
• Alternate routes: descriptions and mileage data

Part C includes contextual information — mostly history, culture, public policy, and natural sciences — about the Colorado Plateau.

Databook. This barebones spreadsheet of key landmarks and distances is a quick-reference guide to help in dead-reckoning, calculating pace, and planning one’s day and resupplies. It can also be plugged into a more extensive planning file.

Water Chart. The Colorado Plateau is a high desert and water sometimes seems like it is worth its weight in gold. This chart lists all prospective water sources on or near the route, plus the distances between them, historical observations, collective reliability, and more. Below is an image of the first few water sources included in the Water Chart.

Mapset. Topographical maps for the entire HDT, plus some alternates, are included with the Bundle. These maps were made with National Geographic TOPO! software, which uses the authoritative USGS topographical maps for base data.

The mapset is designed to be printed on 11×17 paper, which I have found to be the optimal map paper size — it shows a large area (or “map window”) and is very field-friendly. I think that 8.5×11 sheets show too little of an area, and larger sizes (like 22″x36″) are not field-friendly and they are disproportionately expensive.

The mapset contains two sets of maps: one technical set for navigation, based on the USGS 7.5-minute quads; and one overview set, based on the USGS 30×60 minute maps. When printed on 11×17 paper with .75-inch margins, the scale of the 7.5-minute maps is 1:30,000 and the scale of the 30- x 60-minute maps is 1;125,000. When printed on 8.5×11 paper with .4-inch margins, the scales increase to 1:40,000 and 1:168,000, respectively.

The maps are presented in two ways: (1) as individual JPG images, which can be viewed and printed individually; and (2) bundled as print-ready PDF and Microsoft Word (.docx) files. There are 16 bulk files total — 8 Word files and 8 corresponding PDF files. Of those 8, 4 are formatted for 11×17 paper and 4 are formatted for 8.5×11 paper. Of those 4, there is one mapset with all of the 30- x 60-minute overview maps, another mapset with the 7.5-minute maps for Sections 1-7, another mapset with 7.5-minute maps for Sections 8-14, and finally one last mapset with 7.5-minute maps for the Alternate Routes.

Mapset Detail

The maps were developed using National Geographic’s TOPO! mapping software in conjunction with the HDT guidebook. Because the HDT is often a route, not a definitive trail, your actual path therefore needs to be in response to what you see on the ground, not what may be drawn on the map. I mostly opted to NOT draw a continuous line from Arches to Zion, which I feared would indicate, “The HDT goes –here–.” Instead, the route is marked with a series of symbols: red diamonds indicate off-trail routes; red circles indicate on-trail segments; yellow stars indicate the starting/ending points of the chapters; etc. By using symbols instead of lines, minimal topographical data was lost, since there is no thick red line running consistently across the map.

On occasion I did add a thin dashed line to the maps, as a way to say, “The route goes exactly –here–.” This was only done when: pinpoint navigation is necessary (e.g., there’s just one way in/out of a canyon, and the dashed red line is it), and/or when the route wouldn’t be visually obvious (e.g. hidden cliff bands, obscure chutes/chimneys, etc.), and/or when it is helpful to have the map correlate precisely with the guidebook description.

All of the maps are overlaid, i.e. two adjacent maps share at least one common reference point, like a red diamond or a geographic place name (“Lake Powell”). This makes it easier to align them in the field.

Included Source Files

To maximize the versatility and applicability of the Bundle, I have included many of the original source files with which the Bundle was developed. By including the source files I have given hikers the flexibility to tailor the resources to their situation — like if, for example, a hiker wants to try a new alternate route, they can plug the route’s mileage data into the Databook’s Excel file in order to determine how that changes their schedule and their trip’s total mileage. Most HDT thru-hikers do not follow the guidebook route precisely and I want to ensure that the Bundle can be customized accordingly; if I offered it just as a stack of printed paper, portions of the Bundle would be made obsolete by these customizations. Below is a specific list of sources files that are included:

Each section of the Handbook (Parts A, B, and C) is provided as a PDF and a Microsoft Word file (.docx).

