Gear Review: MontBell Tachyon Anorak Jacket
An extremely light and extremely packable windshell.
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Gear Review: REI Arete ASL 2 Tent
A four-season tent that truly can be used year-round.
Gear Review: Granite Gear Blaze AC 60 Pack
We liked this pack so much, we upgraded it to an Editors' Choice award winner.
Gear Review: GoLite Demaree Canyon Jacket
A packable puffy with a sleek, athletic fit.
Gear Review: Teva Forge Pro Trail Runners
Comfortable low-cut trail runners that offer support and performance.
As Bad As It Sounds: Mountaintop Removal
Vice TV releases a free documentary on environmentally devastating mountaintop removal practices in West Virginia's coal industry
Puff Daddy
Is it true your body swells at high elevations?
North Cascades' Disappearing Grizzlies
Wildlife biologists argue for reintroduction to augment Washington's dwindling grizzly bear population
Gear Review: Vargo Titanium Pot Gripper
Grab any pot with this lightweight and sturdy pot gripper.
Gear Review: Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink
Wash dishes and haul water easily in the watertight nylon container.
Gear Review: REI Campware Silicone Spatula
Make pancakes in camp with this silicone spatula.
Gear Review: Pot Pal
An oven mitt, a dish towel, a food warmer - this cotton bag does it all.
Gear Review: MSR Universal Canister Stand
An easily packable pot stand that will end tipping.
Gear Review: To-Go Ware RePEat Bamboo Utensil Set
A bamboo utensil set that won't wreck nonstick coating.
Gear Review: Airblaster Classic Ninja Suit
Behold, the only baselayer/Ninja suit you'll ever need.
Happy International Year of Forests!
National Forest Service and the U.N. join forces to celebrate worldwide forests
Gear Review: CamelBak Groove
A water bottle that makes chemically treated water taste better.
Gear Review: Katadyn MyBottle
Water bottle and filter in one.
Gear Review: Steripen Adventurer Opti
An easy-to-use tool that zaps water drinkable withe the use of ultraviolet rays.
Gear Review: Platypus GravityWorks
A fast, effective way to filter water for a big group.
Gear Review: MSR HyperFlow Filter
A lightweight filter that filters at a rate of three liters per minute.
Gear Review: Vargo Ti-Boiler Mug and Pan
A titanium mug and pot/lid set that is super durable and lightweight.
Gear Review: MSR Alpine 4 Pot Set
A stainless steel three-pot set that is bombproof.
March 2011 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
More Grand Canyon Flights, Less Noise
A controversial plan by the National Park Service will increase flight-seeing tours while decreasing noise—if it works
Trail Chef: Premium On-the-Go Fuel
Fill the tanks with these 5 new trail snacks.
Backcountry Bartender: Tequila Review
Say goodbye to Jose and say hello to these tasty tequilas you won't want to miss.
Midwest Winter Report: Thundersnow!
Live from the snowed-in Midwest, Map Editor Andrew Matranga reports on a bizarre winter-weather phenomenon: thundersnow.
Ski Madness: Grinding the Lift Line
Antoine Montant blows minds by skiing/flying down Chamonix and grinding a chairlift on the way down. Whoah.
Gear Guide 2011: Online Backpack Reviews
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Food in the Tent
How can I keep glucose near me at night without attracting bears?
Slideshow: How to Pitch a Tent Anywhere
Think beyond the stake. Use these techniques to pitch a tent anywhere.
Ask A Bear: Bags vs. Canisters?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Winter in Yellowstone
Northwest editor Mike Lanza discovers Yellowstone's secret: Winter is best for best for scenery, wildlife, and a lot of hot air
VOTE: Reader Photo Contest Finalists
You choose! Look through the slideshow and at the end cast your vote to help decide which one will be the winner for BACKPACKER's June 2011 issue.
Prominent Peaks=Pretty
French designer stacks Seven Summits to compare topographic prominence in sweet graphic
Prof. Hike: The Instinctive 127 Hours
Why Aron Ralston's survival required more than a multi-tool
Gear Review: Dion Snowshoes
Custom fit snowshoes that are fast and fun
Is Desert Water Safe?
How should you purify water in the desert, since it is often high in heavy metals?
Sierra Designs Lightning XT 4
Score an ultralight tent for two—for less.
Trail Chef: A Brave New S'more
Switch things up with these twists on the classic treat.
Gear Review: High-Powered Flashlights
We tested four unique high-powered lights using lithium batteries for lightweight super power.
Icicles in My Drink?
Is it safe to put icicles in my drink?
Slideshow: Adjusting Trekking Pole Straps For Max Effect
Little did you know, but there's a right way and wrong way to strap on those trekking poles. Use this tutorial for maximum comfort and utility.
