Black Bear Attacks Hiker in So Cal Foothills
Unusual incident possibly due to recent wildfire
All Content
Are You the Next Edward Abbey?
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Blind Iraq Vet Wins Outdoor ESPY
Army Capt. Scott Smiley takes Best Outdoor Athlete honors
Cut Your Own 10.5' x 10.5' Tarp Square
Check out Lesley Suppes's author page.
Skipping Stones; Part I of a Serialized E-Novella
In which our protagonists journey between gateways, encountering adventures never dreamed of among the high peaks.
Denali tests hybrid buses
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Luxe Camping Goes Overboard
Pink flamingos on your tent, anyone?
Wolves Re-Endangered
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
High Gas Prices = Slimmer People
A researcher concludes that $4/gallon gas can help curb America's obesity epidemic
Paradise and Purgatory in the High Uintas
It seems you can't hike anywhere these days without stumbling into a little drama
Poison Ivy Goes Uber
More CO2 means more poisonous plants
Trail Dust?
I recently went hiking in the Phoenix area. I feel like I ate about a ton of dust–a fine particle, like talc. (Silly me, I didn't think to pack a mask.) Is that "trail dust" bad for my lungs?
Storing Mummy Bags
Is it true that mummy bags should not be stored in a stuff sack, but rather hung in closet between trips? Seems like a waste of space.
Hiking & High Blood Pressure
Is it safe to hike if you have high blood pressure?
Hot Food
When camping in frigid temperatures, what's the best way to keep my food warm long enough to eat it? And how can I clean my pot once the food has frozen itself to the sides?
How Can I Minimize Knee Pain?
I've tried different boots, inserts, socks, and lightening my load, but I still seem to get overuse pain in my knees very early in my hikes. What else can I do to minimize knee pain?
Firewood Calculator Makes You Feel Wasteful, Kind Of
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Bears Gone Wild
Break-ins driven by natural need for hybrid cars, electronics
Beyond Destination Nowhere: Q&A with Mark Jenkins
Mark Jenkins, the author of "Destination Nowhere," discusses his Yellowstone assignment to find the most remote spot in the United States.
Why Are My Toes Numb?
My middle two and sometimes three toes go numb when I hike. I have very good boots that fit well. Any ideas?
Backpacking in Europe
I plan on backpacking Europe for about a month. What is the most suitable backpack for me to use?
Boulder's Gregory Canyon Trail
Take an abandoned wagon road near Boulder's Flatirons with Backpacker editors Jon Dorn and Anthony Cerretani in this trail profile.
Wyoming's Red Desert
In September's "The Red Zone" writer Michael Behar and photographer Mike Sakas join biologist Erik Molvar through America's highest desert. See Sakas's photos of the trip here.
Most Remote Wilderness in the U.S.
For September's "Destination Nowhere" Mark Jenkins explores the most remote wilderness location in the continental United States–a secret spot in Yellowstone. See his photos here.
Don't Pay at the Pump: Bus to the Trail
Follow Dan Koeppel and photographer Michael Darter as they jump a magic bus in L.A. and camp in Angeles National Forest. You may never drive again.
It's a Conspiracy
You won't believe what some people blame for their extra flab
Searching for Solitude: Mark Jenkins Photos and Interview
In "Destination Nowhere" (September 2008), Mark Jenkins explores the most remote wilderness location in the continental United States–a top-secret spot in Yellowstone. See his trip photos and read an interview with Jenkins where he discusses the assignment.
Caffeine Speeds Recovery
Another excuse to drink more coffee has arrived
Working Too Much Can Kill You
Go outside and play instead
Banff Boaters Watch Cougar Kill
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Don't Pay at the Pump: Photos and Mass-Transit Hikes
After reading Dan Koeppel's latest urban hiking adventure "Don't Pay at the Pump" (September 2008), we guarantee you'll want to crank "Magic Bus" and ditch the car on your next trip to the trailhead. We can help. Our map team has assembled more than 25 hikes you can access via public transportation. Plus, check out more of Michael Darter's photos and read Koeppel's 2004 feature, "I Climbed Los Angeles," to learn about his slightly insane 19-mile L.A. staircase route.
