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Gear Field Test: Outdoor Watches
Map a route. Predict the weather . Record altitude data. Track your speed and heart rate. Today's outdoor watches do it all–and then they send it to your computer.Rip & Go: Iron Mountain Loop - Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Lose the leaf-peeping crowds on this quiet ramble above Virginia's loftiest canopies of color.Rip & Go: Sage Creek Loop - Badlands National Park, SD
Explore off-trail in a wilderness with more bison than boot prints.Rip & Go: Badwater Basin to Gold Valley - Death Valley National Park, CA
Don't waste winter: Tackle this cross-country canyon trek in the Lower 48's largest national park.The Peak: Mt. Greylock
Take the 5.5 mile trek up Bellows Pipe Trail to the summit, while your there enjoy a local cocktail a cup of chowder at Bascom Lodge.National Parks Hall of Fame
The all-time best. That's what every hiker wants on a national park trek, and that's what you'll get if you tackle one of these 25 trips.Natural Wonders: Blowholes, Salmon Runs, & Wine Country
Hawaii's Nakalele blowhole rivals Old Faithful. Plus: Trek to Oregon's salmon run and California's wine country.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Solitude
If less people, more elk has become your mountain mantra, check the Guadalupe Mountains backcountry camping sites and trails and get that so sought after alone time.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Loop
Don't go up, go around. Rainier's Wonderland Trail loop offers the marathon hiker two weeks of backpacking bliss.National Parks Hall of Fame: Park Finder
Zero in on your perfect hike, from thrilling slots to soak-awhile hot springs.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Alpine Hike
Live longer, take the North Circle Route. Glacier's highcountry views and crisp alpine air are rumored to add years to a backpacker's being.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Dayhike
Beat the crowds by tackling this classic dayhike by moonlight.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Canyon
The Tanner Trail in the grandest of U.S. canyons is a camping classic.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Wildlife
Who ever said out of sight, out of mind was certainly not referring to the wealth of wildlife that are making some big noise in Thorofare Valley.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Cross-Country Adventure
Traverse alongside delicate ecosystem, open tundra and hit nine summits on this "grand slam" of cross-country treks.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Wildflowers
Smelling the flowers doesn't require slowing down your trek (though you might want to) through the explosion of wildflowers that cover the Great Smoky Mountains each year.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Coastal Hike
Swap summits for sand scrambling along nearly 18 miles of quiet coastal terrain.National Parks Hall of Fame: Best Peak
No crowds. No frills. No cakewalk. This hang-on-for-your-life climb is not for the meager-hearted.Natural Wonders: Sonoma Valley's Wine Country
Wine making and hiking come together perfectly in the Sonoma Valley, where California meets the Mediterranean.Natural Wonders: The Pacific Northwest's Salmon Run
Every year the salmon of the Pacific Northwest return to their birth place to spawn. See this natural phenomenon and a river of fish on an easy hike through tall pines.Natural Wonders: Maui's Nakalele Blowhole
Get sprayed by an oceanic geyser. Erupting every few minutes under perfect conditions, this is a natural wonder you can't miss.Top 3 Ansel Adams Hikes
The legendary shooter once said that photographs were "usually looked at, seldom looked into." Take a look into three hikes that inspired some of Ansel Adams greatest photos, and take a few pictures yourself.Gear Review: Timex Expedition WS4 Watch
This one-glance watch was built with the input of renowned alpinist Conrad Anker.Gear Review: Atrek Electronic Trekking Poles
If wrist gear isn't for you, check out these versatile trekking polesGear Review: Tech40 TraiLeader Pro Watch
This compact piece packs all the technology and none of the size.Gear Review: Freestyle Nomad Watch
This durable and accurate timepiece is also a bargain.Gear Review: Tissot T-Touch Expert Watch
This touch-screen timepiece combines durability, accuracy, and elegance.Gear Review: Garmin Forerunner 310XT
This watch boasts all the bells and whistles of a great training watch and GPS device.Gear Review: Suunto X10 Watch
Map your route and much more with this high-tech wrist watch.Is Blue the New Green?
A new Switzerland-based company, bluesign, is trying to regulate green manufacturing claims.Winter Camping: Navigation
Learn to figure out where you are (even in a whiteout) and prevent, or stop, a snowy fall.BACKPACKER Halloween Special
Heading out into the woods this weekend? Stock up on scary ghost stories and frightening trail tales in our special Halloween section.Fall Foliage Photo Special
Learn how to take the perfect fall foliage photo with our tutorials and slideshows.BACKPACKER 3D Trail Flyover Videos
Fly these classic hikes in 3D with our guided tours.Stay Comfortable in Any Weather: Cold
Staying warm is easier than getting warm: Plan ahead.Stay Comfortable in Any Weather: Heat
Think like a desert dweller to stay cool and comfortable.Stay Comfortable in Any Weather: Rain
In the wettest conditions, learn to create and maintain a personal bubble of dry space.Stay Comfortable in Any Weather: Wind
Read the terrain and use anchors to stay grounded.America's Scariest Trails: What are You Afraid of?
Haunted mountains? Vanished campers? Bloodthirsty creatures? An evil wind that lures hikers over a waterfall? We dare you to hike America's scariest trails.America's Scariest Trails: Really, I Saw it Myself
True tales from BACKPACKER editors and readersAmerica's Scariest Trails: Bloodthirsty Creatures
Bigfoot? He's a softy compared to the other menacing monsters lurking in the woods near you.America's Scariest Trails: Vanished
Lost? Murdered? When the wilderness swallows people without a trace, who's to say what happened?America's Scariest Trails: Supernatural Sights
Alpine views and starry skies are nice, but on these unsettling hikes you might see something really stunning.America's Scariest Trails: Tragedy in the Grand Canyon
When bodies can't be buried, do their spirits ever rest? Hike to the scene of this wreck and find out.America's Scariest Trails: Yosemite's Supernatural Wind
Go ahead and hike to this park's famous lakes and waterfalls. Just watch your step–and your back.America's Scariest Trails: Mt. Washington's Phantom Crowds
Never let your guard down on this deadly peak, where the weather–and spirits–are unpredictable.America's Scariest Trails: Big Bend's Deadly Past
With more than 200 murders recorded here, it's no wonder the Chisos Mountains are named for ghosts.The Lost Boy of the Ozarks
After three decades of silence, a reporter reveals the story he was afraid to write.Stay Comfortable in Any Weather
Sunny and 70 is nice, but makes for a mighty short hiking season. Hit the trail all year long by learning how to thrive–not just survive–in wet, cold, hot, and windy conditions. Here are 115 guide-approved tips.Bushwhackers Wanted: Portland's Forest Park to the Pacific Ocean
Be the first to thru-hike an exploratory route from Portland to the Pacific.A 2,175-Mile Dayhike: Trekking the Appalachian Trail in One Day
The Dartmouth Outing Club targets an Appalachian Trail hiking record.Your Daily Tread: Local Hikes Across the U.S.
What's better than hiking every weekend? Hiking every day. Here are the best big-city escapes from New York to Los Angeles. Plus: Bill Donahue explores the remote reaches of Portland's Forest Park and discovers secrets even locals don't know.The Wild Edge: Exploring Portland's Forest Park
When urban trails blend with raw wilderness, the sum is much greater than the parts.Quick Escapes: 10 Trails Near Major Cities
The perfect metro-area trail: close, wild, uncrowded. Here are 10 major city options.Rip & Go: 10,000 Islands Loop - Everglades National Park, FL
Kayak to pocket beaches and Gulf islands at Florida's southern tip.Rip & Go: Wood Lake - Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, MT
Cross the Stillwater Plateau to trout-rich ponds at the foot of Montana's second highest peak.Rip & Go: Loowit Trail - Mt. St. Helens National Monument, WA
Tackle a challenging, rocky route in the shadow of America's most famous volcano.The Peak: Mt. Le Conte, TN
It's not the smallest peak in the Smokies, but spend a night on its summit (no tent required), and you'll agree it's the finest.Natural Wonders: Freaky Bats, Dry Falls, Winter Witch Hazel
Washington, Arkansas, and Georgia are host to these three life-list phenomena treks.Top 3 Battlefield Hikes
Close your eyes and hear the bullets fly: These three routes pass through parks drenched in United States military history.Insider's Guide: Yellowstone
From camping with wolves to fly-fishing smarts this insider's guide has you covered.Vanishing Act: Explore Yellowstone's Northern Fringe
Disappear into Yellowstone's secret northern fringe, where you'll find a rejuvenated landscape and total solitude (except for the bison and grizzlies).Find the Trout: Scouting a Stream
Learn to read a stream and snag the big fish.Plot an Off-Trail Route
Try these 10 tips for cross-country travel.Out of Africa: Interview with Ultrahiker Justin Lichter
In an attempt to hike the continent's wild divide, one ultrahiker does something he's never done–quit.Gear Review: 20Sub3 Rugged Maps Lite
No more plastic bags or map cases, these waterproof, and tear-resistant topos will last a lifetime.Obama's Wilderness Point Man: Interview with Ken Salazar
Parks czar Ken Salazar talks trails, nixes ANWR drilling, and defends his boss's controversial guns-in-parks decision.Undiscovered Hikes: 19 New Trails
Hike these paths before the masses find them.Footprints Needed: Colorado's Undiscovered Black Canyon
Descend into Colorado's Black Canyon and explore a park that has everything–life-list scenery, challenging terrain, a revitalized river–except hikers.Rip & Go: Black Balsam Knob to Cold Mountain - Pisgah National Forest, NC
Trek 18.2 miles from the South's best view to its most famous mountain.Rip & Go: Wheeler Peak Loop - Wheeler Peak Wilderness, NM
Connect alpine lakes and tag three summits on this wildflower- and wildlife-packed loop.Rip & Go: Loon Creek to Horseshoe Lake - Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, ID
Explore a supersized wilderness that's home to Idaho's densest population of gray wolves.How to Lead a Summit Hike
Keep a group of peakbaggers safe with these field-proven tips.The Manual: How to Explore a Slot Canyon
Explore these redrock mysteries safely with expert tips on gear and technique.The Peak: Windom Peak, CO
Take a historic train to the trailhead and climb this Colorado beauty, nestled deep in the Weminuche Wilderness.Natural Wonders: Tallest Hoodoo, Largest Gators, Lost Maples
These three treks to life-list phenomena will take you to Bryce Canyon, Florida gator land, and fall foliage in the Texas desert.Top 3 Family Dayhikes
Pack up your brood for a day in the outdoors with these kid-friendly trails.Insider's Guide: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
From secret spots to the perfect campsites, this insider's guide has the goods on the Smokies.Time Travel: Hiking Historical Homesteads in the Smokies
A unique route linking historic homesteads yields an exciting Smokies adventure for hikers and history buffs alike.The Boy Scout Quiz
Could you earn a merit badge in wilderness travel? Better ace this test, taken straight from the Scouts' own backpacking manual.Are You Smarter Than a Boy Scout?
Scoutmasters wrote the book on camping, and built an army of pack-toting teens. But do the troops truly rule when it comes to outdoor skills? We pitted three Scouts against three average readers to find out.Higher Education: Should 13-Year-Old Jordan Romero Climb Everest?
