Mosquitoes Attracted to Beer
New research shows mosquitoes prefer victims who've been drinking
All Content
South Korean First Woman to Climb All 14 8,000-Meter Peaks
With her successful ascent of Annapurna, Oh Eun-sun becomes the first woman to successfully summit all 8,000-meter mountains
Do Soda Can/Alcohol Stoves Work in Hot Climates?
Soda can stoves can handle heat...but they aren't right for all cooking scenarios.
Gear Review: Meade mySKY Handheld Astronomer
Study the night sky with this multi-media teaching tool.
Bear Census: More Grizzlies In Montana
DNA testing from collected hair samples reveals two-and-a-half times more grizzly bears than expected in Northern Continental Divide ecosystem
Gear Review: Baladeo Carbon Laguiole Knife
This durable French knife has an odoriferous handle.
Ask A Bear: How Long Do Food Smells Stick To My Tent?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Call of the Wild
get it on your cell phone and help protect wildlife
Lost: A Survival Video Diary, Pt. 3
On his third day lost in Idaho's Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness, BACKPACKER contributor Jim Thornton finally finds a potential way home. But fear, exhaustion, and an incoming winter snowstorm threaten to derail his progress.
Mystery Headaches
Is altitude sickness causing my headaches or something else?
I'm Hiking With Obama
A hiker's chance encounter with the president and first lady
Casio Pathfinder
Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Casio introduces the second generation of slim design Pathfinder watches.
Biking Directions Added to Google Maps
new directions route you out of traffic, away from big hills
First Ascent Mountain Guide Lite Pants
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter names these First Ascent pants as her favorite.
Backpacker Photo School: Shot Lists
Want to come home with better trip photos? Make a shot list-we'll show you how.
Gear Review: Spenco PolySorb Total Support Performance Sandal
The official report from our resident sandal junkie: "My feet are ecstatic!"
Trail Chef: The Caffeine Buzz
Does caffeine boost or bonk your trail endurance?
Smoke Signals
Can you predict the weather by looking at campfire smoke?
Thru-hiking 500 Miles To Celebrate Earth Day
PCT speed-record holder Adam Bradley charts a 500-mile course for a renewable energy power line. Plus, what BP staffers are doing for Earth Day.
Virtual Scramble: Angel's Landing, Zion
A quick video dispatch from the frontiers of overscheduling
Gear Test: Sexy Hotness Sleeping Bags, Cheesecake, & the Entire Editors' Choice/Gear Guide Issue
It has been a busy week in gear land, as we put the entire 2010 Editors' Choice issue online, and broke a few internet records with a cheeky sleeping bag review.
Best Gear & Practices for Camping With Baby
My wife and I are going to take our baby hiking and camping with us. Do you have gear recommendations for the main gear: baby carrier, baby sleeping gear, dirty diaper containment, etc?
Earth Day Turns 40
do you know what it's all about?
Gear Review: Packit Gourmet Cheesecakes
Suffer no more: instant cheesecake for the backcountry.
Hike America's Long Trails
We know. You've always wanted to hike a long trail. Lucky for you, we've got the comprehensive guides to make your dreams a reality. Check out the best sections and dayhikes along the AT, PCT and CDT. PLUS: See how four hikers beat the recession...by hiking through it.
Lost: A Survival Video Diary, Pt. 2
On his second day lost in Idaho's Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness, BACKPACKER contributor Jim Thornton battles cold temperatures, conflicting routes, and the onset of genuine fear.
Gear Review: Yummy Camp Snacks
Cheese spread, bars, drinks, trail mixes–there's more variety than ever in trail snacks.
Ask A Bear: Ditch The Deodorant In Bear Country?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Editors' Choice Awards 2010/Gear Guide 2010 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Homework On Everest
Jordan Romero continues his push to the top--and behaves like a 13-year-old in between
How to Build Your Own Workbench
Claim a corner of your garage or basement to create this ultimate setup for storing, maintaining, and repairing gear.
Gear Reviews: Packaged Breakfast, Snacks, & Dinners
Your pre-trip shopping just got a whole lot easier.
Gear Review: Packaged Dinners
Take the hassle out of menu planning with these fast meals.
Charcoal for snakebites?
Does activated charcoal help remove venom from a snakebite? If so, should you put it directly on the wound or swallow it?
Gear Review: Fast Camp Breakfasts
Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, don't leave camp without inhaling one of these tasty options.
The Death of YellowstoneÂ’s Druid Wolf Pack
The most famous wolf pack in the world finally dwindles to almost zero, but the bloodline lives on
Video: Obama's Great Outdoors Initiative
Watch Obama talk about the importance of our wild lands and his plan to get more Americans outdoors
Gear Review: High Peaks Alpamayo 55 Backpack
The Alpamayo 55 is a solid year-round performer at a competitive price.
Gear Guide 2010: Sleeping Pads
Get a good night's rest with these sleeping pads ready for any hard ground.
