September 2016 Table of Contents

Climb Every Mountain
Summit season is upon us, but why bag one peak when you can bag two? Or three. Or five. Set up at one of these basecamps, and you’ll be in prime position. By Brendan Leonard

The World’s Unlikeliest Trail
The West Bank doesn’t seem like the most obvious place to go for a walk. But the World Bank is betting it is—with a $2 million campaign to jump-start a long-distance path there. Can hiking succeed where politics have failed?By Brian Mockenhaupt

Trail Town USA
Hike. Eat. Drink. Sleep. Repeat. Plan the ultimate backpacker vacation at one of these perfect trail towns. By Elizabeth Kwak-Hefferan

The Play List

Nichol’s Ledge, VT
Catch the day’s last light on this short-and-steep hike above a verdant canopy.

Insider’s Guide: San Juan Mountains, CO
The San Juans stand out as wilder and lonelier than other Colorado ranges. September is the best time to claim a piece for yourself.

The Experience: Canoe Camping
Discover watery new horizons when you trade in your boots for a paddle.

Albion Basin, UT
Alpine meadows dazzle with a final burst of late-summer wildflowers.

Weekends
Trace a raptor flyway on New Jersey’s Kittatinny Ridge; explore Boundary Waters on foot and go where paddlers can’t; and enjoy nonstop views of Mt. Rainier from camp and trail.

Geopinion: Spoiler Alert
We love sharing your secret spots with the world. Here’s why you should be glad.

Delta Lake, WY
Discover a hidden tarn in this glacier-carved granite amphitheater in the Tetons.

Done In a Day: Walk the Line
Part the waters of America on these airy dayhikes that cross continental divides.

Life List: The Great Northern Quiet
Explore New York’s autumn-perfect Adirondacks on the 133-mile Northville-Placid Trail.

Skills

Make a Fire in the Rain
Beat the weather and stay warm.

Cheat Sheet: Navigate by the Stars
Stay on track at night.

Pass/Fail: Spot a Mountain Lion
What’s it take to see this elusive predator in the wild?

Trail Chef: Foil Cooking
Make no-mess meals on your campfire.

Photo School: Tents with a View
Capture the scene right out the front door.

Survival

Out Alive: Mauled
A mama grizzly bear mows down a trekker in Montana.

Saved By:This Magazine
You are currently holding a powerful survival instrument.

Den Mother:The Drops
DIY rope; unconscious hikers

Gear

Ultralight for Everyone
Our testers found weight-saving products that really work.

Field Notes
Our testers’ latest picks.