Romero climbed Denali at 11 and has bagged five of the Seven Summits. He hopes to climb Everest in 2010, but is mountain climbing good for a growing kid?Vote on America's Best Trail
For our 2010 Readers' Choice issue we want to know your favorite trail in America.Phantom Menace: Air Pollution Threatens Western National Parks
Invisible but dangerous, airborne pollutants are a danger to the West's most iconic national parksBackpacking Alaska: Glaciers, Wildlife, & Peaks On Every Corner
During a one-month August journey, BACKPACKER undertook multiple crowd-free Alaskan backpacking routes and returned with extensive photos, video, & GPS.Gear Checklist: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
From the deep wooded hollows to the lofty Appalachian summits prepare for rain (Clingmans Dome, the park's high point, averages 85 inches each year), humidity, rapidly varying weather conditions, and lots of creek crossings. Here's what you'll need.Rip & Go: Five Mountain Loop - Adirondack High Peaks, NY
Trek to the trail-free summits of Macomb, Hough, and The DixesRip & Go: Paintbrush-Cascade Canyons Loop - Grand Teton National Park
Climb through bear country to a campsite with views of The Grand.Rip & Go: Spider Glacier - Glacier Peak Wilderness, WA
Stroll through wildflower-filled meadows to a frozen slice of the Cascade Range.Top 3 Perfect Substitute National Forests
Get national park-caliber scenery without crowds (or entry fees!) in these dead ringers for Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, and Yosemite.The Peak: Mt. Rainier
From the best guiding service to ultimate summit routes, Washington's highest peak is still the greatest.Insider's Guide Rocky Mountain National Park
From the top day hike to the key skills you'll need, we'll have you ready for the Rockies in no time.Full Circle: The Rocky Mountain Grand Loop
Follow a long-forgotten loop in Rocky Mountain National Park across the Continental Divide, through moose-infested meados, and up Longs Peak via a rarely climbed route.The Smokies' Homesteads: Exclusive Google Flyover Video and Tracklog
Marcus Woolf explores history and wilderness during a six-day trip through the Smokies.Professor Rescue: Q & A with SAR Statistician Robert Koester
By crunching numbers on the thousands of lost hiker cases in the backcountry each year, Robert Koester hopes to keep you on track.August 2009 Table of Contents
Gear School: Water Filters
Remove most micro-nasties, draw water from barely-there puddles, and quench thirst fast with the versatile pump filter.Weekend Planner: Go High-Tech
Go wireless, get dialed in, and navigate like a pro with these gadgets.Weekend Planner: Bring the Kids
Follow our fool-proof three-stage guide to getting your kids as psyched as you are about getting outside.Weekend Planner: Pack Less
Get outside earlier and faster by taking less with you. Here's how to ditch excess gear and pack light, tasty food.Weekend Planner: Join Others
Team trips will help get you outside faster than solo outings.Weekend Planner: Organize Your Gear
If you want to hit the trail before everyone, you'll need to get your gear in gear. Here's how.Weekend Planner: Work Smarter
A little thought and planning in the office can put you on the trail earlier than everyone else. Get started with this primer from productivity experts.BACKPACKER's Ultimate Weekend Planner
We guarantee you can triple your trail time this summer. How? Our step-by-step guide solves every challenge–work overload, gear chaos, no partner, family demands–so you can enjoy more of what you live to do every weekend: hike.Hike It, Save It: Red Buttes, Oregon/ California
Threatened by OHVs, logging, and overgrazing a 120,000-acre proposed addition to Red Buttes Wilderness would quintuple its size and benefit the Pacific Crest Trail.Hike It, Save It: Tumacacori Highlands, Arizona
Urban sprawl and local opposition lead the threats to this 84,000-acre tract of Coronado National Forest.Hike It, Save It: Seneca Creek, West Virginia
A two-day, 17-mile zigzag along blueberry-lined mountain ridges will give you a dose of the 24,000-acre "Crown Jewel of the Monongahela," threatened by oil and gas drilling.Hike It, Save It: Handies Peak, Colorado
The biggest threat to his critical gap between the Weminuche and Uncompahgre Wilderness Areas? Off-highway vehicles.Hike It, Save It: Upper Desolation Canyon, Utah
Oil and gas development threaten these 65,000 acres. Float the Green River to see what's at stake.Hike It, Save It: Utukok Uplands, Alaska
On the Brooks Range's Arctic slop, coal mining and oil and natural gas drilling are threats to half a million caribou, and the Arctic's highest concentration of grizzlies.Hike It, Save It: Scotchman Peaks, Montana/Idaho
Development, bureaucracy, and apathy threaten this Glacier-like mecca, home to grizzlies, fields of beargrass, and superlative alpine hiking.Hike It, Save It: Chestnut Ridge and Tracy Ridge, Pennsylvania
Oil drilling and vacation homes threaten on of the last Chestnut tree bastions, a 5,191-acre proposed Wilderness Area in the Allegheny National Forest.Hike It, Save It: Maine's Grafton Loop
The thread to this Down East trail? Vacation homes. Passing through roughly 10 miles of private land that has yet to be protected, wilderness designation could neutralize the looming threat.Hike It, Save It
It's never been easier to help save the wilderness–no donations, no petitions, no pulaski swinging required. The only thing you have to do is go backpacking.Rip & Go: Eagle Rock Loop - Ouachita National Forest, AR
Climb riverside bluffs in the South's oldest national forest.Gear Review: Evernew EL9 Solar Clip Light
This sustainable light gives cap-wearers a viable headlamp alternative.Natural Wonders: Three Treks to Life-List Phenomena
Check out the world's hottest hydrothermal fumarole, Glacier's grizzlies, and a venus flytryp in North Carolina.Swimming Hole Hikes
Time to cool down. Hike to these refreshing swimming holes and settle right into summer.Rocky Mountain National Park's Grand Loop: 3D Flyover and Tracklog
Fly the Rockies with our 3D video, then download the GPS track to do the route yourself.Perfect Substitutes: Crowd-Free Destinations
You know that the big-name parks draw big-time crowds. But each of those outdoor icons has a lesser-known replacement that offers some of the same classic features and epic scenery–and you get it all to yourself.The Mosquito Truth: Behind the Bite
Get the bug dope ready: The bloodthirsty mosquito is heading your way this summer.America's Best Day Hikes: Midwest
Beaches, wildlife, and prairies in Minnesota, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, North Dakota, Kansas, and Illinois make the Midwest a hiker's paradise.America's Best Dayhikes: Northeast
From blueberry picking in New York and New Hampshire to pure solitude in New Hampshire and Maine, moose sitings in Vermont, and peaks in New York, these the hikes feature the best of the Northeast.America's Best Day Hikes: Southwest
From canyons to rock art to waterfalls, the Southwest has an abundance of natural beauty.America's Best Day Hikes: South
Take is stunning rivers and waterfalls, killer views, and amazing wildlife in Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Texas with these hikes.America's Best Day Hikes: Rockies
With alpine views, hot springs, wildflowers and wildlife, these hikes in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana offer the best of the Rockies.America's Best Dayhikes
From dawn-to-dusk epics in Utah canyons to lazy-picnic blueberry strolls in Maine–plus hikes to peaks, redwoods, hot springs, beaches, and more–here are 100 ways to spend a perfect day on the trail.Insider's Guide: The Grand Canyon
From dayhikes to weekends to weeklong hikes our Grand Canyon expert will have you ready to hit this natural wonder in no time. PLUS: Get dialed with essential skills.Depth Perception: Trek to Grand Canyon's Royal Arch
The best view in the Grand Canyon can't be seen from the rim. Brave the trek to Royal Arch, hidden deep in the gorge, and your world will never look the same.Rip & Go: Glen Camp Loop - Point Reyes National Seashore
Hike across forested hills to gape at ocean vistas just one hour north of San Francisco.Rip & Go: Bowen-Baker Loop - Never Summer Wilderness, CO
Get national park scenery without the crowds on an alpine overnight with lakeside camping.Rip & Go: Jacks River Trail - Cohutta Wilderness, GA
Disappear into the largest–and probably the wettest–wilderness east of the Mississippi.Climb This Peak: Katahdin
This iconic summit shouldn't be rushed. Save the experience on this 33-mile trek.Hike the Wind River Range
A stunning new hike—plus two thrilling classics—in the Rockies' top spot for big backpacking adventures.Yosemite's North Rim: Exclusive Google Flyover Video & Photo Slideshow
Kelly Bastone hiked a long-forgotten trail through Yosemite's North Rim and documented the trek on video, in photographs, and using GPS.Readers' Choice 2010: Submit Your Favorite U.S. Hike
Readers' Choice 2010: Submit a Backcountry Story
Gear Guide 2009: Weeklong Packs
Heading out for a long haul? With these backpacks, you'll have the room you need for long trail comfort.Gear Guide 2009: Weekend Packs
From this year's Editors' Choice winner to the ultimate organizational wonder, these weekend packs are perfect for heading to the hills Friday to Sunday.Gear Guide 2009: Daypacks
Heading out for the day? We have your can-do ultimate daypack. From the best bargain to the lightest on the market, these packs have everything you need.Gear Guide 2009: 3-Person Tents
From the most headroom to the best deal, three isn't a crowd with these tents.Gear Guide 2009: Tarps
All you need is a roof over your head you say? A tarp might be just what you're after.Gear Guide 2009: Mountaineering Tents
Head to the high-country with these altitude-ready tents.Gear Guide 2009: 1-Person Tents
Going solo? Options abound with these 1-person tent choices.Gear Guide 2009: 2-Person Tents
From the most innovative to the most eco-friendly, pitch one of these 2-person tents for your home away from home.Gear Guide 2009: Heavy-Duty Boots
We tested 150 boots this year, tallying enough trail miles to hike from Acadia to Denali–and back. Why? To help you find the perfect outdoor footwear.Gear Guide 2009: Light-Duty Boots
We tested 150 boots this year, tallying enough trail miles to hike from Acadia to Denali–and back. Why? To help you find the perfect outdoor footwear.Gear Guide 2009: Mid-Duty Boots
We tested 150 boots this year, tallying enough trail miles to hike from Acadia to Denali–and back. Why? To help you find the perfect outdoor footwear.Gear Guide 2009: Boots
We tested 150 boots this year, tallying enough trail miles to hike from Acadia to Denali–and back. Why? To help you find the perfect outdoor footwear.Gear Guide 2009: Tents
Home improvement: The best new shelters are roomy and light, thanks to innovative pole structures that expand space and reduce weight and bulk.Gear Guide 2009: Backpacks
How do we know this year's packs are lighter and more comfortable than ever? We spent the last 12 months lugging loads from Denali to the 'Daks to bring you the 32 best.Gear School 2009: Essentials
From sleeping pads to trekking poles, we'll have you good to go in no time.Vote Now! What's the Best City to Raise an Outdoor Kid?
Editors' Choice 2009: Garmin Oregon 400t GPS
Meet the ultimate GPS: simple enough for beginners, wonky enough for experts, powerful enough for all.Get This Gear: Essentials From A to Z
We tested more than 500 products–stoves, clothes, cameras, filters, tech tools, knives, and meals–to find these proven performers.Bioluminescent Organisms: 3 Living Lights
According to folklore, the soft light emitted by bioluminescent organisms is magical. In reality, the eerie glow results from a chemical reaction–but it still looks enchanting on a moonless or cloudy night. Here's where to glimpse these living light bulbs.Survive This: Caught in a Blizzard
Use these simple tips to survive the storm.Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia
Explore secret Africa on an alpine wildlife safari.Polar Route, Greenland
See sheer-sided fjords, calving glaciers, and the northern hemisphere's largest ice sheet.Rolwaling and Khumbu Valleys, Nepal
Experience the magic of the remote Himalaya.Sarek National Park, Sweden
Lose yourself in Europe's last great wilderness.Overland Track, Australia
Explore a hiker's fantasy island on Tasmania's rough-and-wild long trail.Cordillera Apolobamba, Bolivia
See the Andes the way Cortez did–totally wild.Tongariro Northern Circuit and Heaphy Track, New Zealand
Discover the best of Kiwi wilderness–north and south–with these two hikes.Zillertal Alps, Austria
Score classic Alps scenery, adventure, and hut culture without the classic crowds.Field Test: Global Apparel for Men
Get technical layers that work everywhere from hotel bars to high-mountain trails. Our testers vetted more than 50 products from the Alps to the Andes to bring you these top systems.Field Test: Global Apparel for Women
The BACKPACKER ladies tested made-for-trail clothes that can double as street wear–wherever the streets may be.Higher Calling: Adventure in Valencia, Spain
Spain's little-known Valencia region beckons the mountain-minded adventurer with dramatic topography, sun-drenched hiking and biking, and sumptuous end-of-day feasts.Review: prAna Supplex Hat
A quick-drying, simple cap for any global travelerReview: EMS All Mountain Sweater
Add this comfy fleece hybrid when those temps start to dropReview: Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap
For searing sun or relentless rain, pack the Outdoor Research Radar Pocket Cap.Stateside Adventures: Closer Than You Think
A veteran traveler discovers a world of adventure in his backyard.China: The People's Hiking Revolution
As prosperity spreads across China, so does a passion for the outdoors. But can millions of new trekkers save Asia's vast wilderness from the march of development? Welcome to the world's next hiking frontier. PLUS, check out China's Top Treks.Travel Like a Pro
Master every detail of far-flung adventure–from visas to vaccinations–with these time-tested tips from guides and veteran globetrotters.Travel Like a Pro: How to Stay Healthy
Tackle everything from jet lag to malaria (and those pesky mosquitoes) with our guide to staying healthy abroad.Travel Like a Pro: What to Do When You Get There
Start your adventure right with these tips on getting to the trailhead and keeping in contact once you get there.Travel Like a Pro: What to Do Before You Leave
Don't suffer through a poorly planned trip: Use our tips to choose a destination and create a to-do list to begin your adventure.The World's Best Unknown Treks
We've traveled to 10 countries and uncovered the best adventures you never knew existed.Eco-Friendly Gear Packaging
Passport Protection: Aloksac ShieldSak Review
This tech-saavy passport sleeve protects your documents from radio wave scannersCamera Pack: LowePro CompuRover
LowePro CompuRover is the outdoor photographer's best friend.Traveler's Daypack: Patagonia Scramble 35
For a rough day on the trail, wear Patagonia's stable Scramble 35 daypack.All-In-One Luggage: High Sierra Overpass Wheeled
Roll, carry, or tote around your gear with the versatile High Sierra Overpass Wheeled bag.Classic Duffel: The North Face Base Camp Series
The North Face Base Camp Series duffel is reliable through the worst dragging, zipper-yanking and rain.Lightweight Roller: Granite Gear Ultraflight 115
Durable and lightweight, the Granite Gear Ultraflight 115 will keep you rolling.International Multisport Meccas: Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Trek across the roof of the Andes, mix in some trail riding–on bike and horseback–and climb a 19,000-foot volcano.International Multisport Meccas: Sardinia, Italy
Test your scrambling skills–plus sea kayak, rock climb, and scuba dive the Gulf of Orosei Coast.International Multisport Meccas: Julian Alps, Slovenia
Traverse the unknown end of the Alps–by trail, canyon, and cliff face–on this demanding journey in and around Triglav National Park.Wilderness Wonders: Most Active Volcano
You better stand back if this Sicilian island volcano starts to spurt.Wilderness Wonders: Tallest Tree
Head to Northern California's Redwood National Park for a glimpse at these giants.Wilderness Wonders: Hottest Geysers
Superheated water sprays from Yellowstone ground.Wilderness Wonders: Driest Desert
If your going to Chile's Atacama Desert, don't forget the sunscreen.Wilderness Wonders: Scariest Predator
There is nothing like the African lion.Natural Wilderness Wonders
Fiery volcanoes, 40-ton mammals, otherworldly caves–in this explorer's guide, we'll show you where to find the most mind-blowing backcountry features on the planet. By Marcus WoolfThe Perfect Circle: Hiking the Annapurna Circuit
Nepal's Annapurna Circuit can't compete with the world's best treks for lavish huts, extreme solitude, and sumptuous cuisine. So why is it still number one? Let us count the reasons.International Multisport Meccas: Queenstown, New Zealand
Hike, paddle, and swim narrow canyons before running class IV rapids on an inflatable boogie board.International Multisport Meccas: Darjeeling, India
Trek between Buddhist villages, raft Himalayan whitewater, and ride an elephant in the shadow of 8,000-meter peaks.International Mulitsport Meccas: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Float, backpack, and mountain bike Canada's wild west coast.February/March 2009 Table of Contents
Poll: What's Your Favorite National Park?
Find Hikes and Trips in National Parks and Regional Parks
Find hikes in National Parks and regional parks with our comprehensive guides.Readers' Choice Awards 2009
Discover the best hike in every state, as voted by BACKPACKER readers. Plus: your essential gear, most desirable tentmate, worst-ever adventure movie, and our picks for the best reader-submitted photos.Hiking The Annapurna Circuit: Q&A With Shannon Davis
Associate editor Shannon Davis tells us more about the highs and lows of his honeymoon trek (featured in March 2009's "The Perfect Circle") on the sky-scraping Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.Mount Rainier: Thunder on the Mountain
Two years after hurricane-force winds and rain ravaged hundreds of miles of trail in Mt. Rainier National Park, the true damage is finally becoming clear. And what it's telling scientists is alarming: Bigger, more frequent–and more destructive–storms may be coming.Reindeer Games: Tracking Caribou in the Slate Islands
Happy coincidence for wildlife-loving paddlers: Canoes and woodland caribou converge like nowhere else on Earth in Ontario's Slate Islands. PLUS: See video of caribou on the move.How to Avoid Avalanches
Hike safely in avalanche terrainSurvive This: Frostbitten Feet
Frostbite is bad news. Learn how to safely treat frozen feet.See More: Winter Birds
Forget flying south. Learn the secrets of cold-weather survival from three well-adapted birds.Danger Signs - Winter Sun
UV rays are still harmful even when the temperature drops. We'll show you how to protect yourself against the sun, even when it's cold.WILDLIFE: 3 Super Squirrels
The flying, red, and golden-mantled ground aren't your everyday squirrelsWhat's the Most Packable Firearm?
