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Cross-training at the gym got you in a monotonous slump? Give these 10 summer sports a try for a fun way to boost your backpacking game.

Scott Jurek talks about what it took to set a new Appalachian Trail record and how to enjoy wild places on the run

[Sponsored] The steeper the climb, the higher the peak, the more accomplished you feel.

The 2016 portable power options we're previewing at the Outdoor Retailer Show are lighter, faster, and waterproof.

A new kind of waterproofing, a superlight rain shell, a short-sleeve rain jacket, and more sneak-peak 2016 waterproof jackets from the Outdoor Retailer Show

A sneak peak from the Outdoor Retailer Show of what's new in sleeping bags for 2016, including a no-slip bag and a fast-inflating pad.

Get a better night's sleep with a clutter-free, well-situated shelter.

Show off your friends’ alpine accomplishments with shots that capture the full glory of a trip to the mountains.

Are outdoors workouts the key to fun fitness for hikers? Our man tries a new fitness philosophy in an effort to ditch the gym forever.

By Ken Ilgunas

Cross two high-elevation passes and camp at a lake right out of the Dolomites on this weekend trip in the Indian Peaks.

Some highlights from my time on the trail in the high Sierra.

Off-trail hiking can feel like the best idea ever—until it suddenly doesn't.

A recent PEER report highlights the contrast between record-breaking crowds visiting National Parks and the dwindling numbers of rangers defending them.

A new petition campaign and road trip hopes to convince lawmakers to designate and protect five additional national monuments all over the US.

As of a vote on July 27, the Boy Scouts allow gay troop leaders and employees, with support from the organization's president.

When the Boy Scouts let in openly gay boys, dissenting leaders formed their own group. Which raises the question: Is there a right way to get kids outdoors?

Watch a 700-pound grizzly bear take on a cooler in this intense video via the Memphis Zoo.

Even a survival expert carries his cell phone (next to the blood clotting agent, that is).

It's not all hiking in glory on the PCT.

This remote park saves its best for hikers willing to tackle long miles and steep climbs. Our insider dishes the best ways to see its best views.

Tyler Fox, the creator of "The Pacific Crest Trail in Three Minutes," tells BACKPACKER about the video, its success, and his next adventure.

Is self-nursing a viable survival strategy? Our survival expert weighs in on this and other reader questions.

Get in touch with your inner hunter-gatherer and have the best backcountry dinner that's entirely from nature. It's the ultimate survival test.

Check out jsrashkin's author page.

Check out jsrashkin's author page.

Take an adventure north of the border with these stunning Canadian national park hikes that are closer than you think.

Pack long summer days with more summits—and be home for dinner—with these three essential peakbagging missions.

Yala, a Sri Lankan National Park, bans cell phones to minimize car collisions with leopards, elephants, bears, and deer.

Need an excuse to spend all day exploring an idyllic mountain stream? Grab a rod and get hooked on fly fishing with these 10 tips to get you started.

I climb Mount Whitney off the PCT.

No matter how great a trail chef you are, if your kitchen is a sty, meal-time will be a drag. Do it up right, though, and you can turn any patch of ground into a five-star establishment.

Explore Berryessa Snow Mountain, Waco Mammoth, and Basin and Range, the three newest national monuments.

The vegan ultra-runner completed the 2,189.2-mile Appalachian Trail in just 46 days, 8 hours, and 7 minutes, beating the previous record by 3 hours.

Students, commuters, and weekend warriors will all love this versatile daypack's smart features.

Technical problem could cause JetForce airbags to not inflate; customers urged to return certain models for repair.

Japan's highest peak will soon have enough wireless internet. Wifi on Mt. Fuji will support both summit selfies and real-time weather updates, officials say.

Picking the best campsites in the national parks is a hard task, but these 19 backcountry sites are the cream of the crop.

Fire in southwest Washington closes 13 miles of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Divide Camp Trail provides a detour for thru-hikers.

By Rachel Sayers

By Joseph Friedrichs

By Drew Allred

Check out jsrashkin's author page.

After two years, something just didn’t seem right about his pups. Turns out the dogs are actually bears. Seriously.

The best backcountry lakes, a no-gym workout, heat-busting skills, and more from the August 2015 print issue of BACKPACKER magazine

Check out ssebestyenaimmedia-com's author page.

Traverse lush rainforests and high glacial cirques on bridges, ropes, and ladders on this new path in British Columbia.

Check out ssebestyenaimmedia-com's author page.

An increase in bison attacks leads Yellowstone National Park to reconsider tourist wildlife education.

From day hikes to weekend trips, here's how to conquer all 46 famed Adirondack peaks.

Explore the mountains from the inside out in these always-chilly, sometimes-spooky spots. Bring a headlamp.

Get the most out of America's most patriotic holiday with our pro tips.

The Obamas hosted a Girl Scout troop as part of an outdoor education campaign.

While spotting bison may not actually be that hard, some places are definitely better than others for seeing them. Here are some of our favorites.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Three hikers were taken to local hospitals.

Let’s celebrate the NPS Rangers! Who’s your favorite, where are they located, and why do you love them so?

Make plans to be in the backcountry for these awe-inspiring night sky events this season.

BACKPACKER readers covered a total of 1,626 miles along the Appalachian Trail.

In a kayak, you’ll see new terrain and score remote beach camps while your boat does all the heavy lifting. Here’s everything you need to build a high-performance package for less than $1,500.

These lightweight, low-cut hikers are stronger than you think.

Search and rescue personnel recovered the body near Lobo Peak.

Dry, windy conditions have contributed to the spread of the blaze.

It's the day every PCT hiker waits for: we finally arrive at Kennedy Meadows, the gateway to the Sierras.

I am no endurance athlete, but the Pacific Crest Trail allowed me 30 sweet miles in a day.

You've probably heard of America's 59 national parks, but what about the other 348 areas run by the Park Service? Discover stunning scenery and undisturbed solitude in these underrated cousins of our national parks.

They were searching for Forrest Fenn's hidden treasure.

The Pacific Crest Trail wants to test my sleeping bag's rating. Spoiler: it failed.

Looking for a national park-inspired read this summer? Look no further.

Death, taxes, and blisters? Not so fast. Here are ten ways to avoid every backpacker's pet peeve.

Glacier National Park boasts stunning snow-capped mountain landscapes, icy blue lakes, and goats, goats, goats.

Want to support your favorite park? Go beyond a simple donation.

The 100 best national park trail miles; trail clothes; Colorado's Sangre De Cristos; and more great content from the June 2015 issue of Backpacker.

Start your day off right with these hearty, filling meals that still leave you plenty of time to hit the trail early.

There’s no mess with this easy-to-eat treat (unless you let a photographer make it)—the toppings are inside.

Kale provides a nutritional boost and fiber, while cheese adds a salty kick and a bit of protein.

This lazy breakfast is ideal for a cold morning when hands and tummies need warming.

The classic yogurt and granola breakfast bowl goes hot.