News

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

This Reader Gear Tester sells us with a little ice climbing and a lotta gear

Bike-happy BACKPACKER staffers offer tips, reasons to ride your bike to the office

Sweet photography and deep outdoor experience separate these resder testers from the pack

Marijuana farmers are moving into national parks like Yosemite—but vigilant rangers and agents are waiting

In documentary filmmaking, you need a plan, but you also need to observe your subjects and make good, on-the-fly decisions. Here's how.

The Seven Sins of Greenwashing

The perils of group dynamics, overreaching plans, and random sheep

Park Service cites tresspassers after Yellowstone webcam watchers caught them urinating on Old Faithful

These two readers became gear testers by being complete gear obsessives —and showing a little skin

Guides Seth Waterfall and Dave Hahn answer questions from curious readers following the climb

Sierra Designs contest lets you retrace the footsteps of BACKPACKER editors in wet and windy Wales

Our expert tested four, 5-weight rods that are perfect for backcountry streams or lakes

The new home of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to be the greenest office building in the world.

New rules cut heavier Scouts out of backpacking, 'extreme' activities

A little NASA engineering know-how put this Reader Tester over the top

Our next "Be A Gear Tester" contest winner isn't afraid to put a little venom in his videos

Bad weather, avalanches force the First Ascents team to miss their planned summit push

Aladdin takes an eco crisis and turns it around

You can stop an illegal off-road vehicle assault on wilderness study land with just one click

Check out our video tutorial on this unique campfire cooking technique.

In its effort to better educate retailers and consumers about PrimaLoft® products, PrimaLoft® has signed on to be the technical insulation and sleeping bag sponsor of Backpacker Magazine's 2009 Get Out More Tour.

next steps in the eco evolution

Camera Survival: How to keep your baby alive and still have fun

Feds review the species to see if threat from global warming warrants Endangered Species listing

Our second "Be A Gear Tester" contest winner reviews hammocks

You missed your chance—British man scores caretaker job at gorgeous Australian island

Funerals the latest to hop on the eco-friendly bandwagon

Introducing this year's crop of BACKPACKER reader Official Gear Testers

Melissa Arnot, Ed Viesturs, Dave Hahn and the First Ascents crew plan for an assault the peak this Friday

After over a year of speculation and study, Obama administration determines gray wolves to no longer be endangered.

Our Northwest Editor reviews a solid boot that just missed the cut in our Gear Guide.