The Trip Doctor reveals what works better against grizzleis than buckshot.Trek Copper Canyon Rim to Rim
Hike North America's deepest canyonWhere Can I Find the Best View of the Northern Lights?
You guessed, it, you need to head North. Here's where you'll get the best view of the Northern Lights.Quick Fix: Dayhike Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Plunge from rainforest to caldera in Hawaii's famously explosive national parkThe Alaska Wolf Debate: Q&A with Tracy Ross
Author Tracy Ross discusses her feature story "Dogs of War" devoted to the debate raging in Alaska over the famed Toklat wolf pack.I'm Hiking with Stupid - A Buddy Story
The last time our author took his buddy camping, they stopped speaking for a year. A decade later, they still haven't hit the trail together. Which means there's only one thing to do: Try again.Pack Man: The Appalachian Trail Guru
Thirty miles up the trail from Springer Mountain, Winton Porter shelters and feeds thru-hikers–and works tirelessly to slash their pack weight.Thoreau Slept Here: The Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail
Maine's newly minted Thoreau-Wabanaki Trail tracks the famous naturalist's 1800s expeditions. Good news: It's still wild.Little Big Houses: Three-Season, Double-Occupancy Shelters
At right around two pounds per person, these three-season, double-occupancy shelters do everything but weigh you down.The Works: Snowshoe the Sierra
Pick your own path to an empty 14er.Life List: Raft and Hike The Grand Canyon
Explore hidden gorges and spy rarely seen wonders on this three-week raft trip designed specifically for hikers.Where is the Spookiest Place to Hike?
Top 3 Night Hikes
These dark-sky treks serve up perfect viewing spots for autumn's intergalactic bling in North Carolina, New Mexico, and CaliforniaQuick Fix: Big Bend National Park
Scout for gold–and desert views–amid this Texas park's spray of late-fall foliage.How to Do Everything - Camping
Find water anywhere, make a fire in five minutes, learn secrets for battling mosquitoes, and more.How to Do Everything - Packing & Planning
We'll show you how to be ready to the the trail in 20 minutes, guaranteed. Now gear up!ESSENTIAL OUTDOOR SKILLS SPECIAL: How to Do Everything
Want to be a better hiker? Look no further. Our comprehensive guide is packed with the backcountry secrets that separate average campers from true wilderness experts.Freeplay FreeCharge 12V
Eton Microlink FR150 Weather Radio
Solar panels and hand crank keep Eton Microlink FR150 weather radio going and going.America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes
Like your life and limbs intact? Then you'd better get skilled before visiting these trails.Diagnosis of Disaster
Experts dissect the missteps in five recent hiking tragediesAmerica's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Abrams Falls, Great Smoky Mtns., TN
Drowning in beautyAmerica's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Muir Snowfield, Mt. Rainier, WA
Where winter strikes year-roundAmerica's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Mt. Washington, NH
It'll blow you awayAmerica's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Barr Trail, Pikes Peak, CO
A hair-raising hikeAmerica's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon, AZ
Baked or broiled?The Danger Scale
How we rate risk, using a highly scientific formulaI Will Survive
Flesh-eating bears. Dive-bombing eagles. Can a regular guy escape certain death armed with only the clothes on his back and the skills he learned on TV from Les Stroud, Bear Grylls, and John Rambo?Ultimate Survival Kit
Want to make it out alive? Consider packing these 17 items carried by a veteran Yosemite search-and-rescue ranger.Who's the Ultimate Survivor?
We settle the debate with winner-takes-all smackdown: Meet history's true hard man.Lost in the Olympics
A gym teacher's speed hike becomes a five-day bushwhack in Olympic National Park.Caught in a Colorado Snowstorm
An autumn climb turns life-threatening when a hiker endures a night in a whiteout at 12,000 feet in the Rockies.Life-or-Death Decisions - Caught in a Storm
Life-or-Death Decisions - Injury
Life-or-Death Decisions - Lost
Life-or-Death Decisions
Survival depends on more than dumb luck–to live to see another day, you must correctly navigate a tricky series of choices. Here's how to do it when the consequences couldn't be higher.Rescue Me!
On a snowy night in New Hampshire, Congressional candidate Gary Dodds crashed his car, wandered into the woods, and collapsed. Twenty-seven hours later, rescuers carried him out. And then the real drama began.Natural Born Killers: Top Backcountry Dangers
Which is the bigger backcountry threat, grizzlies or flash floods? Find out what should scare you–and how to survive it–with BACKPACKER's Terror Index.Walking Bataan: The Hardest Miles
Survivors of the Bataan death march overcame one of history's most grueling walks. What kept them on their feet? and could you do the same? every year, more than 4,000 people hike through the New Mexico desert to find out.
Bear Patrol in Glacier
Traverse the wildest part of the lower 48's last great grizzly hideaway.Rocky Mountain (Extra) High: Lightning On The Colorado Trail
Dodge high wattage on the newest stretch of the Colorado Trail.Above & Beyond
The world's tallest tree towers above a secret location deep within the lush, tangled backcountry of Redwood National Park. Determined to find this giant, our correspondent discovers something more incredible than he ever imagined.The Long Trail to Jail
Is he a pilgrim, a victim, or a thief? The Appalachian Trail provides a path and refuge to all sorts of seekers. Few are as baffling as the man they called Saved.Never Fear: The Phobias
Use this step-by-step guide to beat 7 common backcountry fears. Plus, ideal hikes for overcoming–or avoiding–the source of your scare.Never Fear: The Fix
Conquer any fear with this DIY guide to applying a proven treatment plan called cognitive- behavioral therapy. Think of it as training for the mind.Never Fear: Q&A with Barbara Rothbaum
Never Fear: How to Beat Backcountry Phobias
Don't let groundless phobias ruin–or even prevent–your backcountry adventures. Here's a foolproof plan for overcoming your terrors.Health News: Breathe Easy
What to know about hiking with asthmaSurvive This: You're Wet & Cold
Here's how to avoid hypothermia.Destination Nowhere
The most remote spot in the Lower 48 is inside Yellowstone National Park. It's also the goal of our correspondent. What he encounters–and what it says about the solitude backpackers treasure–will surprise you. PLUS: See more of his photos and read a Q&A.River Keeper
Grand Canyon raft guide and Havasupai tribal member Shana Watahomigie becomes a paddling–and Hollywood–pioneer.Bus Hiking: Don't Pay at the Pump
Gas prices are soaring. Glaciers are melting. What's a conscientious hiker to do? Take the bus, says Dan Koeppel, who did just that to escape downtown L.A.Predator-Prey Relationships
Learn how carnivores and their quarry interact—and what happens when humans upset the natural balance.See More Beavers
America's largest rodent may be clumsy on land, but in water, it's a marvel of design.Danger Signs: Flash Flood
July to mid-September is prime time for heavy rains in the Southwest, where fast-rising water in narrow canyons can turn trickling streams into deadly torrents. Don't get swept away.
Wind Power: Turbulence Ahead
Wind power offers clean energy–but how much will hikers compromise to get it?Adventure Weekends: Luxury Hiking and Camping
We've got a selection of cozy shelters and trail-side restaurants from Washington to Maine. Check out these hikes in the Rockies, the Northeast, and the Northwest.Where Can I Find: Fall's Best Birdwatching?
Looking to catch some migrating birds? Find out where to look.The Fix: Shenandoah National Park
Catch this national park's brightest fall foliage on a short stroll or an all-day epic.September 2008 Table of Contents
American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian Trail
In this ultimate guide to the country's favorite footpath, you'll find our picks for the best hiking and camping, and a complete plan for thru-hikers. Plus, meet a man who has made it his job to help AT hikers.Camp Coffee Gear: Make the Perfect Cup
4 backcountry brew gadgets even the snobbiest baristas will love.How to Score Denali's Choicest Permits
The system was rigged, says a former ranger. Here's how to beat it.Denali National Park
Hike with grizzlies in this remote northern corner of Alaska's greatest park.Yellowstone National Park
America's first national park is a playground for grizzlies, wolves, moose, and hikers (not in that order).Olympic National Park
Explore two ecosystems in this hinterland of moss-draped forests, ancient trees, and snowcapped peaks.How to Light a Campfire in the Smokies
Trees, trees are everywhere, but sometimes there isn't a dry twig in sight.Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Graze blueberry patches, explore swimming holes, and tag the South's high points on this sultry hike.How Your Kid Can Save a Park
Send him out on a work trip. Let wilderness do the rest.Grand Canyon National Park
Drop into America's belly on a little-known hike that dips in and out of four different canyons, each blessed with gurgling spring water.24 Hours of L.L. Bean
It's the gear world's ultimate endurance event: a full day and night roaming the aisles at Bean's flagship store in Freeport, Maine. Will our man survive?Walking the Talk
First John Francis stopped riding in cars. Then he stopped talking. More than three decades, two continent-spanning hikes, and countless trail miles later, he's still following his remarkable path of protest–only now he's not alone.Yosemite National Park
Climb classic Sierra passes, ogle granite monoliths, and camp above treeline in John Muir's second home.Glacier National Park
Scramble up class III peaks and cross late summer snowfields on this strenuous but straightforward trip through Montana's big-mountain country.National Parks Lifelist: Intro
National Parks Lifelist
The ultimate vacation in one of America's iconic parks requires the ultimate hiking plan: classic scenery, no crowds, and secret campsites. Here's how to spend a perfect week in Glacier, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Olympic, Denali, and the Great Smoky Mountains.Next Level: Navigate Cross Country
3 key skills for getting off the trail without getting off courseSurvive This: Bitten by a (Rabid?) Animal
Chomped by a critter? Here's what to do.Trip Doctor: Helping National Parks
Will my vacation to a national park help them?Track Caribou in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness
Glimpse these rare mammals in Idaho's Salmo-Priest Wilderness.Quick Fix: Apostle Islands
You don't need a boat to see this spectacular national lakeshore. Here's how to explore the best of its bluffs and beaches by foot (and paddle).3 Poached Treasures
Backcountry crooks ransack public lands, stealing the natural prizes most coveted by collectors–and vulnerable species and hikers alike suffer when these icons vanish from the trails to resurface on the black market.Is Inadequate Funding the Main Problem Facing the National Park System?
This question fuels the debate regarding how to help the aging national park system improve.See More Vultures
Learn the secrets of nature's greatest recyclersPhenomenon: Glacial Relics
The Ice Age left its mark from Acadia to Yosemite. Here's scenic evidence.Road Warriors: Hikers Versus ATVs
Hikers and ATV riders hit the ground in a new battle over trail access.The Ultimate "Survive This!" Archive
If you can imagine it, we've seen it-and offered expert analysis. From avalanches to volcanoes, this archive contains step-by-step plans for escaping a slew of mishaps that can befall weary travelers.Beyond Destination Nowhere: Q&A with Mark Jenkins
Mark Jenkins, the author of "Destination Nowhere," discusses his Yellowstone assignment to find the most remote spot in the United States.I Climbed Los Angeles
One small step for our stair-obsessed man, one giant leap for fitness freaks everywhere.Phenomenon: Wildlife Crossings
How did the bear cross the road? See a few ways engineers are helping wildlife go over, under, and around traffic.See More: Great Blue Herons
This dignified giant stands four feet tall, making it North America's largest heron.Big Trips Made Easy: Hayduke Trail, UT
Finding total Southwest solitudeBig Trips Made Easy: Glacier Peak Wilderness, WA
Exploring a high, wild corner of the North CascadesBig Trips Made Easy: Allagash Wilderness Waterway, ME
Floating a liquid maze in the Northeast's lake-riddled forestsBig Trips Made Easy: High Sierra, CA
Rambling a granite redoubtHike It: 4 Big Trips Made Easy
Ready to dial up the adventure meter? Try out your digital skills–and go places most people can't–on these life-list journeys.Share and Share Alike?: Top Five Photo Sharing Sites
Your adventure is ready for primetime. Here are 19 ways to reach the audience in your living room–or around the world. Web-based photo sites aren't all created equal. Here are our top 5.Photos 101: Save and Share Your Photos, Produce a Slideshow, and Print Your Images
Learn how to save your photos, print them, get published, and produce an audio visual slideshow.Post Your Video Online
Learn how to upload your video to YouTube and tap a social network like Facebook or MySpace to post links to your movie. Your adventure is ready for primetime. Here are 19 ways to reach the audience in your living room–or around the world.Share Your Trip; Make and Show Off Your Map
Your adventure is ready for primetime. Here are 19 ways to reach the audience in your living room–or around the world.Share It: All the World's a (Cyber) Stage
Your adventure is ready for primetime. Here are 19 ways to reach the audience in your living room--or around the world.The Grand Tetons: 5 Hikes, 7 Days (or so)
How to retrace each segment of the author's perfect week from "A Perfect Week in the Tetons."A Perfect Week in the Grand Tetons
You won't waste a minute with our only-the-highlights hiking and climbing guide to the West's archetypal range. From the loftiest summits to the loneliest cross-country routes, this seven-day sampler visits every type of Tetons treasure-and then some.The Big Question: Should loaded guns be allowed in national parks?
Where Can I Find the Quietest Campsite in America?
Shhh! Find silent shores in this isolated Boundary Waters hideawayThe Onion vs. Mr. Magoo
On your mark, get set ... hike. Inside a 5,600-mile footrace on the country's hardest trail.The Cure: Head Injuries
To tell the difference between a bad bump and a life-threatening blow, follow these crucial steps.Survive This: Separated From Group
If you get lost from your hiking party, here's how to get found–fast.Danger Signs: Painful Plants
Sure, you know the mantra "leaves of three, let it be." But that warning alone doesn't help you detect those irritating plants that change colors, grow as vines, or mimic harmless species. Heed these tips to keep your summer itch-free.The Cutting Room: Editing Programs and Storage
Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.The Cutting Room: Video
Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.The Cutting Room: Photos
Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.The Cutting Room: GPS
Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.Organize It: The Cutting Room
Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.Field School: Trail-Tested Tech
Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures. The best new digital tools for every budget and skill level.Field School: Essential Tips
Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures.Field School: Make a Movie
Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures.Field School: Capture Classic Images and Record Your Hike
Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures.Document It: Field School
Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures.4 Trip-Planning Sites and Top Tech Tools
Every great trip boils down to this: Picking an ideal location, capturing memorable moments, and bragging about it.New Tools, New Rules: Get Maps and Go
Every great trip boils down to this: Picking an ideal location, capturing memorable moments, and bragging about it.New Tools, New Rules: Plan the Perfect Trip
Every great trip boils down to this: Picking an ideal location, capturing memorable moments, and bragging about it. Here's how to get started the high-tech way.Plan It: New Tools, New Rules
Every great trip boils down to this: Picking an ideal location, capturing memorable moments, and bragging about it.iHike: Hiking in the Digital Age
A Complete Guide to the Digital Revolution–and How to Join ItNational Park Vacation Planners: 3D Videos and Downloadable Beta
3-D hike videos, complete trip planner pdfs, our interactive ParkFinder tool, and more.The CDT Project
We sent 209 readers out to GPS the Continental Divide Trail, the biggest, baddest long-distance path of them all. They brought back the makings of the first authoritative map of this American classic. These are their stories–and their favorite sections.Climb Higher
With the right preparation–and a little help from a half-dozen friends, two exotic techno-gadgets, and one very sweaty hypoxic chamber–can a sea-level-dwelling rookie climb the highest peak in Colorado?Eat Better
Want to hike farther, explore tougher terrain, and carry big loads without bonking? To achieve your biggest backcountry goals, you have to change how you eat.Train Smarter
Get trail-fit in six weeks with this simple exercise plan.Summer Fitness Special: Hike Stronger, Live Longer
Achieve peak performance on the trail with our complete guide to training and eating like a backpacker.Hiking the Sierra High Route
On this burly, 210-mile traverse, which crosses 33 passes and barely touches established trails, you can find Alaska-sized scenery, complete solitude, and just enough risk to keep things interesting.Secret Agent Man
Animals can't talk. But Ed Newcomer can. As an elite U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service detective, he goes undercover to protect threatened raptors, bears, even butterflies–and bring poachers and smugglers to court. Inside the agency's latest covert operation.3 Bright Birds
Of all the North American bird species, few stand out more than this trio of flyers. Their vivid plumage makes them some of the easiest springtime wildlife to spot.Should Mount St. Helens become a national park?
