Zoe Gates

For thru-hikers, there’s nothing better than stumbling upon refreshments partway through a long day. But do trail angels need to babysit their gifts?

Our etiquette columnist weighs in on a contentious but common trail occurrence.

A cozy fleece cap, a lightweight multitool, and a personal safety tool our editor always carries: Here's the gear that kept us moving on the trail this February.

If your life partner is also your hiking partner, you'll express love by popping blisters, planning trips, and sharing M&M's.

A viral video showed a group of thru-hikers ordering food delivery to the trail. Is there any harm in a little self-indulgence?

A winterized trail runner, vegan candy, and a fast-and-light hydration pack: This is the gear that kept us moving this month.

You have gotten so smelly before, you've stopped noticing. You have a "nice" pair of Lone Peaks for when you want to look presentable. You own too many sporks. If this sounds like you, then congratulations: you are definitely a hiker.

Putting up your own tent inside a communal shelter may sound cozy, but it takes up room and can be frustrating to weary hikers who just want to get some rest. Is there ever a situation where it’s all right to do?

If you want to hike to one of these iconic destinations, you'll have to plan ahead.

A rescue crew who found the deceased hiker got benighted after dangerous conditions kept them on the mountain after dark.

New year, new us? Not quite. From hiking crowded trails to carrying gear we know we will never use, here are all the bad habits we plan to keep nursing this year.

The retailer launched its “Politics Escape Pack” for hikers who just need a break from the news cycle.

What’s one more vehicle at a bustling trailhead? Our columnist weighs in.

In 1982, a daring rescue mission changed Joe Lentini's life forever. What began as a noble effort by Mountain Rescue Service volunteers took an unforeseen turn, leaving profound and lasting echoes in the lives of all involved.

Search and rescue workers save lives—but they pay a price to do it. From time away from family to the trauma of getting close to death, come with us as we discover the difficult truth behind the headlines.

Tim Watts took an unexpected fall when he lost consciousness during a multi-pitch climb in Yosemite. His story unfolds against the rugged walls of this iconic valley, highlighting the challenges of the remarkable efforts of those who rushed to aid him.

Climb into the heart of Rocky Mountain Rescue to uncover the rigorous training, unwavering dedication, and gripping tales from volunteers who brave Colorado's Front Range and Rockies.

As fall gives way to winter, these smart pieces of gear are keeping us outside.

Can you educate other hikers without being a mansplainer? Our ethics columnist weighs in.

We sat down with this year’s PCT correspondent to learn about the highlights (and lowlights) of his hiking season.

Could an AI chatbot be a weekend adventurer's new best friend?

Our ethics columnist weighs in on hiking with a four-legged friend.

Four hikers reveal every morsel that's fueling them for thousands of miles.

Our ethics columnist addresses a common hiker dilemma.

Park officials say requiring visitors to make reservations for Mount Rainier National Park would help cut down on crowding and protect natural resources—but one major hiking organization opposes the change.

Scanning the closet but not sure what to pick? We've got you covered from head to toe. Here's what to wear hiking in every season.

Food trends and tastes have changed over the last 50 years—and backpacking fare is no exception.

We narrowed down the best of the best of America’s favorite trail snack.

As multiuse trails get more crowded, we can all do our part to avoid conflict.

Nothing says “I love you” like charcuterie and mountain views.

Why even bag it if you’re not going to carry it out?

You don’t need to be fluent in hiker lingo to hit the trail—but it does help to understand guidebooks, trip reports, and your fellow trekkers around camp.

Big adventures don’t need big price tags.

The backpacking community is a tenacious one. From alligator attacks to danger in the national parks, these 7 stories made our hair stand on end—and taught us a few things about how to stay alive when things go south outdoors.

Most of us won’t make it to either pole in this lifetime. But we can still learn some tricks from those who have.

'Tis the season for a wintry multisport adventure. Here’s how to take to the ice safely.

Only a handful of other thru-hikers have completed the big three in one year.

Hiking for your tree is your family’s new favorite holiday tradition.

No more running out of gas in the middle of cooking with these methods.

Hiking is hard, but it shouldn’t be painful. Focus on the fun by achieving all-around fitness and preventing common aches.

You don't need to white-knuckle your way through your dream high-altitude trip. Here's how you can feel your best.

Shorter days are no problem with these night hiking tips.

Knowing the difference between fact and fiction might just save your life.

Hikers shelled out for parking and a new pay shuttle at Quandary Peak in 2022.

How hiking with my canine companion gave me a new perspective on adventures.

Park officials issued the closure for the safety of visitors and bears.

The market is flooded with various styles of filter. Here’s how to pick.

These easy breakfast ideas let you fuel up and break camp without firing up the stove.

The King of Brooks Falls prevailed for his second title at Fat Bear Week.

Why is the world so taken with Katmai National Park and Preserve’s pre-hibernation faceoff?

Philip Carcia trekked nearly 2,000 miles over 90 days—all in his backyard mountain range.

Hikers around the globe can agree on one thing: Snacks are essential.

A 22-year-old died in camp in the Absaroka Mountains on Tuesday evening.

One hiker combines her loves of cooking and backpacking.

Completing America's most popular long trail is a major time commitment.

Perfect your camping setup with these tips.

Don't just throw your tent down on the first flat spot you see (it's probably the trail). Instead make your first night in the backcountry perfect with these tips.

Don't let a busted jacket, tent, or pack ruin your trip. Follow these steps to get your zipper working like new.

From location to decoration and everything in between, these tips will make your campsite the most tricked-out on the mountain.

Winter is the perfect time to learn how to track animals. Get started with these tips.

Tasty enough for food bloggers, but portable enough for the trail: These homemade hiking snacks will quickly replace any pre-packaged bars from the store.

We collected all of your burning questions and consulted our field experts on everything from winter gear to screaming barfies to hibernation.

Stay upright no matter how icy or snowy the trail conditions get this winter. The key: carefully select what you're wearing on your feet.

Get into the winter spirit with 11 custom recipes for the most classic backpacking dessert.

Check out Zoe Gates's author page.

Make a home for the night wherever there's snow with these blueprints to snow caves, trench shelters, and quinzees.

Sammy Potter and Jackson Parell finished their record-setting hike on October 22, 2021.

The trail is your happy place. Here's how you can keep it that way for others, too.

For this 100-year-old park ranger, the history she teaches visitors is close to home.

It may be taboo in daily life, but talking about poop is inevitable for any overnight hiker.

The solo hiker used the deterrent and escaped with relatively minor injuries.

Summer is hot. The desert is hotter. Hiking unprepared could cost you your life.

Ready to spend your first night out but don’t know where to start? We've got you covered.

You might be ready for the trail, but your shiny new boots probably aren’t. Here’s how to get them prepped for adventure.

These facts about America's parks will blow your mind.

The trail is calling. Pack these essential items and go.

Grizzly and black bears have killed five people in North America over the last five months. Is this cause for concern?

Chewing is overrated. Meet your new favorite, slurpable hiking snacks.

Hiker attacked after dog chases bears, authorities say.

Beachgoers caught footage of four furry visitors picnicking and cooling off under the summer sun.