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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) >"Scats and Tracks of North America" by James Halfpenny with illustrations by Todd Telander ($14.95).   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, September 13, 2008 Good-to-go guidebooks for outdoors adventures Before pulling on your boots this fall, it may be wise to hit the bookstore. Here's a look at a few recent outdoor guides. Some act as introductions to the Washington area. Others are tailored to experienced campers. All might prove helpful in the right hands. Herald Writer Andy Rathbun arathbun@heraldnet.com "Scats and Tracks of North America" by James Halfpenny with illustrations by Todd Telander ($14.95) This reference book, scheduled for release on Tuesday, educates hikers about paw prints and animal droppings with written descriptions and black-and-white illustrations. Along with information on nearly 150 common mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians from throughout the continent, the guide includes rarities such as the wolverine, polar bear and jaguarundi. The pocket-sized guide includes range maps for the various species. "The Rough Guide to Oregon and Washington" by Jeff Dickey, Tim Jepson and Phil Lee ($19.99) Acting as more of an introduction to the two states, the 2007 edition from the Rough Guides series gives tips on everything from camping in the Cascade Mountains to sightseeing in Portland. Color sections offer pictures of scenic hikes and, oddly enough, places to drink beer. Other sections highlight the way the Northwest has appeared in films and books. "Day Hiking: North Cascades" by Craig Romano ($18.95) With busy fall schedules intruding into your free time, a day hike might make more sense than a four-day camping trip. No problem: this book covers nearby destinations including the San Juan Islands, the Mountain Loop Highway and Mount Baker. Because it came out earlier this year -- and because its author hiked all of the 125 hikes included -- trail information is current. "Climbing: Training for Peak Performance" by Clyde Soles ($18) Anyone who has gone climbing knows you need to be fit before you walk out the door. This training guide could help beginners that need to prepare themselves or experienced climbers ready for a tune-up. The book's second edition, scheduled for release on Sept. 30, includes updated sections on yoga, Pilates and herbal supplements, along with expanded information on recovering from an injury. "Washington Fishing: The Complete Guide to Lakes, Streams and Saltwater" by Terry Rudnick ($22.95) While fishing for salmon might be getting trickier, this guide offers tips to increase your chances as you angle for a variety of sport fish, also including halibut and trout. The sixth edition of the guide came out in March, and includes information on Washington lakes, rivers and saltwater areas, along with background on sites, regulations, driving directions and camping. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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