The worksheets for the Databook, Alternate Routes, Water Chart, and Resupply Points are combined into one Microsoft Excel file (.xlsx) and printed out individually as PDF files.

The maps are presented as individual JPG image and bundled together in PDF and Microsoft Word files (.docx). See the “Mapset” section in the Components of the Bundletopic for more information.

The National Geographic TOPO! file (.tpo) with which the maps were made is also included. To access this file you need a license to the Arizona and/or Utah state series.

Printing

Mapset. You have two options: (1) print them at home using your home printer, or (2) have them printed by a professional printing company.

Most home printers are consumer-grade inkjet printers. I have never been pleased with the results: the printers are slow; fine detail is often lost; the ink is prone to bleeding and smudging, especially if/when the maps get wet; it’s not significantly more cost effective because of the high cost of ink cartridges and high-grade paper; and most home printers do not print double-sided, which means you must sit by it while it’s printing in order to keep feeding it. Moreover, the Bundle maps are designed to be printed on 11×17 paper, which most home printers cannot accommodate.

My strong personal preference is to have my maps printed professionally. In Boulder, CO, I use MinuteMan Press and in Bozeman, MT, I use Speedy Print– if you can find a comparable printer in your area I’m sure you will also be happy with the results. Having your maps professional printed ensures that the fine topographic detail is preserved and that the maps are resistant to bleeding/smudging and flaking (because they’ll use a color laser printer). The process is very efficient — I upload the file(s) to the printing company’s website and pick them up a few days later. And the cost is very reasonable — it might be a little more expensive than if I did it at home, but the end product is much better and it took much less time.

When I submit the files to the printer, I give them specific instructions: “11×17 paper, color, and double-sided. Use a standard paper stock, but please make sure that it has a printable surface on both sides.”

The maps are designed to be printed on 11×17 paper with .75-inch margins. After these margins are trimmed off (Go Gram Weenies!) and the map is folded in half, both lengthwise and widthwise, the map will fit perfectly into a quart-sized freezer bag, which is my preferred “map sleeve” — they work well, are cheap, and can be used for other purposes after they get too scratched up to read through.

If you do not have a home printer that cannot handle 11×17 paper, and if you don’t want to send maps off to a commercial printer, you can still print the maps on 8.5×11 paper. Particularly if you are planning to hike just a short section of the HDT (a few map’s worth of miles), you may find yourself in this situation. Printing the maps on 8.5×11 paper is possible but not optimal:

1. Because of the difference in the width/height ratio between 8.5×11 and 11×17 paper, the map will not fill an entire sheet of 8.5×11 paper — there will be wide side margins, about 1.75″ on the left and right side.

2. The scale of the 30- x 60-minute maps increases to about 1:168,000 and the scale of the 7.5-minute maps increases to about 1:40,000, when printed with .4-inch borders. These scales are at the upper limits of by how much maps can be “squeezed” without losing legibility and therefore functionality.

Files other than the mapset. The remaining components of the Bundle can be printed at home with good results. Unlike the maps, the Handbook, Water Chart, and Databook are all meant to be printed on 8.5×11 paper. Part A and C of the Handbook have 1-inch margins. Part B of the Handbook and the Databook are both designed for field use and will fit perfectly in a quart-sized freezer bag (6.5″x7″) after the margins are trimmed off. The Water Chart has .4-inch margins, is oriented as a landscape, and fills the entire sheet.

GPS Compatibility

I do not recommend using a GPS for the Hayduke Trail or for most other backcountry travels. There are some serious downsides to them: they are heavy, they are electronic and therefore subject to failure, and they have a finite power supply (batteries). Moreover, I do not feel that a GPS unit is necessary: a topographical mapset (and maybe a compass) should be perfectly adequate for navigating the Hayduke Trail. The Colorado Plateau is very featured (topographically) and very open (visually), so an HDT hiker should always be able to know where they are if they are following their progress on the map by identifying their ever-changing location with respect to the locations of nearby, passing landmarks. Finally, using a GPS partially undermines the adventurous origins of the HDT and also hinders the development of off-trail route-finding skills. The HDT is not supposed to be a prescribed experience that is simply handed to you, and a GPS interferes with that intention. That said, I understand that some HDT hikers will want to carry a GPS — hopefully just as a back-up measure — and some will have questions about the compatibility of their GPS unit with the Bundle, so I decided to include this section.

