To an experienced winter backcountry user, many of the lessons and techniques described in this book may seem too elementary to be worthwhile. However, even I was able to glean a few great tips that I didn’t know or had forgotten. My favorite new tip is the use of duct tape and klister wax on your skis … “1) Scrape the kick wax from your ski. 2) Stick a strip of duct tape on the bottom in the kick zone. 3) Apply the klister over the tape. 4) When you no longer need klister, peel off the duct tape, and away it goes.”

Like the mega-classic Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills is to newbie climbers and mountaineers, NOLS Winter Camping is the equivalent to neophyte winter travelers. If you are new to winter camping, this book coupled with some common sense can get you out the door and enjoying winter travel. Many tips in this book will help you on your next mountaineering or ice climbing trip that requires an overnight stay or extended travel in the winter wilderness.

About the Authors

Buck Tilton is a co-founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Wilderness Medicine Institute and winner of the Paul K. Petzoldt Award for Excellence in Winter Education. He has written numerous books on the outdoors and is a contributing editor to Backpacker magazine. John Gookin is an instructor and curriculum manager for the National Outdoor Leadership School.