How to Suffer Outside - by Diana Helmuth (Paperback)

About the Book

Helmuth's disarming practical advice strips away the pretentiousness of hiking and backpacking and encourages people to simply step outside--with a map, of course

Book Synopsis

2022 National Outdoor Book Award Winner in Instructional Outdoor Adventure Guide
Named a Backpacker Magazine "50 Best Hiking Books of All Time"

• Refreshingly approachable guide for aspiring backpackers and casual hikers of all stripes
• Colorful and humorous illustrations throughout
• Relatable, rising female voice in outdoor literature

Part critique of modern hiking culture and part how-to guide, How to Suffer Outside is for anyone who wants to hit the trail without breaking the bank. Diana Helmuth offers real advice, opinionated but accessible and based on in-the-field experiences. She wins readers' hearts and trust through a blend of self-deprecating humor and good-natured heckling of both seasoned backpackers and urbanites who romanticize being outdoorsy, plus a helpful dose of the actual advice a novice needs to get started.

Featuring illustrations by artist Latasha Dunston, each chapter focuses on a critical topic: gear, food, hygiene, clothing, and more, along with useful checklists and resources. Humorous, philosophical, and practical, How to Suffer Outside teaches casual walkers, hikers, and campers of all stripes how to venture outdoors with confidence.

Review Quotes

Reading Diana Helmuth is like rolling out of your sleeping bag laughing.... Backpacking is the most fun you can have while being utterly miserable. Helmuth helps hikers laugh through the quarter-sized blisters and the freezing rain, and provides useful tips for anyone venturing outdoors.--Peter Moore "Backpacker "50 Best Hiking Books of All Time""

[How to Suffer Outside] had me giggling out loud as I read it, but it was also filled with so much practical information and fun illustrations that it's a keeper. Humorous, honest, and useful, this book combines personal anecdotes with research and input from other people to provide reassurance and information about everything you could want to know.--Jamie Herndon "BookRiot"

An ideal DIY instructional guide and manual for aspiring hikers and novice backpackers, "How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Backpacking" is especially 'user friendly' in tone, commentary, content, organization and presentation.-- "Midwest Book Review"

The writing style in this how-to book forges a different path from other works on backpacking. You might say it is cheeky - witty, smart, and often opinionated. If you've been dreaming about giving backpacking a try and need a little nudge, author Diana Helmuth is there to give that nudge.-- "National Outdoor Book Award Judges"

Backpacker Diana Helmuth talks about the realities of getting on the trail in her hilarious book "How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Backpacking". Diana is skilled at making even the most mundane subjects funny, interesting and informative for everyone.-- "Wild Ideas Worth Living"

Funny and philosophical.... [How to Suffer Outside] teaches adventurers young and old how to hit the trail without breaking the bank and includes plenty of the helpful advice (plus checklists and resources) every novice needs.-- "Sierra"

Funny, relatable and great for any outdoors person on your list, from the casual walker to the experienced backpacker.-- "Bay Area News Group"

Whether you are a bonafide couch potato who has been ignoring the outdoor requirements of your own state, or you're an honorary Pacific Northwesterner ready to act the part, How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Backpacking will help you fill in all those getting-back-to-nature goals.--Corie K-B. "Powell's Book Buying Team"

What makes this backpacking guidebook unique is its approachable, realistic and conversational tone.... "How to Suffer Outside" is fun and fascinating, whether you're looking to go backpacking this weekend, later this year or not at all.--Andrea Marks-Joseph "Real Change"

Fun illustrations by Latasha Dunston, useful backpacking know-how, and supply lists educates readers and hopefully inspires neophytes to throw caution to the wind and get outside on their first big backcountry adventure.--Wendy Altschuler "Forbes"

Her perspective is a breath of fresh air on the whole fresh-air-and-nature thing.... Were I a bookseller, I would press this book on customers regardless of their interest in backpacking. I would recommend it for the voice and storytelling.--Susannah Felts "BookPage (starred review)"