As is, the Bundle is not purposely designed to be compatible with a GPS. You won’t find one waypoint listed in the Handbook, Water Chart, or Databook. The route in the Mapset is not based on a GPS track log; instead, it was drawn onto the maps based on the guidebook’s description and maps, and on my recollection of the route. And the maps do not feature waypoints for any landmarks (e.g. junctions, pour-offs, descent paths, etc.). The one conciliation I have made to GPS users is including a UTM grid on the 7.5-minute maps (not on the 30- x 60-minute maps though) — so if you know how to play “Battleship” with your GPS and the map’s coordinates, you can figure out roughly where you are, though the exactness will be limited by the 1:30,000 scale of the map.

There are some ways to make the Bundle more GPS-friendly on your own. For example, you can manually create a list of important waypoints using the coordinates on the maps. Or, to expedite that process, by using the free GPS Babel software you can convert the original mapset file (.tpo) into a GPS Exchange Format (.gpx), Google Earth (.kml), or other file types. If you own a National Geographic TOPO! license for Arizona and/or Utah, there are a few more things you can do. For example, you can add waypoints to the maps (using the Waypoint tool) and then reprint the maps; and/or you can create a list of waypoints by getting the location of various symbols; and/or you can generate a track log for the “tricky” sections that are identified with a dashed red line.

System Requirements

Your computer must have a DVD drive. The Bundle contains over 1 GB in data so it is too big for a CD (270 MB).

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free software that allows you to view PDF documents.

To edit Microsoft Office files (e.g. Excel and Word) you will need Office 2007. If you are running an older version of Office, you will need to download the Microsoft Compatibility Pack so that you can open the .docx and .xlsx documents.

The DVD was burned in a widely compatible format, and Windows and Mac users should have no problems opening its contents.

Liability Waiver

I wish I could just say, “Don’t be an idiot. And take responsibility for your own judgment and actions,” but that probably won’t pass muster in a court of law. Of course, you also can’t get blood out of a rock. But anyway…

In the Bundle I have tried to provide accurate and honest information about the HDT so that hikers can attempt the route with greater confidence and understanding. Undoubtedly, however, some of this information will prove inaccurate — water tables change, rock slides happen, weather is unpredictable, etc. — and the end-user cannot hold me, the author Andrew Skurka, liable for resulting harm. Also, the Bundle is not a foolproof “ticket to success” — just because you read it, printed it out, and carried it, you are not immune to the inherent dangers and risks of the HDT and the Colorado Plateau. Every end-user must determine for themselves whether they have adequate backcountry skills, strength, and judgment for the HDT. By virtue of selling the end-user the Bundle, I am not supporting your endeavor, suggesting you are qualified, or guaranteeing your success and/or safety. You cannot hold me liable for anything that happens on the HDT. The Bundle’s content is presented “as is” — do not extrapolate any meaning into your situation and context.

Free Sections of the Bundle Handbook

Part B and C of the Bundle include content that is in the public domain, i.e. it is free to copy and it must be freely shared (no profiting). Specifically, Part B includes copied information from the National Park Service website (www.nps.gov): descriptions of trails in Grand Canyon National Park that are used by the HDT. And Part C consists solely of copied content from the National Park Service and Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org): information about the HDT corridor’s history, culture, public policy issues, and natural sciences. The copied content is always cited with at least a reference to the organization from where the content was copied; a link is often included too.

In order to ensure that I am not profiting from this content, I am making it available for free below. Why would anyone buy the Bundle for this content when they can download the content for free, right? The only reason to buy the Bundle is because it contains other valuable content, not because it contains this content from the public domain. The information in these documents is useful for anyone who wants an education about the Colorado Plateau and/or who wants a compiled description of some of the trails in the Grand Canyon.

