Building a Backcountry Library

We had a similar thread back on the old forums, it was a great resource which has, tragically, been lost, so I am glad you have started this thread. A lot of books come to mind, but I will try to whittle down the list.

A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek--I think this is one of the best books I have ever read, and beautifully explores the area that is of the most interest to me, the overlap between nature and spirituality. I think Annie Dillard is as talented a writer as I have ever read. Her chapter on Stalking, involving caribou, muskrats, and quantum theory, is mindboggling. I know some folks on this forum don't like her, but I regard her as one of the greatest writers of our time.

Goodbye to a River, by John Graves--An amazing book about a river trip down the Brazos River in Texas. A combination travelogue, nature reflection, and history lesson, narrated in a beautifully engaging fashion by a master storyteller. A must read for any lover of rivers, especially if you enjoy canoe camping and/or are from Texas.

Travels in Alaska by John Muir--An account of some incredible adventures by one of the most amazing, brilliant, and badass men who has ever lived. Great stories and fascinating reflections on nature and humankind's place in nature.

On the Beaten Path by Robert Rubin--Not the greatest book ever, but I love books about long trail through hikes, and I think this is perhaps the best I have read. Much more interesting, IMHO, than A Walk in the Woods, which I liked just fine. I also enjoyed A Blistered Kind of Love, about the PCT.

The Snow Leopard--Peter Matthiessen's masterwork about healing, Buddhism, the mountains of Nepal, and a quest for a near mythical creature.  Most books about journeys are also about an inner spiritual journey.  This book combines those two aspects of journey (outer and inner) better than any other I have read. 

A Sand County Almanac--Need anything even be said? A classic in every sense of the word.

I agree. About the best AT book I've read. Chris Townsend's books on his adventures on the CDT, the PCT, in the Canadian Rockies and the Yukon are among my favorites. Specifically, for the PCT, IMO, the best volume is Dances With Marmots by George Spearing. He's a sometimes poster on these forums and as a New Zealander, always has some fresh perspective to offer.

Mountain Time, by Paul Schullery. He was a seasonal ranger at Yellowstone. I really enjoyed his observations and anecdotes about park visitors.

I also second the nomination of 'A Sand County Almanac', by Aldo Leopold.

The Thousand Mile Summer, by Colin Fletcher. His best, in my opinion.

For a technique book, I like 'Backpacking One Step at a Time', by Harvey Manning. It's a little dated, but I haven't seen new ones that I like as well.

I have a copy of that, which I've been nibbling away at for over a year.  The writing style has wisps of mid-century American Letters, but somehow that adds to the charm and impact of the author's absorption into a new environment and a new way of seeing the world.

I'd gladly pass it on to someone else when I'm finished.  (I can read faster if anyone is interested, but I usually read seven or eight books at a time).

I just got a new book in the mail today... The Ultimate Hiker's Gearguide (tools and techniques to hit the trail), written by Andrew Skurka.

Already looking through it, and it has a ton of useful information. Author has lots of experience hiking and backpacking and shares tips and insight about everything you can think of. Definitely worth a look.

Agreed,it's a good book but highly specialised for the long distance ultra-light hiker. Not for all of us. Still, there is no douubt that Skurda has the credentials and knows his stuff.