Copyright Page -- Title Page -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Chapter One: Following the Blazes -- A Brief History of the Appalachian Trail -- A Brief Tour of the Appalachian Trail -- Chapter Two: The Trail Kitchen -- Food -- Nutrition -- The Menu -- Packing Your Food -- Trail Kitchen Equipment -- Cleaning Up After Meals -- Chapter Three: Water -- Where to Find Water -- The School of Water Treatment -- Chapter Four: Shelters and Tents -- Shelters -- Campsites -- Tents -- Chapter Five: Backpacks -- External Versus Internal Frame -- More Pack Considerations -- How Much to Carry in Your Pack? -- Chapter Six: Sleeping Bags -- Important Features of Sleeping Bags -- Sleeping-Bag Accessories -- Chapter Seven: Footgear -- Selecting Your Hiking Shoes -- Socks -- Breaking in Your Boots -- Chapter Eight: Clothing -- Layering -- Fabrics -- Types of Clothing -- Taking Care of Clothing -- Chapter Nine: Other Equipment -- Lighting -- Toiletries -- First-Aid Kit -- Items for Emergencies -- Miscellaneous Items -- Chapter Ten: Potential Problems -- Cold-Weather Ailments -- Hot-Weather Ailments -- Physical Injuries -- Getting Help -- Animals and Insects -- Problem People -- Hunting -- Chapter Eleven: Preparing for Your First Hike -- How Far and How Fast? -- Minimize Your Impact -- Permits and Reservations: Where Are They Needed and How to Get Them -- Guidebooks -- Finding Solitude -- Chapter Twelve: Winter Backpacking -- Getting Around: Equipment for Your Feet -- Other Winter Equipment -- Water -- Chapter Thirteen: Backpacking with Children -- Infants -- Toddlers -- Children -- Gear -- Motivating Children -- Chapter Fourteen: Long-distrance Hiking -- Thru-Hikers, 2000-Milers -- What It Takes to Be a Thru-Hiker -- When and Where to Start -- Considerations While on the Trail -- A.T. Organizations -- Volunteering -- Appendixes -- Appendix One: Equipment Checklists.

Appendix Two: Books about the Appalachian Trail -- Appendix Three: Trail Maintenance Clubs -- Appendix Four: A.T. and Thru-hiking Sites of Related Interest -- Appendix Five: Hiking with the GPS -- Index -- About the Authors.