Download: Grand Canyon Trail Descriptions

Download: Handbook — Part C — “As You Go, If You Want”

The March 2011 issue of National Geographic Magazine features a 16-page story about the Alaska-Yukon Expedition. The photos were taken by Michael Christopher Brown and the story was written by Dan Koeppel. I wrote the legends and generated the data used in the 2-page map spread.

A signed copy makes a great keepsake or gift, or a special edition in your National Geographic collection.

As a child I used my parent’s library of National Geographic back issues for countless science and history projects. I never imagined that one day I’d be featured as one of those adventurous spirits who helped bring the world’s most remote and wild places to the mailbox of NG readers. I’ve been flattered before by accolades and recognitions for my adventures, but this NG article is undoubtedly the biggest honor that I’ve ever received. I hope you’re at least a fraction as excited as I am about this!

When I first hiked the Sierra High Route there was no official or unofficial Mapset or Databook that was publicly available. So I made my own, and post-trip I updated it and made it available for purchase. Aspiring SHR hikers no longer have to assemble a Map Set from scratch, which is time-consuming and frustrating.

The Sierra High Route Map Set & Databook is a digital product. The files have been burned onto a CD, which is sent via First Class mail; you will need a computer with a CD drive to access the files.

Table of Contents

• Product Description
• Map Set Detail
• Printing
• System Requirements
• User Testimonials

Product Description

The DVD contains two versions of the SHR Map Set, plus a Databook, TOPO! file, and PDF’s of each Map Set version. More detail:

Map Set. There are two versions of the Map Set: one is designed to be printed on 8.5×11 paper; the other, 11×17 paper. Each version contains two sets of maps: one technical set, at a scale of 1:24,000, based on the USGS 7.5-minute quads; and one overview set, at a scale of 1:100,000, based on the USGS 30×60 minute maps. The 8.5×11 version includes 31 technical maps and X overview maps. The 11×17 version includes 26 technical maps and 7 overview maps.

PDF’s of the Map Sets. In addition to being available as individual map images (.JPG’s), each version of the Map Set is also available as a print-ready PDF. This is for convenience: it will save you time if you wish to print the entire Map Set or a chunk of it; or it will save you money if you wish to have the entire Map Set (or part of it) printed professionally, since printing companies usually charge a fee for each file they must open.

TOPO! file. If you have the California TOPO! software, you will be able to open this file and inspect the route more closely, including as a 3D flyover.

Databook. The databook is a consolidated table of key information from the Map Set. It provides distances between major features like passes, lakes, and trail junctions. It’s an immensely helpful resource: it can be used to gauge progress, plan the day, and coordinate resupply points. The databook is contained in two files: a print-read PDF document; and an Excel file (.xls for PC), if you wish to integrate it into your more extensive planning file.

Map Set Detail

The maps were developed using National Geographic’s TOPO! mapping software in conjunction with Roper’s SHR guidebook. Because the SHR is a route, not a definitive trail, and you therefore your actual path needs to be in response to what you see on the ground, I opted to NOT draw a continuous line from Road’s End to Mono Village, which I feared would indicate, “The SHR goes –here–.” Instead, the route is marked with a series of symbols: red diamonds indicate off-trail routes; red flags indicate on-trail segments; yellow diamonds indicate the starting/ending points of the chapters; and red “X” marks mean, “Don’t go here.”

The symbol method also ensured that a minimal amount of topographical data was lost, since there is no thick red line running across the map.

All of the maps are overlaid, i.e. two adjacent maps share at least one common reference point, like a red diamond or a geographic place name (“White Bear Lake”). This makes it easier to align them in the field.

Printing

You have two options for printing these maps: print them at home using your home printer, or have them printed by a professional printing company.

Most home printers are consumer-grade inkjet printers. I have never been pleased with the results: the printers are slow; fine detail is often lost; the ink is prone to bleeding and smudging; the initial cost advantage is often offset by the cost of ink cartridges and high-grade paper; and most home printers do not print double-sided, which means you need to standby in order to feed paper into the printer.

