News and Events

GM announces new Chevy Volt will get 230 mpg

A mother and her cub are euthanized after getting too friendly with humans.

An Australian hiker learns the hard way why hiking naked and drunk on a winter night hurts.

New England hikers, rejoice: Every mile of this Vermont classic hike is now live on BACKPACKER.com.

New study shows connection to the natural world might make you a better person. Duh.

Low production budgets, lack of bears can't stop Cleveland's Fox affiliate from duplicating a woman's backyard encounter with a bear.

In Wyoming, a young male bighorn sheep takes on a Toyota 4-Runner—and wins.

We found one in a fur shop, another swimming in SoCal, and a third stealing fresh biscotti from a kitchen counter. That's right, biscotti.

Esther Orring, 87, killed a rattlesnake with her bare hands. After it bit her.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Yosemite is on the lookout for its 13th magistrate judge. The chambers sit right below Yosemite Falls.

Backpacker Magazine asks outdoor companies to make a carbon-neutral shoe

Despite repeated warnings, Donna Munson spent 10 years feeding bears from her porch. Until Friday.

When you're the President of the United States, where do you spend your summer vacation? You guessed it. National Parks.

A new hiking flick tests the theory that all publicity is good publicity

In the first edition of our new photo skills blog, BP's senior asst. photo editor shares rule #1 for taking the perfect photo: Always have your camera out. That's not as easy as it sounds.

Light that fire and kick back with a signature camping drink.

Two sisters tackle the AT, bootless

BACKPACKER's Jon Dorn visits the CBS Early Show to talk about the best outdoor cities to raise your kid.

Could the legendary mountaineers finally get their big screen moment?

Ed Viesturs makes an expedition to the 'Colbert Report,' ice axe and all.

7-year-old Boulder boy races in mini-triathlons and 157-mile bike tours. What've you done?

A peek behind the curtains at the glamorous life of an outdoor journalist

Forget sprays and candles: Several hand-held devices promise to repel mosquitoes and black flies with the flip of a switch. Plus, two other bug spray alternatives.

Some people (like this blogger) just aren't meant to fish.

Classic firefighting bruin celebrates 65 years of preventing forest fires.

Times columnist Nicholas Kristof urges us to get kids outdoors, and gives BACKPACKER.com a shout-out.

Iranian authorities detain three American hikers for crossing into their borders.

your burger may come with a side of salmonella and flame retardant

Castor oil replaces petroleum in plastics, from ski boots to shades.

1 in 3 adults confess to a midday snooze

A downhill biking crash can't keep our blogger out of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness

Three do-it-yourself energy bar recipes for discriminating tastes

Our intrepid blogger...leaves his desk!

Who you hike with is just as important as where, says one columnist

The FAA teams with the National Park Service to reduce airborne noise pollution in Grand Canyon NP.

Just another example of why helmets save lives

Gear editor Kristin Hostetter gives us the backstage dirt after appearing on NBC's TODAY Show

Interior Secretary Salazar asks for public comment before deciding whether to limit snowmobiles in Yellowstone

One smarter-than-average bear in the Adirondacks figured out how to beat canisters—and she's teaching other bears, too.

A San Diego angler catches a 6-foot juvenile great white on a fly rod

Gear editor Kristin Hostetter takes Meredith Vieira through the latest family camping gadgets.

Smaller, lighter, more powerful, new functions, better attachments

On Monday, Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter talks family camping gear with Ann Curry and Meredith Vieira!

Associate editor Shannon Davis shares remembrances and reflections on the circus that was Outdoor Retailer 2009.

Darn Tough Vermont Socks donates cash to maintaining Appalachian Trail

OR, so far, in pictures

Yellowstone visitor gets gored by bison after getting too close.

Don't throw out Ziplocs--upgrade to Pacific Outdoor's fabric zip-top bags

BACKPACKER's green editor Berne Broudy rocks the mic for the Conservation Alliance anniversary party.

Learn how to make ultrafluffy, brewski flapjacks the easy way, plus two more camp pancake recipes.

The company launches a complete line of eco-friendly packs and sleeping bags.

Nothing commemorates your outdoor failures like these Scout-style patches.

Schoeller's Coldblack fabric makes dark materials just as heat-reflective as light colors.

Brooks Range introduces a minimalist tent full of space-age fabrics.

Argon inflatable clothes and sleeping pads—will they work?

Can a leaf inspire new ideas for hauling your gear? Columbia pack designers say yes.

Air pollution threatens plants and animals in 16 national parks

BACKPACKER arrives in Salt Lake City the biggest gear show of the year—the mighty OR.

An Eagle Scout injured on Mt. Washington in New Hampshire has one month to pay for his rescue

Thoughts on adventure organization from the depths of packing hell

Interior Secretary Salazar stops mining claims on 1 million acres of land near Grand Canyon National Park

The Energy Audit

Vendors who sell at Walmart will now have to know and share their products' ecological impact.

Freak storm strands and kills climbers on guided tour

Like you need more—start reading now.

Associate Editor Shannon Davis learns to love his outdoors-centric bowling shirt

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determines 1 in 5 Americans are birdwatchers

A healthy, hearty trail bar for big appetites

Striking case histories from Australia and the slopes of Mount Terror

Florida assembles big-snake wrangling team to handle pythons-gone-wild in the Everglades

National Park Service, American Museum of Natural History team up to cryogenically freeze threatened animals

Hiker trapped by quicksand admits he "made mistakes"

'Skyrunner' Christian Stangl breaks ascent records by climbing with, well, almost nothing

Our entire June issue is free and available here.

Longtime park service worker Jon Jarvis brings controversy with his nomination

Job losses translate to better athletic performance among American marathoners

Swarming bees shut down popular camping spot in Joshua Tree

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

South African animal behaviorist gets up close and personal to study wild lions