New legislation could make the volcanic monument a national park. But is that a good thing?See More: Deer
Learn the difference between elk, white-tails, and mule deer.Phenomenon: Microbursts
These vertical hurricanes are rare–but deadly.Danger Signs: Burn Zones
Here are the top three wildfire dangers and how to avoid them.Nuclear-Free Hiking
How Cold War weapons sites are becoming America's most unusual new preserves.Trace Canada's Spine
Hike the best section of the Great Divide Trail.Trip Finder: Wildflowers
Trek the best spring blooms from the Ozarks to the Olympics with these two, three, and four day treks.Where Can I Catch America's Largest Grillable Trout?
Looking to catch and eat the big one? Try paddling Arkansas' Little Red River.Quick Fix: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Check out the steepest trail, the best swimming hole, and the wildest vista in America's most popular national park.The Porters' Progress
Two Everest-scaling Sherpas face their biggest challenge yet–surviving suburban America.Survive This: Swarming Wasps
Forget all the rules about freezing or making yourself big. When faced with these angry beasts run for cover.February 2008 Table of Contents
April 2008 Table of Contents
Rock Star: Brett Dennen
Once a guide and counselor near Yosemite, up-and-coming musician Brett Dennen is now taking his backcountry jams to the masses.Backpacker Editors' Choice 2008
The year's best packs, boots, tents, jackets, and sleeping bags. Period. Plus, a never-die headlamp, a life-saving beacon, a back-saving ultralight chair, and more innovative, trail-tested gear.Carbon-Neutral Costa Rica: How I Lost 5,400 lbs While Packing for the Trip of a Lifetime
In search of a guilt-free adventure in the tropics, Jason Daley discovers the line between saving the world–and seeing it.Iceland: Live Earth
The planet's most dynamic landscape is full of bubbling hot springs, steaming geysers, and kaleidoscopic lava flows. Hike Iceland's epic Laugevegur Trail, and join the action.Web Exclusive: The Rebirth of Santa Cruz Island
Dive into the Channels Islands with exclusive on-the-scene video, photos, and trip reports.Hot Springs: Soak Here Now
6 more must-dip pools from Alaska to HawaiiHot Springs: The Perfect Pool
Here are the top wilderness soaks on the continent. Can you keep a secret?Does Geocaching Violate Leave No Trace?
Are these hidden containers harmless, or do they flout low-impact ethics?See More: Bobcats And Coyotes
Unlike their cougar and wolf cousins, these cats and dogs are (often) easier to spot.Phenomenon: Northern Lights
The science behind the sky's natural fireworks display–and how to see it.Danger Signs: Trail Confusion
Don't want to get lost? Heed this advice on four trail situations that routinely cause problems.Where Have the Animals Gone?
Scientists hike deep into California's wild high country to probe for answers.Where Am I Lowest On The Food Chain?
Want to hike where the most predators exist? Pack your courage and follow these directions.Time 2 Go: See Newborn Animals
Looking to catch baby animals taking their first step? You can't go wrong with these picks.PERFECT DAY: Redwood National and State Parks, CA
Here's longtime ranger Jim Wheeler's plan for an eye-popping adventure among the ancients.Make Your Own Hikes
Invent your own hike, and go where no one (well, almost no one) has gone before.Quick Fix: Death Valley National Park
Badlands, peaks, wildflowers: Catch the best of the California desert with this trio of hikes.Quick Fix: Death Valley National Park
North America's Highest Sandbox: Great Sand Dunes National Park
The most exotic hike in the United States is smack in the middle of the country: Welcome to Great Sand Dunes National Park.National Parks Inc.
Like it or not, national parks are officially in the business of business. Will this focus destroy the soul of a national institution - or save it in these lean times?Backpacker Magazine Launches Fully Redesigned Website with New Multimedia and GPS-Supported Content
New features and web-based tools enable Backpacker's passionate online community to share trips, post pictures, and get the latest in gear reviews and adventure news and content.Green Guide
In honor of Earth Day, we bring you the first industry-wide survey on which gear manufacturers are positively impacting the environment, plus much more.Your Weeklong Dream Trip
Your Next Big Peak
Your Longest Dayhike Ever
March 2008 Perfect System: Southwest
The Future of the National Parks
Everyone loves national parks - but are they being loved to death? Join a star-studded roundtable to explore the fate of this embattled American institution.March 2008 Essentials Review: Hydration
Perfect Day: Saguaro National Park
Many people think exploring this 91,440-acre desert park is all about dodging the tall, spiny cacti that earned the place its name. But Southern Arizona Hiking Club guide Steve Singkofer knows better. His favorite 20.3-mile route - including a 4,500-foot climb - reaches overlooks of Tucson and far beyond.March 2008 Essentials Review: Navigation
Phenomenon: Glaciers
Glaciers sculpt mountains, dredge valleys, and remain an unending source of fascination for hikers.Hiking Honeymoon: How to ruin a perfectly good marriage
What happens when a couple's vows are tested by hard miles and hunger pains on the John Muir Trail? A sore-footed bride tells all.Secrets of the Guides
Camp like a pro with 83 field-tested tips and techniques from experts who earn their paychecks in the backcountry.Trip Doctor: Shopping For Guided Alaskan Treks
How can I comparison-shop for a guided trek in Alaska?The Works: Trek Tasmania
Half a world away, you'll find exotic highs while hiking in Tasmania.Hike Glacier National Park
Visitors to Montana's Glacier National Park can visit on the cheap or pay an arm and a leg -- but each way has its unique charms.Time 2 Go: Hike With Birds
Whether you've got hours or weeks, here's where to go for the birds.What Would Davy Crockett Do?
He'd toss the titanium stove and build a big fire. Our man enrolls in a traditional guide school and learns how to survive - and think - like an American original.May Close-to-Home Hikes
Our map team has been hard at work plotting the coolest hikes. Check out May's selections here.Backpacker Skills Videos
Not quite sure how to fit a pack, measure your torso, calculate your V02 max, patch a sleeping pad, or clean a funkified hydration unit? Watch and learn.Zero Impact Challenge
Is it possible to build a backpack that doesn't contribute to global warming? Not yet, but five pioneering companies gave it one helluva try. (Cue standing ovation.)Survive This: Lost in the Desert
When you're stuck in the desert unexpectedly conserve, conserve, conserve.Survive This: Stuck on a Scree Slope
When you're slipping and sliding, don't let your partners help you. Learn how to climb yourself to safety.Survive This: Volcanic Eruption
Don't worry about lava. Worry about rocks and mud and ash.A Dozen Ways to Die
How do hikers meet their maker in the backcountry? The answers may surprise you.Survival Story: Surviving a Grizzly Attack in Glacier National Park
On August 25, 2005, Johan Otter and his 18-year-old daughter, Jenna, hiked right into the worst nightmare of any Glacier National Park backpacker: a 300-pound mother grizzly protecting two cubs. Here, in his own words, the 45-year-old physical therapist from Escondido, CA, shares the incredible story of their life-and-death struggle.Missing in Action: How a Backcountry Ranger With 28 Years Experience Disappeared
Did High Sierra ranger Randy Morgenson succumb to depression or disaster?Lost: True Tales of Wilderness Treks Gone Desperately Wrong
From snowblindness to wrong turns, everyday wilderness adventures can turn ugly if you're not prepared for everything.Learning About Survival Where Aron Ralston Outwitted Death
Follow correspondent Kevin Fedarko into the remote Utah slot canyon where Ralston famously separated himself from his right forearm.Lost & Found
John Donovan disappeared in a high-elevation blizzard, leaving rescuers and friends stumped. His backpack contained a miracle clue. Bill Donahue investigates.How to Stay Safe in the Wilderness
Retracing the route to people's accidents can help us prevent our own. These 10 trips lead you to the exact locations of disasters from Denali to the Grand Canyon.Cascades Meltdown
The Lower 48's most glaciated region is losing its ice at an astonishing rate.Digging for Clues: How to Prevent Exctinction
A big-picture biologist unearths threats to songbirds, salamanders, and a peak-loving furball.Species We Can Kiss Goodbye
These dozen creatures are threatened by global warming.Rising Tides Threaten Classic Trails
Headed for the coasts? Keep those Tevas handy. Swelling oceans are threatening to submerge classic trails.Super Poison Ivy is Coming
More potent poison ivy is on the way, plus fast-growing weeds that will change the face of Eastern forests.The Brown Death: Pine Beetles vs. Forests
Pine beetles are felling more trees than wildfires and the timber industry combined.The Future of Forests
As the earth warms, here's how higher temps will affect our forests.How to Lighten Your (Planetary) Load
We found 17 pioneering products that will cut your carbon cost without sacrificing performance.Phenomenon: Valles Caldera
Hike into the epicenter of a cataclysmic explosion in New Mexico's Valles CalderaWhat Will Alaska's Future Look Like?
Alaska is the last frontier, but energy development and climate change promise to change the face of our wildest state in your lifetime. Here's how.Backpacker's Carbon-Neutral Project
Last fall, we showed you the many ways that climate change is altering the wild places we love. Now, a look at what BACKPACKER is doing to reduce the magazine's impact.Welcome to the New Backpacker.com!
With more features, a new look, and the most informative content this side of the trail, the new Backpacker.com is amped up with the best in adventure, gear, travel, skills, and survival on the web.Phenomenon: The Life Cycle of Wildfires
Global warming creates conditions that invite larger and more frequent forest fires. Here's how.Phenomenon: Snowmelt
Rising alpine temperatures and polluted snow are threatening snowpack–and the water it generates.Minnesota's Boundary Waters Face Extermination By Climate Change
As temperatures rise, Minnesota's North Woods will likely go up in smoke.I, Citizen Scientist
Learn how you can help combat climate change by researching everything from Alaska's Bering Glacier to tracking pumas in Argentina through citizen scientist programsWhy Glacier National Park is Melting
Global warming is drying up Glacier National Park's rivers of ice. Learn how scientists are trying to prevent the Glacier demise from happening at other outdoor attractions.Can a Lime-Green Vegetable-Oil-Powered Beetle Save the Earth?
One writer ditches his S.U.V. for a vegetable oil-powered Volkswagon Beetle and drives into the Sierras to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and test his environmentalist platitudesStay Warm On the Trail and In Camp
On the trail and in camp, beat the cold with these tips.How to Waterproof Everything
From your tent, to your bivy sack, to yourself, learn how to stay dry and comfortable.How to Survive A Night Without Gear
When a day hike turns into an overnight, learn how to take care of yourself.How to Treat Poison Ivy
Beat the itchy stuff with creams or homeopathic measures.Escape From Unfriendly Natives
On the trail black bears, skunks, grizzlies, rattlesnakes, and ticks are not your friend. Learn how to side-step them.7 Strategies for Keeping the Backcountry Pristine
Here are the seven guidelines to Leave No TraceHow to Build a Never-Fail Campfire
Where campfires are allowed, it's important to know how to build–and put out–flames properly.Packing List: Survival Kit
Always be prepared for adversity with these pieces of gear.Calculate Trouble
Time is of the essence in the backcountry. Learn how long it will take an impending thunderstorm or avalanche to find you.Reading Topo Maps: Understanding Map Symbols and Colors
Dotted, dashed, and curvy. Red, blue, and brown. All these colors and styles criss-cross a topo map. Learn what they mean.Learn How to Stay On Course
By understanding your terrain, knowing your pace, and reading the map regularly you can stay on course wherever you are.18 Sudden Threats: The Right and Wrong Responses
Things happen fast in the wilderness. It's important to learn the right and wrong actions beforehand so you can react accordingly.Navigation 101: Understanding Your Compass
If you don't know what triangulation is, read this article.Reading Topo Maps: Understanding Contour Lines
Topo maps just look like a children's drawing if you don't know what contour lines are.How to Protect Your Map From the Elements
While you're cozy in your waterproof jacket, your map has to face the rain, or snow, or mud, alone. Learn how to protect this precious piece of paper.How to Align Your Compass
Learn how to orient your map with a few basic compass skillsPretrip Planning
A successful hike often starts with a bit of research.Time To Go: Winter Tracking
Hit the wilderness in search of beasts big and small.3 Ways to See Mexico's Pacific Coast
Secluded coastline and bikable rain forests are just two things waiting for you in MexicoSmash Your Fitness Barriers With Heart-Rate Training
Become a better hiker. Build speed, endurance, and strength all through heart-rate training.How Climate Change is Affecting Our Alpine Environments
Thanks to melting ice and snow, climate change is effecting the future of our mountainsGreen Guide Exclusive Online Materials
Information on 19 more "green" companies and an interview with Big Agnes's Bill GamberHow to Choose a Campsite
A NOLS veteran offers tips on balancing comfort, safety, and Leave No Trace principles.Survive a Mangled Ankle
Help yourself hike out after an ankle injuryThe World's Smartest Bears
Welcome to Yosemite, iconic American landscape, hikers' paradise, and all-you-can-eat home of the wiliest bruins on earth.Phenomenon: What are Sky Islands?
