The Complete Guide to Hiking

I've been 'meaning to try hiking' for about three years and this book finally got me off the couch. The chapter on what it actually costs was a wake-up call - I was expecting to drop $500 on gear and it turns out I could start for under $100 with stuff I mostly already own. I did the self-assessment checklist in Chapter 2 and realized I was making excuses about being too unfit; the book directly addresses that. First real hike is this Saturday.

What I appreciated most was the honesty. The author doesn't pretend every hike is a life-changing spiritual experience; they openly talk about sore feet, bad weather, and the frustration of misreading a trail map. But they also describe that specific quiet satisfaction of reaching a viewpoint you worked for, and that's what convinced me. The gear chapter saved me from buying a bunch of junk I don't need. I've already recommended this to two friends.

Decent guide overall, especially the budget breakdowns in Chapters 3 and 4 - those numbers feel realistic. I knocked off a couple stars because I felt the writing was a bit wordy in places, especially Chapter 1, and I wanted more concrete trail recommendations. That said, the self-assessment in Chapter 2 was genuinely useful and made me think about whether I actually have the time for this. Probably not right now, but I'll come back to it.

It's a solid primer, though I wish it had gone a bit deeper on navigation and safety. The author explains why these matter but doesn't really show you how to read a topo map or what to do if you get lost. As a total beginner, I finished feeling informed but also a little nervous. The cost tables are excellent, though - I was budgeting way too much. I'll probably read a more advanced book before my first overnight trip.

This is the book I wish I'd had five years ago when I first started hiking and bought way too much fancy gear. The author is clearly someone who's been there and wants to save you the wasted money and frustration. I loved the realistic description of what a hike actually feels like (including the part where you're out of breath and questioning your life choices on the uphill) and the honest cost numbers. My only wish is it existed when I needed it - I'd have a lot more shelf space.

The cost breakdowns are eye-opening and I appreciate that the author doesn't try to sell you anything. I came away with a much clearer picture of what I'd be getting into. That said, I found the tone a little too casual for my taste and I would have liked more specific 'here's how to pick a trail' instruction. The checklist in Chapter 5 was practical, but I'm still not 100% sure hiking is for me. Maybe after another read.