Beginner Skills

One-way hiking means never seeing the same spot twice, but you need to have your car shuttle logistics dialed. Follow these 10 tips to shuttle like a pro.

You don’t need to be fluent in hiker lingo to hit the trail—but it does help to understand guidebooks, trip reports, and your fellow trekkers around camp.

You hike year-round. Why can't your dog? Make sure they're dressed, fed, and prepared for the weather, and your best friend can enjoy the snow by your side.

Most of us won’t make it to either pole in this lifetime. But we can still learn some tricks from those who have.

Travelling a long trail end to end isn't the only way to thru-hike.

Shorter days are no problem with these night hiking tips.

Some advice doesn’t age well. It’s time for an upgrade.

Beginner hikers often overpack and overprepare. But as Maggie Slepian learned the hard way, experienced hikers have their own special way of messing up.

We all use the trails—but very few hikers take the time to help keep them clean, safe, and maintained. Here's how you can join them.

Yes, you might have to get up early. But put in the effort to fit some trail time into your vacay, and you'll have a chance to sample hikes you might otherwise never do.

Hikers around the globe can agree on one thing: Snacks are essential.

Thru-hiking is for everyone—but if you really want to build your life around the trail, some careers make it easier than others.

Everything you need to find a last-minute backpacking adventure before the leaves turn and the air turns frosty.

Backpacking really isn’t that complicated. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Bad weather. A heavy pack. Blisters. Bears. Hazards big and small can sabotage any trip. Avoid common mistakes with these 100 tips and tricks for planning, hiking, and camping, and make your first—or next—trek problem-free.

Snakes and heat shouldn't keep your little one locked inside all summer. Here's how to keep them safe in the backcountry.

If you haven’t snagged a reservation to the growing list of timed-entry parks, it might seem like a trip there this summer is out of the cards. But fret not—we found some legal ways to visit.

Dayhikes are wonderful, but you’ve decided to make the leap and sleep outside. No car, no campground, just you, your hiking partner, and a tent. Here’s how to pull off your first backpacking trip without a hitch.

Whether you're a Mountain House fanatic or dehydrate your entire menu yourself—here's how to keep your energy levels stable on trail.

We've been warned against hitchhiking our entire lives—but on a long trail, sometimes it's the best option.

Most thru-hikers are careful about LNT rules—but a few scofflaws can make us all look bad.

Forgetting to plan ahead, leaving social trails, and 3 more ways errors backpackers make.

We talked to Leave No Trace about the best ways to bushwhack.

Perfect your camping setup with these tips.

Can science—and a fine-tuned gear setup—help you sleep better? Let's give it a try.

Find the perfect spot to pitch your tent with these tips.

Camping with kids can be unpredictable and messy. But, with a lot of love (and sometimes, a little blackmail), it can be a lot more fun.

We dive deep into this backpacking cultural phenomenon.

Keep your feet snug and comfortable with these step-by-step directions for common hiking boot lacing techniques.

Stay fresh, whether you’re out for a few miles or a few thousand.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with the most popular columns from thru-hiker Liz "Snorkel" Thomas.

Harness the power of observation and the fundamentals of meteorology to make short-term forecasts on your next hike.

It sounds ridiculous, but some backpackers swear they sleep warmer when they slide into their sleeping bags in the buff. We get to the naked truth of it.

Master the art of layering to keep comfy all winter.

It’s February, which means you’d better start reserving campsites for August now. We have a few tips for you.

In the backcountry, a rolled ankle can spell trouble. Learn how to tell minor sprains from major injuries and what to do if you’re hurt.

Through thick and thin, health and injury, long slogs and zero days, your trail family will be there for you.

No workout can mimic the challenge of a thru-hike, but you can minimize initial soreness—and the risk of injury—by smart training. Start a fitness program at least eight weeks before your hike.

Whether you want gas station-fast or cafe-gourmet, there's a way to do it right.

Don't let your water bottle turn into ice on the trail. Keep it flowing with these tips.

We collected all of your burning questions and consulted our field experts on everything from winter gear to screaming barfies to hibernation.

Many backpackers depend on their phones as cameras, GPS devices, e-readers, and more. Keep yours running for longer with this advice.

Stay upright no matter how icy or snowy the trail conditions get this winter. The key: carefully select what you're wearing on your feet.

It's like the old saying goes: there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Get ready for whatever nature throws at you with this guide to layering strategy.

Check out Zoe Gates's author page.

In 5 months, a new class of thru-hikers will start the trip of a lifetime. If you hope to be one of them, there are a few things you should start doing now.

Don't let an asthma attack ruin your hike. Breathe easy with these tips.

Don't fear the freeze: Learn to love the cold and feel the whole winter wilderness open up to you.

Instead of gorging on pasta, backpackers should focus on consistency in nutrition, says Adventure Performance Training’s founder and head coach James Fisher.

Learn the easiest way to hang a bear bag and keep your camping snacks safe from rummaging paws.

Ending too many hikes with sore, wobbly legs? Trekking poles can help you make it that extra mile.

Backpacking rule number one: Pack enough to eat.

Rushing rivers pose one of the backcountry’s biggest threats. Do you know how to cross safely—or when it’s best to not cross at all?

One hiker reflects on the backpacking lessons she learned during a particularly memorable first overnight.

Go big with these expedition trip planning tips.

And how to tell if a polar bear is aggressive or just passing through the area.

With a little ingenuity, one hiker improvises shelter.

We've made the mistakes so you don't have to.

Winter camping is super rewarding, but convincing others to join you isn't always easy. It's best to have a few tricks.

Don't let a poorly-loaded backpack put a damper on your next adventure in the backcountry. Learn how to pack it the right way—with efficiency, convenience and comfort in mind.

Companions can make or break a trip. Here’s how to choose one wisely.

The best way to ruin your first backpacking trip? A pack that’s too heavy. Lighten your load with these tips.

If you play your cards right, you can turn your non-hiker friends into lifelong backpacking partners

The trail is your happy place. Here's how you can keep it that way for others, too.

Snow travel requires more technique and precautions than regular hiking. Here's how to do it right.

Backcountry Foodie’s Aaron Owens Mayhew explains what you should eat and when to best suit your individual body and hiking needs.

Thru-hiking is a wonderful experience, but it’s not the only way to see a long trail. And for a lot of people, it might not even be the best.

No, your way is gross.

It may be taboo in daily life, but talking about poop is inevitable for any overnight hiker.

Knowing how to identify these five common venomous snakes, found across the United States, can save you stress on the trail. 

Insomnia can stop you from enjoying a trip to the fullest. Fight it with this advice.

If first trips have something in common, it’s that they go sideways pretty often. Here are a few important lessons readers and editors have learned along the way.

Ready to spend your first night out but don’t know where to start? We've got you covered.

Toilet paper is one of those modern conveniences that most people shudder to think of living without. But in the backcountry, you don't need it.

There's sleeping outside, and then there's sleeping outside. Learn to camp without a tent or tarp using these easy tips.

Backpacking is some of the best medicine for stress. Learning self-massage will give you an extra tool to help you leave your worries behind.

The trail is calling. Pack these essential items and go.

We already know that backpacking is better for the planet than other forms of travel. But how much better, exactly? And can we make hiking even greener?

Some destinations may still be closed to US travelers, but that just means you have more time to plot out the perfect trek. Start planning now for the hike of a lifetime.