March 2015 Table of Contents

Big Views, No Crowds; Made in the USA Gear

February 2, 2015 BACKPACKER Editors

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Features

America’s Best Loop Hikes
No turning back. Every view is fresh. Not a single step feels wasted. You’ll especially love the shuttle logistics (none). Here are North America’s 20 best loop hikes (including 10 don’t-miss classics).

Homegrown Gear: Made in America Makes a Comeback.
More and more outdoor products are made in America. Here’s why you can expect the trend to continue—plus a few choice gear picks to look for. Bonus gallery: Made In The USA: The Best American Gear

Gone Hiking
Terminal cancer. What would you do if the doctor delivered the two scariest words in the English language? Andy Lyon went for a hike.

Spatsizi: Canadian for “So Good, It Hurts”
Deep in the wilds of Northern British Columbia’s Spatsizi Wilderness Provincial Park, our scout proves there’s no joy like misery.

You’ll catch this aerial view of the roadless Klappan Range on the flight to the Spatsizi Plateau. Photo by Carr Clifton.

Inside Nepal’s Deadly Blizzard
In October 2014, a severe blizzard struck Nepal’s Annapurna Circuit during peak trekking season. Hundreds of hikers were stranded and dozens died in one of the world’s worst hiking disasters. An eyewitness shares his tale.

In October 2014, hundreds of trekkers were caught in a deadly blizzard on the Annapurna Circuit

Peru x 2
There’s nothing like seeing Peru’s iconic ruins by foot. But which path is right for you? Whether you want alpine scenery or total solitude, BACKPACKER photographer Andrew Bydlon scouted a route for you.