Don't Play With Poisonous Lizards
They don't want to be your friends
Wyoming's Red Desert: Story, Video, and Photo Special
Head to one of the last truly wild places in the Lower 48: Wyoming's Red Desert. Read the story, follow our author on the trail in our video report, see more photos of the journey in a gallery of outtakes, and download the GPS Track.
Four-Wheelin' to the Top
Backpacker's Wheelchair Hiker Wins Presidential Fitness Award
Mt. Shasta's Glaciers Getting Bigger
Mountain denies using HGH
Water Everywhere, But Not A Drop To Drink
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
A Tale of Two Coasts
A Mountaineer goes missing, A novice hiker triggers a SPOT beacon alert
Lightning Zaps Three in RMNP
Summer thunderstorm season is here. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Do Mountaineers Know the Meaning of Life?
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Trek Stop Bike Station
Surly attendants not included
Third Man Scales NY Times Building
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
More Poop On Packing Out Waste
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Summer of the Kayaker
Mayhem-filled summer seems dominated by water incidents
Hiking is Dangerous?
Survey ranks the activity behind snowboarding and sledding as the most dangerous
Too Much Salt?
I know you need more sodium when you're sweaty and backpacking, but how much is safe?
Noisy National Parks
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Prius Goes Solar?
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mountaineer Dies On Summit of McKinley
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Yellowstone Hosts Most June Visitors Ever
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Denali Photo Blog
Follow African adventurer Sibusiso Vilane as he climbs Alaska's 20,320-foot Mt. McKinley to complete his Seven Summits.
June 2008
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Cycling Tattoos: Trading Grease For Ink
When riding your bike everywhere just isn't enough
Get Money For Your Favorite Trail
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
BACKPACKER June Issue Now Online
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Gray Wolf Spotted in New Mexico
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
More Trouble for Flip-Flops
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Preventing Heat Illnesses
Now that summer is here, what are the best methods for preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke?
Bear Aware: Water Rescue and Biker Attack
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Unopened Emails And Lost Evidence
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
New York Says No to Spider-Man
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Find Fido With GPS Dog Collar
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
North Pole On Thin Ice
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Vacation Time
4 Tips for an Active Fourth of July
Skiing the Matterhorn, For Starters
14er skier Chris Davenport tackles iconic Alps
I Climbed Los Angeles
One small step for our stair-obsessed man, one giant leap for fitness freaks everywhere.
My SPOT Non-Emergency on Denali
The First-Hand Skivvy
Hiker Graffiti Is Clever, Good-Natured
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Wolf vs. Mama Bear and Cubs
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Man Crashes Bike Into…Bear?!
Hopes to ride again by 'the weekend'
11 Outward Bound Hikers Missing in Sierras
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Highest Carbon Emissions in Rural West
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Sugar Sells Plantation to Florida
Chug-a-lug, Everglades
Hike and Raft Oregon's Rogue River
A killer whitewater trip at the end of a stunning 40-mile canyon hike? That's the scenario on Oregon's Rogue River Trail.
Green Scene: BPA-Free Water Bottles
Lighten your planetary load, water bottle style, with these BPA-free water bottle alternatives.
Camping Hammock Reviews
These versatile sanctuaries do more than just keep you dry. ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: See our video review of the latest bivys and hammocks.
Lightweight Climbing Gear
With a light climbing rope, shoes, and harness, you'll be packed and ready to hit the rock in no time.
Field Notes: The Latest Word from Our Testers
True-blue reviews on the latest items we've taken out on trail.
Big-Trip Boots: Trail Blazers
Get maximum support, traction, and protection without wafflestomper weight or break-in. Welcome to the new breed of all-terrain, any-load boots.
Alligator Bites Off Night Swimmer's Arm
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Trail Recipes: Rising Sun Cuisine; Sushi on the Go
4 Japanese meals adapted–and enhanced–for the trail