Remove a Tick the Right Way Before It Can Make You Sick
What to do when you find a creepy parasite engorging itself on your blood.
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Never Heard of Via Ferrata? It Might Be Your Next Great Trail Adventure
On via ferratas, climbers use permanently-installed iron rungs and cables to ascend soaring cliffs without the need to carry heavy rock climbing gear. Want to try one? Here's what you need to know.
Yellowstone Bear Euthanized After Destroying Tent, Stealing Human Food
National park officials euthanized the adult sow after weeks of concerning behavior.
Chili Mac is Undefeated
And it’s even better when you make it yourself.
Yes, You Can Backpack in Walmart Gear
Hiking is no place for the fashion police.
This Is the One Piece of Hiking Gear I Will Never Cheap Out On
I can live with a sub-par tent or a Walmart shell. But cheap shoes? That’s a trip-ruiner.
A Fox Has Stolen 32 Shoes (and Counting) in Grand Teton. Rangers Want It to Stop
One local Grand Teton fox who's embracing its inner sneakerhead has stolen nearly three dozen shoes in a Grand Teton campground, leading park officials to worry it's becoming alarmingly habituated to humans.
A Hiking Retreat Will Help You Reinvent Yourself—If You Can Afford It
A year ago, I flew to British Columbia for a week in the woods punctuated by scenic hikes, gourmet food, and treatments ranging from massages to sound baths. It fundamentally improved my life, but it's a shame we’ve let that kind of wellness become a luxury.
5 Utah Hikes With Rock Formations, Dinosaur Tracks, and No National Park Crowds
Sure, the Mighty Five are great. But they're also crowded. These trails outside those parks have a little more breathing room.
Looking For A Hike-Centric Road Trip? Try This Classic Route Up The California Coast.
There's no better time than the summer to embark on this classic Californian road trip.
My Hike With the Man Who Transformed SoCal Mountain Safety
To write the San Jacinto Trail Report, Jon King hikes 5,000 miles and a million feet of vert each year.
Wildlife
The Cocaine Bear Trailer Is Wild. The Real Story Is Weirder and Sadder.
Cocaine Bear's first trailer shows a bloodthirsty, intoxicated bruin rampaging through the forest. But how much of the based-on-a-true-story movie is real?
Fitness
The Best Hiking Workouts for Every Fitness Level
Reality check: Hitting the gym is the quickest way to hike farther, easier, faster, and pain-free. Get into a routine—or take yours to the next level—with these smart workouts for three different levels.
The Best Hikes
The Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park
Full of rock scrambles, cactus clusters, and desert views for days, Joshua Tree National Park is the southwest at its finest.
Backpacking Skills
Why You Should Use Trekking Poles
Ending too many hikes with sore, wobbly legs? Trekking poles can help you make it that extra mile.
Gear Round-Ups
Trail Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows
The Narrows at Zion National Park offers an incredible adventure in America's most amazing slot canyons. Here's how to safely explore them.
Survival Skills
How to Remove and Treat Thorns, Splinters, and Other Prick Wounds
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.
Classic Destinations
Hike Mauna Kea: The Expert Guide to Hiking Hawaii’s Highest Point
Ready to hike to the highest point in Hawaii? Ascend Mauna Kea's volcanic slopes to a summit high above the clouds. This challenging day hike is among the most spectacular on the planet.
Backpacking Gear
10 Backpacking Gear Tips We Learned the Hard Way
Get the most out of your backpacking equipment with this sage advice.
Long Trails
100 Years Ago, the Appalachian Trail Was One Man’s Dream. Now, It’s Everyone’s.
Benton MacKaye's original proposal for the Appalachian Trail came out 100 years ago. While the trail may have changed, the appeal hasn't.
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Out Alive
Real people who survived the unsurvivable
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Impossible Odds
Two friends, 8,000 trail miles, one year
Featured Story
The Best Places to Hike in 2023
This is the year to dream big. With the world's last destinations finally reopening to visitors, now's the time to plan a life-list hike that you'll never forget. Even better: Backpacker's done the work for you.
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