News

South Carolina's governor scares staff, wife after disappearing on the Appalachian Trail for four days without contact.

Michael Brown weighs the risks, rewards, and lessons he's learned shooting, literally, on the edge.

Park rangers say 30 percent of visitors are wide-eyed Twilight fans.

Wherein we learn how to tell if your house leaks energy--and how to fix it

Antelope bashes couple driving a motorcycle in Grand Teton NP

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A friendly reminder to get out and play in our national parks—no excuses

Some hikers will ditch their clothes to celebrate the Summer Solstice this weekend

Lone wolverine wanders into Colorado after 90-year absence

Fresh fish, but no pan? We show you how to prepare a tasty fillet on the campfire.

The European Union bans iodine for use in water treatment

Beer-in-a-bag would enable easy brews, spasms of joy for backpackers

British soldier wounded in Iraq completes climb up Yosemite's El Capitan to raise money for other injured soldiers

Smart bruin uses dog door to sneak into Colorado house

Two deaths and a close call illustrate the perils of unroped scrambling, crowded routes, and summit separations

Dan and Janine Patitucci live in the Italian Alps, shoot adventure photos for magazine covers, and still find time to adventure race. Jealous yet?

Arizona hiker gets rescued after becoming a human pincushion

These new daypacks are totally old-school

Yesterday, rangers recovered the body of another falling victim

Robber holds up Salt Lake BD store in search of 'precious metals,' leaves with top-notch climbing rack instead

A man mauled by a grizzly and the ranger who saved him return to the scene of the attack after 50 years

Bad weather brought tragedy to Yosemite over the weekend

How energy efficient is your own home? Here's how to find out

Cats may get nine lives, but I'd call that tight rationing

Finally: Video evidence of our staff crushing at Teva Mountain Games

Two doctor-climbers killed yesterday in a 2,000-foot fall on McKinley

Yeah, and this too

Our official tastebud guinea pigs give you the skinny on the latest trail foods.

Aladdin/Stanley keeps the water flowing and plastic bottles out of the landfill at this year's music fest.

Watch out, black-market Indiana Joneses: The F.B.I. is cracking down on grave robbers who steal Native American artifacts on public and tribal lands.

In praise of one of the best helmet cams we've ever tried

After picking up a lost hiker in New Mexico, a police helicopter crashes, initiating another rescue operation

Our Assistant Map Editor burns legs and lungs racing his road bike up Vail Pass for the Teva Mountain Games

After being alerted to a decomposing hiker's body, Connecticut SAR peeps discover a mannequin at the bottom of a ravine

The large rodents' return to the Northeast causes unexpected side effects

Watch as BACKPACKER staffers chomp down on scorpions, tarantulas, and other creepy crawlers to see if they're trailworthy snacks.

Intrepid staff athletes stun endurance race crowds with a surprising finish—and a bit of whitewater sabotage

Two news shorts on gas canister craziness and a cheap new PLB

Search and rescue teams find expedition filmer Wade Johnson, who joins fellow Boulder climber Jonny Copp as a casualty on a remote Chinese peak

It happens on Saturday, so hit the trail—or better yet, build one

You can't beat fresh-picked, flavorful antioxidant bombs!

An advisory panel rules against making the volcano a national park, but supporters vow to continue fighting

Obama, governors nationwide declare June officially Great Outdoors month

Popular off-limits Colorado peaks reopen to summer climbing

Patagonia introduces women-specific footwear—and the ladies of BACKPACKER give them a spin

Interior Secretary Salazar hopes to boost local economies by waiving park fees

Matthew McConaughey, Jack Nicholson and more to star in a Hollywood adaptation of the Edward Abbey classic

Now, there's no reason to wait for that post-hike beer

A Frenchman planning to row across the Atlantic calls for rescue barely 150 miles into his 3,000-mile journey

Comedian Will Ferrell tromps through Sweden, 'survives' with Bear Grylls

Tis the Season for High Photon Energy Packets. Beware!

Not only are you killing yourself, but you're probably destroying the environment too.

Senior Editor Tracy Ross reflects on the Telluride MountainFilm Festival

Check out our picture diagram of the possible ramifications.

Senior editor and National Magazine Award-winner Tracy Ross shares a backcountry favorite, sorta

Blues-Brothers simplicity plus off-terrain versatility make these sunglasses from Native the go-to shade for this editor.

The Caribbean island country Antigua will rename its highest peak for the president and declare it a national park

1941 travel film takes a look back at the Yosemite that was—which included encouraging visitors to feed the bears

In which our author ponders computer tipping points, holiday swarming and cairn cluelessness

UN to determine whether proposed coal mines pose a threat to World Heritage site

Hahn extends his non-sherpa record to 11 summits; team descends safely

Pictures from an industry junket gone tragically awry

An influx in Wisconsin gray wolves has the cheese state considering management options.

The members of the International Space Station stretch their resources with a urine-to-water recycling system.

Satisfy your pizza cravings in camp—no backpacker's oven required

In his 2010 budget, the president marks $50 million to go toward Interior Department programs that benefit outdoor youth programs

Would you pay $500 for designer 'hiking shorts?'

...and can't wait to get back out there

Peter Whittaker reports from the summit of Everest

This eat-anything farm animal offers a greener path to yard maintenance

one man's quest to understand his impact

Les Stroud chronicles his struggle to survive on a luxe Thai island paradise

Ever wanted to go swimming with your iPod/iPhone?

Obama brings together adversaries, comes up with standards automakers can work with

Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker summit Everest

Whittaker and Viesturs near the summit

This polished reader gear tester begged us not to let his German name count against him. We didn't.

H2O: it's the new climate change

Yellowstone rangers plan to kill a wolf that chases people on bikes and motorcycles

BanNascarNow.com calls out the environmental impact of car racing and seeks to shut it down, but this race fan isn't so sure