Jandd Mountaineering Mogen Daypack
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Jandd Mountaineering Har Lit Packer
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Jandd Mountaineering Mayim Lite Packer
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Gear Review: Big Sky International Mirage 2-Person Tent
weighing in at 2 lbs. 6 oz, this ultralight tent fits two with room to spare.
The ABCs of Glaciers
'Moraines.' 'Tarns.' 'Dirt Cones.' These are just a few of the glacial features I witnessed in Alaska.
Will the Sun Kill Germs on Cookware?
If cups and cook pots are exposed to untreated water, are they safe to use after they air dry?
Vote: Colorado's Craziest Bear
Colorado's gonzo black bear season goes national
Clean Your Crag!
The Access Fund presents the 10th annual Adopt-a-Crag event.
Gear Review: The North Face Mica 12 Tent
Unmatched in weather-worthiness, this solo tent earned top honors among testers.
Trail Designs Caldera Ti-Tri Titanium Stove System
The ultimate stove: anywhere, anytime, any gas
Trail Designs Caldera Keg-H Stove System
The ultimate stove: anywhere, anytime, any gas
Lafuma Pike 25
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Trail Designs Caldera Keg-F Stove System
The ultimate stove: anywhere, anytime, any gas
Lafuma Venturer 45
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Trail Designs Caldera Cone Stove System
The ultimate stove: anywhere, anytime, any gas
Lafuma Xeon 23
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Lafuma Cinetik 11 Pro
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Lafuma Landcruiser 70 + 10
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Lafuma Landcruiser 50 + 10 Lady
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Lafuma Kailas 60 + 10
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Lafuma Kailas 50 + 10
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Lafuma Eco Hike 30
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Lafuma Naia 50
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Lafuma Manang 65+20
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BACKPACKER Photo School: Taking Perfect Photos on a Cloudy Day
Picture perfect weather doesn't necessarily mean blue skies. Sometimes, when clouds roll in, they make for better shooting weather, and better photos.
New Standards for Cars and Trucks?
EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration team up on a plan to up mpg (miles per gallon) and drop ghg (greenhouse gases)
Recipes: Perfect Pancakes
Batter up for these trail-ready pancakes.
EPA Delays Mountaintop Removal Proposals
Obama's administration tightens coal mining regulations to improve public and environmental health, but local miners worry about economic impact
No More Aspens By 2090?
A major aspen die-off could mute the usually colorful Western autumn for years to come
September Issue Free and Online!
BACKPACKER's entire September issue is now available online, for free
‘Please, Bees—Buzz Off!’
Arizona hiker stung 120 times by bees while waiting for rescue
National Park Quarters
Treasury Department will celebrate National Parks Service units with America the Beautiful Quarters
Bear Encounter Roundup: Eating Ice Cream and Shopping for Fur Coats
Bears have been busy this summer. We take a look at what theyÂ’ve been up to.
Yellowstone Posts Record Numbers
Yellowstone National Park enjoys its busiest summer ever
The Boot That Keeps On Giving
Timberland Earthkeepers 2.0 boots are designed for disassembly and reuse
The Boy Scout Quiz Answers & Scoring
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Fast Fix: How to Maintain Technical Apparel
3 ways to make your high-tech apparel perform better and last longer.
September 2009 Table of Contents
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Gear Review: Polar Buff Headwear
This versatile headpiece is half fleece, half microfiber–it can even double as a pillow.
Gear Review: RAB Latok Gloves
This waterproof glove is multisport.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Navigation Pants
These rugged, yet stylish, pants have thigh vents and removable gaiters.
Apparel Guide 2009: Shells
In a 2000 BACKPACKER raingear review, the average jacket weighed 20.6 ounces. Nine year later, that's down as much as 65%–and these six entries are more breathable to boot.
Apparel Guide 2009: Puffy Jackets
Ever seen a cold goose? Slip into one of these cozy down (or synthetic down) heaters, and you'll understand why you haven't.
Apparel Guide 2009: Baselayers
From fit to fabric, this year's shirts upgrade performance on every front.
Gear Review: Cloudveil Run Don't Walk Light Shirt Baselayer
This tester favorite was popular for climbing, mountain biking, and layering. The Polartec Power Dry fabric aided quick drying.
Gear Review: Mammut Zip Longsleeve All-Year Baselayer
Using body-mapping and blended merino wool/synthetic fabrics, this innovative baselayer is warm and versatile.
Gear Review: Patagonia Merino 1 Baselayer
This hybrid is part merino wool and part recycled polyester&ndashthe result being a fast-drying, non-stinking baselayer.