To see how animals stay cool in a hot climate, just look up.Phenomenon: Battle Quicksand With Quick Thinking
Quicksand isn't just in old Westerns, it's also a real backcountry hazard. Learn how to save your life when faced with the slippery stuff.365 Days of Adventure
Traverse the Yukon Territory's Tombstone Range, sea kayak Baja, trek Torres del Paine, Patagnoia–all in 2008. Plus, monthly adventures closer to home.How to Protect Your Heart While Hiking
Cardiac arrest is the number three killer in the outdoors&ndashlearn how to prevent, recognize, and treat trail-side heart issues.The Wolf Watchers: Researching Wolves In Idaho
Inside Idaho's Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, humans and wolves learn to co-exist.Plan the Perfect Trip
Smart ways to foolproof your next hike.Backpacker Interview: The Trail Bandit
Rangers despise him. The law is after him. Yet in chopping down trees in an overgrown national park, Bob Garrison has become a hero to some hikers.Where Can I Find the Site of Ansel's Legendary Yosemite Photo
Museum curator Glenn Crosby tracks down Ansel Adams' famous shotBest Damn Weekend Ever: Kayak a Superior Archipelago
Try this black diamond, three-day kayak trip that navigates Lake Superior's piney islands.Where to See More Desert Wildlife
Spot lizards, wrens, and javelinas in the desert Southwest with these tips.How to Avoid Sudden Thaws
Warming temps can wreak havoc on snow-packed adventures. Learn the conditions and warning signs that can cause a dangerous, sudden thaw.The Backpacker Interview: From Jail to Trail
Inspired by a mountain view, Don Moseman walked out of prison and hiked his way to a better life.Pack Fast, Pack Right
Organization and preparation will make your next overnight or day-hike packing session easy. Below, the Backpacker editors showcase their mistakes for your benefit.Through the Kaleidoscope: A Family Fall Trek Through New Hampshire's White Mountains
Cozy huts, five-course meals, and world-class foliage highlight one family's fall trek.December '07 Gear Test: 3D Connexion Space Navigator, Purosol Sport/Marine, Solio, The Pod
The Backpacker testers try out some ingenious products for photo taking, map making, screen cleaning, and portable recharging.Danger Signs: How to Detect a Winter Storm
Learning to determine winter weather signs depends on where you are.How to Survive Winter Storms
New Hampshire's Mt. Washington is know for its evil weather. Learn how to survive a winter storm from one of the peak's experts.60 Minute Fixes: Boise
Idaho's capital offers hiking, kayaking, and climbing close to downtownGPS 201: Using Advanced Navigational Tools
Don't be daunted by a thick owner's manual. Unlocking your unit's advanced navigational tools is easier than you think.Find the Tallest Waterfall in the U.S.
Head to Hawaii for three of the tallestTrip Doctor: How Can I Get My Spouse to Go Hiking With Me?
Pretty pictures and promises of a trade might get unenthusiastic spouses out the door.Preserving Ancient Artifacts
Looking to get more than scenic views out of your hikes? The U.S. Forest Service's Passport in Time program turns trekkers into weekend archaeologists.Magnifique: Discover France's Maritime Alps
Where classic Euro trekking meets the Mediterranean coast.How to Survive Getting Lost In a Whiteout
Don't forge ahead when faced with whiteout conditions.Backpacker's Readers' Choice Awards 2008
America's 100 Best Hikes–chosen by you.Perfect Day: Gila Wilderness, New Mexico
Take a winter hike to the steaming pools of Melanie Hot Springs in Gila Wilderness, New Mexico.Over the Rainbow: Finding Red Rock In the Navajo Nation
A rarely-attempted traverse reveals the Navajo Nation's vast red-rock wilderness.Survive This: Meeting a Menacing Stranger On the Trail
Learn how to avoid shady characters on the trail.Backpack Rocky Mountain National Park
Try this 30-mile lollipop loop that is almost entirely above 9,000 feet.Quiz: Would You Survive?
The wilderness can be deadly if you don't know what you're doing. Take our test to rate your survival IQ—and learn a few skills that might save your hide.How to See In the Dark
Expert tips for improving your night visionPANIC!: How to Survive in the Backcountry
There's a backcountry killer on the loose, and it's not hypothermia, grizzly bears, or rockfall. The thing mostly likely to maim you on your next hiking trip is living inside your head.The Source of All Things
What if your favorite place in the world was ground zero for your greatest strengths and your deepest fears? The author and her father trek into Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains to grapple with a tragedy that has haunted them for decades.Freefall: Tragedy in the Grand Canyon
Arizona's Havasu Canyon is a hiker's paradise famed for its jaw-dropping waterfalls. But now there's trouble in paradise—serious trouble.Cut Your Carbon in Half
A hiker's guide to fighting climate changeGods Of Rock: The Adirondack Mountain Club trail crew
Sharpen your double-bit axe, get your pecs ready for action, and shoulder the biggest pack you've ever seen. Then dive into the trenches with a screwball trailbuilding crew, fixing the neediest hiking paths in the Adirondacks. Assuming you're not afraid of some very heavy lifting, this just might be the ultimate summer job.Hell On Wheels
Bob Coomber is determined to become the first man in a wheelchair to ascend a 14,000-foot mountain.Adventure Guide: Glacier Peak Wilderness
Like crowded campsites and easy trails? Then by all means avoid this deafeningly quiet expanse of rugged, wildlife-rich mountains and forest in Washington's North Cascades.GPS Review: TomTom GO 300
Just throw this unit in the car and goGPS Review: Brunton Atlas MNS
If cost is no object, this unit is like having an interactive topo map at your fingertips.GPS Review: Motorola i560 GPS Cell Phone
This rugged unit will let you call home from the trailGPS Review: Garmin eTrex Legend C
A reliable and moderately priced unit with high-end capabilitiesAdventure Guide: Glacier National Park
Explore six new routes through the most rugged, scenic, and wildife-rich mountains in the Lower 48.GPS Review: Garmin Rino 520
You'll never lose your partner if you're each carrying a Rino.GPS Review: Garmin Foretrex 101
A favorite unit for beginnersWater Purifier Review: AquaStar Plus
A water bottle that doubles as an emergency lantern.GPS Review: TomTom GO 300
Don't fight over where the trailhead starts. Get this handy gadget and you'll find it every time.Dogsledding in Minnesota: Born to Run
Head out with six hard-charging huskies, and winter will never feel more alive.Weekend Adventures: Big Tree Hikes
Get ready to feel puny--and profoundly grateful--on three hikes through ancient forests.The Future Of National Parks
Everyone loves national parks--but are they being loved to death? Join representatives from the Park Service, Department of the Interior, Sierra Club, American Hiking Society, and more to explore the fate of this embattled American institution.Best Damn Weekend Ever: Paddle Around St. John, Virgin Islands NP
Kayak amid the reefs and sand of Virgin Islands National ParkSave or Splurge: Kayak Southeast Alaska
Tour the wildlife menagerie that is southeast Alaska on two kayak tripsUtah Hikes: The Case For Glen Canyon
Drought is giving Glen Canyon--and those who love it--a second chance. Here are four spectacular reasons why we should protect this Southwest wilderness by making it America's next national park.The Works: Trans-Yosemite Ski Tour
Start packing now for a once-in-a-lifetime ski tour through silent, snow-draped Yosemite.Yosemite @ $7.38 An Hour: Seasonal Work in the National Parks
Our scribe-turned-pizzaman labors in the land of granite and pulls back the curtain on the seasonal-employment fantasy.National Parks Inc.
Like it or not, national parks are officially in the business of business. Will this focus destroy the soul of a national institution--or save it in these lean times?Essential National Park Skills: The Ultimate Park Pass
Write your own ticket to new adventures with these 10 territory-expanding skills.Last Chance Adventure: Oregon's Umpqua National Forest
Can you see the forest through the trees? Join a bittersweet trek through an old-growth wilderness in its final days.Mountaineering Fitness: Climb Like Ed
Got summit fever? The sky's the limit with a fitness plan and climbing tips from world-class mountaineer Ed Viesturs.Wide Awake And Dreaming
The author sets out to camp in New York's Central Park--and winds up roused by matters of life and death.Paddling's Greatest Getaways
16 wild ways to find backcountry solitude and big-time scenery. All this, and you can bring the ice chest, too.Hot and Bothered: Wildlife and Global Warming
Climate change isn't just melting glaciers--it's messing with wildlife everywhere8 Weeks to Fitness for Any Hike
No gyms, no weights–and, with our easy-to-follow plan–no bonking on the trail.Ultimate Summer Escapes: The Best Dayhikes and Backpacking Trips Near You
Coming soon to your city: far-out adventures that are shockingly close to home.Water Bottle Review: Guyot Designs Gription
Prevent embarassing, water-wasting splashes by replacing your water bottle's lid with the Gription.Alive Again: New Findings in the 1972 Andes Plane Crash
Colorado climber Ricardo Peña's surprising discovery raises new questions in the infamous tale of survivalThe Unbearable Lightness Of Being Scott Williamson
To hike from Mexico to Canada and back, a man needs strength and speed and luck. He needs something else, too. If only he knew what it was.America's Hardest Dayhikes
Push yourself on any of these challenging hikesNext Level: Off-Trail Navigation
Use a map, compass, and GPS unit to plot an ambitious route with this beginner's guide to bushwhackingOy, Wilderness: First-Time New York Campers
Three days. Two nights. Five New Yorkers who had never slept outdoors. And a leader who has some issues with map and compass. What could go wrong?GPS Review: Garmin Foretrex 101
Get started--or get simple--with the best GPS dealNew Zealand: Backpacking, Paddling, and More
It's better than you've heard, and closer than you think. Here's how to see it all in 10 perfect days.More New Zealand Adventures: Climb, Paddle, Jump!
Canyoning, mountaineering, kayaking, and camping, Kiwi-styleThe Grizzly Detective: Tracking Bears in the Bitterroots
America's preeminent bear tracker backpacks Idaho's most remote wilderness looking for signs of the lost grizzlies of the Bitterroots--and winds up staring at the great bruin's future.High Points: Mt. Rainier, Washington
Get to the top and you'll hear a joyous echoHigh Points: Kings Peak, Utah
The mosquitoes make it challenging, but the towering sedimentary rock makes it worth it.High Points: Gannett Peak, Wyoming
The longest and wildest approach in the bunchHigh Points: Mt. Hood, Oregon
Head through the Pearly Gates for a heavenly sunriseHigh Points: Granite Peak, Montana
The toughest high point in the lower 48High Points: Borah Peak, Idaho
Don't forget your sound judgment when summitting this high point.High Points: Mt. Whitney, California
You could do it in a day, but don't rush this one.High Points: Mt. Elbert, Colorado
Come enjoy this high peak's playgroundHigh Points: Wheeler Peak, New Mexico
Bighorn sheep and golden eagles await you at this high point.High Points: Boundary Peak, Nevada
Expect unexpected challenges to reach the summitHigh Points: Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Your car does all the climbing here.High Points: Humphreys Peak, Arizona
An easy high point with an unpredictable personalityHappy Go Wet: Backpacker's Rain Quiz
Can you handle a rainy outing? Take our fun quiz to see how you'd fare under a sky of liquid sunshine.High Points: Woodall Mountain, Mississippi
America's bloodiest high pointHigh Points: Black Mountain, Kentucky
Look closely for the path to this high point.High Points: Clingmans Dome, Tennessee
A downright goofy dome marks this highpoint.High Points: Guadalupe Peak, Texas
This peak lives up to its reputation.High Points: Driskill Mountain, Louisiana
The mile-long walk invites contemplation like few other high point approaches.High Points: Mt. Magazine, Arkansas
Hit the high point and move on to the other attractions this park offers.High Points: Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina
A high point that provides an alluring combination of scenery, storms, and access.High Points: Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina
It's all about the journey.High Points: Britton Hill, Florida
A humble high point in a low-lying stateHigh Points: Brasstown Bald, Georgia
Come visit this Cherokee named place of fresh green.High Points: Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Welcome to this delightfully weird world of extremes.High Points: Cheaha Mountain, Alabama
Go from the path of racecars to the path of a high point.High Points: White Butte, North Dakota
If you loathe traffic, the commute to White Butte is pure ecstasy.High Points: Campbell Hill, Ohio
Time it just right to get to the top of this one.High Points: Timms Hill, Wisconsin
This old logging camp and woolly mammoth marching ground provides incredible views.High Points: Harney Peak, South Dakota
Traveling to this point will leave you at a loss for words.High Points: Mt. Sunflower, Kansas
Something's happening in this spot where nothing happened.High Points: Hoosier Hill, Indiana
A fitting place to ponder the true meaning of the term Hoosier.High Points: Eagle Mountain, Minnesota
Find this high point in the largest national forest outside of Alaska.High Points: Taum Sauk Mountain, Missouri
Lay low like Jesse James at this high point.High Points: Mt. Arvon, Michigan
The view is nothing to write home about, but this newly crowned high point deserves a visit.High Points: Panorama Point, Nebraska
There's not a bad napping spot anywhere.High Points: Charles Mound, Illinois
Access is limited, but well worth the view.Up High Down Below: 3 Top Peaks in the Lower 48
Can't make it to Canada? Try Glacier Peak, Baker Peak, or Catamount MountainFamily Camping Tips
Ideas to help make the backcountry family friendlyAn Overnight Success?
