The hubby loves to hike and has done so in many states. He hasn’t had the good fortune to do so outside of the country. National Geographic’s 100 Hikes of a Lifetime has certainly given him ideas. I thank TLC Book Tours for sending me a copy at no charge for my honest review.
About National Geographic’s 100 Hikes of a Lifetime:
Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic (Feb. 4 2020)
This ultimate hiker’s bucket list, from the celebrated Appalachian Trail to Micronesia’s off-the-beaten-path Six Waterfalls Hike, treks through 100 energizing experiences for all levels.
Filled with beautiful National Geographic photography, wisdom from expert hikers like Andrew Skurka, need-to-know travel information, and practical wildlife-spotting tips, this inspirational guide offers the planet’s best experiences for hikers and sightseers. From short day hikes–California’s Sierra High Route, Lake Agnes Teahouse in Alberta, Norway’s Mt. Skala–to multiday excursions like Mt. Meru in Tanzania and multi-week treks (Egypt’s Sinai Trail, Bhutan’s Snowman Trek, and the Bibbulum Track in Australia), you’ll find a hike that matches your interests and skill level. Crossing all continents and climates (from the jungles of Costa Rica to the ice fields in Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Parks), as well as experiences (a wine route through Switzerland or moose spotting on the Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming,) there is a trail for everyone in these pages. So pack your gear and lace your boots: this comprehensive and innovative guide will lead you to experience the best hikes of your life!
About the Author:
KATE SIBER is a freelance journalist and a correspondent for Outside magazine. Her work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, National Parks, 5280, the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, among many other newspapers and magazines, and has been honored with several Lowell Thomas awards, including Travel Journalist of the Year. Her children’s book, National Parks of the U.S.A., a large-format, illustrated tour of the country’s great parks for kids ages 6 to 9, was published in 2018.
ANDREW SKURKA (foreword) is an accomplished adventure athlete, speaker, guide, and writer. He was named Adventurer of the Year by Outside and National Geographic magazines, and Person of the Year by Backpacker. He is the author of The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide, now in its second edition. Skurka is most well-known for his solo long-distance hiking trips. When not living out of his backpack, he resides in Boulder, Colorado.
My Opinion:
If you like to hike or want to start hiking this book is for you. Even if you just want to dream about hiking looking through this book will find ever more dreams to want to fulfill. Like any National Geographic book the photographs are stunning. Just looking through them is enough to spark travel envy.
The book offers all manner of hikes from easy to expert on all of the continents. Some involve some serious climbing that I will never, ever do. But I did thoroughly enjoy looking through the photos and reading about things other people will do.
The book offers a forward, introduction and then a very useful gear guide. After that the hikes are broken down by North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceana, Australia and Antarctica. A short chapter on hiking conservation ends the book.
The marvel of the book is learning about the wide variety of hiking opportunities if you are just beginning to explore the world of hiking or to expand your knowledge if you have only hiked on one continent. Each hike lists the distance, the amount of time it should take, the best time of year to go, and the difficulty. You will find a well written descrption and a “what you’ll find” on the hike. And those photos. It’s those photos that truly bring the descriptions alive.
I’ve paged through the book several times since I’ve received it and each time I’ve seen something new. It’s a real joy to explore – even to just read about a hike or two now and then. My husband and found a few he wants to try! My only complaint with the book and it’s a small one is that beyond the main section there is little rhyme or reason as to how the hikes are presented. Not by difficulty level, not by location on the continent or country or state or who knows what. There is a glossary in the back but still, in paging through the book it’s a bit hard to find your way. Again, a minor, minor complaint in a book full of so much beauty.
Rating:
5
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