This fourth edition is the textbook for the San Diego Sierra Club's popular Wilderness Basics Course (WBC), which has been offered since 1957. The book is a detailed compendium of practical instruction on skills and preparation needed for enjoyable and safe wilderness exploration, written by WBC course instructors. Aimed at North American wilderness experiences, it is especially relevant to the landscape of the American West. Chapters range from discussions of outdoor ethics and fitness training, to topics on gear, navigation, handling of food and animal encounters, desert travel, dealing with winter snow, getting lost, and first aid. In this edition, the navigation section includes up to date information on using GPS along with traditional map-reading and compass skills; the section on gear has also been revised and updated. The book is generously illustrated with photos, maps, black and white drawings, charts and diagrams. Annotation ©2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)