Chip Rawlins

The Complete Walker IV is touted, right on its own cover, as "the Hiker's Bible." While this trope is frequently bandied about, it is well earned in this case. This book really is the definitive volume on hiking, and it should be on the book case of anyone interested in it.

In this fourth edition, long time author Colin Fletcher takes on a co-author, Chip Rawlins. Chip (in the book, they use their first names, and so I will follow suit here) tends to discuss modern equipment, and both talk about technique, practice and the very nature of the activity. My use of the term "talk" is quite deliberate. The book is setup as a conversation, with each taking turns discussing the topic at hand. One really feels that you are at a local mountain shop, listening to the old hands discuss hiking and gear. Not only is it endlessly informative, but it is also really entertaining.

Much of the book is made up of discussion and review of equipment options. While this part of the book is rather dated (a lot has happened in the world of hiking gear since 2002), the section is by no means unhelpful. Rather than simply picking models and reviewing them, Colin and Chip discuss the theory behind the products - what they are meant to do and how new technology helps achieve those goals. While you may not turn to them for a tent recommendation, you should turn to them before looking for a new tent. They arm the reader with the right questions, the right set of standards for judging new equipment.

One weakness of the conversational format is that they do occasionally stray into some rather weak defenses of their way of thinking about hiking (e.g., Colin's opposition to hiking guidebooks). In the text, Colin especially, explicitly points out that he does not have an argument, and that he has heard from thoughtful critics of his views. Yet, the case he wants to make in these instances remains substantially underdeveloped, and are, as a result, rather forgettable asides.

Despite this complaint, this is a book that should be in every hiker's library. It provides you with an excellent introduction to the theory of gear selection, it provides you with some tips and instruction, it provides you with ample discussion of the value of hiking, and best of all, it is overflowing with the love of walking and the outdoors that drives us. Highly recommended.… (meer)