Need a crash course in backpacking? Join our newbie and his brooding teenager as they fend off mountain lions, overzealous retail clerks, and other beginner hazards.Offshore GPS: How to Navigate in the Water
New tools for water navigation: Strap one to your thwart, and you'll never paddle in circles again.Fall Hiking at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Mellow temperatures, low water and autumn colors make for a perfect time in the SmokiesHigh Points: Ebright Azimuth, Delaware
True highpointers will find this peak.High Points: Spruce Knob, West Virginia
Watch out for rough weather and serpentine-like roads as you drive up to this highpoint.High Points: High Point, New Jersey
You'll find numerous surprises as you explore the lakes, rivers and forests of this highpoint.High Points: Mt. Marcy, New York
A long hike to the highpoint where weather and black flies could pose a challenge.High Points: Mt. Rogers, Virginia
Allow the plants to color the landscape as you make your way along the trail.GPS Fast Fixes
Don't let your GPS unit stump you. Try one of these suggestions to get your unit trail ready.GPS Basics
What's GPS, how does it work, and will it help you?A Cure For Latitude And Longitude: Using UTM Coordinates
Learn this mapping technique for better off-trail travel.Being Caribou Returns Home
We follow a giant, endangered caribou herd from the Yukon to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Part 6.Burn, Baby, Burn
3 surefire ways to light a reluctant fireDevil's Thumb: It Can't Be Climbed
Will anyone ever climb the dangerous northwest face of Alaska's Devil's Thumb? Maybe they shouldn't.Night Vision
Bats have nothing on this nocturnal hiker.Secrets of Yosemite National Park
Sneak in the side door for a private viewing of the finest in California's High Sierra real estate.Being Caribou: Arctic Summer
We follow a giant, endangered caribou herd from the Yukon to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Part 5.Blueberry Magic
Berries Prove Balance Can Be SweetCold Sleepers vs. Hot Sleepers
One camper sweats and another shivers. What's the deal?Highlander Genes
Why are Sherpas so studly?Washington: Grand Valley, Olympic National Park
On this trip you'll find everything from alpine meadows to ancient rainforestsGo Fish
If you can't hook a monster in one of these fishing holes, you better hang up your rod.Body Of A Backpacker
It's lean, it's mean, and it can last forever.Hawaii: Waimanu Valley
Come to this tropical oasis for great weather, an array of fruit and some great swimming.Missouri, Current River and Ozark Trail
Hike and canoe through the pristine springs of Missouri's Ozarks.Boundary Waters
Get lost in the land o' lakes with 3 quiet, crowd-free trailsLuxury Gone Wild At Ahwahnee
A night in Yosemite's most famous hotelHow Pete Stays Dry
3 waterproof secrets from veteran mountaineer Pete TakedaGood Gear Gone Bad
It's all fun and games 'til someone gets a tent pole in the eye.High-Altitude Blues
Why do we bonk at 14,000 feet?Balancing Act
Secrets for staying on your feet from dancers, tightrope walkers, running backs, and more.Survival Starts With A Kiss
Learn the latest survival smarts with this military acronymStone Cold Campers
They kill swiftly and silently. They flit like ghosts through enemy forests. And they will brew you a fine cup of cowboy coffee. Meet America's deadliest hikers as we hump ruck with the Special Forces.Being Caribou: A Mountain Of A Shortcut
We follow a giant, endangered caribou herd from the Yukon to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Part 4.Alaska, Colville River
Visit this remote section of the Arctic before climate change alters it foreverBeing Caribou: Calving Grounds
We follow a giant, endangered caribou herd from the Yukon to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Part 3.Being Caribou: 350 Miles On Skis
We follow a giant, endangered caribou herd from the Yukon to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Part 2.Mt. Jefferson, Presidential Range
Scenic ridges and some high White Mountain peaks abound on this great hike.Good News About Bad Food
Got burgers on the brain? Learn why some experts say it's okay to indulge.South Is Thata Way
Determine direction without your compass.That Zesty Taste
Liven up your purified water.A Better Mouse Trap
Rodents can be real pests in campsites. Use this trick to stay rodent-free the whole trip long.Expedition Planner: Glacier National Park, MT
Get more Glacier hiking ideas in our online exclusiveDinosaur Valley State Park
This Texas park holds true to its name with some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world.Cascade Pass, North Cascades National Park
The Cascade scenery on this hike can only be compared to those of the Alps.Utah, Glen Canyon
Receding water levels mean more miles of choice desert hiking and kayaking.Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park
Come to Acadia and you'll earn your lobster.Ouachita Trail, Talimena State Park
Here's a lush and hilly Arkansas oasis snuggled in an area known for being flat and dry.Arizona, McDowell Sonoran Preserve
If you are in search of southwestern wildlife, this is the place to be.Virginia, White Oak Canyon, Shenandoah National Park
Waterfalls abound on this great 8.2 mile loop.Guana River State Park
Who wouldn't want to be marooned on this Florida barrier island?Cloudland Canyon State Park
A thousand-foot-deep gorge is the centerpiece of this tri-state park.Table Mountain, Teton Range
This summit offers the finest view anywhere of the Grand and surrouding peaks.Beach Trail
This Indiana Dunes trail offers visitors views of the lake, the Chicago skyline, wildflowers and some of the tallest trees in the region.Grandview Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
Here's a challenging hike with constant Grand Canyon views.Balloon Dome, Ansel Adams Wilderness
Don't let well-known Sierra neighbors like Yosemite overshadow this stunning wilderness.California; Death Valley National Park
Camping in Death Valley might give you the hottest day of your life.Ricketts Glen State Park
This favorite Pennsylvania destination of our editors is filled with old trees, shale cliffs, wildlife and stunning wildflowers.New York, Indian Head Mountain, Catskills
Abandon the Big Apple for a visit to this great wilderness.Spray Park, Mt. Rainier National Park
You'll never get a bad view of Rainier's glacier-clad slopes.Channel Islands National Park
This wild paradise is the Galapagos of California.Oregon, Silver Falls State Park
The beauty of this hike comes alive with the rain.Proud Lake Recreation Area
Michigan's Proud Lake has many flavors of wilderness to offer.The Global Warming Tour 2003
The ultimate guide to greenhouse adventure, featuring 8 surprising new trips, acres of virgin terrain, and a peek at the future of North American wilderness.British Columbia, Mt. Robson
Explore a glacier-covered forest near the Canadian Rockies' highest peakColorado: West Elk Range
Spring comes earlier to this mountain paradise.Glacier National Park
3 hidden hikes in our readers' favorite backpacking parkAlaska, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Paddle blue inlets too new for any topo.Montana, Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park
The most-studied glacier in the park lets you see global warming in action.The Needles, Canyonlands National Park
Don't miss these 200 foot candles carved from sandstone towers.Massachusetts, High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary
Beantowners love the sights the High Ledges area has to offer.Iceberg Lake, Glacier National Park
Some of the most classic glacier scenery is offered to all visitors of this national park.Handies Peak, San Juan Mountains
This summit will put you high above what many consider to be Colorado's finest mountain range.Being Caribou: Spring Migration
We follow a giant, endangered caribou herd from the Yukon to Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Part 1.Touched By A Grizzly
Can anyone really know what lurks in the heart of a grizzly? In the wilds of Russia's Kamchatka peninsula, Charlie Russell believes he is beginning to find out.Alaska Made Easy
Just minutes from Anchorage lie dozens of world-class hiking and paddling trips. This guide gives you the best, plus gear and travel tips to smooth the way.Being Caribou: Protecting the Porcupine Caribou Herd
Protection one of Alaska and Canada's largest caribou herds is so close, yet so far away.Being Caribou: ANWR Or Bust
Will he keep up? Karsten Heuer embarks on an audacious 1,200-mile expedition-cum-caribou chase.Think Outside The Bottle
10 surprising uses for your water bottle.Three Quiet Grand Canyon Hikes
You'd never guess it: Three quiet trails in such a busy, beautiful place.North Carolina's Hungry Forests
Visit Croatan National Forest, a place so wild it has more flesh-eating plants than people.Being Caribou: Caribou Facts
18 facts you didn't know about Alaska and Canada's Porcupine Caribou herd.Hike Idaho's Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
River rats wait years to ride the wild Selway River. Hikers can taste its raw beauty right now.Passport Protection
Always carry extra identification when traveling internationally.Mountain Miles
Calculate real mileage by accounting for slope in the mountains, and you'll avoid getting into camp after dark.Being Caribou: The Route
How do you plan a route following 123,000 migrating caribou across Canada and Alaska? Try to keep up.Being Caribou: Caribou I Am
How do you plan an expedition to follow 123,000 migrating caribou across Canada and Alaska? Very carefully.Foot Mechanic Quiz: Fixing Foot Problems Before The Hike
Do your foot troubles warrant an expert's opinion? Take this quiz to find out.10 Best Bird Watching Hikes In America
Spring is for the birds. Here's where to find a flock near you.Secrets Hikes Of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Can a place that sees 9 million visitors a year really have any surprises? You bet. We found three hikes full of unexpected history, scenery, and solitude.The Wild List: A Guide To The Best Outdoor Spots
A definitive guide to the hottest, sweetest, looniest, and most colorful spots in the great outdoors.Stop Your Sniffling: Allergy Advice
Don't let itchy eyes and a sneeze-machine nose ruin your hike. Here's our guide to keeping allergies at bay.Expedition Planner: Kamchatka
It's as big as California, boasts more volcanoes than Alaska, and counts nearly as many geysers as Yellowstone.Dead Flashlight Battery Blues
Keep your flashlights and headlamps alive longer with these trail tips.Stay Warm In Winter
Winter warmth is easy with these tips from arctic explorers, cold-weather experts, and army docs.Powder Hungry? Hike These Snowshoe Trails
Bust out of winter doldrums on one of these stellar snowshoe routes.Hike The Hidden Trails of Rocky Mountain National Park
Here's a detailed hiking planner that will take you to the hidden corners of Colorado's most scenic park.This Winter, Book A Yurt
Stay cozy this winter by bedding down in a heated cabin or yurt.Wild Weddings
Want a ceremony that reflects your passion for the outdoors? Here's everything you need to know to pull off a wilderness wedding.Dreams Of Tibet: Exploring Lost Himalayan Mountains And Cultures
Deep in the heart of the forbidden Tibetan kingdom, a long-awaited adventure inherited from the author's father takes an unexpected twist.Best Dayhikes In America
With strong legs and an ambitious plan, you can see more wild country in 12 hours than some backpackers see in a week, and still make it home in time for dinner.Best Waterfall Hikes
Learn the weird science behind our addiction to waterfalls, and the location of the best trails in North America.Trapped! The Mike Turner Story
Deep in Wyoming's Wind River Range, an accident with a sliding boulder makes a hiker confront his life, his fate, and his faith in God.Climbing Alaska's 'Great One': Denali National Park
Do you have what it takes to climb Alaska's Denali? Find out with our mountaineer's guide.Climbing Mexico's Iztaccíhuatl
Planning to climb Mexico's famous volcano Iztaccíhuatl? Start with our online guide.Climbing Kings Canyon: The Obelisk
The Obelisk offers a remote climbing challenge far removed from other Sierra hotspots.Climbing The Scenic Route On El Pico de Orizaba
Try this ultra-scenic route if you attempt North America's third highest peak.Climbing Aconcagua's West/Southwest Face
Aconcagua's West/Southwest Face offers climbers more challenge on the Western Hemisphere's highest peak.Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro National Park, TanzaniaClimbing Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya offers classic climbing to all backpackersClimbing Denali: The West Buttress Route
Denali National Park and Preserve, AlaskaHiking Italy's Via delle Bocchette
Dolomites, ItalyHiking Montana's Lonely Mountains
Hidden deep in Montana's high country lies the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, a seldom-visited range of cool forests and skyscraping peaks.Hiking The Mahoosuc Range
The short but stunning Mahoosuc Range has major-league attractions, like the toughest mile on the Appalachian Trail and conditions that discourage the faint of heart.Wolves And Water: Arizona's Blue Range
With an abundance of wolves and water--two rarities in the desert--Arizona's remote Blue Range may be the Southwest's best kept secret.Hike Nevada's Sagebrush Oasis
Hiding in the arid plains of Nevada you'll find a cool refuge from the desert heat and room to let your imagination soar.Healthy Hiking For Men: Preventing Jock Itch And Other Problems 'Down There'
A wilderness guide to proper care and maintenance of the family jewels.Hike Through Washington's Blue Mountains
City life got you down? Head for the quiet hills of southeastern Washington, where the air is clean, the water clear, and bighorn sheep outnumber hikers.How To See More Animals
To get closer to the critters, you need to look like a tree and smell like a raccoon.Know Your Backcountry Bugs
Guide to common bugs in the backcountry.Your Backwoods Pharmacy
When illness or injury strikes, the medicine you need is in the plants alongside the trail and at your feet.Fire And Rain On Costa Rica's Volcanoes
Deep in the cloud forests of Costa Rica, you'll learn to dodge fireballs and poisonous frogs while tracing a circuit around a living volcano.Snow Leopards: Gray Ghosts Of The Himalaya
When you hike the world's highest peaks in search of the legendary snow leopard, be prepared for the unexpected.Holing Up In A Matterhorn Hut
The Bossi Bivouac Hut offers culture and comfort at the base of the Matterhorn.Kayaking Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula
Endless varieties of coral and birds await when you kayak the blue waters of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.Australia's Aboriginal Walk In The Park
Face your fear of snakes and spiders in Australia's Royal National Park, and the bush will reward you with the journey of a lifetime.Hiking Tahiti's Rugged East Coast
Jungles, coral-reef wading and rocky scrambling await Tahitian adventure hikers.Backpacking France's Grand Canyon: Gorges du Verdon
Southeast France's Gorge Du Verdon provides backpackers with miles of narrow canyon walls, river wading, and strenuous hiking.Hiking China's Wonder Wall
Rather than simply stare at the Great Wall, a determined hiker decided to get a different perspective.Tips For Safe Travel
Planning an overseas backpacking trip? Here's a few tips to prepare you before you go.Hiking And Kayaking Russia's Lake Baikal
Visitors to Siberia's Lake Baikal encounter endless coastline, brown bears, and exotic hiking to last a lifetime.Challenge The Backpacker Editor: The Ultralight Report
Torrential rain and wind expose chinks in our author's ultralight armor, but don't dampen his enthusiasm for the pleasures of unencumbered trekking.Wild As A Feral Hog On Mississippi's Black Creek Trail
You'll have a hard time keeping track of all the critters along Mississippi's Black Creek Trail.Ply A Backwoods Water Trail In The Boundary Waters
In Minnesota's Boundary Waters, thousands of blue routes await those willing to dip a paddle.Avalanches: The Big Slide
Watching snow fall is a backcountry joy--unless it's barreling 80 mph down a mountain and you're in its path.McKinley: Backpack Around "The Big One"
Let rivers and ridgelines be your compass as you hike in the shadow of Alaska's Mt. McKinley.Death Valley Warmed Over
Time spent in California's Death Valley can be a life-enhancing experience.Trek Across Nepal On The Annapurna Circuit
The Annapurna Circuit is your path to the rooftop of the world.On Thin Ice: Safe Hiking On Frozen Lakes
How to hike safely across frozen lakes and pondsBest Backpacking In Alaska
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Alaska.Best Backpacking In Nevada
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Nevada.Best Backpacking In Tennessee
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Tennessee.Best Backpacking In New Hampshire
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in New Hampshire.Best Backpacking In New Jersey
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in New Jersey.Best Backpacking In New York
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in New York.Best Backpacking In Vermont
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Vermont.Hiking The Eastern Continental Trail
Say hello to North America's newest long trail.Best Backpacking In Wyoming
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Wyoming.Best Backpacking In Texas
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Texas.Best Backpacking In Utah
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Utah.Best Backpacking In Washington
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Washington.Best Backpacking In Oklahoma
Best Backpacking In Rhode Island
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Rhode Island.Best Backpacking In South Carolina
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in South Carolina.Best Backpacking In South Dakota
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in South Dakota.Best Backpacking In Mississippi
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Mississippi.Best Backpacking In Missouri
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Missouri.Best Backpacking In Nebraska
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Nebraska.Best Backpacking In New Mexico
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in New Mexico.Best Backpacking In Louisiana
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Louisiana.Rash Decisions: Fighting Backcountry Itches
Here's what I keep in my first-aid kit to battle the itchiest rash known to medical science.Best Backpacking In Maine
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Maine.Best Backpacking In Maryland
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Maryland.Best Backpacking In Michigan
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Michigan.Best Backpacking In Idaho
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Idaho.Best Backpacking In Illinois
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Illinois.Best Backpacking In Indiana
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Indiana.Best Backpacking In Kansas
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Kansas.Best Backpacking In Massachussetts
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Massachusetts.Best Backpacking In Kentucky
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Kentucky.Best Backpacking In Colorado
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Colorado.Best Backpacking In Delaware
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Delaware.Best Backpacking In Georgia
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Georgia.Best Backpacking In Hawaii
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Hawaii.Best Backpacking In Ohio
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Ohio.Understanding GPS
Using your GPS is easier than you think.The Urge To Fly
Do you ever have the urge to step off the edge and fly like a bird?Best Backpacking In Arkansas
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Arkansas.Best Backpacking In Minnesota
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Minnesota.Best Backpacking In Montana
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Montana.Best Backpacking In North Carolina
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in North Carolina.Best Backpacking In Oregon
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Oregon.Top 5 Fossil Trails
With fossils present in all states (although New England tends to be fossil poor), you can get a glimpse of the past almost anywhere you backpack.Best Backpacking In Alabama
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Alabama.Best Backpacking In Iowa
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Iowa.Best Backpacking In Connecticut
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Connecticut.Best Backpacking In Virginia
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Virginia.Best Backpacking In Arizona
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Arizona.Best Backpacking In Florida
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Florida.Best Backpacking In West Virginia
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in West Virginia.How To Speak GPS
Common GPS terms you should know.Best Backpacking In California
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in California.Best Backpacking In Wisconsin
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Wisconsin.Best Backpacking In Pennsylvania
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Pennsylvania.The Best Backpacking In America
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in America.Best Backpacking In North Dakota
Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in North Dakota.GPS For Average Joes
The latest GPS receivers take the mystery out of high-tech route finding. We powered up four models to find the best for backpackers.The View No More
How America's tragedy affected one New Jersey hiker.Hiking Idaho's White Cloud Mountains
Head to the White Cloud Mountains for a crowd-free taste of Idaho high country.Healing The Badlands
How can we conserve South Dakota's Badlands?Take Your Family Outdoors
Camping with kids can plant a wild seed in them that will grow as they do-but only if you get them Out There.Wild Island Hiking
Hear wild horses thunder through camp. Look for wolf tracks in the mud or eagles' nests in the cliffs high above. Cast off the workaday world and go hike an island paradise.HIking British Columbia's Savage Coast
Hike a rugged, historically rich trail for 21 miles along a nearly deserted island off British Columbia's coast.Blazing Trails: Avoid Wildfires
Here's a handy tip to avoid wildfires in the backcountry.Different Strokes: Paddling Techniques For Hikers
For a different wilderness experience, try floating down the river in a kayak or canoe.Loomis State Forest: Hike Washington's Cascade Secret
Hike to the edge of the Cascade Range in this forgotten corner of the Washington wilderness.Bug Bite Evasion Therapy
What's the best way to treat bug bites? Don't get bit in the first place.Hike To Protect Wilderness From Drilling
How many miles of trail or acres of wilderness will we sacrifice for a tank of gas? Here's a look at eight threatened wildernesses and what you can do to stop the drilling.Hiking With Wisconsin's Wolves
Feeling people-shy? Follow Wisconsin's wolves to this lonely section of the Ice Age Trail.Baca Ranch: The Southwest's Yellowstone
For years, hikers have dreamed of trekking in Baca Ranch's untouched, wildlife-thick backcountry. You'll soon get your chance.Lost Soul Or Yukon Slasher?
