Southern Rockies: Truchas Traverse, NM
Hit three 13,000-foot peaks in the wildest wilderness south of Glacier.
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Southern Rockies: Wheeler Peak, NM
Climb to the crown of the Sangre de Cristo Range.
Southern Rockies: Twilight Peaks, CO
Explore a secret wonderland in the West Needle Mountains.
Southern Rockies: Continental Divide Trail, CO
Hike high on this above-treeline route through the Weminuche Wilderness.
Central Rockies: Green River Lakes, WY
Hike to the heart of the Winds.
Central Rockies: Mount of the Holy Cross Loop, CO
Scramble to a remote refuge on this peak's secret side.
Central Rockies: Highline Trail, UT
Discover Utah's best-kept secret.
Northern Rockies: Gallatin Skyline, Yellowstone National Park
Go high for the see-it-all hike in this iconic park.
Northern Rockies: Dawson Pass Loop, Glacier National Park
See the best of Montana without the crowds.
What I Did On My Winter Vacation: Avalanche Training
Senior Editor Shannon Davis gives you an inside look at avalanche training
Northern Rockies: Moose Creek, Grand Teton National Park
Find solitude with this surf-and-turf trip.
Northern Rockies: Thompson Peak, ID
Climb the high point of the Sawtooth Mountains.
What’s the Best In-The-Field Pain Killer?
Buck, what's the best in-the-field painkiller on the market. Do you recommend one more than another? And how much?
Sleeping Bags: Do I Need a Waterproof Laminate?
I need a new winter sleeping bag. Should I choose a sleeping bag with or without a waterproof laminate? Can you explain the difference?
Northern Rockies: Imogene Pass Loop, ID
Swim, climb, nap–repeat. This Sawtooths trek has it all.
Gear Test: Editors' Choice Videos Are Live
See our Gear Guide picks in action in the Swiss Alps
The Peak: Mt. Tamalpais, CA
At Mt. Tam you'll find wilderness solitude with Pacific views only 20 miles from San Francisco. Plus, there's a beer garden.
Natural Wonders: Death Valley's Wildflowers
Trek through lush fields that thrive on just two inches of annual rainfall.
Natural Wonders: America's Smallest Deer
Glimpse miniature deer that barely escaped extinction.
Natural Wonders: Colorado's Tallest Frozen Waterfall
See a 365-foot cascade turned to ice at Bridal Veil Falls.
Luxury Hikes: Amicalola Falls SP, GA
Trek to an off-the-grid bunkhouse.
Luxury Hikes: Muleshoe Ranch, AZ
Discover a desert oasis.
Should Yosemite's Curry Village Close?
Citing rockfall danger, rangers ask for your input into whether they should close the historic cabins at Curry Village
Gear Review: Salomon XT Wings GTX Trail Runner
A souped-up trail runner.
Gear Review: Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack
With a 100-ounce reservoir and shoulder straps and hipbelt that hugged our testers' every curve, this pack excelled at hauling water on the move.
Gear Review: Klean Kanteen Wide 64 oz. Water Bottle
With a wide mouth, stainless steel construction, and large capacity, this water bottle did the trick on a hike of Vermont's Long Trail.
Gear Review: Exped Explorer Trekking Poles
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Gear Review: First Ascent Guide Gloves
Featuring a merino lining and insulated with Primaloft these gloves were soft enough for nose-wiping yet tough enough for ice axes and high-friction rappelling.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Octane/Spark Backpack
With a snug fit and excellent compression system, this daypack handles up to 20 pounds and stuck like glue canyoning in southern Utah.
Gear Review: Patagonia M10 Jacket
At 10.5 ounces, this jacket worked as a windshell in the Swiss Alps and and handled rain and wind in New England and the Rockies.
Ask A Bear: Does Fishing Gear Attract Bears?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Hike of the Day: Yellowstone's Back Basin
String together an impressive collection of thermal features on this 1.7-mile loop in Yellowstone National Park's Norris Geyser Basin.
Video: Life in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Vice series features Heimo Korth, the last man to live full-time on Alaska's ANWR
Gear Review: Coast LED Lenser Micro Headlamp
The Coast Lenser is the lightest and cheapest headlamp we tested.
Gear Review: Mammut Lucido TXlite Headlamp
The Mammut Lucido provides the steadiest light.
Gear Review: Petzl Tikka Plus 2 Headlamp
The Petzl Tikka features the best light quality.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
The Black Diamond Spot has the brightest light and best battery life.
Gear Review: Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp
This best all-around headlamp passed every test we threw at it.
