The soul-stirring majesty of watching the sunrise from the top of a mountain. The simple pleasure of getting water from a cool, crystal-clear woodland stream. The warm camaraderie that you only find on the trail. Backpacking is a magical pursuit. It’s not only an excellent way to achieve lifelong fitness and health; it can also be a profoundly moving and unforgettable experience. It sparks something primal inside of us and allows us to connect with nature on a deeply personal level.

But preparing for a trip into the great outdoors can seem like a daunting task to the first-time adventurer, especially those of us approaching and rebelling against our “golden” years. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone.

“This gentle beginner’s guide offers first steps for safe and satisfying outdoor adventures while covering everything from trailheads to thunder trees.” – Kirkus Reviews

In The Honest Backpacker: A Practical Guide for the Rookie Adventurer over 50, seasoned backpackers Jim and Nicole Klopovic share a step-by-step plan for preparing for your first backpacking trip tailored to the novice, mature adventurer. They provide essential advice and trail-proven tips on a wide variety of topics including:

  • Getting your body, mind, and spirit in shape for your trip
  • Planning your hike (what, where, when)
  • What gear you’ll need and how to select it
  • Creating healthy menus and purchasing food for the trail
  • What to pack and how to pack it
  • Trail safety and etiquette
  • And much, much more

You’ll learn everything you need to know to have a safe, enjoyable, and memorable backpacking experience… and want to do it again. Plus, to inspire and motivate you, Jim shares stories of the spectacular sights and fascinating people he met while trekking across northern England on the England Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Walk.

“The Honest Backpacker is a useful book for anyone thinking about hiking. If heeded, the basic advice in the book would certainly have made Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods a very different story. – Net Galley

Much more than just another “how-to” guide, The Honest Backpacker is your invitation to venture out into the wilderness, immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of nature, and “wash your spirit clean.”

“This guide is methodical in its approach but pleasant to read, as it’s sometimes reminiscent of an uplifting life-coach: ‘And keep your eyes on the hiking prize. You will experience life as you never have.'” – Kirkus Reviews

  • Affinitas, LLC
  • 208 Courthouse Drive
  • Morrisville, NC 27560
  • HikeWithTheHB@gmail.com

  • Simply put, The Honest Backpacker is inspirational. If you have ever dreamed of experiencing the outdoors, read this book!

    Kurt Koontz, Author, Speaker, Adventurer

  • The Honest Backpacker captures long-distance hiking at its cutting edge. With no pretensions, the author lays out his most heartfelt advice to help older hikers make it all the way.

    Bill “Skywalker” Walker, Bestselling Author and Speaker

  • A practical and congenial guidebook that encourages and inspires, The Honest Backpacker proposes that a flexible mind is the most crucial component in leading an adventurous life and enjoyment of our stunning planet can still be had, even if the body isn’t as flexible as it once was.

    Andrew Zalewski, Co-Owner, Rock and Snow Outfitters

  • I believe the trail is there for everyone, at every phase of life, however, the more mature hiker is often overlooked, especially if they are new to backpacking. The Honest Backpacker fills a much-needed void with vivid anecdotes and practical step-by-step instructions for folks over the age of 50 who are hitting the trail for the first time.

    Jennifer Pharr Davis, Author, Speaker and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

  • A well written and thorough guide to making the most of your adventure on the trail. See you out there!

    Ron and Anne Houser, owners of The Mountain Goat, Outdoor Specialty Retailer on the AT/LT, Manchester Center, Vermont

  • The Honest Backpacker is a step-by-step guide for anyone just starting or needing a refresher course on the intricacies of backpacking. Klopovic intersperses trail tales from his experiences that add humor and interest to the facts. His book does not miss a step.

    Audrey Townsend, Outfitter and Owner, Townsend Bertram and Company, Carrboro, North Carolina

  • The Honest Backpacker lays out essential hiking details in an organized, easy read. More important, it imparts a philosophy of walking that will stay for a lifetime. It will do the same for any hiker, especially the aging walker, and give them the stoke to start their next adventure.

    Malcolm Daly, Neptune Mountaineering, Boulder, Colorado