Gear Review: SmartWool NTS Midweight Zip T Baselayer
This merino midweight baselayer is soft, stretchy, and naturally anti-stink.
Gear Review: GoLite DriMove BL-2 Longsleeve Zip Baselayer
This fast-drying shirt has a special ingredient&ndashCocona Minerale fabric.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL Puffy Down Jacket
This midweight synthetic packs small and repels light rain and snow.
Survey Says: Campers Love Bowling, Hate Snowshoeing
A new survey on campers shows camping is on the rise, but it also reveals some of your tentmateÂ’s stranger habits
Gear Review: Patagonia Nano Puff Down Jacket
This quilted pullover was a go-to jacket all year round.
Gear Review: First Ascent Downlight Sweater Down Jacket
This puffy is perfect as a midlayer for skiing or a springtime camp coat–and comes in a wide variety of sizes.
Gear Review: Mammut Pilgrim/Vinson Puffy Down Jacket
This overstuffed puffy was the warmest of the bunch with a high-collared hood and hand gaiters.
The Guiding Life
Wherein I return to a former profession, and invite you to join the fun.
Summiting Mt. Adams, Washington
Hit Mt. Adams, for a climb of one of Washington's premier stratovolcanoes.
Kootenay National Park, British Columbia Canada
Not even 10 days of constant rain can obscure the beauty of the Rockwall Trail in British Columbia's Kootenay National Park.
Obama's Wilderness Point Man: Interview with Ken Salazar
Parks czar Ken Salazar talks trails, nixes ANWR drilling, and defends his boss's controversial guns-in-parks decision.
Gear Review: RAB Microlight Alpine eVent Down Jacket
This microlight puffy will keep you warm no matter the rain, sleet, or snow.
Lost World Full Of Giant Rats, Fanged Frogs, and Fish That Grunt
A multi-national team discovers a wealth of new species in a remote, untouched area of Papua New Guinea.
Gear Review: The North Face Crimptastic Down Jacket
This close fitting jacket is great for winter cragging, or fast trips from spring trough fall.
Gear Review: GoLite Mckenzie Reflexion Jacket
Waterproof and breathable, this hard shell is perfect for cold places and pursuits.
Gear Review: Millet Super touring Jacket
This all-around soft shell keeps the drizzle on the outside and warmth on the inside, right where it belongs.
Gear Review: Mammut Lobuche Shell
New technology makes for a super breathable, go anywhere hard shell
Gear Review: Marmot Nano Shell
Weighing less that 10 ounces this ultralight shell withstood 3 days of torrential rain.
Rabies from a Hydration Unit?
Can you get rabies or other diseases by using a bite valve that some animal has been nibbling on? Will alcohol sanitizer "sterilize" it?
Wolf Hunt Goes On
U.S. District Court judge rules Idaho and Montana wolf hunts won't damage long-term populations
Gear School: Liquid Fuel Stoves
These workhorse cookers are ideal for long expeditions, cold weather, and foreign adventures.
Undiscovered Hikes: 19 New Trails
Hike these paths before the masses find them.
Explore Colorado’s Undiscovered Black Canyon
Descend into Colorado's Black Canyon for a park that has everything: life-list scenery, challenging terrain, a revitalized river, and very few hikers.
Rip & Go: Black Balsam Knob to Cold Mountain – Pisgah National Forest, NC
Trek 18.2 miles from the South's best view to its most famous mountain.
Rip & Go: Wheeler Peak Loop – Wheeler Peak Wilderness, NM
Connect alpine lakes and tag three summits on this wildflower- and wildlife-packed loop.
Rip & Go: Loon Creek to Horseshoe Lake – Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, ID
Explore a supersized wilderness that's home to Idaho's densest population of gray wolves.
Compact Fluorescents
When they're spent, don't just chuck 'em
How to Lead a Summit Hike
Keep a group of peakbaggers safe with these field-proven tips.
The Manual: How to Explore a Slot Canyon
Explore these redrock mysteries safely with expert tips on gear and technique.
Cool Video: Arctic Surfing
First Ascent sends surfers to conquer waves at the frozen ends of the Earth--literally
The Peak: Windom Peak, CO
Take a historic train to the trailhead and climb this Colorado beauty, nestled deep in the Weminuche Wilderness.
Natural Wonders: Tallest Hoodoo, Largest Gators, Lost Maples
These three treks to life-list phenomena will take you to Bryce Canyon, Florida gator land, and fall foliage in the Texas desert.
Top 3 Family Dayhikes
Pack up your brood for a day in the outdoors with these kid-friendly trails.