News and Events

In the face of crushing obstacles, new National Park Service director finds solace in wilderness

It's already built in Forever Wild Land, but is a potentially life-saving power line worth the cost of cutting through pristine wilderness?

As our newest "Gear Lab: Boots" video debuts, we want to know how you'd trash top boots

Up-and-coming Canadian folk singer killed by coyotes while on tour

Got a burning ursine question? Ask our resident bruin expert in our new weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Obama Administration earmarks over 200,000 square miles of Alaska as protected polar bear habitat--but not everyone is happy about it

This week's weird outdoor news–plus one faker.

What the heck happened to this BP staffer?

A new study reveals American kids lack vitamin D

Correlation??? They have the same taste in minivans.

A few Alaska photos, an expedition website, and a quick update on Editor's Choice 2010

350.org hosts talks, rallies, and solutions worldwide for International Day of Climate Action

As if we needed to tell you, a new scientific study proves that the outdoors does a body good

The beloved star of our in-book feature "The Predicament," Lunchbox the Cadaver Sniffing Dog, brings you a round-up of this week's outdoor predicaments, disasters, and near-misses

The most talked-about rule of design--the Rule of Thirds--deserves it. Using the rule properly is crucial to making interesting photos.

This heartwarming soup goes hand-in-hand with fall foliage hikes and cooler camping

Emmy-Award-winning filmmaker Michael Brown dishes on how to plan your documentary film, step by step.

They're cute. They're fuzzy. But what are these two animals really thinking?

Can you guess this week's Fact or Fiction? Check the answer below...

Millions of school children visit Great Smoky Mountains NP in one massive virtual field trip.

Mammut's new waterproof pack gets a wet test run in Colorado's Sangres

If you thought paragliding was sweet, try doing it in Nepal with hawks and eagles at your side.

A Midwest reader runs into a full wolfpack in Isle Royale National Park

Turn your retired bike tubes into usable straps.

A new study reveals national park search-and-rescue stats

Delaware congressmen plan to introduce legislation granting a NPS unit to the only state without one

Bioneers speakers share plans to keep it that way

Introducing our new weekly feature chronicling the weirdest outdoor news. But, there's a twist: One story is bogus! Read on to see if you can find the faker.

In search of the 'high-life,' one black bear goes for the booze.

As hibernation season approaches, these bears head out for one last hurrah.

Noted Alaska wolf biologist Gordon Haber, featured in BACKPACKER's "Dogs of War" story, dies in a plane crash in Denali National Park

The Big Ditch had its share of rescues and deaths this season

Photo editor Genny Fullerton schools you on camp pancakes.

Watch out, extreme sports enthusiasts—this winter, all the kids will be "skootching"

In addition to the Burmese python, eight more invasive snake species threaten Florida ecosystems, wildlife, and pets.

These flexible, all-weather pants handle tough conditions, from hot and sunny to cold and snowy

A conference committed to visionary and practical solutions for restoring the Earth kicks off in California, beaming to sites across the country

Citing budget shortfalls, the Park Service is considering raising climbing fees on Denali and Foraker

Biologists fight to protect the buffalo herds of Yellowstone and Wind Cave National Park from interbreeding cattle

Park Service seeks to protect quietest parks from offending sounds

New England photographer Paul Rezendes talks about taking his best fall photos, and shares how you can, too

For the first time, sherpas see common house flies at Everest's base camp, sparking concerns over warming temperatures in the Himalayas.

Vermont woman fends off approaching bear with her iPhone

The Rogue River flows again

On October 14, the destructive Discovery show is going to put duct tape through its paces.

Hikers in France stumble across massive sauropod prints dating back 150 million years

One little bag...so much room.

A transplanted summit marker fools some into climate change melted the summit cap, but warming threats on the mountain are real

Get energized with another reader recipe finalist

Sen. Barrasso, R-Wyo. opposes ban of lead ammunition in national parks, despite studies showing lead poisoning in wildlife.

The BPA battle continues with blame placed on hyperactivity and aggression in 2-year-old girls.

Yetty believers may not be so crazy after all. Actually, they just might be smarter.

Hunters have already taken nine wolves from the state's quota of 12 for the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

A smarmy checklist of 8 steps that would prevent most searches, rescues and deaths in the woods

British fashion designer uses famous mountaineers as inspiration

Battery-powered Bugathermo boots from Columbia keep your toes warm, cybernetic

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. brews green beer to help fund conservation efforts

Writer Nick Heil reports from Kilimanjaro, where all 25 members of the Love, Hope, Strength team reach the summit

A new report identifies 25 parks in peril from climate change and offers solutions for an embattled Obama administration

Big Up Productions makes a climbing movie even we would want to watch

Designers for high-fashion clothing line Dsquared2 turn gaiters and wool socks into catwalk couture.

Volcanoes twisted core could help researchers predict future supervolcano eruptions--like the one in Yellowstone

Writer Nick Heil reports from Kilimanjaro, where altitude sickness takes its toll at 14,000-plus feet

New pack developed for military uses hiking energy to charge batteries

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

BACKPACKER writer Nick Heil begins the trek to high altitude on Kilimanjaro

"Wet Dream Result" pokes fun at kayaking, adventure films in general

Be bold and wear this hiking kilt on trail--you (and the ladies) will thank us

Tsunami waves triggered by an 8.3 magnitude earthquake devastate the park

Thoughts on leading a dozen guests through big, bad wilderness

Google climate change layers give you the chance to look into how ecosystems--and hiking zones--could change in the future

Before heading out for the true climb, musicians and porters alike rock out in Kilimanjaro's basecamp

Congressional investigative report tells the Parks Service to step up efforts to keep wilderness areas free of national security threats

What happens when you drag five top packs on a gravel road? See the ugly results in our new Gear Lab video series

BACKPACKER writer Nick Heil reports live from Kilimanjaro on a climb with the Love Hope Strength Foundation

volunteer time is like gold when it comes to conservation

An independent parks service's panel appeals to Obama's administration for more money, and it looks like they'll pony up

BACKPACKER correspondent and 'expert woodsman' Jim Thornton details necessary equipment for survival in the Idaho wilderness

Aspen business owners use electrified mat to fend off bears

Burns' vaunted documentary finally debuts on PBS this Sunday