25 OF THE BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE & HIKING BOOKS OF ALL TIME

ADVENTURE NORTH

Adventure North is a book that recounts the tale of two daring teenagers who embark on an epic trip to experience what the Minnesota River and the Great North Dakota plains have to offer. Halfway through their journey, they encounter unforgiving tests and meet wild ordeals. Planning for an upcoming canoe trip? Do not miss to read this awe-inspiring book before heading out.

From daring escapades to overwhelming undertakings, everyone has a list of adventures they would like to try someday. The bucket list is an everyday travel book that explores 1000 exciting getaway experiences. You will appreciate the stories of backpackers visiting some of the most exciting locations in the world, including Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

THE BUCKET LIST

The Ural Mountains offer mountaineering excursions that many daredevils dream of attempting. However, some 9 Russian hikers who visited the mountains in 1959 died under mysterious circumstances on the Dead Mountain Peak. This true-life story closely looks at the real events that happened on the fateful journey, and the deadly encounters, speculations, and conspiracy that met these unlucky hikers

DEAD MOUNTAIN

Touching the Void is another book inspired by true incidents that reveal the unimaginable ordeal Joe Simpson had to face to survive – as he accidentally plunged meters down a vertical ice ledge. Surviving under sub-zero temperatures with deteriorating health conditions is a struggle. Read how Joe’s story can help you overcome demanding conditions.

TOUCHING THE VOID

A hike in the remote Canyonlands of Utah turned tragic for Aron Ralston, a mountaineer who embarked on a solo climbing mission to reach the peak of the Colorado Mountain. The true story of the six-days agonizing ordeal is revealed in this book. Aron was trapped for days without food and water but miraculously managed to stay alive until something unimaginable happened.

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

Deep survival is a motivating book that thoroughly assesses different kinds of hiking, camping, and outdoor settings. Some of these events will be life-threatening and others puzzling. Before embarking on an outdoor adventure, you should be well-acquainted with essential survival skills. Deep survival focuses on giving practical advice, expert knowledge, and thoughtful decision-making skills.

DEEP SURVIVAL

Into the Wild is a book about the story of a young man, Christopher Johnson McCandless. Johnson’s incomprehensible nature pushes him to abandon his old life and adopt a new and untraceable life in the wild. Without money, a new name, and nothing to worry about, McCandless is found dead and decomposed four months later. What happened, what went wrong? Find out in this international bestseller.

INTO THE WILD

To embark on a 2600 mile long hike, you need a guide and some expert advice from experienced hikers. Carrot Quinn, a middle-aged woman and the author of the insightful book, Thru-hiking will break your heart narrates how she managed to hike from Mexico to Canada. Along the way, she encounters challenging events including; dehydration and loneliness.

THRU-HIKING WILL BREAK YOUR HEART

An epic-filled and adventurous book about the journey of a 67-year old backpacker from Wales narrates how his prodigious six-month-long rafting expedition began from the source of the Colorado River to the Pacific Ocean, Mexico Gulf through Lake Mead. Colin Fletcher cut through Canyons, rugged terrains, and breathtaking sites before making it to the end of his journey.

RIVER

To hit the trail successfully, you need a map. Andrew Skurka, a well-known experienced long-distance hiker and an adventurous athlete, has written several backpacking books. But the ultimate hikers gear guide is a handy book that describes everything you will need to make your next hike extraordinary. No matter the season and terrain, you'll find something useful in this book.

THE ULTIMATE HIKER'S GEAR GUIDE

An inspiring book that is full of facts, inspiration, insights, and life-lessons, for the ordinary ageing woman. As we age, we need to keep fit and seek more adventures. Walking gone wild by Dami Roelse is a practical book that shares everyday struggles and how to overcome challenging obstacles along the way. Begin a healthy walking life even at 50+.

WALKING GONE WILD

A daring pilgrim wanderer chooses to embark on a 1000-mile long journey that is defined by unending challenges. Keith Foskett battles extreme weather conditions and thrilling adventures on unfamiliar locations, just to “relate” with the wild. As a pilgrim, Keith’s perspective helps you understand what a long distaance hiking experience is like and what a solo hiking mission involves.

THE JOURNEY IN BETWEEN

The Appalachian Trail is an epic adventure trail that demands a hiker to pitch a tent, filter river water, or battle poisonous bugs. AWOL ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL by David Miller narrates the wild ordeal he had to face as he struggled to survive on the Appalachian Trail. Once you complete reading the book, you should be familiar with planning a successful hike and surviving in isolated environments.

