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Graflyte looks to compete with current ultralight pack material favorite, Ultra.

Want to hike in Middle Earth? Turns out you just need to go to this park in Ohio. Plus: What we think could be the new Triple Crown trails.

Our editors do a lot more than write about hiking. We also walk the walk, literally.

From improvements in fabrics to new players in the ultralight scene, these are the stories our readers loved this year.

From a globetrotting adventure on the International Appalachian Trail to a family hike of the Triple Crown, our most popular long trail stories of the year were a look at just how big a backpacking trip can be.

From candlelit rambles in the snow to epic treks on the Appalachian Trail, this is how hikers and parks in every state are ringing in the new year. Pick one and start 2025 off in style.

Years come and years go, but hikers' fascination with bears is eternal.

Over a year of backpacking, dayhiking, basecamping, paddling, ski touring, and more, these 11 pieces of gear were our personal MVPs.

LearnMYOG is leading the way for the niche community’s DIY makers and crafters.

Sure, you could send the hiker on your list cash—but these digital gift cards will show them you know what they’re about.

The Pacific Northwest Trail Is the US’s least-developed National Scenic Trail. But a new comprehensive plan could give a boost to efforts to change that.

What’s one more vehicle at a bustling trailhead? Our columnist weighs in.

No tent? No problem. Use these expert tips to make shelter in any conditions.

In 1982, a daring rescue mission changed Joe Lentini's life forever. What began as a noble effort by Mountain Rescue Service volunteers took an unforeseen turn, leaving profound and lasting echoes in the lives of all involved.

Search and rescue workers save lives—but they pay a price to do it. From time away from family to the trauma of getting close to death, come with us as we discover the difficult truth behind the headlines.

Tim Watts took an unexpected fall when he lost consciousness during a multi-pitch climb in Yosemite. His story unfolds against the rugged walls of this iconic valley, highlighting the challenges of the remarkable efforts of those who rushed to aid him.

Climb into the heart of Rocky Mountain Rescue to uncover the rigorous training, unwavering dedication, and gripping tales from volunteers who brave Colorado's Front Range and Rockies.

No one wants to sip from an algae and cow-manure-fouled puddle. But sometimes, you don’t have a choice.

Quandary Peak was Colorado’s most-hiked high mountain in the early days of the pandemic, but new data suggest that parking restrictions have cut down on crowding.

A hiker rescued in California last week is the latest to find themselves pinned under a big rock. But they're far from the first—or the unluckiest—to have a bad encounter with a boulder.

PSL energy gels? Why not?

Light weight, heavy hitters: These affordable gifts will help an aspiring ultralighter shave down their pack weight.

The North Country Trail, Ice Age Trail, and New England Trail are the newest units of the national park system, a move that supporters hope will help them close gaps in the routes.

At 2,795 miles, the King Charles III England Coast Path is on track to become the world’s longest coastal trail. Wild in some places and suburban in others, walking along it offers an incredible education in Englishness.

When Apple introduced the ability to automatically call for help via satellite in 2022, critics feared it would encourage hikers to be reckless. But a year later, one of the United States’ busiest search and rescue outfits is praising it—and other new safety tech from the company—as a “game changer.”

The cold months are the perfect time to dream about—and prepare for—adventures ahead.

Experimenting with your dehydrator is a fun and productive way to while away the cold months.

Honing your sewing skills will help you repair your favorite gear—or unleash your creative side.

Yeah, your iPhone camera may have a million megapixels. But packing a pencil allows you to capture memories from the trail, and see the landscape in a new way.

From a trail-ready pourover setup to some smart (and light) spices, these 10 gifts will help up any hiker's cooking game.

Doyle set a speed record on the AT 50 years ago, long before YouTubers and partying twentysomethings had flooded the iconic trail. Through his Appalachian Trail Institute, which he’s run since 1989, he’s still trying to convert a new generation of thru-hikers to his personal philosophy of what the trail should be.

The author and thru-hiker is hosting his first book talk for "Journeys North" in Boulder, Colorado's Carsen Theater December 5 from 7 to 8 p.m.

Leki’s Hemp One Vario poles prove that hemp is a viable option for sustainable outdoor gear.

Our new weekly discussion program covers outdoor recreation and adventure

Check out these insider tips on how to take the road less traveled and visit Australia’s adventure epicenter

This isn't your grandfather's canvas pack: From a lightweight bivy to a foam sleeping pad that adds structure to frameless packs, this gear was made for the trail.

