Advanced Backpacking by Karen Berger (A Trailside Series Guide)
I've read a handful of books about backpacking. This is one of the better ones. Advanced Backpacking has colorful photos throughout the book, and explains in detail about every topic you could think of about backpacking. The edition I have has a waterproof cover, but I'm not sure all editions are waterproof, so check if you get one.
"This book is for hikers
who find themselves looking to see what's over the next ridge. It's for
people who have wondered what it would be like to hike the Grand Canyon,
backpack across cirques of alpine scree, live outdoors when the
temperature plummets below zero, hike across foreign countries, or
embark on the trip of a lifetime-a thru-hike of a 2,000 mile trail.
Three sections make the information accessible and manageable. Part 1
covers the basics of expedition planning, including scheduling, route
selection, and food and gear resupply. Part 2 examines the special gear
and skills you need for a variety of situations, including rain, winter,
high mountains, deserts, and foreign travel. Part 3 offers a wish-list
of destinations with descriptions of hikes in every conceivable type of
terrain and ecosystem, from saguaros to sequoias, from cactus to
Krummholtz." Description comes from Goodreads.
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Anyone who has read Bill Bryson knows he has a way of bringing his happenings to life. He has his funny moments, but then his serious ones, too. What I liked most about this book was that it brought the attention to the reader of both the good and the bad about hiking the Appalachian Trail.
" The Appalachian Trail
trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most
breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests,
sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place
to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaining guide you’ll find.
He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of
the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way–and a
couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in)" Description comes from Goodreads.
The Backpacker's Bible Your Essential Guide to Round-The-World Travel by Suzanne King, Elaine Robertson
Another very good book on backpacking. This edition is not waterproof and I don't know of any that are, however this seems to go into more detail than Advanced Backpacking. So, it is a good addition to the reader's entourage at home. For the most part it uses terms the lay man can understand, only a couple times did I wonder what a word was.
"Every year, thousands of
people hit the backpacker trails for the adventure of a lifetime.
Planning a trip is exciting—but it can be daunting, especially the first
time. The Backpacker’s Bible will help you make your travels
as hassle-free as possible. It’s packed with advice on everything you
need to sort out before you set off, from planning your itinerary to
packing your bags, organizing money to keeping in touch with home.
There’s also useful information on working abroad, tips on how to be a
good traveler, and valuable advice on staying safe and healthy. All
this, plus an A-Z guide of contacts and climates for each country, hints
on how to cope with coming home, and much, much more."
Good Day and Good Reading
Many of the N.A.S. books look like this. A book that can fit in a large pocket, or in a backpack easily, and has a leather (or faux leather) cover. They always have color images with real pictures not drawing. I used to use them for animal identification when I was in high school.