Backpacker Bible: See More Wildlife
Get closer to the mystery of life: Put yourself spine-tingling distance from the fanged and clawed and horned.
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Backpacker Bible: Get Out More
Have you ever heard anyone wish he spent less time outdoors?
Backpacker Bible: Go Higher
Once you've been to the mountaintop, few other experiences will compare. For soul-cleansing, skill-building, life-affirming thrills, put a big one on your bucket list.
International Adventure Travel
From Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' backpacking trek abroad.
Backpacking Fitness
Boost performance and be a better backpacker with these fitness- and strength-building moves from our experts.
Meet the Backpacker Reader Reporter Team
Four lucky Backpacker readers scored a trip to the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, January 18-22, 2012. Meet the lucky reader/reporters!
Adventure Upgrade: Cook Like a Pro
Pack and prepare a week's worth of mouth-watering meals.
Adventure Upgrade: Thru-Hike a Long Trail
Prep for success, plan ahead, and stay healthy to pull off a month-plus trek.
Adventure Upgrade: Camp Comfortably in Winter
Extend your backpacking season: Here's how to stay warm and protect your gear.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Explore a Slot Canyon
Explore wildly sculpted rock.
Adventure Updgrade: Make Gear Last
Learn how to fix and prep your gear so that it lasts for miles
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Paddle Pristine Shorelines
Sea kayaking unlocks a new world of solitude and scenery.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Catch a Golden Trout
Cast for beautiful fish that live in beautiful lakes.
How to Hike 30 Miles in a Day
See a week's worth of terrain on an epic dawn-to-dusk hike.
Adventure Upgrade: Take the Family Hiking and Camping
Use these tricks to get your kids begging for another trip outside.
Adventure Upgrades: Hike Smarter and Farther
Take your backpacking to the next level. Our experts craft custom plans for readers who asked for help with navigation, winter camping, thru-hiking, and more.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Easy Upgrades
Kick it up a notch with these quick fixes.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Discover the World Off-Trail
Be a real explorer by going where others don't.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Climb to Heart-Pumping Heights
Scramble a class 3 route and claim your own private peak.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Become a Backcountry Batali
Serve a 5-star meal that matches the scenery.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Grab Steep Thrills
Ski remote winter terrain—and have the most winter fun.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Ride a Whitewater Roller Coaster
Inflatable kayaks make big-water action accessible to all.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Climb Big Trees
Discover a higher world.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook: Make an Adventure Movie
Create a story-driven video that engages you on the trail and offers a fresh perspective on trip memories.
November 2011
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Ultimate Adventure Handbook
Tired of the same old weekend loops? Looking to create memories your grandkids will talk about? In this how-and-where guide, we serve up 15 extraordinary escapes that will shatter your expectations of "normal." From adventure moviemaking to canyoneering, we'll take you places you've never been—but will long to visit again soon.
Fall Hiking Skills
Stay warm while hiking in the fall with these temperature-regulating tips.
Case Study: Lost in the Gila Wilderness
Name: Ross Mason, 44 Predicament: Off-course and severely dehydrated Location: Gila Wilderness, New Mexico; November 2010
Reader Extreme Makeovers: Layering Systems
This reader's wardrobe was letting her down on the trail. We outfitted her in some comfy boots with a versatile clothing layering system.
Camp Kitchen Upgrades
This family of five needed a camp kitchen overhaul to keep everyone well fed for the long haul
Ansel Adams’s Lost Photos?
David Howard investigates the mystery of 61 black-and-white negatives that are stirring up a hornet's nest of accusations, threats, and lawsuits.
Readers' Choice Field Gear Test
Four trail-proven picks from the winners of our Be a Gear Tester Contest
Reader Extreme Makeovers: Lighten a Heavy Load
By replacing just five key items from this reader's Army surplus kit we helped him save over 10 pounds of unnecessary weight.
Adventure Travel: New Zealand
Hiker heaven, redefined, is a month-long hike/paddle/camp in Adventureland.
Green Gardens Loop
Follow serpentine barrens and stair-steep tracks to a rugged volcanic sea coast.
Long Range Traverse, Gros Morne National Park
Bushwhack up a glacier-carved fjord to a lake-spangled subarctic plateau.
White River Canoe Route
Paddle and portage fish-filled waters past wild cascades to the greatest of lakes.
Secret Switzerland
Discover solitude on the Swiss border with this highlights tour of John Harlin's favorite trips—rope not required.
Everest Confidential: Three Passes Route, Map and Trip Planner
See the Himalayan giants—and cross three passes more than 17,000 feet high—on this off-the-radar route through the Khumbu region
March 2012 TOC
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Video Gear Review: Hennessy Hammock Ultralite
For the ultralighter who doesn't need a tent this updated hammock makes for a comfy camp.
