Fathers day sale – 20% off with code: ADVENTUREWITHDAD
Fathers day sale – 20% off with code: ADVENTUREWITHDAD
by Austin Campbell February 10, 2016 6 min read 38 Comments
At CloudLine, the only thing we like better than a great pair of hiking socks is a good book, and our favorite books are about the adventures we live for. Even when we count every ounce in our packs when backpacking, we never think twice about bringing a good book. Here we have gathered 12 of our favorite outdoor books for hikers, climbers, paddlers, and the adventurous.
When most grandmothers are busy with knitting and games of bridge, Emma Gatewood set out on a walk and became the first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. She hiked the trail 2 more times once at 72 and again at 75. Grandma Gatewood was a pioneer of the ultra-light backpacking movement, hiking the trail with just a homemade shoulder bag containing an army blanket, rain jacket, and a shower curtain for a tarp. Written using her diaries, letters, trail journals, and interviews with family and friends she met while hiking the AT, Grandma Gatewood's Walk is an inspiring story that shows that adventure isn't just for the young.
You might have seen the movie starring Robert Redford, but as always the book is better. Bryson shares his journey along the Appalachian Trail in a way that is both humorous and approachable. He isn't a professional athlete or breaking any records, he is a middle-aged and out of shape, which makes the average reader feel like they could hike the AT too. A Walk in the Woods isn't just about one hiker's journey, but also explores the history of the trail, ecosystems, animals, and fellow hikers.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed is another book about thru-hiking that has recently been adapted for the silver screen. If you liked the movie you will love the book. Wild tells the story of a young woman seeking healing and a new life on the Pacific Crest Trail. Grieving from the loss of her mother, a failed marriage, and the effects of heroin addiction Cheryl sets off on the PCT with an overloaded pack and no hiking experience. Along the way, she shares what she learns and intersperses flashbacks from events in her past that lead her to a solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.
The Tower explores the controversy surrounding the first ascent of Cerro Torre in 1959 by Cesare Maestri and Toni Egger. Tragically Egger died in an avalanche on the descent, leaving Maestri the only witness to the claimed summit. Since then the controversy has swirled, with climbers attempting to retrace Maestri's claimed route finding no evidence of bolts, ropes, or even the same features of the route that he describes. The Tower goes beyond investigating the controversy surrounding the first ascent and also explores the nature of climbing and why some find meaning in dangerous ascents.
Touching the Void may be one of the greatest survival stories in the history of climbing. Friends Joe Simpson and Simon Yates had successfully summited the unclimbed west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes, when on the descent Simpson fell and badly broke his leg. The story of the pairs fight for survival, hard choices made, and the unlikely survival of both climbers makes for a page turner that you may finish in one sitting.
In Alone on the Wall Alex Honnold recounts seven of the climbs that have made him a living legend of climbing. Alex specializes in climbing free solo: meaning alone and with no ropes. We admire Alex not only for his next level climbing abilities but also because he is a true dirtbag who lives in a van so he can dedicate as much time as possible to climbing and other outdoor pursuits. Alex is constantly asked about why he climbs free solo and if he is afraid of falling, Alone on the Wall explores these questions while bringing us into the mind of one of the best climbers in the history of the sport.
Rowing the Atlantic is another inspiring story about an epic adventure changing a life for the better. Roz Savage left a corporate job she hated and a bad marriage to became the first woman to row across the Atlantic. We love her story because she had the guts to walk away from the safety of a good job and find the life she wanted. She now holds 4 Guinness Records for ocean rowing. During her crossing of the Atlantic, her stove failed early on leaving her to eat cold meals. Her oars and backup oars broke leaving her to row with patched up oars for over half the journey. The list of equipment failures grows from there, but somehow Roz kept on track and made it to the finish.
Jennifer Kingsley is an adventurer at heart. Her degree in biology and masters of fine arts in writing serves her well as she recounts her arctic adventures paddling the Back River in Paddlenorth. Joined by five fellow adventurers the team endures frigid temperatures, howling winds, raging rapids, and growing tensions as the stress of the adventure weigh on the group. One of our favorite parts of this page-turning tale is the recounting of many of the legendary stories of earlier explorers, who less well equipped often never returned from their adventures in the arctic.
In 1985, a group of 11 explorers set off to be the first to successfully run the Amazon river from head to sea. The journey begins on a goat path high in the Andes where water trickles from the glacial ice with the team hiking until the waters expand enough for kayaks. Along the 4200 mile journey, the group faces deadly rapids, encounters with rebel fighters, and passing through cocaine plantations run by dangerous drug lords. After 6 months of paddling only 4 of the team makes it to the Atlantic.
Humphreys is a professional adventurer with an impressive list of accomplishments including 4 years cycling around the world, rowing across the Atlantic, walking across barren deserts and now popularizing the concept of microadventures. As Alastair explains, a microadventure is small, close to home, inexpensive but gets you out of your comfort zone and experiencing something new. Most of us work 9-5 and we come home after work to dinner and time inside, yet we have 16 hours before we have to be back in the office, why not go for a micro adventure overnight every now and then on a work night?
Into the Wild has been one of my favorite books since I first read it when I was twelve. I dreamed of following in "Alexander Supertramp's" footsteps. Of course, McCandless' adventure ends with his death, but the mystery of how and why was part of what captivated my young imagination. In Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer reconstructs McCandless' adventures from letters, his journals, and meeting with people he met along his journey. Even if you've already read Into the Wild, read it again and you'll be inspired to live your life with more adventure.
