One of the country’s best-known outdoor adventurers will visit the region this week. Andrew Skurka was named Outside Magazine’s “Adventurer of the Year” in 2010. He has written a new guide from National Geographic called “The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide.” The book also offers inside tips and logistical information for hikers. Skurka says one tip he leaves early and often for newer hikers: many take much more gear with them than they actually need.

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Andrew Skurka appears Wednesday and Thursday at Washington and Lee University in Lexington. On Wednesday, he will speak on “Circling Alaska and Yukon” at Elrod Commons Theater. His Thursday appearance is on “Ultimate Hiking Gear and Skills” at the Outing Club Meeting Room. Both begin at 7:00 pm, and admission to both is free.

Click here for Andrew Skurka’s web site.

Here is the full appearance announcement from Andrew Skurka’s publicist:

When Outside Magazine’s 2010 “Adventurer of the Year” Andrew Skurka gets ready for a hike, he asks himself three questions:  what are my objectives for this trip, what environmental conditions must I be aware of and what gear, supplies and skills will help me achieve my goals? In a new guide from National Geographic, “The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail,” Skurka uses these questions to teach novice and experienced hikers how to effectively pack for their outdoor adventures.

Beyond the best gear for each trip, “The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide” offers inside tips and logistical information for any hike. The beginning of the book focuses on how to become an ultimate hiker – tricks on building your speed, information you need to know before any trip and the difference between a hiker and a camper.