You already know the basics of backpacking. Now your goal is to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, make a solo trip through Denali, or see the far corners of the globe on your own two feet - you're ready to wander right off the map. No matter where in the world you aim for - the Sierra Nevadas, Scandinavia, or beyond - there's a good chance that Chris Townsend has been there before you. With over 20,000 long- and short-distance hiking miles to his credit, Townsend shares with you the secrets he's learned while backpacking the world's most challenging and rewarding terrains: Nepal, the desert Southwest, the Scottish Highlands, the Yukon, the Pyrenees, and much more. The Advanced Backpacker explains everything there is to know about hiking on terrains from the desert to the arctic and in all kinds of weather. It gives you the tools you need for group or solo hiking on the long trail, the trackless wilderness, or the most remote and exotic corners of the planet.Praise for The Backpacker's Handbook: Townsend's time-honored recommendations draw extensively from his often intense field experiences ...Every imaginable topic is covered thoroughly and engagingly. - Backpacker. A clear and comprehensive primer. - Sierra. Belongs in every bookcase dealing with outdoor topics ...Chockablock full of useful, practical, common-sense info ...If you tramp the outdoors, get this book. - Maine Sportsman.