Dayhikes are wonderful, but you’ve decided to make the leap and sleep outside. No car, no campground, just you, your hiking partner, and a tent. Here’s how to pull off your first backpacking trip without a hitch.
And what to do when you get athlete’s foot on your pack.
Tag 50 of Appalachia’s highest peaks on this 343-mile route.
Bring home dreamy after-dark photos of your starlit camp.
Kathryn Miles’s new book, ‘Trailed,’ investigates the killings of Julie Williams and Lollie Winans in Shenandoah National Park 25 years ago—and asks difficult questions about safety in nature
Seven climbers from the Full Circle Everest team reached the peak on Thursday
The three men are also banned from entering the national parks for one year.
Lace up your boots for a hiking destination that includes Rocky Mountain vistas, alpine lakes, wind-swept sand dunes, and memorable urban parks.
Takeaways from a thoughtful life spent outdoors.
Gram-counters can seem obsessive, but these quirks are rooted in practicality.
Add four low-carb recipes to your trail cookbook
Four mouthwatering recipes for people with a sweet tooth
If you had to choose only a bottle or reservoir, which would it be?
Not satisfied with stopping at the river’s edge? Unlock new wilderness with this lightweight waterfaring setup.
Our resident bruin answers all your questions in 'Ask A Bear.'
Ditching the baggage and streamlining your life can be easier said than done.
You really want more granola? Get your carbs in a tasty, new way.
Second soldier injured in encounter; wildlife officials searching for bear.
Night is falling, and you’re far from the trailhead without a tent. Time to build your own all-natural Airbnb.
Pare down your kit by leaving your stove and fuel at home.
From short hikes to long runs that push the definition of a dayhike, these six packs will be your constant companions.
Stories, gear reviews, hiking guides, and more just for Outside+ members.
Join Outside+ See AllGauge your cardiovascular fitness to hone in on your training goals.
Embrace the exposure when you take your summer adventures to the crest of the high country.
Make sure you never get lost again by mastering the underappreciated art of navigating with a compass and map.
Fire up a backcountry meal to remember with these camp-friendly cookers.
The Narrows at Zion National Park offers an incredible adventure in America's most amazing slot canyons. Here's how to safely explore them.
Nature can be brutal. Learn how to to deal with wounds from all kinds of thorns, spines, splinters, shards, quills, needles, and anything else that might get under your skin when you’re on the trail.
Hike some of the East Coast's wildest wilderness on the AT.
Nobody knows hiking boots like Backpacker. We sent testers around the world with the latest boots and shoes to see how they perform in varied conditions. These 10 rose to the top.
Real people who survived the unsurvivable
Two friends, 8,000 trail miles, one year
Have a tale from the AT? We want you to give us a call—literally.
From Grandma Gatewood‘s walk to Bill Bryson‘s misadventures to the Instagram hiking heroes of today, some of backpacking’s most compelling stories have originated on the Appalachian Trail. Whether it’s for 3 months or a weekend, everyone who sets foot on this path has their own tale: a bear encounter, a spectacular sunrise, or an unforgettable night with a shelter full of new friends. Now, Backpacker wants to help you tell yours. All you need to do is leave us a message.
This season, we’re highlighting ordinary AT hikers’ extraordinary stories. Here’s how it works: give us a call at 303-253-6424 and leave us a message with your name and a story from your section hike or thru-hike. Anything is fair game: we’re looking for your best moments, your worst moments, a story about your tramily, your favorite summit, an experience that got your pulse pounding, a tale about the friendly space alien you met along the way, or just how the trail has changed your perspective. We’ll pick our favorites and feature them on our Instagram and Facebook accounts for everyone to enjoy. Our only requirement: that it’s out of this world.
Tell us your Appalachian Trail story at 303-253-6424
FAQ
Where will you share these stories?
We’ll share our favorite stories from A.T. Phone Home on Instagram and Facebook, and may also feature them on our site, podcasts, and other social media platforms.
