The Backcountry Beckons - Books for the Backcountry
The Backcountry Beckons - Books for the Backcountry
The classic WNC trail shops Footsloggers have been sending people into the woods since 1971. Brian Baldwin, manager of the Blowing Rock store has his finger on the pulse of what to put in your pack.
“I have a reliable kit of options I recommend,” he says. “Hiking North Carolina (FalconGuide by Randy Johnson) is the number one book outta here. It’s statewide, but just the mountain section, about two-thirds of the book, is worth the price. The great color maps are easy to photograph on your phone.” It includes all the major backcountry areas, the Smokies, the Appalachian Trail, wilderness areas, national forests, Parkway backcountry, state parks and more. randyjohnsonbooks.com
Baldwin also likes the map/guides published by Pisgah Map Company. The colorful, detailed, waterproof maps zero in on popular portions of WNC such as the Pisgah Ranger District, Shining Rock / Middle Prong Wilderness areas, Dupont State Recreational Forest, and the Grandfather Mountain, Linville Gorge and Mount Mitchell area. pisgahmapcompany.com
National Geographic’s Road Atlas 2025: Adventure Edition covers the U.S, Canada and Mexico, but the Southern Appalachians and New England are a focus. The book has valuable detail for easy access, plus aspirational impact. natgeomaps.com
Don’t forget the web. There are plenty of free and fee websites with trail details, but the amazing range of hike videos on YouTube span topics like trail destinations, but also camping gear reviews, and an especially worthwhile range of recommendations on how and what to cook in the backcountry, with an emphasis on ultralight. There’s no shame in buying the best commercial trail meals. They’re pricey, increasingly high quality, and lightning fast. But “influencers” are all over the Internet, many urging cheaper and better-than-store bought trail recipes, often with foods any AT hiker could find at a Dollar General. Search “DIY backpacking meals” on YouTube and get ready.