Gear Test: Float-testing A Tent
Contributing Editor John Harlin reveals groundbreaking tent-testing technique...in his swimming pool.
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West Coast Reader Map Team
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Southeast Reader Map Team
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
How Do I Keep Meat Cold On a Long Trip?
I am going on a week-long trip at around 10,500 feet elevation and we'll be using mules to carry our gear. Any suggestions on how to keep our food cold so we can carry perishables such as steak/chicken etc?
Northwest Reader Map Team
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Your Most Pressing Bear Questions, Answered
Real reader bear questions answered by Buck Tilton.
Hiker Finds Explosives
San Diego hiker stumbles on unidentified bombs, uses GPS coordinates to relay location to authorities
Your Best Advice: Reader Tips
Backpacker readers share their hiking, camping, gear, bear bagging, and firestarting tips.
Top Chefs: Reader-Submitted Recipes
We taste-tested a stack of your recipe submissions–everything from pasta to pub food. These four winners emerged as the best of the bunch.
Weekend Backpacks
Ten reader-testers hiked nearly 1,000 miles to rate new midsize load haulers. Their five picks: five models that deliver comfort, affordability, and convenience.
4 Ultralight Sleeping Bags
4 featherweight sleepers for all types of ounce-counters, spring through fall.
Your Favorite Places: Readers' Choice Trips 2010
Who knows the secret trails and must-do classics in every corner of the country? Our teams of regional experts, recruited from the ranks of readers like you. Here are their top hikes from coast to coast.
Midwest Readers' Choice Hikes
Mississippi river vistas, ocean-size grasslands, and guaranteed solitude.
Mountain West Readers' Choice Hikes
A weekend in Glacier, a quiet 14er, and the Rockies' best hot springs.
Northeast Readers' Choice Hikes
A state high point, killer foliage, and a hike loaded with waterfalls
Hike of the Day: Mount Greylock
Charge up Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts.
Northwest Readers' Choice Trips
Crashing waterfalls, hidden lakes, and a choice Denali view highlight the 2010 Northwest Readers' Choice hikes.
Southeast Readers' Choice Hikes
Colossal trees, sweet swimming holes, and the USA's best picnic spot.
West Coast Readers' Choice Hikes
The world's prettiest shoreline, giant pines, and Yosemite's premier view.
West Coast Readers' Choice Hikes: Kalalau Trail, HI
Hike Hawaii's all-world coast to a secluded beach.
West Coast Readers' Choice Hikes: The Ruby Crest Trail, Humboldt NF, NV
Explore lonely alpine scenery in this off-the-radar wilderness.
West Coast Readers' Choice Hikes: Thru-hike the John Muir Trail, CA
Trek 211 miles through hiker heaven.
West Coast Readers' Choice Hikes: California's Giant Sequoias, Sugarbowl Loop, Kings Canyon NP
Take a lightly trafficked trail into the word's biggest grove.
West Coast Readers' Choice Hikes: Sentinel Dome, Yosemite NP
Bag a granite peak with big views and small crowds.
Lakes Trail to Pear Lake, Sequoia National Park
Get a highlights tour of the High Sierra backcountry.
Ramsey Cascades, Great Smokies, TN
See big water, massive trees, and tiny amphibians.
Mt. Rogers NRA, VA
Celebrate the arrival of summer with an unrivaled circus of color.
Max Patch Bald, NC
Have a picnic on one of the Southeast's biggest balds.
Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald, TN
Bag four scenic peaks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Thru-hike the Florida Trail
See wild, historic surprises in the Sunshine State.
Ask A Bear: Can Bears Get Drunk?
Bears, beers, and booze—our resident bruin expert tells all in our 'Ask A Bear' column.
Raven Ridge – Blackbird Knob Loop Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV
See a Great White North south of the Mason-Dixon.
Readers' Choice Northwest: Golden Larches – Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
See this deciduous pine turn electric-yellow.
Readers' Choice Northwest: Wahtum Lake, OR
Find primo lakeside camping on a rainforest-to-alpine loop.
Readers' Choice Northwest: Lost River Range, ID
Want guaranteed peace and quiet? Hike to two of the Lower 48's most remote alpine lakes.
Readers' Choice Northwest: South Spur, Mt. Adams, WA
Climb the Northwest's tallest nontechnical volcano.
Wonderland Trail, Mt. Rainier National Park
This classic alpine loop belongs on every backpacker's tick list.
Readers' Choice Northwest: Hannegan Peak and Copper Ridge – North Cascades NP, WA
Enjoy unparalleled views from one of the country's finest skyline trails.
Northeast Reader Map Team
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Hike of the Day: Miccosukee Greenway Loop near Tallahassee
Hike through shady sweet-gum forest and rolling grasslands on this 6.5-miler along the premier canopy road of the Red Hills region.
