| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Danger Zones/Escape Plans: Weather
From cyclones to storm surges, use this matrix of backcountry weather dangers as your guide to survival.
Weather Anecdotes: Explained
Mnemonics make it easy to remember weather sayings and make weather predictions, but is there any truth behind the prediction rhymes?
Backpacker Bible: See More Wildlife
Get closer to the mystery of life: Put yourself spine-tingling distance from the fanged and clawed and horned.
The BACKPACKER Interview: Ken Burns
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns joins us to talk about the people, places, and lasting importance of his latest project, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."
Dogs of War Part 1: Hunting Denali Wolves
Coke Wallace lives to hunt wolves. Follow him into the Alaskan backcountry to learn how wolf hunters find, catch, and kill their prey.
Dogs of War Part 2: Tracking the Toklat Wolf Pack
Join wildlife scientist Gordon Haber on a trip into Denali to track down the threatened Toklat pack's den, where he hopes to see wolves thriving in their natural environment.
FEATURES, ADVICE, AND PROFILES
Environment
Weather Anecdotes: Explained
Mnemonics make it easy to remember weather sayings and make weather predictions, but is there any truth behind the prediction rhymes?
Green Guide
Articles on nature and climate change as they relate to backpacking, and environmentally friendly backpacking gear.Plants
Natural Wonders: World's Tallest Geyser, North America's Smallest Bird and Best Shade Tree
Discover the world's tallest geyser, North America's smallest bird, and the country's best shade tree on these three treks.
Top 3 Glow-in-the-Dark Trips
See glowing plankton, mushrooms, and bugs on these brilliant adventures.Threats
Ask A Bear: Bags vs. Canisters?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Ask A Bear: Are You A Good Swimmer?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'Weather
Weather Anecdotes: Explained
Mnemonics make it easy to remember weather sayings and make weather predictions, but is there any truth behind the prediction rhymes?
How to Use Online Weather Resources
Conditions mean everything when planning your weekend adventure. Check out our Rocky Mountain Editor's favorite weather sites.Wildlife
Backpacker Bible: See More Wildlife
Get closer to the mystery of life: Put yourself spine-tingling distance from the fanged and clawed and horned.
Recording Nature: Calls of the Wild
Enrich your trip memories by recording nature's soundscapes.
Weather Anecdotes: Explained
Mnemonics make it easy to remember weather sayings and make weather predictions, but is there any truth behind the prediction rhymes?
Green Guide
Articles on nature and climate change as they relate to backpacking, and environmentally friendly backpacking gear.
The Birth of the Rockies
A new theory might solve the mystery of how these mountains formed.
Natural Wonders: World's Tallest Geyser, North America's Smallest Bird and Best Shade Tree
Discover the world's tallest geyser, North America's smallest bird, and the country's best shade tree on these three treks.
Three Trips to Natural Wonders
Discover the world's oldest tree, America's biggest cavern, and Florida's largest herd of wild horses on these three treks.
Wilderness Wonders: Strangest Rock Formation
Millions of years ago, these crazy rock formations were formed in Turkey due to volcanic activity.
Danger Signs: Burn Zones
Here are the top three wildfire dangers and how to avoid them.
Wilderness Wonders: Tallest Tree
Head to Northern California's Redwood National Park for a glimpse at these giants.
Wilderness Wonders: Largest Glacier
Trekker-friendly glacier is largest in the Alps.
Wilderness Wonders: Hottest Geysers
Superheated water sprays from Yellowstone ground.
Natural Wonders: World's Tallest Geyser, North America's Smallest Bird and Best Shade Tree
Discover the world's tallest geyser, North America's smallest bird, and the country's best shade tree on these three treks.
Top 3 Glow-in-the-Dark Trips
See glowing plankton, mushrooms, and bugs on these brilliant adventures.
Wilderness Wonders: Tallest Tree
Head to Northern California's Redwood National Park for a glimpse at these giants.
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.
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.
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.
How to Treat Poison Ivy
Beat the itchy stuff with creams or homeopathic measures.
Powerful Plants and Animals In Your Backyard
The wooly bear caterpillar, wild leek, and yew have "magical" qualities, but live in your backyard.Trip Doctor: Best Western Foliage
Where's the best western foliage?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.
