Editors' Choice 2009 Video Blowout
Join the Backpacker Editors on a rip-roaring tour of Wales for the 2009 Editors' Choice Awards. Hit the mountains and the coast and learn what it takes to be an Editors' Choice Award winner.
All Content
Editors' Choice Trip 2009: Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Witness the world's worst weather as the BACKPACKER staff tackles wailing wind, slippery crags, and zero visibility in the high peaks of Wales' Snowdonia National Park. 2613861809001
Editors' Choice Trip 2009: Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Wales
BACKPACKER Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Dorn shows you how to get the most out the British Isles' best seaside trek, the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
Editors' Choice Trip 2009: Climbing Mount Snowdon
Rocky Mountain Editor Steve Howe tackles a different kind of mountain in this video. Join him as he battles howling winds on the highest peak in Wales.
Editors' Choice Trip 2009: Brecon Beacons, Wales
Follow BACKPACKER editors on a misty mountain hop through steep slopes, huge waterfalls, and fog-shrouded vistas in Wales' Brecon Beacons National Park.
Classroom With a View
New school will teach science in nearby wildlife sanctuary
Feds Defend Guns in NatÂ’l Parks
Gun control advocates want change, but the Justice Department defends Bush-era ruling
Get Paid for Pix of Receding Glaciers
Nikwax Alpine Bellweather Grant funds photogs to document climate change
Geocaching Shuts Down Wal-Mart
Pennsylvania police evacuate a Wal-Mart after confusing geocache box for a weapon of terror
Adventure Film 101: Ep. 1: The First, Best, and Most Lasting Thrill in Filmmaking
In his first blog for Backpacker.com, Emmy-Award winning director Michael Brown drops in from Switzerland to talk about how he got his start in the film industry, and where it's taken him— most recently, jumping a helicopter to film dynamite-triggered avalanches.
Trip Report: Weekend of Epic Fail
Reflections on the upside of grudge match hiking
Visit Rocky Before It's Too Late
Rocky Mountain National Park chosen as one of the world's best places to visit before climate change "messes it up"
Saving Species by Hand
Controversial method of moving climate-change-threatened plants and animals to more hospitable conditions shows promise
Camp Canine Couture
Bamboo, biodegradable, and Houndstooth: This perplexing dog tent is practically useless for the backcountry, but itÂ’s stylish (sort of)
Hiking Sweet Spots
No mushiness required for these Valentine's Day hikes handpicked by BACKPACKER
Danger in the British Isles
Icy conditions in the fell country lead to seven trekker deaths on Wales' Mt. Snowdon and the English Peak and Lake Districts.
What's Your Household Energy Consumption
Soon you can Google it
Does Your Congressman Trash Trails?
League of American Bicyclists keeps track of politicians, other notables who "trash-talk" biking and hiking trails
Jerk Elk Bites the Dust
Well-known, aggressive Yellowstone elk dies in freak circumstances
Jetboil Recall
Leaky valve on certain models could pose fire hazard
What's My Beef?
Eating cow is a big contributor to global warming
Counting Carbon from Space
Sattelites gather data to make up for lazy earthlings
Poll: What's Your Favorite National Park?
Check out Backpacker Editors's author page.
Video Tutorials: Gear Shopping Secrets
Want a personal shopping assistant? Gear editor Kristin Hostetter has you covered. In these video guides, she'll show you how to pick the backpack and sleeping bag that's right for you.
Going Overseas? Go Where the Experts Go
National Park Service Retirees Pick Their Favorite International Parks
More Wild Land
24 million acres in the Rockies protected in wilderness bill
25 Things You DidnÂ’t Know…
..About the BACKPACKER Map Project
Denali vs. McKinley
Alaska representatives move to officially rename McKinley Denali
Rollin' on a River
New backcountry wheelchair for use on trails and river bottoms
Get Soled
Patagonia partners with Mountain Soles to keep shoes out of the landfill
Life Link Mountain Lily
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Solo
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Black Diamond Trail Shock
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Black Diamond Trail
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Black Diamond Trail Back
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Black Diamond Syncline
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Komperdell Carbon Airshock Women
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Komperdell Carbon Airshock Men
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Komperdell CARBON DUOLOCK MEN
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Komperdell Carbon Duolock Women
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Komperdell Contour Titanal
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Komperdell Compact Titanal Women
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Komperdell Contour Titanal Antishock Light
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Komperdell Contour Titanal Antishock Light Women
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Life Link Guide
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Life Link Trillium
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Life Link Teton
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Life Link Triple Direct
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Life Link Rainier
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Life Link Explorer
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Gossamer Gear NightLight 3/4
You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Gossamer Gear NightLight Torso
You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Gossamer Gear ThinLight 3/8
You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Gossamer Gear ThinLight 1/8
You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Lite-Core 1.0 Short
You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Gossamer Gear ThinLight 1/4
You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Lite-Core 1.5 Short
You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Lite-Core 1.5 Regular
You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Lite-Core 1.5 Women's
You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Trekker 1.75 Short
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Lafuma Mountain 2
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Trekker 1.75 Regular
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Trekker 1.75 Women's
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Lafuma Trekking 2
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Lafuma Camping
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Lafuma Maxi Comfort
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Trekker 1.75 Convertible
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Camp Bed 2.5 Regular
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Camp Bed 2.5 XLarge
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Camp Bed 3.5 Regular
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) REI Camp Bed 3.5 XLarge
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Big Agnes Diversion Insulated Air Core Recycled
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Big Agnes Insulated Air Core
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Big Agnes Air Core
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Big Agnes Clearview
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Big Agnes Dual Core
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Big Agnes Two Track
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Big Agnes Himan
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus
Carry less, sleep more with this light-and-luxe mattress.