AWOL ON THE APALLACHIAN TRAIL

Based on a true story, the three travellers in this book go on a 2000-long hike on the Appalachian Trail. There are ups and downs along the way, loss of direction, and complicated endeavours that need to be figured out fast. The trio needs to find a solution to complete the trail and achievement of hiking the Appalachian Trail from start to finish. Where’s the next shelter?

WHERE'S THE NEXT SHELTER

A book about a young and brave girl who dreamed of the north from an early age. Having previously worked as a tour guide, Blair Braverman attempts to take on a daring hike through the chilly Alaskan arctic mountains. Fortunately, she manages to survive the unimaginable nightmares of dodging corrupt officials, being buried alive in a snow cave and facing exhaustion to the brink of collapse.

WELCOME TO THE GODDAMN ICE CUBE

A humorous and entertaining outdoor book that narrates a tale of “fun adventure.” In the Appalachian Trail woods, you will meet several strange creatures. These aggressive beasts would be looking for everything, including trouble, destruction, and some quick meal. Bill Bryson, the best-selling author of this book sets on a solo journey to conquer the AT as bears and rattlesnakes await.

A WALK IN THE WOODS

If couples go for a backpacking trip, it’s often a sweet and romantic getaway . However, when Mike and Margo decided to go on a 5-month long hike through remote places, they experienced what they had never anticipated. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and capturing every aspect of their exciting journey, the book is an advisable read for hikers and couples alike and even better for hiking couples.

WALKING THRU

If you’ve never read an outdoor adventure book that fascinates and thrills you, then Enduring Patagonia has everything you could wish for. This is an adventurous book that covers everything you should know about mountaineering in one of the most remote and weather-intense regions of the world at the southern tip of South America. The personal tone of the author makes you feel like being there with him.

ENDURING PATAGONIA

To comfortably survive the challenging outdoor environment, you should be equipped with the correct gear and clothing. Dave Canterbury, a survivalist and expert outdoorsman has authored Bushcraft 101 and shares insightful survival techniques and important skills to survive in the wilderness. This book will get you ready for your next backcountry adventure.

BUSHCRAFT 101

No Shortcuts to the Top is a book about determination and perseverance. Ed Viesturs, narrates of how his persistence and focus enabled him to reach the summits of the world’s fourteen 8,000+ meter peaks - without the help of bottled oxygen. The book’s focus is not on the treacherous journey and peak climbing, but the bravery climbers have in them to accomplish unthinkable targets.

NO SHORTCUTS  TO THE TOP

A gripping non-fiction book that is full of adventure, humour and insightful knowledge. Lost on Purpose as the name suggests is a book about a technology executive who turns his life in a complete 360 degree turn to become a 21st-century mountain man. Through the 187 pages, you will read how Patrick Taylor crossed the Rocky Mountains by himself on foot.

LOST ON PURPOSE

Patagonia’s Cerro Torre, in South America, is among the most beautiful and iconic peaks in the world. Kelly Cordes, in this book describes the first ascent that sparked controversies for 50 years in the climbing world when many world-class climbers around the world attempted to follow the route of Cesare Maestri  but found nothing but contradictions.

THE TOWER

Read all the inspiring mountaineering stories that made it into the top 50 list of extreme challenges through the author’s razor-sharp eyes. The short stories will inspire outdoor enthusiasts to be confident and courageous as they anticipate to conquer their dreams. These stories and photographic descriptions will leave you petrified and glued to your seat.

VANTAGE POINT

The story of 26-old Cheryl Strayed and her 1100 mile PCT solo hike, with no previous experience hiking long distances. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail is an inspiring and powerful book of extreme weather, solitude and picturesque landscapes. It’s full of vivid descriptions of what to experience on the trail, the good, the bad and the ugly and a must read for every PCT thru-hiker.

WILD

Follow Scott Jurek, one of the greatest long-distance runners of all time on his 46-day journey on the way to break the Appalachian Trail speed record. As he clocks 50+ miles each and every day he's pushing himself to the limit, battling inevitable injuries, difficult terrain, bad weather and his inner will to move on, despite growing challenges every day. It's an inspiring story about what's possible.

NORTH

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