When I need a lot of maps printed, I prefer to have them done professionally. This ensures that the fine detail is preserved and that maps are resistant to bleeding/smudging and flaking. The process is very efficient — I upload the file(s) to the printing company’s website and pick them up a few days later. And the cost is reasonable: I printed two Map Sets for our July 2008 trip at a cost of $80. The maps were printed in color, double-sided, on 11×17 paper; each Map Set contained 33 maps.

Jonathan Ley has put together a lot of helpful tips about printing his Continental Divide Trail maps, which he also makes available on CD. Visit his website for more information.

8.5×11 versus 11×17. The information contained in, and the scale of, each version of the Map Set is the same. But, they are not equal. In my opinion, the 11×17 Map Set is more optimal because it contains more information per sheet — more of the SHR, and more of the surrounding landscape, both of which are helpful in plotting the next few hours of your route from a vantage point. The 8.5×11 Map Set does not contain as much information — your “window” is smaller — and more often you’ll have to hold two maps together in order to figure things out. That said, I recognize that more people have access to 8.5×11 printing than 11×17, which is why I have included this less optimal version.

System Requirements

Your computer must have a DVD drive. If you only have a CD drive, please email me so that I can burn a CD disk for you; unless requested I will send a DVD.

You need Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free software that allows you to view PDF documents.

To edit the Databook, you will need Microsoft Office 2007. If you are running an older version of Office, you will need to download the Microsoft Compatibility Pack so that you can open the .docx document.

The DVD was burned in a widely compatible format, and Windows and Mac users should have no problems opening its contents.

Great Western Loop

~45 minutes; voice-over, slides, and videos; recorded January 2009

On November 3, 2007, I became the first person to complete the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop, an ambitious journey that linked the American West’s great long-distance hiking trails while traversing 12 National Parks and over 75 wilderness areas. I averaged 33 miles per day for 208 days, covering a distance equivalent to 262 marathons or twice the distance between Boston and San Francisco. In addition to experiencing many of the most pristine and beautiful landscapes in America, I surveyed the toll that mankind is taking on them. The hike was landmark in the sheer athleticism displayed, in the pinnacle outdoor experience had, and in the sobering observations made along the way.

Great Western Loop — FAQ

36 minutes; voice-over and slides; recorded January 2009

After I present my Great Western Loop slideshow for a live audience, which takes about 45 minutes, I open up the floor for a 10- to 20-minute “Question and Answer” segment. To improve the quality of my answers to the twelve most frequently asked questions, I use prepared slides to better illustrate my points. If you are watching the GWL presentation on DVD, you obviously will not have the chance to ask a live question; so I went ahead and supplied my answers to the twelve most FAQ in case you are interested.

Sea-to-Sea Route

~50 minutes; voice-over and slides; recorded May 2006

In July 2005 I became the first to complete the 7,778-mile Sea-to-Sea Route, a transcontinental network of long-distance hiking trails from Quebec’s Cape Gaspe to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. The trip was 11 months long and involved 1,400 miles of snowshoeing (through Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota during the first three months of 2005). For the achievement I was named “Person of the Year” by Backpacker and was included in Men’s Journal’s 2005 “Adventure Hall of Fame.”

How to View

Before you can watch the slideshows, you need to make sure you have the necessary software. Please see “System Requirements” for more information.

To watch the Great Western Loop presentation, open the folder “Great Western Loop” and double-click on the file “_Great Western Loop.ppsx,” the icon of which is unique among other files in this folder. Once the file is opened, you can sit back and relax — the slideshow will begin, with my voice-over and the slides being automatically synched.

To watch the Great Western Loop — FAQ presentation, open the folder “Great Western Loop – FAQ” and double-click on the file “_Great Western Loop – FAQ.ppsx,” the icon of which is unique among other files in this folder. Once the file is opened, you can sit back and relax — the slideshow will begin, with my voice-over and the slides being automatically synched.

To watch the Sea-to-Sea Route presentation, open the folder “Sea-to-Sea Route” and double-click on the file “_Sea-to-Sea Route.pps,” the icon of which is unique among other files in this folder. Once the file is opened, you can sit back and relax — the slideshow will begin, with my voice-over and the slides being automatically synched.

