Reddit reviews The Backpacker's Handbook, 4th Edition

Seconding (eleventhing?) everyone here. Start small. Start with someone, preferably someone with some experience. There's too much to cover here.
Ages ago I read an earlier edition of this:
The Backpacker's Handbook
and it helped a lot with gear selection, planning, backcountry etiquette, etc.

By far the best book I can point out is the [Backpacker's Handbook] (https://www.amazon.com/Backpackers-Handbook-4th-Chris-Townsend/dp/007175489X) by Chris Townsend. Legit advice in there.

I also recommended heading over to /r/backpacking and checking them out, as well as /r/CampingandHiking.

Appreciate the kind words, thanks a ton.

Don't waste your money on a course. First thing I would do get a book or two for about $15 each. This and this look like two good books. I'm Swedish so the books I use wouldn't be much use to you.

Next is to get a backpack and some gear. Once you have the gear pack it up in the backpack and go car camping for a couple of weekends. Only use what you have in the backpack.

Then you can progress to going on overnight trips. You should be able to find organized groups that go on backpacking trips. Start with simple overnights and progress from there. Or you can just go with friends.

I think you're off to a good start. I would recommend these two if you are just getting started:

Chris Townsend's Backpackers Handbook

Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backpackin Book - it's easy and digestible

The answers to your questions really depend on preference. The distance of your hike will be up to you- start small, make sure you like it and don't bite off more than you should chew.

Of course pitching a tent, follow Leave No Trace principles.

Have fun!!

Get this. Also, I recommend going with someone who is experienced first time out.

This is all great advice. If you are traveling in Denali National Park, you will likely be hiking cross-country. This requires route-finding and efficient travel. A simple sprained ankle or burned hand (from boiling water, for example) can turn an overnight into a multi-day epic. Self-care and wilderness first aid are essential skills. Bear, moose, caribou, and wolves are only a few of the animal species that can potentially impact your trip (or your life).

Here is a good resource from the National Park Service on Denali backpacking:

https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm



I highly recommend visiting your local REI or other gear outlet and perusing the book section. Check out resources like:

The Backpacker's Handbook

You might be well served going on a 2-3 day trip closer to civilization. Anchorage lies on the border of the Chugach State Park, and only an hour north of the Kenai Fjords National Park. Both of these treasures are home to dozens of trails that take you through amazing Alaskan vistas, but do not require cross-country travel. Good examples of these are the Johnson Pass Trail, the Resurrection Trail, and the Crow Pass Trail. Closer to town is Rabbit Creek in the Chugach Front Range. A rolling 5 mile trail takes you back into an amazing Alpine valley surrounded by soaring peaks.

Other examples are:

• Eklutna Lake
  
• Powerline Pass
  
• Lost Lakes Trail
  
• Nancy Lakes
  
  
  All of these areas will give you a true sense of remote Alaska, but have better opportunities for self-evacuation should your trip go south. And, again, please do not travel solo. You obviously lack experience in overnight backpacking, and are a long way from being ready for a solo trip.
  
  
  I recall attempting a 5 day trip through Colorado at age 18. We were unprepared for snow in July and stumbled back, mildly hypothermic, to the car after 2 days in frozen blue jeans (huge no-no). We were lucky and I learned a great deal about what I didn't know at that phase in life. Had anything gone slightly worse, we might not have been so fortunate.
  
  
  None of this is intended to discourage you! Just do as much research as possible before jumping in and take things slow at first.
  
  Also, be prepared to fall in love with Alaska and ditch your Lower 48 life to move up here! :)
  
  
  

You may want to check out the "Dummies" or "Idiot's" books. Not to say you are either, just that they really are good books... it's unfortunate that there's a stigma attached to them. You might want to go to B&N or your local library and just read through them rather than ask someone to buy them.

Camping for Dummies

https://www.amazon.com/Camping-Dummies-Michael-Hodgson/dp/076455221X

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Backpacking and Hiking

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Backpacking-Lifestyle-Paperback/dp/1592579604

The Backpacker's Handbook has been recommended, but I haven't read it myself.

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/007175489X

The Complete Walker; I read this 30 years ago(?) A great reference.

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Walker-IV-Colin-Fletcher/dp/0375703233

And of course Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills

https://www.amazon.com/Mountaineering-Freedom-Hills-Mountaineers/dp/1680510045

M:FotH is a comprehensive tome, which may be a bit advanced for someone who is starting out with some car camping. As the name implies, it's aimed towards mountaineers, with sections on rock climbing, belaying, first aid, mountain safety... as a beginner you might pick up some invaluable information, but most of it may be far beyond what you need, it might be a bit overwhelming. Though you may be the type that just loves to soak up everything you, in which case it's a great reference.

If you want to check it out, the Kindle version of the 8th edition has a "Look Inside" which lists the sections and chapters, and has a bit of the first chapter. The latest 9th ed doesn't have the "Look Inside" yet.

https://www.amazon.com/Mountaineering-Freedom-Hills-Mountaineers-ebook/dp/B0049P1ZTC