News and Events

New fabrics, technologies and wool lead the wintersports layering news at Outdoor Retailer's Winter Market show.

Just in time for the first day of Outdoor Retailer, OR Daily sits down with Daniel Emerson of Light and Motion Industries and Greg Thomsen of Adidas Outdoor.

We're getting a sneak peak at all the new gear heading to the stores.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

This renowned desert race attracts 50 of the world's elite adventure-racing teams for six days of intense competition. Jonathan Dorn offers an inside look.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Dorn & team is competing in a five-day adventure race in Abu Dhabi. Just for fun.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Northwest editor Michael Lanza wonders: Is a skiing addiction unhealthy?

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

BACKPACKER's Kristin Hostetter appeared on The Martha Stewart Show on Mon. Dec. 20–and now we have the video clip to prove it.

Explore the world’s most-famous ditch on a 29-mile hike--here's why you should start planning now.

Trees do more than keep our ecosystem in balance with oxygen: They bring nature closer to our lives, especially when we can't escape the bustle of daily city life.

See who won FREE GEAR and a SWEET TRIP!

BACKPACKER puts the gear of the year through its paces in the rugged desert

Historian explains the history of the Blue John Canyon, where Aron Ralston was trapped.

Our map of the day charts the nations's highest points.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Private company installs eight cell towers on Nepal side of Everest.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Northwest editor Michael Lanza drops beta on his favorite fall trips

The Queen of All Media dips a toe in camping to get more people of color out to national parks

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Balloon Boy's father, Richard Heene, returns with the Bear Scratch

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Northwest editor Michael Lanza explores the controversy behind removing a dangerous boulder from Idaho's Staircase Rapid—and comes up with a surprising result

A group of hungry "flying devils" completely dismantle a nature film crew's camp on the Falkland Islands

63-year-old man died while trying to distract aggressive ram from others

Climber Michelle Smith captures her own rescue from the Valhalla Traverse

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Camping is known to bring loved ones closer together, but what happens when your relations include a treacherous sister, murderous brother, and their savage offspring? Steve Friedman leads his clan into the Rockies to resolve five decades' worth of sibling rivalry and simmering resentment.

What if all you needed to make your own Northern Lights was a dark night and a big light? Would you do it? Of course you would.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

British extreme climber rappels within 100m of an erupting volcano

One hiker falls to his death, two more struck by lightning

Our editor-in-chief's picks for the finest writing in this magazine's history.

How the last green glint in a dying wolf's eyes changed a man--and ultimately changed our country.

Read this classic from August/September 1981 issue of BACKPACKER.

This classic roundup appeared in the June 2003 issue of BACKPACKER

Northwest editor Michael Lanza meditates on the pains and price of living the hardcore outdoor lifestyle into middle age

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Enter your photo into the Canon Photography in the Parks Photo Contest.

Bear Head Lake State Park in Minnesota captures title in Coca-Cola-sponsored competition for most popular park

Why does a certain photo win Backpacker's Photo Contest? Check out the winner and the almost-winners to find out why we liked them. Bonus: Watch a slideshow of the competition.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Sometimes it's hard to capture a photo of exactly the right moment in time. Get the best shot, by shooting on continuous mode. Keep reading to learn how.

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Northwest Editor Michael Lanza refutes a recent NYT opinion column decrying safety hazards of federal wilderness areas

Crazy fun for the crazy crazy.

Do tourist-packed helicopters have a place in the Big Ditch's soundscape?

Team BACKPACKER does it all on Merrell’s Oyster Racing Series in Denver

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Danny Boyle's adaptation of Aron Ralston story shows glimpses of beautiful deserts, high adventure, and that famous rock

A whitebark pine shortage has rangers worried about increased grizzly-human interactions

Brazilian officials create 31-square-mile wilderness zone around sole surviving member of uncontacted tribe

One of the best ways to improve your photography skills is to look at photography that's creative and inspiring. Think about what makes the photo attractive and why you like looking at it. Then try to do similiar things in your own photos.

Our new, free Print & Go planners make your weekend adventure easy

Suspicious ranger in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest sics swat team on alleged murderers on the lam

'Into The Wild' fan from Switzerland swept into Teklanika River while attempting to reach McCandless's death place

College Humor sends up Park Service with maps marking rocky, uneven ground unsuitable for camping, babies, and deceivingly difficult portions of trail

Professors raft Glen Canyon to conduct research into brainpower and the outdoors

In his final OR dispatch, Senior Editor Shannon Davis discovers enchanted running recovery suits and permethrin potions to stop bugs from attacking, well, everything

The popular survivalist's new Discovery show follows him as he learns survival techniques from indigenous tribes

Our resident trip planning expert shares where to camp, how to plan, and other tips for the John Muir Trail.

Police capture one of three fugitives just outside Yellowstone, but "Bonnie & Clyde" may be headed toward Glacier

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

The drama-filled wolf management saga continues...

Minnesota hiker gets struck by lightning on Colorado's Longs Peak, spends a night on the mountain, and can't remember any of it

Version 1.1 introduced iOS4 compatibility, faster GPS locks, and multitasking

There's a new tent company in town and it caters to the hard core.

Meet our fourth outdoor adventurer, Tyler Bounds. Check out how he landed a spot on our gear testing team, and tell us what you want to see him test out!

Senior Editor Shannon Davis reports from OR iwth a gigantic knife and a spent fuel canister crusher from JetBoil

A teaser of the movie showcases beautiful slot canyon scenery and plenty of bloodshed.

At Outdoor Retailer, Senior Editor Shannon Davis finds everything you need for a backcountry Happy Hour—salsa and beer mug included

Saturday marked the 500th climb for one man and Washington's mountain gem

Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Enjoy a hot shower and a comfy bed anywhere with these two products.