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.
Heroic Headgear: Cold Weather Fashion for the Fearless
Winter's almost here. Time to get your cool on.
Wedding Proposal Hike Ends in Fall, Rescue
Search-and-rescue helicopters rescue bride-to-be after she topples over a cliff on Maryland's Billy Goat Trail
Insider's Guide: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
From secret spots to the perfect campsites, this insider's guide has the goods on the Smokies.
Time Travel: Hiking Historical Homesteads in the Smokies
A unique route linking historic homesteads yields an exciting Smokies adventure for hikers and history buffs alike.
Gear Test: Loeka Women's Mountain Biking Duds
Can mountain biking clothes be sexy and functional? We put one extra-colorful pair of shorts and two technical shirts from Loeka to the test on the bike, the run, and the hike.
Recipe: Blueberry-Hazelnut Rice Flour Pancakes
This gluten-free variation on the traditional recipe serves up superlight cakes.
September 2009 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Friday Afternoon Video: 21 Hours On Top Of Everest
1999 video (released this week) captures Babu Sherpa's never-beaten record for most hours on the summit
Out of the Wild
An ode to the joys of sloth, and tonza photos too
Women Have Real-Life Spidey Sense. Men, Not So Much
Female fear of spiders and other icky creatures might just be genetic, according to a new study
How To Make Perfect Camp Pancakes
From toppings to cleanup, these four tips will enhance the perfect lazy-morning camp breakfast.
The Boy Scout Quiz
Could you earn a merit badge in wilderness travel? Better ace this test, taken straight from the Scouts' own backpacking manual.
Are You Smarter Than a Boy Scout?
Scoutmasters wrote the book on camping, and built an army of pack-toting teens. But do the troops truly rule when it comes to outdoor skills? We pitted three Scouts against three average readers to find out.
Higher Education: Should 13-Year-Old Jordan Romero Climb Everest?
Romero climbed Denali at 11 and has bagged five of the Seven Summits. He hopes to climb Everest in 2010, but is mountain climbing good for a growing kid?
Gear Review: REI OXT Airflyte Running Jacket
This high intensity, breathable jacket is perfect for fast day hikes and cross training.
Gear Review: First Ascent BC-100 Shell
Bargain shell for rainy weather
Trail Chef: Make Tiramisu in Camp!
Impress your buddies with this easy-and-yummy dessert.
13-Year-Old Summits Carstensz Pyramid
Jordan Romero, the 13-year-old boy looking to be the youngest Seven Summits climber, stands atop Australia/Oceania
45 Years of Wilderness
The Wilderness Act celebrates 45 years of conserving wild places with photo contest, calls to action
Forest For The Artificial Trees
Geoengineers and climate scientists think artificial, carbon-sucking trees could help stop climate change
Trail Chef: Backcountry Tiramisu!
You heard us right: Wow your campmates with this classic gourmet dessert made right outside your tent.
Trail Chef: Backcountry Tiramisu!
You heard us right: Wow your campmates with this classic gourmet dessert made right outside your tent.