Worcester AMC 100th Anniversary
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All Content
Old Man of the Mountain Lecture
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REI Garage Sale: Boston
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Eight Picks for Autumn Hikes
From Civil War sites to cascading waterfalls, North Georgia is full of great fall hiking options.
NASA Models to Help With Atlanta Reforestation, Water Supply
NASA is joining with The Nature Conservancy's North American Cities program to prioritize greenspace in Atlanta.
Meet Otis, the Fattest Bear
Otis the bear is one glorious half-ton of fur and blubber, and for the second year in a row, he's the winner of Katmai National Park's Fat Bear Championship.
Watch: Learn How to Use Bear Spray
Learn how to use bear spray from a national park ranger
Meet the 9-Year-Old Hiker Who Just Finished the Triple Crown
Christian "Buddy Backpacker" Thomas finished his hike of the CDT this month—making him the youngest person to finish America's three most famous long trails.
This Vet Gives Baby Bears a Second Chance
Bear rehabber Kathleen Ramsay has rehabilitated hundreds of bears—orphaned, sick, hit by cars. Under her care, they get another shot at growing up.
Intro to Tree Climbing
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New Measure Aims to Amend "Forever Wild" Protections
Environmental groups support a change that would allow small projects to circumvent "forever wild" status.
20,000 Trees To Be Planted in Jamaica Bay
The Nature Conservancy is running an eight-day event to restore habitat after Hurricane Sandy.
LOWA Aerox GTX Mid Surround
Most Breathable
Under Armour Newell Ridge Mid Reactor
Best Traction
SCOTT Kinabalu Enduro
Best Trail Runner
Zamberlan 1000 Baltoro GTX
Best for Mountaineering
Adidas Terrex Conrax BOA
Warmest Boot
Quiz: Test Your Bear Knowledge
How much do really know about our furry neighbors? Take our bear quiz and find out.
The 10 Best Trails to See Bears
Nothing gets the heart pounding like seeing a wild bear up close (but hopefully not too close). Strap on your pack, grab your camera, and hit one of these ten trails where bruins roam free.
Work Hike in Duxbury
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Kindergarten Can Wait
When five-year-old Christian Thomas set out with his family to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, some skeptics said he couldn’t—and shouldn’t. But like a lot of kids, he wasn’t listening.
Watch: Bears Try to Break Bear Cans
How do you make sure bear-proof products are strong enough to withstand a hungry griz? Give a food-filled bear canister to one and see if he can break it open.
Watch: Bears Try to Break Bear Cans
How do you make sure bear-proof products are strong enough to withstand a hungry griz? Give a food-filled bear canister to one and see if he can break it open.
How to Keep Your Feet Happy on the Trail
If you’re thinking about your feet while backpacking, you’ve done something wrong.
How to Hike the 23-Mile Geneva Lake Shore Path
The historic pathway around Geneva Lake takes all day (and includes brunch).
5 Bear Safety Tips From an NPS Biologist
Yellowstone bear scientist Kerry Gunther has spent more time in grizzly country than most hikers ever will. He shares his tips for staying safe on the trail.
How to Outrun Your Hiking Partner If a Bear Attacks
It's like they say: You don't have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun your friend. Escape from a bear attack with these sneaky tricks from BACKPACKER skills and survival editor Corey Buhay.
Global Warming is Changing How Bears Eat—and That Could Mean Trouble
A warming climate is transforming grizzlies' diets. Will it endanger their future?
Ask a Bear: Why Do You Eat Dirt?
You've got questions. Our staff bruin has answers.
Ask a Bear: Are You Attracted to Crying Babies?
You've got questions. Our staff bruin has answers.
Ask a Bear: Do You Go to the Bathroom While You’re Hibernating?
You've got questions. Our staff bruin has answers.
When to Feed a Bear
Want to get rid of your leftovers? And your car doors? And maybe your arm? Throw caution to the wind and invite a bear to dinner.
Ask a Bear: How Do You Avoid Poisonous Mushrooms?
You've got questions. Our staff bruin has answers.
Get This Job: Bear Biologist
What does it take to research one of nature's most powerful creatures for a living? A good education and the tenacity of a mama grizzly.
Best of the Rest: Hiking Competitions
If our writer’s experience racing in the Phoenix Summit Challenge (November 2017), has you itching for a close-to-home hiking competition, consider these worthy of your time.
MSR Lightning Explore
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Backbone Trail Reaches LA's Wild Side
A Sierra Club writer dishes on his thru-hike of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: Mountain Hub
Trail beta gets a community-oriented app.
