Food & Nutrition
Transform boring old instant potatoes into spicy, hearty meals.
From beer pancakes to on-the-go tiramisu, our resident Trail Chef will have your mouth watering in no time.
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Health & First Aid
From splinting a broken leg to duct taping a bloody wound, the BACKPACKER First Aid Center is an invaluable resource for backcountry first aid.
Fast, hassle-free, ultralight,–we explore five different water treatment scenarios and the right system to use.
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Survival
Kristin Bjornsen hikes into the Sierras to meet Gus, a new breed of highly trained
rescue professional that's already patrolling Yosemite for lost and injured
backpackers.
Don't leave it in the car–mobile phones are the latest essential rescue gear.
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Fitness
Here's what 2,000-plus miles does to your system–and how to get the same results at home.
The secret to long-term health and fitness? Reap backpacking's many benefits–a strong heart, lean muscle, superior endurance–through every stage of your life. Here's how.
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Navigation
Try these 10 tips for cross-country travel.
From navigation to staying dry to predicting the weather, our primer will have you dialed.
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General Skills
Find and frame animals perfectly with this wildlife photography primer.
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.
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Transform boring old instant potatoes into spicy, hearty meals.
From beer pancakes to on-the-go tiramisu, our resident Trail Chef will have your mouth watering in no time.
We'll show you how to be the ultimate trail chef in no time with these tips.
Just because you're in the backcountry doesn't mean you don't need cookware. Here, some essentials to make you king of trail kitchen.
From cocktails to coffee, these recipes and tips will keep you quaffed no matter what.
Need to recharge with something tasty? These savory snacks will do just that.
Finish your meal off right with these treats for the trail.
Whip up a four start meal with these trail side recipes.
Start the day right with these out-of-the-ordinary breakfast treats.
Batter up for these trail-ready pancakes.
From splinting a broken leg to duct taping a bloody wound, the BACKPACKER First Aid Center is an invaluable resource for backcountry first aid.
Fast, hassle-free, ultralight,–we explore five different water treatment scenarios and the right system to use.
Our restless guinea pig snooze-tested the latest science and gear to bring you a simple plan that's guaranteed to improve your backcountry ZZZ's.
Treat dental problems–from minor to major–with these tips.
Frostbite is bad news. Learn how to safely treat frozen feet.
Close a wound, remove a tick, prevent poison ivy rash, and more essential tips.
Dogs can get hurt on the trail just like you. Here's how to treat 5 common problems.
Long-distance runner Russell Secker feels your foot pain–and he knows how to get rid of it.
Sweaty feet, thick socks, and sturdy boots are a blister cauldron. Learn four easy ways to keep your feel clean, dry, and blister free.
Have one of these three common health problems? Stay safe on the trail by taking sensible precautions.
Kristin Bjornsen hikes into the Sierras to meet Gus, a new breed of highly trained
rescue professional that's already patrolling Yosemite for lost and injured
backpackers.
Don't leave it in the car–mobile phones are the latest essential rescue gear.
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.
Read these real-life tales from five survivors who made it out alive, and learn what they did wrong–and right.
A staged photo op in the Tetons results in a near-crushing.
Stunned by the loss of his friends, a stranded climber struggles down one of Alaska's toughest peaks.
Don't let groundless phobias ruin–or even prevent–your backcountry adventures. Here's a foolproof plan for overcoming your terrors.
Here's what 2,000-plus miles does to your system–and how to get the same results at home.
The secret to long-term health and fitness? Reap backpacking's many benefits–a strong heart, lean muscle, superior endurance–through every stage of your life. Here's how.
Follow this winter workout and conquer the steeps come spring.
Get stronger and hike longer with a workout that matches your physique.
Yosemite National Park wilderness ranger Mark Fincher shares his secrets for staying fit and healthy
Having trouble getting motivated? These soldiers toughen you up with their custom can't-quit tips.
Gymnasts can land backflips on balance beams four inches wide. Their secret: training barefoot.
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?
Get trail-fit in six weeks with this simple exercise plan.
Shed useless pack weight, not luxuries
Try these 10 tips for cross-country travel.
From navigation to staying dry to predicting the weather, our primer will have you dialed.
Solve winter routefinding challenges with these expert tips.
3 key skills for getting off the trail without getting off course
A NOLS veteran offers tips on balancing comfort, safety, and Leave No Trace principles.
Don't be daunted by a thick owner's manual. Unlocking your unit's advanced navigational tools is easier than you think.
Dotted, dashed, and curvy. Red, blue, and brown. All these colors and styles criss-cross a topo map. Learn what they mean.
By understanding your terrain, knowing your pace, and reading the map regularly you can stay on course wherever you are.
If you don't know what triangulation is, read this article.
Topo maps just look like a children's drawing if you don't know what contour lines are.
Find and frame animals perfectly with this wildlife photography primer.
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.
Learn how to take the perfect fall foliage photo with our tutorials and slideshows.
With these books on haunted trails and creepy creatures, you'll be ready for a spooky hike in no time.
Chaga, or "tinder fungus" and other natural firestarters abound in the backcountry–you just have to know where to look for them.
Explore these redrock mysteries safely with expert tips on gear and technique.
Want to hike farther with less effort this summer? It's easy–just cut your pack weight in half with our foolproof 33-tip plan.
Could you earn a merit badge in wilderness travel? Better ace this test, taken straight from the Scouts' own backpacking manual.
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.
From navigation to staying dry to predicting the weather, our primer will have you dialed.
Tools & Experts
Gear Chick

Pose your burning gear question to Kristin Hostetter and she'll drop some knowledge on how to fix, mend, improve, and more.
Read the Latest
Backpacking 101

Trip-planning tips, gear lists, safety advice, and other essential wisdom every hiker ought to know.
Get Started
Survival 101

With 12 instructional videos, blogs, and an archive of essential knowledge, you'll get top-notch guidance from the pros who know.
Learn to Survive
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 of all things survival.
Are you tough enough?
Gear Checklists

Make sure you remember everything for your next outdoor adventure by use the same checklists that Backpacker editors have used for years.
Get Packing
Ultimate Fix-It Guide

Learn how to make your gear last forever with our guide to the 55 most common repairs and maintenance musts.
Do it Yourself