1 stars (Too outdated) - Don't waste your time or money. This was an okay book in its day (though it has zero content about altimeters) but that day is long past. The new edition of the Land Navigation Handbook covers the basics equally well and also educates on altimeters, digital mapping, and GPS. 5 stars (Thoughts from a beginner) - I signed up to compete in an all day adventure race with orienteering being the main focus. I had never done orienteering before in my life and had no idea what was involved. Upon advice from other racers I purchased BEWMAC (as those in the "know" call it) and I read this book to my team-mate over the course of a 5 hour drive from Pittsburgh to Detroit. Literally this was my first exposure to orienteering. We were able to successfully navigate through an all day orienteering adventure race using this book. I thought it was easy to understand, came with a sample book and all of the skills were reinforced with simple quizzes at the end of each chapter. I have no doubt that there are more in debt studies, but from a beginners standpoint you can't go wrong. Just get it already. 2 stars (Vastly Overrated and Outdated) - This was the first book I ever bought on the subject of using a map and compass. It was recommended by everyone I knew, as there wasn't a whole lot else out there at the time, and it had been in print since 1955. About the best I can say for Kjellstrom's book is that it is better for beginners than the Sierra Club Handbook (also an old book), but that's about it. Illustrations are few and muddy, and the book has an ancient feel to it, with outdated references and quirky language (it's been in print for nearly 50 years, and the author died nearly 10 years ago when in his nineties). Fully half the book doesn't even deal with real-life wilderness navigation, but is instead devoted to the sport of orienteering (a fine sport, but with little relevance to practical backcountry navigation with its use of special large s... Wiley :: Walking :: hiking :: trekking :: Maps :: charts & atlases :: Crafts & Hobbies & General :: Walking :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Outdoor Skills :: Outdoor Life :: Ori :: Be Expert with Map and Compass
4 stars (Difficult to get lost with this one...) - An excellent book for those starting out on orienteering. Very good conversational wording. Doesn't use too much jargon. The practical exercises are easily understood. The combination of the written word and neat diagrams and pictures make the information easily digestable. 5 stars (Excellent Map and Compass Instruction Book) - The best map and compass handbook I've come across. Excellent photos and illustrations add to simple and straightforward written material to make a great book for use when practicing real-life outdoor navigation. 4 stars (The best resource for beginning or experienced pathfinders) - This book is the best resource on land navigation i've seen. I use it regularly in teaching land navigation in conjunction with search and rescue to area fire departments. The author makes the hard-to-explain easy to understand for beginners and experts alike. ... International Marine-Ragged Mountain Press :: Sports & Recreation & Outdoor Skills :: Wilderness survival :: Sports & Recreation :: Sports :: Physical Education :: Outdoor Skills :: Outdoor Life :: Orientation :: :: The Essential Wilderness Navigator- How to Find Your Way in the Great Outdoors- Second Edition
5 stars (Most moving and gripping) - I was not sure when I started this book whether I really wanted to know the details the author went thru, and early in the book I was astounded at how imprudent he was. But the account soon caught me up and I was totally mesmerized, and the book I found to be a triumph, ranking with Alive, by Piers Paul Read, as one of the most gripping survival stories I have ever read. I felt it was better than Touching the Void, by Joe Simpson, even though that book is on edge of the chair reading. Despite Ralston's imprudent behavior I found him an admirable person and the fact that he is still climbing mountains and doing other unbelievable things I concluded was inspiring, imprudent as it no doubt is. This is a great reading experience. 5 stars (Hard place felt) - This book was very good at describing the surroundings in such detail that the mood was set for the story. Granted, even though it is a true story, one could just feel the tension mounting, and could follow the time line of events that led to Ralston's freedom from his rock/hardplace captors. 1 stars (Dont Read this Book) - This is the most boring book I have ever tried to read. It was a Summer Reading book and I couldnt even finish it. It is soo technical, it is courageous how he lived through that ordeal, but the book dragged and was horrible, i give it 0 stars. ... Atria :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: Outdoor Life :: Mountaineering :: Inspirational - General :: Hiking :: General :: Biography&Autobiography :: Biography & Auto :: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