Ask A Bear: Bags vs. Canisters?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Ask A Bear: Are You A Good Swimmer?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Phenomenon: Crevasses
These gaping glacier cracks are dramatic–and deadly. Here's how they form, plus three safe places to see a crevasse up close.
Danger Signs: Trail Confusion
Don't want to get lost? Heed this advice on four trail situations that routinely cause problems.
Danger Signs: Burn Zones
Here are the top three wildfire dangers and how to avoid them.
Danger Signs: Bear Country
Hiking where bears are present (that's more than 40 states) always requires precautions, like hanging food. But these three signals demand extra vigilance.
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.
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.
Nuclear-Free Hiking
How Cold War weapons sites are becoming America's most unusual new preserves.
What 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.
Weather Anecdotes: Explained
Mnemonics make it easy to remember weather sayings and make weather predictions, but is there any truth behind the prediction rhymes?
How to Use Online Weather Resources
Conditions mean everything when planning your weekend adventure. Check out our Rocky Mountain Editor's favorite weather sites.
Backpacker Photo School: Tips for Great Fall Photos
Before all the leaves drop, read these quick tips and take your camera out on the trail for one more shot at Autumn photos.
Cloud Quiz
Test your knowledge of cloud types, and how you can use them to predict the weather.
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.
Wind Power: Turbulence Ahead
Wind power offers clean energy–but how much will hikers compromise to get it?
Cascades Meltdown
The Lower 48's most glaciated region is losing its ice at an astonishing rate.
Phenomenon: What are Sky Islands?
To see how animals stay cool in a hot climate, just look up.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.How to Avoid Avalanches
Hike safely in avalanche terrain
Backpacker Bible: See More Wildlife
Get closer to the mystery of life: Put yourself spine-tingling distance from the fanged and clawed and horned.
Recording Nature: Calls of the Wild
Enrich your trip memories by recording nature's soundscapes.
Ask A Bear: Bags vs. Canisters?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Ask A Bear: Are You A Good Swimmer?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Wild Things: Where to Spot Wildlife
If seeing bears or bighorn sheep, moose or mountain lions is on your life list check out our tips for where, when, & how to catch an eye full.
Natural Wonders: World's Tallest Geyser, North America's Smallest Bird and Best Shade Tree
Discover the world's tallest geyser, North America's smallest bird, and the country's best shade tree on these three treks.
Wildlife: Where to See Wolves
Find these nocturnal animals at dawn.
Where to See River Otters, Javelinas, & Manatees
Check out the top spots to find these three quirky creatures
Wildlife: Where to See Elk
Elk mostly travel in herds making them easier to spot.
Wildlife: Where to See Mountain Lions
Mountain lions can be found from Central America to the Pacific.
Tools & Experts
Medicine Man
Our wilderness medicine guru talks first-aid, health, and emergency management.
Get Schooled
Survival Blog
Go deep into the backcountry with Rocky Mountain Editor Steve Howe and get an unfiltered dose dose of all things survival.
Are you tough enough?
Menu Maker
Get ready to head into the wild with our complete menus and shopping lists for your perfect outing.
Find Your Perfect Meal
Backpacking 101
Trip-planning tips, gear lists, safety advice, and other essential wisdom every hiker ought to know.
Get Started
MASTER YOUR OUTDOOR EXPERTISE WITH OUR TIPS
The BACKPACKER Interview: Ken Burns
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns joins us to talk about the people, places, and lasting importance of his latest project, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea."
Dogs of War Part 1: Hunting Denali Wolves
Coke Wallace lives to hunt wolves. Follow him into the Alaskan backcountry to learn how wolf hunters find, catch, and kill their prey.
Dogs of War Part 2: Tracking the Toklat Wolf Pack
Join wildlife scientist Gordon Haber on a trip into Denali to track down the threatened Toklat pack's den, where he hopes to see wolves thriving in their natural environment.
TIP 31: Stay Energized
Grab a handful of gorp every 1 to 1.5 hours to keep your energy high.
Editors' Choice 2013
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Boost Your Apps
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Carry the Best Maps
With BACKPACKER PRO Maps, get life-list destinations and local trips on adventure-ready waterproof myTopo paper.
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