Must-Read Books for Outdoor Enthusiasts – First Edition

Whether you’re traveling far, adventuring in your backyard, or sizzling on the beach, here’s part one of our book recommendations for those who love the outdoors. 

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, Cheryl Strayed, 2012

When her life shatters, a young woman sets off alone on a thousand-mile hike. Plot twist: she’s got zero hiking experience. Strayed’s memoir, recounting both her earlier life and the PCT adventure, reached far beyond the outdoor community, instantly becoming “ a classic of wilderness writing and modern feminism.” Read it first but do not miss out on the 2014 Reese Witherspoon film adaptation.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster, Jon Krakauer, 1997

After two years on the New York Times Bestseller List, Into the Wild firmly established Jon Krakauer as the most popular mountaineering writer of our time. Recounted in harrowing detail, the 1996 Everest disaster consumed the lives of eight climbers. The book is equal parts riveting adventure, an ode to the beauty of the mountains, and a sharp critique of competitive mountaineering culture.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen, Christopher McDougall, 2009

An award-winning journalist travels deep into Mexico’s isolated canyons to find a tribe of native ultramarathoners – but he finds even more, including an elusive runner known as the White Horse, and a remedy for a long list of his own running injuries. Born to Run might well have sparked the recent barefoot running resurgence in the West, but it’s also a compelling read whether or not you’re a runner.

Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man’s Miraculous Survival, Joe Simpson, 1988

The quintessential story of survival against all odds, Touching the Void is not a read for the faint of heart. Set against the ragged beauty of the Peruvian Andes, the memoir became an instant classic, both inspiring and warning the next generation of climbers. 

Mountains Of The Mind: A History Of A Fascination, Robert Macfarlane, 2023 

Mountains haven’t always been regarded as the epitome of nature’s beauty. In fact, just a few centuries ago, they were often deemed ugly and terrifying. Macfarlane delves into our shifting relationship with high places, skillfully blending cultural and literary insights with his own experiences as an everyday climber.