Gear Review: Acu-Rite Wireless Weather Station and Weather Station Forecaster
Rainshell or fleece? Know at a glance with this wireless weather station.
Prof Hike: The End of Off-the-Grid
Spot's new gadget adds satellite reception to smartphones anywhere.
Lowlander's Dilemma
I have a friend going to an altitude much higher than where he lives. Is there any way to train to be better prepared?
Outdoor Retailer Q&A: Rocker Grace Potter
BACKPACKER jumps the tour bus to talk music and the outdoors with the lead singer of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
OR: Cool New Gear Patagonia Ultralight Down Shirt, Jacket, and Hoodie
Patagonia's latest line of down products may make you rethink how you layer from here on out.
OR: Cool Stuff–Geigerrig Hydration Engine
A new hydration system asks why suck when you can squirt?
OR: Cool Gear–Genesis Magik 1R Headlamp
Hands-free technology comes to the forehead
OR: Photos from the Floor
Half the fun of the Outdoor Retailer shows is the effort retailers take to get noticed.
OR Chronicles: I met Tom Cruise's Stunt Double
5.10 climber talks about the world's stickiest rubber and going Hollywood with "TC".
Trip Finder: West
Your favorite western hikes—from dayhikes to weekenders to multiday trips.
Rip & Go: Lyell Canyon, Yosemite
Escape front-country crowds on a trek to the park's idyllic interior.
Our Backyard: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Climb, hike, and camp in Joshua Tree National Park.
Readers' Choice: West
Your favorite parks, weekend getaways, peak ascents, campsites, and more in the west.
OR: Cool New Gear–Smith Helmet and Goggles Integration Kit
Smith has figured out the perfect way to get those goggles on your kids--and keep them there.
OR Gear Trends: Pack Designs
In this report from OR Daily, we learn how distinct trends lead season's pack designs
OR Gear Trends: Electronics
From OR Daily: High-tech gadgets emphasize simplicity
New To OR: Hillsound Equipment and Rock On Apparel
OR daily sits down with two exciting new gear companies: Hillsound Equipment and Rock On Apparel.
OR Daily: Rumba Time
OR Daily sits down with Drew Peters on RumbaTime
Escape the Chafe
I heard that the salt in sweat crystalizes and that's what causes chafing on your inner thighs. Have you heard this
OR: Remote Controlled Boot Liners; "True Seamless" Sock Tehcnology
Keep your tootsies warm and blister free with these two updates to everday gear.
OR Gear Trends: Goggles, Glasses Get High-tech Upgrades
Straight from OR daily: The scoop on the latest winter-equipped glasses and goggles!
OR Gear Trends: Baselayers Get A Boost
New fabrics, technologies and wool lead the wintersports layering news at Outdoor Retailer's Winter Market show.
OR: Light and Motion Industries and Adidas Outdoor
Just in time for the first day of Outdoor Retailer, OR Daily sits down with Daniel Emerson of Light and Motion Industries and Greg Thomsen of Adidas Outdoor.
Trail Chef: High Country Poppy Seed Cake
You can bake this yummy treat even at altitude, and you and your mates will be fighting over the last crumbs.
BACKPACKER Goes to the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market
We're getting a sneak peak at all the new gear heading to the stores.
Gear Review: Winter Hats
Winter warmth doesn't always mean boring black beanies; here are four fourth-season hats whose fashion keeps pace with their function.
Gear Review: Primus AluTech 1.4 Liter Pot
A triangular shaped pot that's easy to pour and balance on three-legged stoves.
January 2011
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Readers' Choice 2011: America's Best Hikes
The undisputed local experts—you—chose the top parks, trails, campsites, and weekend getaways from Alaska to Alabama.
Backcountry Bartender: Gin Review
Rethink gin. With heavy pine needles and balanced, exotic flavors, this spirit may be the perfect backcountry compliment you've written off.
2011 Reader Photo Contest Winners
These six winning shots represent the best photos we saw all year from you, our readers.
Wanted: Cartilage
How to decrease knee pain and stay on the trail
Your Best Shots: 2011 Reader Photo Contest Winners
Breathtaking outdoor scenes yield immediate and enduring pleasure: when you hike there, and when you share the shots. Just ask the winners of our second annual Reader Photo Contest.
Reader Recipes: Easy Pasta & Rice Camp Meals
10 reinventions of trailworn dinner recipes. Plus some easy breakfast and dessert options.
Gear Review: Crescent Moon Over-Shoe Booties
Turn any shoe or boot into a fully insulated winter trekker with these over-shoe booties.
Reader Recipe: Chicken Curry Wrap
Overall top-scorer: This wallet-saver meal is super easy to make but packs dynamite flavor.