K2 Aspect
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Vermont Officials Seek to Boost State's Outdoor Economy
The Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative seeks to increase $2.5B annual economy
Cal State Fullerton Undergrad Delves Into Cause of Volcanic Events
John Ayers, an undergrad at Cal State Fullerton, describes his summer adventures to Yosemite in his own words.
16 Fires Ravage Northern California, Updates Here
As of Thursday, 16 fires have consumed 158,000 acres, killed at least 23, and destroyed 3,500 homes.
Editors' Choice Gold, Snow 2017: Black Diamond Mega Light
Say goodbye to the tent-bound blues.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: ORTOVOX Ascent 30 AVABAG
Practice makes perfect with this full-featured avalanche pack.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: The North Face Ventrix Hoodie
This responsive insulation works hard because you do.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: Eddie Bauer EverTherm Down Hooded Jacket
This jacket has all the warmth of a puffy, but none of the puff.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: Pomoca Climb Pro S-Glide TIPON
Make room for new skins. But not much room.
Editors' Choice Gold, Snow 2017: SCARPA Maestrale/Gea Series
The gold standard of touring boots gets lighter and stiffer.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: G3 ROAMr 100 and ROAMr 100 Elle
These skis won’t weigh you down or jostle you around.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: AlpineAire Classic Guacamole
Upgrade every meal with this ultralight and ultratasty guac.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: eNZees Foot Soother
Wool is the latest and maybe final solution to a timeless problem.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: Smartwool PhD Outdoor Mountaineer
This sock is the foundation of comfort on long-haul ski tours.
ThirtyTwo Jones MTB
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Atlas Spindrift
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Piper, Belknap, and Gunstock Hike
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Book of Leaves
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Work Hike in Stowe
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Fee Machines Installed in Tonto National Forest
Fall and winter camping season has begun on the Tonto, and there are plenty of options.
Boy Scouts Now Allows Girls
After years of consideration, Boy Scouts of America has announced it will open its doors a little wider.
Arizona State Parks and Trails Wins "Best Managed" Award
Arizona State Parks and Trails won the gold medal for best managed park system by the National Recreation and Park Association.
Man Drowns In Fossil Creek Underwater Tunnel
A 57-year-old Valley man drowned while trying to swim through a swirling pool of water known as the "toilet bowl."
Grand Canyon Holidays: Something to Be Thankful For
A holiday in the Grand Canyon requires planning, sweat, and maybe some food sacrifices. But one Arizona family discovers the memories are worth all the turkey in the world.
Nature Conservancy Launches Initiative for Clean Energy
The initiative is a collaboration between developers, conservationists, government officials, and more.
Rails to Trails to Ales
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Once Illegal, Telluride's Via Ferrata Becoming Popular
Visitors on Telluride's own two-mile "iron way" have reached 3,000 climbers.
Video: Bears Break Into Estes Park Pizza Joint
Antonio’s Real New York Pizza posted surveillance video showing a mama and her two cubs breaking into the kitchen.
Man From Golden Dies After Rattlesnake Bite
Daniel Hohs, 31, was about 1.5 miles from Mount Galbraith trailhead when responders got a call from his companion.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Announces 312 RiverRun Project
312 RiverRun will join three parks by a new path along the Chicago River.
New Brierwood Nature Preserve Opens in Hawthorn Woods
An undiscovered 12-acre plot has become a new preserve, which will be a sanctuary for monarch butterflies.
Five Lessons From the Northwest's Salmon
A series of reports show how far we've come in protecting salmon in the Northwest—and how far we still need to go.
REI Buys $50M Bellevue Warehouse for New HQ
REI just closed the deal on a $49.3 million property in Bellevue's Spring District—the future site of its headquarters.
Best Fall Bird Migration Hikes
Don't forget your binoculars and camera on these bird-watching trails.
Hike: Table Rock and Pinnacle Mtn.
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Woman Finds Three Bears In Her Car
Liddy Breeden woke up to quite a surprise on Monday morning.
Warm Waters in Pacific Spell Hard Times for Salmon
A mass of warm water—known as "the blob"—has had lingering effects on numbers of juvenile salmon.
Chemicals From Industrial Pot Farming Are Killing Wildlife
Extremely toxic pesticides like carbofuran are being used to grow marijuana on California's public lands.
Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge to Reopen October 13
With a cost of $24 million, the new bridge helps repair extensive damage from mudslides earlier this year.
Who Is Behind the Mysterious Senor Muir Taco Hut?
A backcountry taco hut has popped up six times on the JMT—then disappeared.
Hiker Dies of Apparent Heart Attack Near Maroon Bells
A 55-year-old California man was 1.4 miles up the Crater Lake Trail when he apparently succumbed to a heart attack.
Hiker Finds Human Skull Near Nederland
A man found a human skull while hiking at the Mud Lake Open Space