Trip Finder: Wildflowers
Trek the best spring blooms from the Ozarks to the Olympics with these two, three, and four day treks.
All Content
Where Can I Catch America's Largest Grillable Trout?
Looking to catch and eat the big one? Try paddling Arkansas' Little Red River.
Top 3 White Mountain Treks
No, not the famously wind-whipped peaks in New Hampshire. Explore some of the country's lesser-known Whites with these accessible spring summits in Arizona, New Mexico, and Alaska.
Quick Fix: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Check out the steepest trail, the best swimming hole, and the wildest vista in America's most popular national park.
Land of the Lost: Native American Artifacts in Utah's Range Creek
Utah's Range Creek hides the most intact Native American artifacts in the United States. Get there now–while you can still play archaeologist.
Sherpa Summits Everest A Record 18 Times
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
The Porters' Progress
Two Everest-scaling Sherpas face their biggest challenge yet–surviving suburban America.
June 2008 Reader Photos
Check out these top shots from readers like you.
August 2008 Reader Photos
Waterfalls and sunsets rule in this summer batch of BACKPACKER reader photos.
May 2008 Reader Photos
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
GSI Outdoors
Solo. Stag. Unattached. Everything's more macho when you do it alone, but you still deserve a little comfort. An even-heating pot, insulated mug, a strainer lid, room for stove/fuel and a welded sink. We promise we won’t tell.
Space Kangaroo Helps Check Climate Change
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Phoenix Hiker Survives Bee Attack
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Survive This: Swarming Wasps
Forget all the rules about freezing or making yourself big. When faced with these angry beasts run for cover.
February 2008 Table of Contents
Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.
April 2008 Table of Contents
Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.
Dynafit Feline EVO Ghost Trail Runner Review
Mountain runner has superior grip.
Low Arctic Ice Makes Northwest Passage Real
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Google Ocean Brings the Stoke
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Beckham, Bono To Climb Kilimanjaro; Apocalypse Begins
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Steppin' Out
I'm on assignment for a week
Water Fight; The Sequel
Record heat creates avalanche rescue and multiple river fatalities in the Pacific Northwest
"He's eating my brains. I can feel it."
Canadian Brent Case describes a chilling, and leisurely, bear attack
New Clean Air Rules Threaten National Parks
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Politicians, Park Service Clash Over Deer Shooting
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Nature Forces Community To Go Green
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
News Flash: Obesity Contributes to Global Warming
No, I'm not kidding
Water Fight!
When choosing which forces of nature to oppose, the smart call is to avoid showdowns with H20
March 2008 Table of Contents
Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.
Fires and fire prevention both increase carbon
New study suggests we're damned if we do, don't
Utah Hikers Go To Pot
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Today's Funny: Bear searches for food…inside backpacker
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Polar Bears: Now 100 % More Endangered!
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Backpacker's April Issue Now Online
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
I Present to You: The Universe
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Vitamins: Good or Bad?
There is no straight answer to the benefits of taking supplements
The Growing Geoweb
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Uluru: Australia's Cursed National Park?
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Want to Save Endangered Species? Eat Them
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Olympic Torch Leaves Hefty Carbon Trail
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
'Storm Over Everest' Doc Airs Tonight on PBS
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Where Is Where?
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Poisoned penguins join parade of cute global warming victims
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Keen Announces STAND: UP Green Contest Winners
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Rock Star: Brett Dennen
Once a guide and counselor near Yosemite, up-and-coming musician Brett Dennen is now taking his backcountry jams to the masses.
Backpacker Editors' Choice 2008
The year's best packs, boots, tents, jackets, and sleeping bags. Period. Plus, a never-die headlamp, a life-saving beacon, a back-saving ultralight chair, and more innovative, trail-tested gear.
Carbon-Neutral Costa Rica: How I Lost 5,400 lbs While Packing for the Trip of a Lifetime
In search of a guilt-free adventure in the tropics, Jason Daley discovers the line between saving the world–and seeing it.
The Helmet King
Safe or Scary?
Barefoot = Injury Free*
Got chronic back pain or knee pain? Try losing your shoes
Web Exclusive: The Rebirth of Santa Cruz Island
Dive into the Channels Islands with exclusive on-the-scene video, photos, and trip reports.
Channel Islands National Park
View photographer Michael Darter's outtakes from his trip to Santa Cruz island for the July Adventures story "Return of the Natives" (Photos by Michael Darter, www.michaeldarter.com)
Channel Islands Adventure
Join associate editor Shannon Davis as he hikes and paddles through Channel Islands.
What do the outdoors sound like?
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Appalachian Trail Shooter Strikes Again
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Next Level: How To Lead A Group
From planning to execution, we've got 11 ways to become a better leader both on the trail, and off.
Hot Springs: Soak Here Now
6 more must-dip pools from Alaska to Hawaii
Rocky Mountain NP May Get Wilderness Protection
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Canadian Lassie Saves Girl, Warms Hearts
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Hot Springs: The Perfect Pool
Here are the top wilderness soaks on the continent. Can you keep a secret?
Tune Up: Protect Your Joints and Build Pivot Power
Get ready for spring with 3 joint-specific routines.
Sprained Ankles: Watch Your Step
The latest health news reveals that ankle injuries are more common than you'd think. Here's some beta.
China Summits Everest With Torch
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Skills Health: Make Time For Exercise
Full schedule? Here's how to work in working out.
Taste Test: Best of the Bars
What to grab when you need a boost
Free Food! Trailside Edible Plants
Wild parsnip, burdock, and wild carrot grow throughout North America. Learn when and where they're prime for picking.
Robin, Hand me the Bat Rope!
Musings on the 11th Essential, and Choosing Your Companions Wisely
Recipes for the Trail: Underground Cuisine
3 tasty, filling trailside finds that could save dinner–even your life.
Start Smart: Stay Clean and Healthy
4 strategies to feel and smell better
Survive This: A Plunge into Raging Whitewater
Learn how to battle your way out of a raging river with these tips.
Spring Cleaning Your Gear
We know. You meant to scrub and scour your gear last fall. But...[insert excuse here]. Now, set aside one weekend afternoon to get your gear back into action and promise to be better next year.
Stoves on a Plane
Air travel advice from an FAA expert
Be a Hiking Ambassador
6 trail-tested tips to guarantee your friend's first trip isn't his last
Does Geocaching Violate Leave No Trace?
Are these hidden containers harmless, or do they flout low-impact ethics?
See More: Bobcats And Coyotes
Unlike their cougar and wolf cousins, these cats and dogs are (often) easier to spot.
Lance Armstrong opens Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Global Warming's Latest Cuddly Victim: Koalas
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Video: Volcano Erupts in Chile
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Climbers on Everest get baked (goods)
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.