Writing the Wilderness Survival Guide has been
a long and exhausting
journey. with more than a few obstacles and pitfalls
along the way - not at all unlike a trek through uncharted terrain
.
First I had to get my bearings . Where was I. and where did I
want to end up? To answer those questions. I prepared an outline.
Later on, when I felt myself straying from the path. I would
haul out the outline - my compass - and re-orient myself .
Then I had to lay in some provisions for the trip . I scrounged
some research material from Frank Mentzer’s shelves. sent
away for a couple of books from a catalog that Zeb Cook thought
would be helpful. and made a lot of trips to public libraries . I went
from a person who never seems to find time for reading to one
who didn’t do anything but read . And when I was well stocked
with facts and figures. I strapped on my mental backpack and
started writing -the real treacherous part of the journey .
Step by step. word by word. I used up my provisions . I was glad
to see the thoughts in my head turn into thoughts on paper. because
that meant l was making progress . l had no way of knowing
whether my supplies would carry me through the trip. but there
was no turning back .
Eventually. I reached the point in the journey where I knew I
was going to reach my destination -- a feeling very similar to seeing
palm trees on the horizon after plodding across a desert . My
load lightened. my pace quickened (approaching deadline may
have had something to do with that). and the oasis got visibly
closer with every paragraph I completed .
When I got where I was going. I looked back at the path I had
taken . Pretty straight. I said to myself; not too much backtracking
or meandering . And I was pretty proud of the journal I had kept
along the way -the journal you are now holding . The next time
your AD&D game characters leave the safety of the city or the seclusion
of the dungeon. they will fully realize the threats and the
thrills that come from wilderness adventuring . I hope all of your
journeys are as successful and as satisfying as mine was .
Kim Mohan
Sept . 5. 1986
The three words beneath the title on the cover of this book
don't tell the whole story. It would have been impossible for this
book to be completed without the help, on both a professional level
&& personal level,
of several other people. For reasons that are widely varied but all
vitally important to the author,
special thanks are due to . . .
Gary Gygax, who planted and nurtured the tree from which this branch has grown.
Harold Johnson, who did his reviews on time even though the manuscript was late.
Frank Mentzer, whose few words of encouragement were worth more than he knows.
Doug Niles, who wrote a book that was a very tough act to follow.
And my dear Pamela, whose faith in me is exceeded only by my faith in her.
Wilderness Survival Guide Design: Kim Mohan
Editing: Kim Mohan, Harold Johnson, Frank Mentzer
Proofreading and tinkering: Mike Breault
Cover Art: Jeff Easley
Interior Illustrations: Mark Nelson, Jim Holloway, Jeff Easley, Larry
Elmore, Valerie Valusek
Typography: Kim Mohan, Carolyn Vanderbilt
Graphics and keylining: Gloria Szopinski, Dave Sutherland, Roger Raupp,
Colleen O’Malley