Gear Guide 2010: Summer Sleeping Bags
Our testers put a ton of summer bags through the ringer to bring you these five favorites.
Gear Guide 2010: Three-Season Sleeping Bags
Want a bag that you can use most of the year? Take a look at these picks from our intense testing sessions.
Gear Guide 2010: Winter Sleeping Bags
From the best all-around bag to the one that's easiest on your wallet, these sleeping bags will help you battle cold winter weather.
High Peaks Alpamayo 55 Backpack
The Alpamayo 55 is a solid performer at a competitive price.
Gear Guide 2010: Heavy Duty Boots
Go the distance with these tried and true heavy duty boots.
Gear Guide 2010: Mid Duty Boots
From the most versatile to the best all around, these mid-duty boots pass the test.
Gear Guide 2010: Light Duty Boots
Go fast and furious with these light duty boots.
Editors' Choice 2010: The Best Backpacking Gear of the Year
After 15-hour trail days with 50 pound packs on 100-miles of Switzerland's Via Alpina, we're proud to present the best gear of the year.
Gear Guide 2010: Weeklong Backpacks
These load-haulers have all the space you need for an epic week-long trip.
Gear Guide 2010: Weekend Backpacks
Pack everything you need for the perfect weekend trip with these backpacks.
Gear Guide 2010: Daypacks
Heading out for a solid dayhike? These packs have you covered.
Gear Guide 2010: Solo Tents
Going it alone? Go with confidence in these solo tents.
Gear Guide 2010: Two-Person Tents
Need a tent for you and your favorite camping partner? These two-person tents will do the trick, and then some.
Gear Guide 2010: Three-Person Tents
Need a little more room? Check out these three-person tents--the best of the year.
Gear Guide 2010: Mountaineering Tents
Our picks for the best mountaineering tents will help you battle the elements not matter what your expedition.
Backpacker Photo School: How'd They Get The Cover Shot?
BACKPACKER cover photographer Ethan Welty shares the tricks and tips that helped him land the cover for our May Maps Issue.
A Glacierless Glacier NP?
The park loses two more glaciers, prompting speculation that they could all disappear sooner than thought
Obama Launches Great Outdoors Initiative
President hopes to protect wilderness, create jobs, and get Americans outdoors through new program
Gear Guide 2010: Essentials A to Z
Having the right boots, packs, bags, and tents is never enough. Here, a roundup of all the other "essential" pieces of gear you'll want in the great outdoors.
Rei Half Dome 2 Tent: Editors' Choice Gold 2010
After 8 years, this tent is still the best deal out there. Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Dorn shows you why.
Explore a Mining Ghost Town in the Heart of the Colorado Mountains
A wrecked alpine village from Colorado's mining history awaits you at the end of this dayhike.
Editors' Choice 2010: Arc'teryx Altra
Carry the biggest loads with shocking comfort.
Trail Chef: Trail Food Comparisons
M&M's or trail mix? Salami or jerky? When it comes to trail energy there are a lot of options.
Rescue By Balloon
Designer invents Rescue Balloon to help pinpoint your location in wilderness emergencies
Gear Guide 2010: Backpacks
These packs allow hikers to travel fast and comfortably thanks to dynamic suspensions and weight-saving materials.
Gear Guide 2010: Tents
These tents offer more headroom, lighter weights, and lots of strength and durability.
Gear Review: ZRK Outdoor Zipper Rescue Kit
Fix a zipper on the fly with this repair kit.
Gear Review: Yodeling Lessons
Yodeling lessons? Yes, sometimes a vista is worth a little lung power.
Gear Review: XY Zin 10
Upgrade any camp dinner with this medium-bodied wine.
Gear Review: Z-Medica QuikClot Sport
Stop big bleeds fast.
Gear Review: Cloudveil Run Don't Walk Boxers
Winter skivvies at their finest.
Gear Review: SteriPen FitsAll Filter
Strain and filter your water with this SteriPen product.
Gear Review: Katadyn Base Camp Gravity Filter
Filter water for a group with this big bladder.
Gear Review: NEMO Ditto Wallet
This ultralight wallet is made from recycled tent scraps.
Gear Review: Sony HDR-XR520V
Photos, videos–this Sony Handycam is an HD beast.
Gear Review: Bamboo Mini Utensil Set
A fork, knife, and spoon for the green and ultralight crowd.
Gear Review: Exped Vista Organiser
Zip-top bags that are super waterproof.
Gear Review: SealLine Electronic Case
A clear, waterproof case for your iPhone.
Gear Review: Aquapac SLR Waterproof Camera Case
Protect your DSLR camera with this waterproof case.
National Parks Hall of Fame: Photo Galleries
Catch the best views in the nation's marquee parks from the comfort of your computer. Prepare to drool...now.
ALITE Sexy Hotness Sleeping Bag
The Sexy Hotness has more than just a catchy name. This 20°F mate-able sleeper has features that leave other bags blushing.