Think hut-to-hut hikes only exist in the mountains of Europe? These four trails in the states will prove you wrong.

Celebrate Giving Tuesday by supporting two organizations that are preparing the next generation of outdoor advocates and environmentalists.

As fall gives way to winter, these smart pieces of gear are keeping us outside.

The Rich Mountain Fire burned 60 acres, just days after another blaze in the park closed part of the Appalachian Trail.

What do you get for the hiker who has everything? We asked our editors.

Challenge Outdoor's textile lineup is growing. Here's how to know what you’re buying.

Lighten your pack, not your wallet, with these deals from Garage Grown Gear's annual holiday sale.

Miles of the AT and Blue Ridge Parkway have closed over the past week as crews battle blazes in North Carolina and Virginia.

Because there's snow doubt that winter hiking rules.

Need a new shelter? These four deals make upgrading a little less painful.

If you're not doing fourth-season hiking, you're missing out on low-to-no crowds and completely transformed vistas from the season before.

Knowing how to keep warm could help save your life if things go wrong on a winter hike.

When it comes to packing for a winter camping trip, separating good advice from falsehoods can be difficult.

Drifts got you down? Use these tips to travel efficiently in even deep pow.

If you're dreading the impending frosty temps, now's the time to teach your body how to handle it through deliberate cold exposure.

Raynaud's Phenomenon stings (literally). Here's how to manage the condition so you can hike comfortably all winter long.

There are ways to coexist peacefully with wildlife, but this definitely isn't one of them.

A longtime backpacker discovers a whole new way to explore the Canadian Rockies.

Rich Moore and his dog Finney disappeared on a hike in Colorado in August. Ten weeks later, crews found the dog alive. Now, friends and family are trying to understand what happened.

Cold-weather apparel picks for the active person in your life who loves spending time in nature, no matter the temperature

The smallest gifts are sometimes the most useful. Snag one of these three-ounce-or-less upgrades for the hiker on your list.

You’ve heard of long-distance hiking’s Big Three, but North America has more amazing thru-hikes to discover. Find a new challenge—and a new perspective on the backcountry—on these incredible lesser-known trails.

Hitting the trail with someone may be the best way to get to know them. But what if that "someone" is your new hubby?

We're going back to our roots—all the way back—by bringing back our original logo from 1973.

Search and rescue officials are urging adventurers to carry appropriate gear after an unprepared hiker nearly died on one of the state’s high mountains.

These ready-to-gift products from Hydro Flask make holiday presents as simple as putting a bow on it

Go beyond the standard-issue spork with these trail-ready items.

Itacate’s dehydrated meals fill the backpacking void with chilaquiles, Caldo Tlalpeño, and sopa de lentejas.

After discussions about making the system permanent, three of America's most popular national parks are extending their timed entry pilot programs instead.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy announced this week that it had purchased 850 acres of land beneath McAfee Knob, in part using funds from an agreement with the developers of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline.

The ordeal is a reminder to value your own situational awareness over what Big Tech may tell you about a trail.

The weather may be unpredictable this time of year, but that doesn't mean you need to trade your trail runners for big, bulky boots. Our experts picked five low-cut, lightweight shoes tailor-made for backpacking during shoulder season.

Craving an escape, but don't want the commitment required to complete a months-long thru-hike? Try these fourteen-day-long adventures.

After otters bit three wild swimmers in the Sierra, state wildlife officials are urging caution.

National Park Service encourages hikers to avoid Whiteoak Canyon and Old Rag due to poor air quality.

Those little crispy cookies your grandma gave you when you were a kid don’t seem like they’d be packed with energy. But they aren’t just shockingly calorically dense: They’re durable and delicious, too.

FKTs are dropping like flies. But the strategy for making miles might be impacting hikers' health.

A video of eight-legged creepy-crawlies clustering on a backpacker’s tent in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve last month had arachnophobic hikers vowing to stay a thousand miles away. But look a little closer, and you might just gain a new appreciation for the Alaskan wilderness.

The Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions weighs three ounces more than a Z-Lite and can handle truly polar temperatures.

The family in this viral video received a lot of praise for their calm demeanor, but they shouldn't have given this bear a seat at the table.

And Alfredo Aliaga is already planning his return to come back and do it again next year.

Australia’s Northern Territory is a must-visit destination for outdoor adventure—enter this trip giveaway to experience it for yourself

Lighting a fire is one of those skills that just takes practice—but knowing a few tricks makes it a lot easier.