When you're deep in the wilds, a bedraggled stranger wandering into camp triggers a moral dilemma: Offer him dinner or run for the hills?Utah's Best Wildflower Blooms
Follow the hummingbirds in the Mt. Naomi Wilderness to the best high-country wildflower show in all of Utah.Winter Camping Tips: The Perfect Tent Pitch
How and where you should set up your winter tent for maximum comfort and shelter longevity.Coping with Leeches
How to deal with and treat those bloodsucking leeches.World Of Wild Flowers
They may look sweet and innocent, but blooming plants are the floral world's version of a hot 'n' steamy orgy.Keeping Utah's Outdoor Secret
Should secret wildernesses be revealed? Utah's Anasazi artifact hotbed Cedar Mesa begs the question.Spotting The Elusive Wolf
Our guide to spotting wolves on Michigan's Isle Royale.Hiking Through Lessons Of Fire
Years and even decades after a forest fire, the healed land tells amazing tales about the benefits of flame.Bushwacking: Pole Position
Stow your trekking poles to get an advantage when bushwacking a trail.Planning Your Route
Use these navigational tricks, gleaned from champion orienteers and U.S. Army's Special Forces, to stay on track.Navigating From Lost To Found
How one perpetually disoriented hiker found her bearings, thanks to some backwoods navigation pros.Route-Finding Tips: Stay On Course
Follow these six route-finding tips, and stay found.Splendor Hiking The High Sierra
Take the finest mountains in the world, add high-country meadows, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, pine-and-hemlock forests, and what do you have? A recipe for backcountry bliss.The Mountain Knows
When our firstborn son left us, the word "burial" was never uttered.Mountains: The World At Your Feet
High above the trees you'll find the hike of your dreams: a ridgeline trail where your only companion is an occasional mountain goat.Bushwhacking: Go Up The Creek
Trouble crossing the trail? Try the creek.Lightning Survival Update
If you're caught in a lightning storm on the trail, head for the hills.Hike Higher In Colorado's Collegiate Peaks
Hike into the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and you'll enjoy Colorado's best summer school.Bushwacking: It's A Jungle Out There
From North Carolina to Alaska, bushwhacking is easier with the proper preparation and attitude.Hiking Washington's Elwha Trail Rainforest
Washington's Elwha Trail is a rain-forest classic: green, primeval, spongy soft, and wonderfully wet.Safe Trekking After Wildfires
Follow these tips when hiking in burned country.Bushwacking: Get High, Stay High
When bushwacking a trail, go high altitude and stay there.Hot Hikes After A Wildfire
Seven places where you can walk through a whole new landscape, plus opportunities to help rebuild charred trails.Belly Ache Or Poison?
What to do if the berries you munched weren't safe after all.Firewalking: A Forest Fire's Aftermath
In an ancient cycle older than man, the fires that torched the West in summer 2000 are causing a dramatic and stunning rebirth of the once-charred landscape.Compass Tips: Bearing It All
Just to be safe, keep that compass handy.Hiking Utah's Hayduke Trail
You won't find Utah's 725-mile rogue route on any map. But thanks to two passionate Utah hikers, you'll soon be able to search it out with your boots.Going Tribal
We know the strength that courses through flesh and bone when standing at a trailhead, ready to set out and practice our primitive art.Breathing Easy
A double lung transplant slows, but doesn't stop, Pacific Crest Trail hiker Dennis Coffey.Bacteria In Paradise
On your next tropical dip, beware of water-borne bacteria.Backpacking Colorado's Elk Mountains
When it pours, good rain gear and a great sense of humor help you find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.Grand Canyon Magic
"With some eagerness, and some anxiety, and some misgiving, we enter the canyon below?." -John Wesley Powell, August 13, 1869Tundra Trekking Tips
Just because it's flat and treeless doesn't mean it's easy hiking.David Brower's Last Interview
Activist and former backpacker David Brower reflects on his life in the political trenches and on the trails.Death On Montana's Granite Peak
High on a Montana mountain, the mystery of a long-lost climber continues to unravel for those willing to make the arduous trek and search for clues that literally lie at your feet.Identifying Wildlife Holes
There's a fascinating world of fur and claws underfoot. Here's how to tell who's down there.Discover California's Point Reyes National Seashore
In Point Reyes National Seashore, you'll find peace and quiet in the heart of California's earthquake zone.Backpacking Tennessee's Cumberland Trail
If you're a backpacking purist, Tennessee's new Cumberland Trail was made for you.Guarding Your Grub
Above treeline, there's no easy way to hoist your vittles.Buying A Better Filter
It's simple: Unless you like getting sick, treat all of your water. Follow these 10 essentials to find and maintain the right filter.Hiking Dreams Really Do Come True
Easily said and done, when you have a constant reminder at bedtime.Organize Your Backpacking Trip
Meet Jamie and Joe, who need help with everything from planning to packing to eating well. Enter our team of experts, with a few simple tricks designed to turn them-and you!-into well-oiled backpacking machines.Avoiding Snakes: Nature's Evil Twins
Some species look alike, but guess wrong and you could have a harmful mistake on your hands.Poison Ivy, Bees and Wasps
Do you know your backcountry poisonous threats?Hiking Arizona's Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness
Arizona's Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness is so incredible, you'll want to tell the whole world.Another Tick-Borne Disease
You can add another disease to those you might get from ticks: ehrlichiosis.Just Go
Sometimes, despite all the commitments and obligations, you know what you have to do.Oldest Insole Discovered
A 5,200-year-old artifact provides insight into early man's walking habits.Finding Blazed Trail Markers
Here's a quick tip for finding blazed trails.North Carolina/Georgia's Bartram Trail
Take along your plant guidebooks for this flora-filled treasure.Washington's Olympic Coast
It's the longest stretch of virgin coastline left in the Lower 48. But that's just one of many reasons to hike it.Natural Toothbrushes
Forgot your toothbrush? You can still practice good hygiene.Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail: Land Of Cool Cliffs
Carved limestone cliffs add even more to love on Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail.Hypothermia: Just The Facts
Quick Tips to Prevent, Recognize, and Treat Hypothermia.Ironwoman Senator Of The Yukon
Compared with the rough-and-tumble Chilkoot Trail, the Senate is a walk in the park for Ione Christensen.Reading Backcountry Animal Scat
A good pile of scat speaks volumes about your backwoods animal neighbors, if you know how to read the calling card.Alaska Lands Act: 20 Years Later
In the 20 years since the passage of the Alaska Lands Act, nothing has changed in many of the state's wild places. And that's reason to celebrate.Zipped-Tight Water Safety
Use ziplock baggies with your water purifiers for extra safety.Too Cold For Comfort
How to improve your tolerance for cold and enhance your outdoor performance.Giant Sequoia National Monument
How do you protect the largest trees on Earth? Don't harm them in the first place.Bears And The "Blend In" Theory
New research suggests that bear bells don't work, and colorful tents and clothing may attract bruins.National Parks: Best Overall Park
Glacier National Park possesses scenery that'll suck the breath out of your lungs, quiet so intense you'll wonder if your ears still work, and enough wildlife to make a zookeeper drool with envy.National Parks: Best Wildlife
Where the words "wild" and "life" take on new meaningHorsepacking: A New Breed?
Some well-meaning, leave-no-trace horsepackers are trying to rein in their environmentally uncouth brethren. The question is: can they change practices and attitudes that date back to the wild west days?Wildlife Myths And Manners
When you have park visitors asking such questions as, "The animals aren't really wild, are they?" you have a recipe for disaster.Wilderness: Access For All
Should we pave the wilderness and install escalators for the disabled? No, says a former backpacker.Quest For The Jackalope
Is the legendary jackalope the most endangered species in the Lower 48 or just an old cowboy tale that refuses to die?Wind Chill Bites
Wind chill can nip noses or lead to frostbite. Here's what you should know.H2O-No: Water Bottle Tips
How to fill a water bottle without getting all wet.Fitting Filter Head Adapters
What to do if your filter head does not have an adapter for your water bottle.A Hiker In Mt. Rainier's Wonderland
Sure, you can summit Mt. Rainier, but the real treasure isn't on top. It's the Wonderland Trail down below.Beware The Hobo Spider
Its bite is more than painful -- it could be deadly.Bear Spray: Packin' Heat
It's basically pepper in an aerosol can, and it's supposed to stop a charging grizzly. But will it? Here's everything you need to know.A Hair-Raising Experience
Why two commonly held lightning-safety beliefs could get you fried, plus expert advice.Let Your Fingers Tell Time
Telling time without a watch is just a few digits away.Lightning Tips
Where not to be during lightning.Only You Can Avoid Forest Fires
Here's what to do if you're caught near a wilderness wildfire.The Joy of Wilderness Music
In a strange way, music and wilderness go hand in hand.Wilderness Of Hope
Five troubled teens and three well-meaning volunteers head into the Colorado mountains, hoping the wilds will help heal the youngsters. But in the end, it's hard to tell whose lives were forever shaped by the experience, the youths or the adults.Know Your Antlers
A quick guide to antler spotting in the wild.Antlers: A Crowning Glory
On the hoof, antlers and horns are a regal sight. Once discarded, they speak volumes about the former owner.Jackalopes: Hare-Raising "Facts"
Here's what little we've learned about the mysterious Jackalope.On The Horns Of A Dilemma
Horns or antlers?Absaroka's Wildlife Needs Your Help
Montana and Wyoming's incredibly wild and beautiful Absaroka needs your help.Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Myths and cactus in California: A life-filled land of sand and mountains.Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
Alaska's premier area for fish and wildlife.Arizona's Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness
Cool your feet and warm your brow in this Arizona desert wilderness.Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado
A primordial oasis of rivers, bighorn sheep, and canyons.Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Roads end in Arizona with tall tales, natural gardens, cacti forests, and shoe scorpions.Santa Catalina Island, California
Porpoises escort you to a rugged island where buffalo really do roam.Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
A watery paradise, a hiker's secret.Cache River State Natural Area
Not your laid-back summer holiday -- canoeing and hiking galore.Florida's Oklawaha River
Take a lazy cruise through exotic scenery, where monkeys swing and eagles soar.Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve
In Big Cypress' land of exotic plants and lurking alligators, swamps aren't such bad places after all.Cloudland Canyon State Park
Tennessee: Savage Gulf State Natural Area
Waterfalls and swimming holes aplenty.Polar Bears: Big, White... And Harmless?
