Essentials

Visitors to Siberia's Lake Baikal encounter endless coastline, brown bears, and exotic hiking to last a lifetime.

Endless varieties of coral and birds await when you kayak the blue waters of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Take your hike into the river with these paddling, kayaking and boating tips.

For a different wilderness experience, try floating down the river in a kayak or canoe.

Paddle Wisconsin's Turtle-Flambeau waterway, watch the aerial show, and lay claim to your own island.

High above the trees you'll find the hike of your dreams: a ridgeline trail where your only companion is an occasional mountain goat.

Consider these points when deciding if an approach shoe is right for you.

It's simple: Unless you like getting sick, treat all of your water. Follow these 10 essentials to find and maintain the right filter.

In Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve, you'll walk on water -- almost.

Get up close and personal with all those snowshoe parts.

Use ziplock baggies with your water purifiers for extra safety.

A candid interview with duct tape guru Angelo Ritson.

A brief and shining history of the most useful backpacking tape.

An emergency kit doesn't amount to a hill of beans unless a few feet of duct tape are included. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about the sticky, miraculous fix-all.

What to do if your filter head does not have an adapter for your water bottle.

How to fill a water bottle without getting all wet.

If I had to pick, I'd take a carabiner instead of a pocketknife when I hike.

The hidden side of a watery Utah playground.

A watery paradise, a hiker's secret.

Wisconsin's Brule River has great rivers galore -- just don't lose your uncle's canoe.

See if your stove or water filter is safe to repair.

Winter sun damage can be just as bad as in summer.

When gently paddling amidst the mini-icebergs that grace Prince William Sound, you ponder one question: why walk?

Vancouver's Juan de Fuca Marine Trail offers the best of both worlds in a challenging and surprising 29-mile ramble.

When temps warm but the going's still snowy, strap on snowshoes to reach Washington's hidden camping gems.

Tips to keep water filters filtering.