System Requirements

Windows and Mac Users

Your computer must have a DVD drive and speakers. If you only have a CD drive, please email me so that I can burn a CD disk for you; unless requested I will send a DVD.

Windows Users

To watch the “Great Western Loop” or “Great Western Loop – FAQ” presentations, either Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 or Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer 2007 must be installed on your computer. (PowerPoint Viewer 2007 is included on the DVD. See below for more information.) You can also use PowerPoint 2003 if you have installed the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack. The presentations are not compatible with PowerPoint Viewer 2003.

To watch the “Sea-to-Sea Route” presentation, either Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 or 2007, or Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer 2003 or 2007 must be installed on your computer. (PowerPoint Viewer 2007 is included on the DVD. See below for more information.)

Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer 2007 is a free program that allows you to watch (but not edit) PowerPoint files without ever buying PowerPoint, which retails for about $200. A copy of Viewer 2007′s installation software is included on the DVD. To install, double-click the file “PowerPointViewer.exe,” which you can find in the main folder. If after installing Viewer 2007 the program does not automatically launch when you double-click a .ppsx or .pps file, you may have to start Viewer via the Start menu, and then open the .ppsx or .pps file that you want; or, you can right-click the .ppsx or .pps file and tell your computer to open the file with Viewer by selecting it from the list or by browsing for the program.

You can also download PowerPoint Viewer 2007 directly from the Microsoft website.

Mac Users

If you use Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, you will be able to watch all three presentations without an issue.

If you use an older version of Office for Mac (e.g. 2004), you will need to download the Open XML File Format Converter from Microsoft. This will allow you to open, edit, and save files created with either Office 2008 for Mac or Office 2007 for Windows.

If you do not have any version of Microsoft Office for Mac, I think it is possible to view the files if you download NeoOffice. Not being a Mac user myself, I don’t know how exactly this works, but I understand that this will work.

Supreme long-distance hiker Andrew Skurka shares his hard-earned knowledge in this essential guide to backpacking gear and skills. Described by National Geographic as “one of the best traveled and fastest hikers on the planet,” and named “Adventurer of the Year” by Outside and “Person of the Year” by Backpacker, Skurka recounts what he’s learned from more than 30,000 miles of long-distance adventures, most recently a 4,700-mile 6-month loop around Alaska and Canada’s Yukon.

Whether you’re a first-time backpacker, an occasional weekend warrior or a seasoned long-distance trekker, you’ll love this guide. Learn exactly what you need to carry – both on your back and between your ears – for all seasons and circumstances through a show-and-tell of clothing, footwear, backpacks, shelter and sleep systems, and more, as well as through detailed articles on foot care, campsite selection and hiking efficiency. Skurka’s practical and priceless recommendations give you all the tools and techniques you’ll need to hit the trail.

Details

• Publisher: National Geographic
• Release date: February, 21 2012
• ISBN-13: 978-1426209208
• 224 pages
• Full color
• About 75 images

Structure

Each chapter has a strong narrative and consistent flow. For example, in the chapter on trekking poles I discuss their pros and cons, materials, adjustability/collapsibility, grips & straps, and baskets. To avoid making this text feel textbook-y, however, I broke it up with many ordered and unordered lists. Further, we added many stand-alone components, including:

“Versus” charts, where I summarize the similarities and differences between key materials and product types, e.g. down versus synthetic insulation, and water-resistant versus waterproof-breathable shells.

“How2″ boxes, which provide step-by-step directions, e.g. how to make my four favorite dinners.

“Tips,” a short but helpful bit of advice that is related to but not covered in the text.

“Tried & true” techniques, which I think provide some of the most insightful text of the entire book, e.g. how to choose a campsite, care for your feet, and pack your backpack.

“Skurka’s Picks,” where I offer my exact recommendations, focusing on product types and also listing specific products that I prefer.

Personal anecdotes, where I give the text some color, character and historical context.

Shipping Rates

• United States. 1 copy via First Class, or 2+ copies via Media mail, for $3.50.
• Canada & Mexico. 1 copy via First Class, or 2+ copies via Priority, for $6.
• Rest of World. 1 copy via First Class, or 2+ copies via Priority, for $12.