Spring Training: Exercises for Strong Knees and Hamstrings
Want strong knees when hiking season starts? Work your hamstrings now.
Trail Nutrition: Eat For Recovery
Double your trail miles–or just boost your energy–with protein-rich snacks.
Green Gear: Sierra Designs Cyclone Eco Jacket
A 100% recycled, waterproof breathable four-season shell.
Guns Now Allowed In Most National Parks
This past weekend, all but 20 national parks began allowing guns
Hike of the Day: Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas
Hike near theropod and sauropod dinosaur tracks, then ditch the roadside crowds for some solitude and abundant views of the Paluxy River Valley on this 6.8-mile loop.
Totally hip survival advice
First-person lessons on long-term health in the age of lemming sports
14 New National Monuments?
Obama administration considers naming new wild places in nine western states
Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping, Part V: Winter Luxury
Final words on the luxury side of winter
Backpacker Photo School: Understanding Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO
Learn how to get the most out of your camera's advanced functions while shooting in the wild.
Editors' Choice 2010 Videos: Hiking the Swiss Alps
Hike Switzerland's Via Alpina route with the Backpacker editors in our video series.
Editors' Choice 2010: Switzerland Photo Slideshows
View stunning vistas and snowy passes in these photos of Switzerland's Via Alpina route. Included: the Eiger, the Wetterhorn, and Jungfrau Glacier.
Trail Chef: Regional Trail Delicacies
Just because you're on the trail doesn't mean abandoning local fare. Here are some favorite trail treats, by region.
What's the Best Way to Pitch a Tent in Cold Weather?
My tent has zip in/out panels and I'm not sure what the right balance is between keeping the heat in and getting the condensation out.
Ask A Bear: A Bear In My Path?
Our resident bruin expert answers all in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Lunchbox's Disaster Roundup: Man Dies In Mt. St. Helens Crater
The beloved star of our in-book feature "The Predicament," Lunchbox the Cadaver Sniffing Dog, rounds up this week's outdoor predicaments, disasters, and near-misses
2013 Advertising Thank You Page
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
2013 Advertising Inquiries
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Apisphere, Inc. Geomate.jr
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Garmin International Foretrex 401
This wrist-ready, weather-resistant GPS device is only 2.2 ounces.
Garmin International Dakota 10
Easy to read touch screen with a tough hard-shell
Big Air Software, LLC iTrailMap
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Garmin International Dakota 20
Easy to read touch screen with a tough hard-shell
Trimble Outdoors Geocache Navigator
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Garmin International Oregon 550
Easy to read touch screen with a tough hard-shell
Trimble Outdoors Timble Outdoors
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Big Air Software, LLC Topo 3D
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Trimble Outdoors AllSport GPS
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Fullpower Technologies MotionX-GPS Sport
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Garmin International Oregon 550t
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
MapMyFitness, Inc. iMapMyWalk App
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Big Air Software, LLC Park Maps
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Garmin International Forerunner 310XT
This watch boasts all the bells and whistles of a great training watch and GPS device.
HIking Switzerland's Via Alpina: Engelberg to Meiringen
Hike from Trubsee lake and Jochpass and down to Engstlensee lake for stunning views of the Wetterhorn.
GoLite Announces Take Back Program
the first outdoor industry end of life cycle recycling program that takes back everything
Editors' Choice 2010: ARC'TERYX Altra Backpack
Carry the biggest loads with shocking comfort with this backpack that loads like a suitcase.
Hiking Switzerland's Via Alpina: Adelboden to Kandersteg
Get ready for a ten-mile day, 4,265 feet of elevation gain, and the Bunderchrinde, the third highest pass on the Via Alpina.
Hiking Switzerland: The Eiger and Jungfrau Glacier
The Eiger is made up of the stuff of legend. Here, an up close and personal look at the mountain.
Editors' Choice 2010: Soto Micro Regulator Stove
Cook anywhere, anytime with this innovative ultralight stove.
Editors' Choice 2010: Salomon Wings Sky GTX
Hike far and fast in these light, versatile hybrid hiking boots.
Hike Switzerland's Via Alpina: Griesalp to Lauterbrunnen
The Editors' Choice testing crew finishes their final day under the base of the mighty Eiger.
Hiking Switzerland's Via Alpina: Climbing the Monch
After 100 miles hiking in the Swiss Alps, the Backpacker editors couldn't resist a summit of one of Europe's most famous peaks, the Monch.
Hike Switzerland's Via Alpina: Kandersteg to Griesalp
The Editors' Choice testing crew tackles the highest passes in the Swiss Alps.