All Content

The secret to long-term health and fitness? Reap backpacking's many benefits–a strong heart, lean muscle, superior endurance–through every stage of your life. Here's how.

In which our author ponders computer tipping points, holiday swarming and cairn cluelessness

UN to determine whether proposed coal mines pose a threat to World Heritage site

When runoff turns a nice stream nasty, use these tips to cross safely.

Hahn extends his non-sherpa record to 11 summits; team descends safely

Beaches, wildlife, and prairies in Minnesota, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, North Dakota, Kansas, and Illinois make the Midwest a hiker's paradise.

From canyons to rock art to waterfalls, the Southwest has an abundance of natural beauty.

Take is stunning rivers and waterfalls, killer views, and amazing wildlife in Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Texas with these hikes.

With alpine views, hot springs, wildflowers and wildlife, these hikes in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana offer the best of the Rockies.

Tick off these life list hikes in Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska.

From dawn-to-dusk epics in Utah canyons to lazy-picnic blueberry strolls in Maine–plus hikes to peaks, redwoods, hot springs, beaches, and more–here are 100 ways to spend a perfect day on the trail.

Pictures from an industry junket gone tragically awry

The best view in the Grand Canyon can't be seen from the rim. Brave the trek to Royal Arch, hidden deep in the gorge, and your world will never look the same.

An influx in Wisconsin gray wolves has the cheese state considering management options.

The members of the International Space Station stretch their resources with a urine-to-water recycling system.

Satisfy your pizza cravings in camp—no backpacker's oven required

In his 2010 budget, the president marks $50 million to go toward Interior Department programs that benefit outdoor youth programs

Hike across forested hills to gape at ocean vistas just one hour north of San Francisco.

Get national park scenery without the crowds on an alpine overnight with lakeside camping.

Would you pay $500 for designer 'hiking shorts?'

Disappear into the largest–and probably the wettest–wilderness east of the Mississippi.

Undeterred by injuries that would cripple most men, a Colorado hiker nears the halfway point in a pioneering attempt to thru-hike the true crest of the Continental Divide.

This iconic summit shouldn't be rushed. Save the experience on this 33-mile trek.

Discover the world's oldest tree, America's biggest cavern, and Florida's largest herd of wild horses on these three treks.

See glowing plankton, mushrooms, and bugs on these brilliant adventures.

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

...and can't wait to get back out there

Peter Whittaker reports from the summit of Everest

Yes, pee is about 95% sterile water, but that other 5% is a noxious brew of waste material that your body is trying to expel.

This eat-anything farm animal offers a greener path to yard maintenance

Elk meat makes for a leaner, more tender–and always organic!–trail snack.

Say goodbye to rock-hard, overpriced, gas-station jerky with this cheap and easy recipe.

My wife, who's allergic to bees, is reluctant to hike with me. What can I do to ease her fear of getting stung?

These tasty nutritional all-stars offer a bounty of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and good-for-you fats. Here are a backpacker's four best bets.

Four myths about snakebites, dispelled.

Even expert hikers can take foolish risks. Stay smart–and safe–with these tips.

Boost your summit chances and beat lightning storms with a smooth early-morning start.

one man's quest to understand his impact

Les Stroud chronicles his struggle to survive on a luxe Thai island paradise

Take a fatherless herd boy from poverty-wracked Swaziland, endow him with an indomitable will and a few wealthy friends, give him the lungs of Ed Viesturs, and you have...

Ever wanted to go swimming with your iPod/iPhone?

Obama brings together adversaries, comes up with standards automakers can work with

Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker summit Everest

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

Whittaker and Viesturs near the summit

This polished reader gear tester begged us not to let his German name count against him. We didn't.

H2O: it's the new climate change

Yellowstone rangers plan to kill a wolf that chases people on bikes and motorcycles

BanNascarNow.com calls out the environmental impact of car racing and seeks to shut it down, but this race fan isn't so sure

This Reader Gear Tester sells us with a little ice climbing and a lotta gear

Bike-happy BACKPACKER staffers offer tips, reasons to ride your bike to the office

Top off your meal with this simple and delicious dessert.

Sweet photography and deep outdoor experience separate these resder testers from the pack

Marijuana farmers are moving into national parks like Yosemite—but vigilant rangers and agents are waiting

In documentary filmmaking, you need a plan, but you also need to observe your subjects and make good, on-the-fly decisions. Here's how.

The Seven Sins of Greenwashing

The perils of group dynamics, overreaching plans, and random sheep

I want to try duct tape to prevent chafing between the legs, but I'm too scared to try. Do you know if this works better than lotions or creams?

Pain in my shoulders and hips is destroying my ability to camp. Can you recommend the best, most cushioned, and lightweight pad that might help solve this problem?

Park Service cites tresspassers after Yellowstone webcam watchers caught them urinating on Old Faithful

These two readers became gear testers by being complete gear obsessives —and showing a little skin

Guides Seth Waterfall and Dave Hahn answer questions from curious readers following the climb

Sierra Designs contest lets you retrace the footsteps of BACKPACKER editors in wet and windy Wales

Our expert tested four, 5-weight rods that are perfect for backcountry streams or lakes

The new home of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to be the greenest office building in the world.

New rules cut heavier Scouts out of backpacking, 'extreme' activities