If you run into the big white bears, should you be scared?Mosquitoes: Avoiding Alaska's Winged Plague
Birth Of The Northern Lights
Where does the aurora borealis come from?Northern Lights Viewer's Guide
Follow these tips to make the most out of the northern night skies.Alpine Hiking, Euro-Style: A First-Timer's Guide
If you plan on hiking the European Alps, get ready for some differences across the pond.Forest Facts: Champion Trees
Forthwith, interesting tidbits about Great Smoky's largest forest dwellers.The Bear Facts in Great Smoky
There are scads of bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- so don't forget these tips.Bonus Backcountry Bug-Off Tips
Other tips to beat the most annoying backcountry biters.Joshua Tree's Bloomin' Good Hike
California: Journey through a desert to bear witness to some of the loveliest wildflowers you'll ever see.New Hampshire's Chorus Of Loons
A chaotic chorus of loon calls penetrate the darkness, the warbling sounds echoing off the wooded hills around the New Hampshire lake.Big Cypress: Woodpeckers And Old Growth
Consider trying to spot a red-cockaded wood-pecker in Florida's Big Cypress Preserve a form of treasure hunting.When Pennsylvania Elks Bugle, Love Is In The Air
The ungodly wailing that sometimes drifts through the dark woods is only an animal.Virginia's Crest Zone: Basking In Moonshine
Pine Mountain and Wilson Ridge command high-country vistas stretching across rock-strewn meadows.Hiking At A Berry Slow Pace
Figure on 9 days to do the entire 100-mile hike—unless you're slowed drastically by all the blueberries.New York's Shower Of Color
Have your camera ready near dusk, when sunlight warms the landscape with intense color.Splendor In Vermont's Green Mountains
Enjoy Vermont's autumn colors while you can -- they disappear all too quickly, and the Green Mountains recover their namesake hue in the spring.Love Thy Rattlesnake
Encountering a rattlesnake is a splendid moment in time, a cherished wilderness event--at least that's the view of Arizona researchers trying to change public perception of all things fanged.Maine's Seals In The Surf
Maine's seal pups are usually born in May, making early summer an ideal time to witness the youngsters learning to swim and fish.Big Bend Birding In Texas
The best bird window coincides with the best hiking season in the Chihuahuan Desert.Theodore Roosevelt's Bison Trails
North Dakota: America's own Serengeti.California's Trinity Alps: Dr. Seuss Hiked Here
Observe the uncanny resemblance between the good doctor's famous Truffula Trees and a field of fuzz-topped flowers 5 miles up Long Canyon.Aspen's Avalanche Of Gold
No color in nature comes close to matching the heart-stirring golden aspen found in the Rockies in autumn.Washington's World Of The Larch
As autumn closes in on the larches, the green bleeds out of their needles, leaving a towering spire of gold.Birds In Utah's Canyonlands
Life in the high desert in autumn is sweeter and more irresistible than any place on Earth.Elksong
At a campsite along the Snake River, the bugling goes on night and day.The Otters Of Michigan's Sylvania Wilderness
You'll emerge from a forested hallway into a wilderness playroom, and there before you will be skidmarks in the snow.Kenucky's Land Of Painted Leaves
"October is the month for painted leaves," Thoreau mused. He could have been talking about Kentucky's Red River Gorge.Snowbirds Of Okefenokee Swamp
The Purple Trail through Chase Prairie or the Green or Red Trails through Floyd's Prairie are good routes for viewing Sandhill cranes.Boating With Bald Eagles
The typical Delaware River float trip offers the opportunity to spy more bald eagles than people.Arizona's Sky Islands: Harmonic Convergence
Arizona: Every year millions of ladybugs head to Arizona and coat trees, rocks, and brush like a layer of living paint.Colorado's San Juans Wildflower Explosion
The majestic San Juan Mountain range is often called America's Switzerland. -- and the wildflowers match.Oregon's Volcanoes In Full Bloom
Vast meadows of wildflowers sprawl across the ridgetops and valley bottoms of the Three Sisters.Alternative To Bug Spray: Permethrin
Another bug-beating option.Pretty As A Picture
The blaze of fall color in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is unequaled.Stargazing In New Mexico's White Sands
The lunarlike landscape and dark skies of this preserve make White Sands one of the best places for star watching.Maine's Frisky Season For Moose
Even if you don't see a moose, you'll hear the bulls' low grunts echoing off the hillside.Eye To Eye With Raptors
Eyeball to beak with impressively taloned hawks in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest.New Hampshire: Pop Goes The Forest
You can spend days exploring the Dry River Valley forest without seeing another soul, even if it sounds like you're being chased by a well-armed militia.Tennessee: Ice As Art
In winter, the glasslike menagerie of icicles in the Cumberland Plateau will send a chill down your spine.Maryland's Savage River State Forest
hen it comes to sheer ability to alter a landscape and shock the human senses, you can't beat the May blooms of a mountain laurel thicket.Avoiding Mosquitoes
Ah, spring, the season of the blessed bloom-and maddening mosquitoes. If you don't like slathering yourself in DEET, then you'd better learn how to avoid the pests.The Prophet Of The PNT
With the fervor of a pulpit-pounding evangelist, Ron Strickland has wandered the land, preaching the gospel of the Pacific Northwest Trail he hoped to create.Wilderness Wind: Blown Away
The wind can save you from bugs or drive you mad. Here's how to enjoy the benefits and avoid the downside of a good stiff breeze.The Smokies: Backwoods-Style
Here's your insider's guide to The Great Smokies, probably the epitome of a true backpacker's national park.Gear Rx: Stoves And Water Filters
See if your stove or water filter is safe to repair.Improve Your Sense Of Direction
Scientists now believe that the navigationally challenged can retrain their brains.Decoding Snow Flakes
Learn what the white stuff means.Alabama's Cheaha Wilderness: A Southern Secret
The little-known Cheaha Wilderness Area is the gateway to Alabama's largest trail system.Oregon's Steens Mountain: An Airborne Oasis
Steens looks like your average mountain, but hike up high and you'll find a hidden paradise.Bruce Babbitt: Not Your Average Bureaucrat
Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbit knows he can't please everyone. So rather than try, he spends his time righting environmental wrongs and preserving wildlands.Hike All Year
Okay, so the weather stinks and so does the hiking. Change both by heading down the road to where the sun shines and the trail beckons.Once Upon The Alps
In the European high-country Alps you can wander through the most stunning mountains in the world. Vive la difference!Julia 'Butterfly' Hill Leaves Redwood Home
Protester celebrates victory in a two-year battle to save a giant redwood by coming back to earth.Hunting For Meteors
Know what to look for and you can simply pick one up off the ground.Baja Mexico: South To The Sun
Combine white sand beaches and gin-clear water with snow-free highland hiking, and you've got Baja, the perfect midwinter escape.Northern Lights: The Sky Will Dance
Like shimmering rainbows in the night, the northern lights electrify the sky with color.Breaking Trail: Snow Going
When the white stuff piles up, work together to break a trail.NOLS Founder Paul Petzoldt Dies
NOLS founder Paul Petzoldt fought for wilderness his whole life.American Climber Alex Lowe Presumed Dead
After hours of searching through ice chunks and piles of snow on Shishapangma Mountain, searchers have called off an avalanche rescue mission to find American climbers Alex Lowe and Dave Bridges.Great Smokies Showcase: Maddron Bald
In a park full of natural wonder, the route to Maddron Bald hits the high points.The Faces Of Fall
If you think autumn is simply a time to rake leaves, then you need to read our guide to the best of the fall season.The Wisdom of Abo Dude
To all the techno-weenies with your space-age outdoor gear, Cody Lundin has some advice: For that day when your butt's on the line, you better know how to get primitive.Climbing: A Higher Calling
In every backpacker's life, there comes a time when you stare awestruck at a mountain and wonder, "What's it like to climb that sucker?"Tales Of A Wilderness Rescuer
After you've spent a cold, drizzly, miserable night searching for a lost or injured hiker, sometimes a few simple words of thanks make it all worthwhile.Find Wildlife At Night
Leave the book in the tent and make a date to chat with some owls and sing with the frogs.Preserving Hiking Trails: Acting Selflessly
What have you done lately for the trails and backcountry you use? Join a Volunteer Vacation and save the trails you love.Wolves' Long Journey Home
While the wolf reintroduction debate rages across the country, in Wisconsin the animals are simply reclaiming their rightful place.North Carolina's Mountains To Sea Trail
It's not complete, but North Carolina's Mountains To Sea trail rivals Inman's journey in "Cold Mountain."Editor's Choice: Bowman Lake, Glacier National Park
Bears electrify an already incredible experience at Glacier National Park's Bowman Lake.North Carolina's Gregory Bald
Great Smoky's Gregory Bald features an amazing crown of wild azaleas.California's Redwood National Park
Walk among giants in Redwood National Park.Hiking Where The Tide Pools
To understand what goes on beneath the sea, find a rocky shoreline and explore awayThe Devil Wore Sneakers
Last time you went looking for a new place to hike, you probably consulted a guidebook. We all do. So why is author Michael Kelsey getting lambasted for giving us what we want?The Mother of All Beginner Trips
Imagine that your well-coiffed, country club mother calls and says, "I want to go backpacking." Would it be your worst nightmare or a family dream come true?The Colors Of Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias
Wrangell-St. Elias National park is known for its jaw-dropping scenery, but there's just as much beauty at your feet.Alaska's Glaciers: Going With The Floes
When gently paddling amidst the mini-icebergs that grace Prince William Sound, you ponder one question: why walk?Solo Hiking Alaska: Fear Walked With Me
A once-in-a-lifetime solo hike through Lake Clark National Park, where the midnight sun shines like candlelight on the mountains.ANWR: Postcards From The Edge
Journey to Alaska's far northern edge, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, where the midnight sun shines like candlelight on the mountains.Water Filter First-Aid
Make sure your water purifier doesn't leave you high and dry.Canada: The Land Of Plenty
Looking for a really wild time? Grab your passport and head to Canada, where the mountains are big, the views stretch beyond your imagination, and you can't fling a moose pellet without hitting some kind of wildlife.Make Way For Animals
We love watching wildlife, but follow these tips to stay safe.Animal Rut: Doing The Wild Thing
They paw, prance, bang heads, and curl lips. The rut is on, and there's no better time to observe the wild kingdom.Not Exactly Roughing It On Idaho's Salmon River Trail
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River Trail is a 100-mile-long backpacker's dream that comes complete with muscle-soothing waters and the occasional glass of wine with your four-course dinner.California's Land Of "Thoughtful" Giants
Redwood Meadow's massive trees and wild countryside have changed little since Muir passed through 100 years ago.Wildlife Body Language
When faced with a large, testy animal, it pays to know whether it's saying, "Hi there" or "I'm about to shred your lungs."Make Your Own Shade
When it's hot outside, keep cool with this sunscreen for your head.Be A Night Hiker
Tune up your senses and turn off the lights for a wild walk on the dark side.Poison Ivy: Plant World Darth Vaders
Believe it or not, poison ivy isn't all bad -- but it's still best avoided. Here's how.Of Mice And Lyme Disease
Stay away from mice out on the trail, and you'll stay away from disease-carrying ticks.Hiker's Paradise: New Zealand
If you like stunning mountains, challenging trails, breathtaking scenery and warm temperatures in winter, New Zealand is your ticket to paradise. Just watch out for the thieving parrots.Yosemite: Treasure Of The Sierra
Forget what CNN and Your Daily News say about Yosemite's crowds and crime and traffic. the "treasure of the Sierra" is still a golden place for backpackers to escape.Life's Great (Continental) Divide
The Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park is a place of reckoning and, given its trackless nature, a place of choices. To a young man who came of age here, it offers perspective on paths not taken.Why Do Fireflies Glow?
Plus 24 other round-the-campfire brain stumpers every nature buff should know.Go Now! The Wilderness Life List
The 10 once-in-a-lifetime adventures any backwoods fanatic should have under his hipbelt before hanging up the ol' pack.A Blank Spot On The Map
We travel to New Mexico's Aldo Leopold Wilderness to understand the roots of the preservation movement and see just how far we've come.Mt. Rainier National Park
A small taste of Washington's mighty mountain.Wildlife Watching: Spring Peeping
Look on the south sides of mountains to catch animals coming out in spring.Water Filter Maintenance
Tips to keep water filters filtering.International Hikes: The World Awaits
Grab your passport and follow these 25 hikes where wild winds Blow, strange animals roam, and even the alpenglow adds to the adventure.You Can Leave Home Without It
Putting the Ray Jardine ultralight way to the test.Ultralight: The Ray Jardine Way
He rocked the world of climbing, challenged the accepted wisdom in sea kayaking, and now Ray Jardine turned his renegade way of thinking to backpacking.Hypothermia 101
As the temperature dips, hypothermia can threaten survival for backwoods adventurers unaware of its warning signs.Paul Schurke: Chillin' With The Iceman
Your odds of surviving, much less enjoying, a -30°F night in the woods rate right up there with a snowball's chance in you-know-where. That is, unless you make friends with a guy they call The Iceman.Homemade Bear Bag
A homemade bear bag will make sure your provisions stay safe from hungry critters.Grand Staircase-Escalante: The Last Best Place
Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante is huge, remote, controversial, and one of the finest destinations for backpackers in the Lower 48.Canada's Wood Buffalo National Park
The bison are relics from the past, and the wolves know no fear. Welcome to Wood Buffalo National Park, where time stands still and the land shrugs off man's attempts to alter its primitive spirit.'Seams' Dry: Weatherproof Your Tent
Learn how to weatherproof your tent -- before it rains.Insect Stings: What's Bugging You?
If the thought of a spider bite or bee sting makes your skin crawl, then preventing a painful encounter is the key.Resurrection Pass Trail, Alaska
In a land with few trails, Alaska's Resurrection Pass stands above them all.Don't Feed The Animals
A well-intentioned handout today could mean disaster for panhandling wildlife tomorrow.Hiking Forests Primeval
Fifteen trails that'll take you from flaming maples to towering redwoods, with plenty of shimmering aspen in between.Mt. St. Helens: The Cataclysm and Beyond
A trek through the blast zone of a restless volcano raises questions about a father's legacy and a child's future.What's It Like 'Anyplace Wild?'
The host of BACKPACKER's television show gives us a peek inside.Game Trails: Nature's Trail Crews
Follow four-legged trail blazers down paths you'll never find on a map.Night In A Whole New Light
Go out at night for a whole new look into wilderness.Gall Wasps In Trees
What makes those golf-ball-size lumps on trees? A tiny wasp with a lot of nerve.Praise For Porcupines
Even though they eat boots and pack straps, there's newfound appreciation for porcupines.Mountain Lions: Return Of The Ghost Cat
The mountain lion is the only North American predator that occasionally stalks humans. Do you have anything to fear?Canada's Lewis and Clark: Alexander Mackenzie
When it came to continent crossing, the noted U.S. explorers were a step behind Canada's Alexander Mackenzie. And until you hike his namesake trail, you can't truly appreciate the toughness of his journey or the magnitude of his accomplishment.Big Bad Wolves?
On their own and with help from the government, wolves are reclaiming their former range. Should you worry?Bear Bagging Your Food
Keep your food away from hungry bears.Facing Grizzly Bear Fears
Hiking in grizzly territory requires preparation, respect, and a clear head. A little luck doesn't hurt, either.