Readers' Choice Northeast Hikes: Ricketts Glen State Park, PA
22 falls in a one day. Need we say more?
Readers' Choice Northeast Hikes: Panther Gorge and Mt. Marcy, Adirondack Park, NY
Bag New York's high point and two other big peaks.
Readers' Choice Northeast Hikes: Bernard Mountain, Acadia National Park, ME
Hike to a crowd-free view of the ocean.
Readers' Choice Northeast Hikes: Vermont's Green Mountains Foliage
Ogle fiery color in the Green Mountains.
Readers' Choice Northeast Hikes: Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness
Explore the Appalachian Trail's wildest stretch.
Readers' Choice Northeast Hikes: Burroughs Range Loop, Catskill Mountain Preserve, NY
Scramble to the Catskills' highest peaks.
Readers' Choice Mountain West Hike: Santa Maria Spring, Grand Canyon NP
Gaze into the world's most beautiful labyrinth.
Readers' Choice Mountain West: Mr. Bubbles, Yellowstone NP
Relax in an effervescent bath far from the dayhiking crowds.
Readers' Choice Mountain West Hike: West Maroon Pass, CO
Trip through kaleidoscopic color amid high-alpine splendor.
Readers' Choice Mountain West: Mills Lake, Rocky Mountain NP
Get big payoffs on an easy hike.
Readers' Choice Mountain West: The Colorado Trail
Thru-hike America's highest trail.
Readers' Choice Mountain West: Gunsight Pass, Glacier NP
See the park's famed glaciers from a high mountain pass.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Nachusa Grasslands, IL
Explore a vast, trail-free prairie.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Aurora Borealis Isle Royale NP, MI
See the country's best light show.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, OK
Bushwhack into what very well might be the quietest spot in America.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Effigy Mounds National Monument, IA
Climb to views of the mighty Mississippi River.
Readers' Choice Midwest Hikes: Ice Age Trail, WI
Thru-hike one of the country's least-known National Scenic Trails.
Midwest Reader Map Team
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Garden of the Gods Illinois to Lusk Creek Canyon
Hike the River-to-River Trail over rugged ridges, through narrow canyons, and into small caves.
Roll That Beautiful Bear Footage
A film crew relays all the Alaskan bear footage you'll ever need
Funny Video: Return of the Best Backpack Ever!
Hilarious Archwood Flextrek 37 Trillion pack now features 'Clic Method' technology
Some of My Favorite Things
In which I answer a reader question from last week's survey
2010 Reader Test Team
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Green Gear: Mountainsmith Zoom Recycled
it holds your point and shoot and more
Gear Review: Therma-a-Rest Haven Top Bag
With just 700-fill-down, a warmth-trapping hood, a radical, weight-saving design and no zipper-- or pad straps--that's innovation.
Gear Review: Nunatak Arc Specialist Sleeping Bag
Stuffed with 800-plus-fill down, the Arc Specialist is a hoodless, mummy-shaped bag that's warm right down to its 32 F degree rating.
Gear Review: Jacks 'R' Better Stealth Sleeping Bag
Check out 2010 Reader Test Team's author page.
Gear Review: Feathered Friends Merlin Sleeping Bag
Check out 2010 Reader Test Team's author page.
Gear Review: Wild Things Superlight Alpinist Jacket
Forget the frills: This shell provides superior breathability with lightweight, all-season protection
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Gear Review: Leatherman Micra
This tiny multitool packs a big punch.
Gear Review: Aquamira Water Bottle and Filter
Hate hoses? This bottle/filter combo is perfect for ultralighters in wet places
Gear Review: The North Face Paramount Convertible Pants
These tough pants excel (and look snazzy) in all seasons.
Gear Review: High Sierra Summit Backpack
Enjoy features galore without emptying your wallet with this light-duty pack.
Gear Review: Lowe Alpine Tour Attack 40 Backpack
This winter winner performs best on cold-weather hikes, climbs, and ski tours.
Gear Review: ALPS Mountaineering Orizaba Backpack
Obsessive-compulsive packers will appreciate this pack's organization options.
Gear Review: The North Face Ligero 50 Backpack
This comfortable pack offers stability on tough and uneven terrain.
Gear Review: GoLite Lite-Speed Backpack
This best-overall pack's simple design will win over ultralighters and traditional backpackers alike.
Reader Recipe: Cashew Chicken
A spicy Asian dinner with satisfying crunch.
Reader Recipe: Backcountry Thanksgiving
A simple dish from two thru-hikers.
Reader Recipe: Sweeter S'mores
Think the classic campfire treat can't be beat?