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A Woman's Guide to the Wild

Your Complete Outdoor Handbook

Illustrated by Teresa Grasseschi
Look inside
"The book every outdoor-loving woman should have on her shelf."
—Misadventures Magazine

Hike, camp, backpack, and navigate the wilderness like a pro with this personable guide to outdoor adventure. This fun, practical handbook covers everything from “feminine functions” (like dealing with your period and peeing in the woods) to staying safe (like protecting yourself from strangers). You'll also find chapters that help you prepare for—and make the most of—your time in the wilderness with information and advice on:
 
• Gear lists
• Personal Care
• Camp setup
• Fire building
• Weather
• Navigation
• Food & Water
 
Fun and informative, A Woman's Guide to the Wild will inspire you to get out on your own or with your girlfriends, explore the wilderness, and get a little dirty.
“Ruby McConnell is a force of nature. She’s fun, informative, and never preachy. Buy a copy of A Woman’s Guide to the Wild for all your girlfriends, get out to the backcountry, and get dirty.”
Novella Carpenter, author of Farm City and Gone Feral
 
“A handbook for outdoors-loving women, whether they’re experienced trailblazers or newbies inspired by Cheryl Strayed’s Wild.”
—Publishers Weekly

"Oregonian Ruby McConnell’s practical guide to the great outdoors is just for women, with topics such as how to deal bathroom needs and condescending men, and advice on camp setup and building fires."
—The Seattle Times

...A Woman’s Guide to the Wild provides wisdom for outdoor adventurers of all levels. Most of all, it is meant to encourage and support women in exploring their full potential.”
— Stackedd magazine

“For women who enjoy hiking, camping, backpacking and other outdoor recreation — or those inspired to start getting out there by Cheryl Strayed’s Wild—this book is the definitive guide to being a woman in the great outdoors.
—Bainbridge Island Review
 
“You’ll find that [McConnell] is both inspiring and awesome and I highly recommend her book.”
—Hike Like a Woman

“It was so refreshing to read straightforward, honest information about the topics that seem to be taboo for every other guidebook.”
Modern Hiker

“[McConnell’s] book is a manifesto for women to go exploring the wild, even if it means making mistakes along the way.”
Appalachian Trail Girl

"In A Woman’s Guide to the Wild, geologist and outdoor enthusiast Ruby McConnell gives women the tools (and confidence) to safely navigate the backcountry solo."
Modern Farmer

“Cheryl Strayed's famous book Wild was almost a how-NOT-to-survive-wilderness book. Ruby McConnell aims to flip the script and give women useful information on striking out on their own."
—NPR

“Don't let the Boy Scouts and lumberjacks fool you—women can handle the great outdoors just as well, if not better, than men. Ruby McConnell is helping to prove it.”
The Source Weekly

"If your mom devoured Wild and promptly purchased red-laced hiking boots, this local guide from an Oregonian geologist is for her."
Seattle Met Online

"The book every outdoor-loving woman should have on her shelf."
—Misadventures Magazine
RUBY MCCONNELL is the author of A Girl's Guide to the Wild; she's also a geologist, environmental advocate, and dancer. Her work has appeared in Grain Magazine, Misadventures Magazine, Oregon Quarterly, Seattle Backpackers Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and Fungi Magazine, among others.

TERESA GRASSESCHI is an illustrator, painter, and lifelong glasses wearer who spends her days making pictures for books, brands, and galleries. Her work has been featured in publications such as Stereogum, Rolling Stone, and the Wall Street Journal. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

About

"The book every outdoor-loving woman should have on her shelf."
—Misadventures Magazine

Hike, camp, backpack, and navigate the wilderness like a pro with this personable guide to outdoor adventure. This fun, practical handbook covers everything from “feminine functions” (like dealing with your period and peeing in the woods) to staying safe (like protecting yourself from strangers). You'll also find chapters that help you prepare for—and make the most of—your time in the wilderness with information and advice on:
 
• Gear lists
• Personal Care
• Camp setup
• Fire building
• Weather
• Navigation
• Food & Water
 
Fun and informative, A Woman's Guide to the Wild will inspire you to get out on your own or with your girlfriends, explore the wilderness, and get a little dirty.

Praise

“Ruby McConnell is a force of nature. She’s fun, informative, and never preachy. Buy a copy of A Woman’s Guide to the Wild for all your girlfriends, get out to the backcountry, and get dirty.”
Novella Carpenter, author of Farm City and Gone Feral
 
“A handbook for outdoors-loving women, whether they’re experienced trailblazers or newbies inspired by Cheryl Strayed’s Wild.”
—Publishers Weekly

"Oregonian Ruby McConnell’s practical guide to the great outdoors is just for women, with topics such as how to deal bathroom needs and condescending men, and advice on camp setup and building fires."
—The Seattle Times

...A Woman’s Guide to the Wild provides wisdom for outdoor adventurers of all levels. Most of all, it is meant to encourage and support women in exploring their full potential.”
— Stackedd magazine

“For women who enjoy hiking, camping, backpacking and other outdoor recreation — or those inspired to start getting out there by Cheryl Strayed’s Wild—this book is the definitive guide to being a woman in the great outdoors.
—Bainbridge Island Review
 
“You’ll find that [McConnell] is both inspiring and awesome and I highly recommend her book.”
—Hike Like a Woman

“It was so refreshing to read straightforward, honest information about the topics that seem to be taboo for every other guidebook.”
Modern Hiker

“[McConnell’s] book is a manifesto for women to go exploring the wild, even if it means making mistakes along the way.”
Appalachian Trail Girl

"In A Woman’s Guide to the Wild, geologist and outdoor enthusiast Ruby McConnell gives women the tools (and confidence) to safely navigate the backcountry solo."
Modern Farmer

“Cheryl Strayed's famous book Wild was almost a how-NOT-to-survive-wilderness book. Ruby McConnell aims to flip the script and give women useful information on striking out on their own."
—NPR

“Don't let the Boy Scouts and lumberjacks fool you—women can handle the great outdoors just as well, if not better, than men. Ruby McConnell is helping to prove it.”
The Source Weekly

"If your mom devoured Wild and promptly purchased red-laced hiking boots, this local guide from an Oregonian geologist is for her."
Seattle Met Online

"The book every outdoor-loving woman should have on her shelf."
—Misadventures Magazine

Author

RUBY MCCONNELL is the author of A Girl's Guide to the Wild; she's also a geologist, environmental advocate, and dancer. Her work has appeared in Grain Magazine, Misadventures Magazine, Oregon Quarterly, Seattle Backpackers Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and Fungi Magazine, among others.

TERESA GRASSESCHI is an illustrator, painter, and lifelong glasses wearer who spends her days making pictures for books, brands, and galleries. Her work has been featured in publications such as Stereogum, Rolling Stone, and the Wall Street Journal. She lives in Seattle, Washington.