I Dehydrated A Week of Leftovers. Here’s How it Turned Out.
One hiker combines her loves of cooking and backpacking.
One hiker combines her loves of cooking and backpacking.
Is it really an adventure if you have it planned to the mile? Patricia "Blackpacker" Cameron explains why she's playing it loose on the Pacific Crest Trail.
And the apparel manufacturer joins a growing number of companies that have pledged to cover travel costs for employees who must go to a different state to seek abortion care.
Wildlife agency warns residents not to leave food in cars.
A two-year ban bars campers from overnighting on the famous peak—and officials may push it even further.
Put these world-class treks on your bucket list, and get the right footwear for success
The world’s first national park will reopen this week after the devastating floods. Here's what you can expect.
Rescue teams endured 80-mile-per-hour gusts and snow to reach the injured hiker, who was attempting a Presidential Traverse.
We dug up an old recipe from our archives and gave it another try. Here's which flavors stood the test of time, and which you should leave on the shelves.
Wildfire? Hurricane? Apocalypse? In this uncertain age, everyone should be prepared to escape in a hurry.
If your feet ever become numb while hiking, don't worry. This common hiking ailment has a few potential causes and easy fixes.
Almost 9.5 million acres in 13 western states are permanently inaccessible to the general public because they're surrounded by private land. BLM director Tracy Stone-Manning wants to keep chipping away at them, acre by acre.
Incident comes days after US Forest Service warned campers about food-conditioned bears.
It's been six months since the first NPS director in five years stepped into office facing $22 billion in deferred maintenance. This is what he's accomplished so far—and what's still coming.
From the Wonderland Trail to the Wave, many of the most spectacular places in the United States are only available to people willing to go through a permit lottery. For Maggie Slepian, it’s just not worth the hassle.
Each year, more families seem to earn attention by taking to long trails with small children. What are their motivations, and is it bad for the kids?
Leapfrogging, following benchmarks, and more.
Dogs can get hurt on the trail just like you. Here's how to treat 5 common problems.
In 2013, Mary Grimm got lost amid whiteout conditions on Mt. Hood. She spent six days alone before anyone found her.
On a hike in New Mexico, an outdoor writer gets a new perspective on a trail and the legacy of the people who made it.
These four load-haulers are bringing the retro design into the modern era.
Stories, gear reviews, hiking guides, and more just for Outside+ members.
Join Outside+ See AllWe reviewed 341 pieces of gear. But these ones stood above.
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.
Lace up your boots for a hiking destination that includes Rocky Mountain vistas, alpine lakes, wind-swept sand dunes, and memorable urban parks.
Make sure you never get lost again by mastering the underappreciated art of navigating with a compass and map.
Feast-making cookware that won’t slow you down
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.
Find shelter from the storm with these excellent backpacking tents.
Benton MacKaye's original proposal for the Appalachian Trail came out 100 years ago. While the trail may have changed, the appeal hasn't.
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.