The definitive guide to long-distance backpacking. With diligence and creativity, Mueser has gone about answering questions that no one else has even asked. Virtually all the material appears nowhere else and will delight both experienced hikers and the novice with only a dream of setting foot down the trail. - Larry Luxenber, author of Walking the Appalachian Trail.In April 1989, avid hiker Roland Muerser set off from a shelter at Springer Mountain, Georgia. His goal: to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, interviewing hikers on everything from clothing and gear to coping with loneliness and fatigue. In Long-Distance Hiking, he draws on those extensive interviews, presenting hikers' candid responses to questions both practical and philosophical: which brand of backpack do most long distance hikers prefer? (page 54) How much money will I need? (page 135) Is a walking stick an advantage or a nuisance? (page 76) What percentage of hikers wear underwear? (page 70) Is it safe to hike alone? (page 19) Which brand of camp stove is most efficient and easiest to pack? (page 57) Is there sex on the trail? (page 147) How many miles do most hikers' boots or shoes hold up? (page 46) What are the most difficult aspects of long-distance hiking? (page 138) Both literate and entertaining, this book is a must for anyone considering a long-distance trek.