Coastal Hiking Trail, Pukaskwa National Park
Hug pebbly beaches and cliffs along Superior shores.
Churchill River Canoe Route
Escape time as you glide through an endless chain of connected lakes.
2011 Editors' Choice Snow Awards
Backpacker's highest honor has now been bestowed on our favorite 10 pieces of cold-weather gear.
Asulkan Valley, Glacier National Park
Hit four technical summits in the birthplace of North American mountaineering.
Woodbury to Silver Spray Huts, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park
Link two gorgeous cabins by scrambling through craggy alpine country.
Drinnon Pass to Gimli Col, Valhalla Provincial Park
Routefind across precipitous ridges to an ice-filled lake.
Backpacking Canada, the Big Empty
Empty of people, that is. Because the 3,000 miles of wilderness that stretch from Newfoundland's fjordlike coastal cliffs to British Columbia's rainforest and skyscraping peaks are brimming with every type of mountain, water, and wildlife adventure a card-carrying backpacker could want—crowds not included. Our Rocky Mountain Field Editor spent two months exploring places we've never covered to assemble our most extensive guide to Canadian backcountry yet.
Dirtbag/Gourmet: Nutty Stews
With a fatty boost of peanut butter, these savory soups fuel cold-weather trips.
Jonathan Siegrist Casio ProTrek Adventure Video
From the shoes on his feet to the watch on his wrist, professional climber Jonathan Siegrist demands the very best gear to help him achieve his goals. The Casio ProTrek is no exception. Jonathan relies on the advanced functionality of his ProTrek 2500 to stay on top of the weather, measure altitude gain and withstand water when out climbing sea cliffs.
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man/Woman Jacket
Warning: Wearing this jacket will encourage complete strangers to pet you.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011: Editors' Picks
The editors of Backpacker and Climbing weigh in on their favorite pieces of gear and gadgets.
Thin Pack Hipbelts
If a backpack fits you really well, does thin hipbelt padding make a big difference? If so, is there a way to improve it?
Help with Hanging a Bear Bag
The issue is not knowledge of how to bear bag - it's the throwing! I have no arm and no aim. Tricks? Suggestions?
Fitting Long and Narrow Feet
I have a long (13 1/2) and narrow foot and cannot find any boots to fit. Help!
Cracking Stove O-Rings
Can you prevent cracking stove O rings?
Editors Picks' with Senior Editor Shannon Davis
This hard-charging editor needs gear that can stand up to long, hard days.
Editors' Picks with Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Dorn
BACKPACKER's Editor-in-Chief weighs in on his favorite products of 2011.
Editors' Picks with Climbing Editor-in-Chief Dougald MacDonald
Climbing's Editor-in-Chief weighs in on his favorite cam.
Editors' Picks with Senior Online Producer Katie Herrell
A cozy hat and a cozy jacket for our always-cold staffer.
Editors' Picks with Associate Editor Kristy Holland
This editor like her campsite to be well lit.
Editors' Picks with Executive Editor Dennis Lewon
This no-nonsense editor needs gear that can go the distance.
Editors' Picks with Associate Editor Kim Phillips
This associate map editor likes to stay well connected.
Editors' Picks with Deputy Editor Anthony Cerretani
Gadgets to help you lop off the miles.
Editors' Picks with Map Editor Andrew Matranga
Gadgets and gear from our resident map editor.
Editors' Picks with Climbing Gear Editor Julie Ellison
Climbing's gear editor weighs in on her favorite harness and ice axe.
Editors' Picks with Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter with her favorite gear picks for 2011.
Gear School: Four-Season Tents
Camp comfortably this winter with a shelter built for foul, windy weather.
Build Backpacking Muscles
Strengthen three key areas - shoulders, ankles, and core - this winter so you can tackle tougher trails next spring.
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Highland Park 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Campfire boozing just got a whole lot more sophisticated.
Outdoor Products Firefly Pack
The Firefly is a multipurpose entry-level performer, at a low price.
The North Face Diez Pullover
Get serious warmth for the weight
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Packable Day Pack
Ultralight stuff sack and daypack
Recipe: Smoky PB Chicken Chili
Peanut butter is the secret ingredient to this smoky chili
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Pedco CellPod
Versatile tripod for ultralight photography
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: GrubPack and Outsak UL
Ultralight and critter-proof chainmail food storage bags
Recipe: Pumpkin Peanut Soup
A can of pumpkin makes for an interesting trail soup
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Ranger Doug National Park Posters
Wall art for the outdoor lover
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Patagonia Fezzman Short Sleeved Shirt
A shirt that does dayhike and "meet the parents" equally well.
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) Camper 4
The perennial BACKPACKER favorite gets an upgrade with better ventilation.