Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker’s Guide to Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking

Justin Lichter, a.k.a. Trauma, divulges hundreds of valuable tips and advice based on his more than 35,000 miles of hiking across the country and beyond. Trail Tested is a comprehensive guide to hiking and backpacking. Whether you're a new hiker looking for expert advice, an experienced hiker looking to hone your skills, or a thru-hiker gearing up for a 6-month trip, this book is packed with priceless information to make your trip a successful and comfortable one. Vibrant images from Trauma's treks will entice all readers of all skill levels to get out and enjoy the backcountry. You'll learn why getting the right gear and learning outdoor skills are integral to making the most out of your next backpacking trip. Some topics included in this guide are: * Gear advice, including backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, ultralight shetlers, and clothing * Gear maintenance and repair * Ultralight tips for novices to gram-counters * Low-impact camping and hiking * Campsite selection * Hiking with dogs * Navigating the backcountry * Winter camping * First aid * Weather forecasting * Advanced techniques for creating routes, cross-country hiking, fording rivers, multi-sport adventures, and animal encounters

Justin has hiked more than 35,000 miles since 2002, including thru-hikes on the Appalachian Trail, International AT, Eastern Continental Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Great Divide Trail, as well as treks in the Southern Alps, New Zealand, Africa, Iceland, and the Himalaya Range. He is a ＂Triple Crowner,＂ having hiked the ECT, PCT, and CDT (more than 10,000 miles) in one year. He has been published in Trail Runner, Backpacker, Backpacking Light, AtlasOmega, Adventure Post, and SectionHiker.com. Justin has a BA in Geography and expects to complete his Master’s in Environmental Science and Management from UCSB in June 2013. He is also a gear tester for multiple manufacturers and has aided in award-winning gear designs. Justin has been sponsored by: MontBell, Granite Gear, Princeton Tec, Icebreaker, Evernew, LaraBar, C.A.M.P., Leki, Garmont, SteriPen, Smith Optics, Sanuk, Primal, Nat Geo Maps, and Fits. Check him out at justinlichter.com.