One Man's Wilderness is the memoir of Dick Preonneke, who spent nearly 30 years living alone in the remote Alaskan wilderness. Preonneke kept a detailed journal and video recordings documenting his daily life including how he built his cabin, raised food, and hunted. The video recordings were turned into a popular documentary which airs on PBS during their pledge drives. After his death, Preonneke donated his cabin to the national park service and it attracts many visitors. Read One Man's Wildernessand you just might be convinced to build a cabin of your own in the wilderness.
Read next: 5 John Muir Quotes to Inspire Your Next Hiking Adventure!
Austin lives in the Pacific Northwest where he enjoys hiking and backpacking in the Olympic and Cascade mountains.
May 02, 2020
The Voyage of American Promise by Dodge Morgan. American Promise is the boat he built in which he circumnavigated the world ~ tried again after one failed attempt and a near death experience.
May 01, 2020
Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies and Why by Laurence Gonzales
The Endurance:Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition
May 01, 2020
Great list! I’ve read six of these and look forward to reading the rest. I’d add “The Last Season” and “Into Thin Air” to this list.
April 29, 2020
The White Spider by Heinrich Harrer about the challenge of climbing the North Face of the Eiger.
April 28, 2020
One Man’s Climb by Adrian Hayes
April 28, 2020
Read Hampton Sides BLOOD AND THUNDER. All about Kit Carson. He was all over the west, all sorts of adventures, met presidents, generals, and basically was very humble but was a 5’4" man’s man.
April 28, 2020
Shooting the Boh, about rafting in Kalimantan. I was there.
April 28, 2020
The Man Who Walked Through Time: The Story of the First Trip Afoot Through The Grand Canyon by Colin Fletcher
October 13, 2019
So thrilled to see Grandma Gatewood on this list! I’ve read that book twice and may go to the library tomorrow for a 3rd round.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
June 12, 2019
Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds, by Joy Adamson
February 09, 2019
I’m glad to see Richard Pronneke’s book on this list. I’ve probably read this a dozen times and will continue to return to it when my spirit needs grounding. I only wish I could have met this remarkable gentleman personally and not just through his journals.
September 09, 2018
The last voyage of the Karluk, and, Into thin air
September 09, 2018
Ruffles on my longjohns, And, searching for Fannie Quigley
December 09, 2017
Here is 10 more:
LOST IN THE JUNGLE
DOWN THE GREAT UNKNOWN
PADDLE TO THE AMAZON
A SHORT WALK IN THE HINDU KUSH
ADRIFT
KON TIKI
THE LONG WALK
ENDURANCE
THE LAST GRAIN RACE
THE WAVE
September 10, 2017
Rowing to Latitude, by Jill Fredstone, Phenomenal read, excellent writing.
August 09, 2017
We Swam the Grand Canyon by Bill Beer
The tail of two guys who decide over drinks to take a cheap vacation after surviving the Korean War.
February 27, 2017
for old time hiking ,climbing and exploration No One beats HW Tilman’s Seven Mountain Travel Book by Diadem press. For lovers of Nepal : The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen
December 22, 2016
Two in the Far North by Margaret Murie
December 15, 2016
Into thin air, by Krakauer
December 14, 2016
Walking Home and The blue Bear both by Lynn Schooler. Great reads.
the Only Kayak by Kim Heacox.
December 14, 2016
Sailing Alone Around the World – Joshua Slocum
A timeless classic solo circumnavigation.
November 15, 2016
Pink Boots and a Machete by Mireya Mayor-one of my all time favorites. True story about a primatologist who works for NatGeo and her adventures all over the world.
October 27, 2016
Tom Crean-Unsung Hero by Michael Smith, fantastic read.
October 02, 2016
The Beach – Alex Garland
Dharma Bums – Kerouac
September 27, 2016
‘Wild by Nature’ by Sarah Marquis. Phenomenal book!
August 25, 2016
My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George. One of my first adventure books and all time favorite besides Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island, Huckleberry Finn etc.
August 15, 2016
Eight Feet In The Andes by Dervla Murphy
August 09, 2016
A little different types of outdoor/adventure novels, but my two favorite are:
-The Alchemist
-The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
July 17, 2016
Honestly, this should go without saying but ’Bartram’s Travels’ is a classic and you can actually back pack parts of his route through Appalachia. Something me and my husband are planning on doing next year.
July 14, 2016
The Natural Navigator~ Tristan Gooley
Rediscover the art of letting nature guide your journey.
July 09, 2016
The Last Season
Eric Blehm
About a back country ranger who worked for the NPS for 30 years in Yosemite.
Great read!!
July 03, 2016
Thru-hiking Will Break Your Heart by Carrot Quinn.
May 20, 2016
Girl in the Woods by Aspen Matis. I just started reading this book but it’s already so addictive! It’s about a girl who ran away from college where she was rape and then found herself on the PCT. Also it’s a memoir.
May 10, 2016
http://www.sasquatchbooks.com/book/?isbn=9781632170057&a-womans-guide-to-the-wild-by-ruby-mcconnell
February 11, 2016
Amazon Extreme and Beyond the Horizon – both by Colin Angus
February 10, 2016
We Will Be Free by Graeme Bell on Amazon.
February 10, 2016
Forget me Not by Jennifer Lowe Anker
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MARIUS STROPUS
May 04, 2020
Two very funny travel books by Tim Cahill:
….Jaguars Ripped My Flesh
….Pass The Butterworms