Skills

Yes, hiking is wonderful and nature is grand. But when you’re walking for months at a time, you will eventually get bored. Our thru-hiker explains how to deal with trail fatigue.

The trails are still covered in snow, but it’s not too late to start getting ready for your first thru-hike.

Thru-hiking a long trail is hard enough without constantly second-guessing yourself along the way. Our writer shares her strategies for banishing worries before and during your hike.

Bringing the wrong kind of clothes or food is a quick ticket to a hefty pack—but don’t go too far.

No one ever wants to be in a situation where you need to call for help. But if it does happen to you, you won’t regret being prepared.

Snow opens up new options for hauling gear, but that doesn’t always mean you should use them.

A hiker's conservation sin leaves him lost.

We've created a plan to help you upgrade your trail time in all the ways that matter: bigger views, more solitude, easier miles, and more. Don't hang up your boots until you've mastered this definitive list of 10 skills and life-altering experiences.

You can do it! Here’s how—with tips from Scott and Jenny (and Raven and Evergreen) Jurek.

Nothing provides comfort like chocolate—whether it's in a savory soup or a warm mug on a cold night.

Who needs an off-season? Take on the challenge with Colorado mountain guide Jason Antin's top tips for alpine travel in the fourth season.

Don't break the bank. Our editors test buying factory-direct, searching out secondhand deals, and more.

Strengthen your hips to avoid pesky knee pain on the trail.

Stuck in a ramen rut? Are your camp recipes ultralight but ultra boring? Does your food bag weigh more than you do? Our expert chefs solve these problems and more, with tips, recipes, and gear picks for 9 flood-flummoxed hikers.

TSA-approved camp kit carry-on items. Plus, meds you might need abroad.

Save time and energy with a knowledgeable local pro.

Reduce the physical stress of getting there–and enjoy the ride.

The backcountry doesn't close when its cold outside. Make the most of the snowy season with our help.

Want to achieve your fourth-season dreams? Lay the groundwork with these exercises.

You spend your weekends in the wilderness. For these lucky professionals, it's a living.

Sometimes you just want a little more than a flask of whiskey. Wow your hiking partners with these 13 recipes.

Whether you need to carry a full load of winter gear or just an extra camp chair, train your muscles to take the weight with these three exercises.

Banish the goosebumps on cold nights with these three belly-warming one-pot recipes.

Triple the mileage with next to nothing on your back? A longtime hiker tries two-wheel camping to figure out the catch.

When the ground is cold, it’s tough to stay warm. Don’t skimp on comfort.

What do you do when you've packed too much fuel for your camp stove? Definitely not this.

Find home anywhere, one leaf at a time.

Go ahead, get cozy: These expert tips will help you winterize your cold-weather camping game. Keep your core (and your gear) warm in the coldest weather with this ultimate guide.

The challenge: Make a dozen cupcakes with an ultralight stove.

From navigation to staying dry to predicting the weather, our primer will have you dialed.

Hike farther, faster, and pain-free with these training tips and exercise.

We'll show you how to be ready for the the trail in 20 minutes, guaranteed. Now gear up.

Find water anywhere, make a fire in five minutes, learn secrets for battling mosquitoes, and master more essential skills.

Venturing beyond the lift line? Here's what to bring, courtesy of professional skier Jess McMillan.

Pack in sweet, creamy flavor with these fall-inspired recipes.

Start here when packing your bag for a full day of rocky summits.

Want to know what kind of wildlife has been hiking on your favorite trail? The answer is right in front of you. Learn to recognize animal tracks, and you'll be able to see for yourself.

Before you let your dog roam free, you have some important questions to answer.

Get those noodles ready for hoisting heavy packs, hauling your body over boulders, and poling through tough terrain.

Tired of premade beef stew? Try these Egyptian-, Bolivian-, and French-inspired dishes on your next trip.

Learn how to treat the most common wilderness maladies with our guide to dealing with everything from bellyaches to broken bones.

Whether you’re visiting a mountain town or moving in, it’s only natural to want the natives to accept you. But how far out of your comfort zone are you willing to go to get there?

Learn more about what goes on beneath the surface by casting a line.

Staying clean on the trail might feel like a waste of time—it's just a little stench, right? But for just a few grams, you can bring everything you need to stay not-gross between trailheads.

Dogs can be excellent company on outdoor adventures, but only if you plan properly. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know, bring, do, and avoid to optimize the fun for both you and your pet.

This is one tough packraft.

Push through big climbs and banish quad burn by increasing your lactate threshold.

Put a dent in your hunger—not your trip budget—with three tasty meals for less than $2.50 per serving.

When you're putting your body through the strain of 5 months on the trail, you need to take care of it.

When it comes to summer test labs, Arizona’s Big Ditch takes the prize. Dr. Tom Myers, a guide and medical advisor for the Grand Canyon Association Field Institute, faces triple-digit temps every season. Follow his advice to keep cool.

A newly minted trip leader takes on tropical mud, bugs, and rainstorms.

Maximize fun and minimize hassle with these essential tips on comfort, safety, cooking, and finding solitude during the high season.

Weather trapped you inside? Limber up and quiet your mind with these easy poses.

The internet is in a panic over a huge invasive plant that can cause severe burns and temporary blindness. Here's what hikers should keep in mind.

Don't let a run-in with this pesky plant ruin your summer hiking plans. Learn how to treat poison ivy exposure and avoid it altogether, and brush up on the science behind the backcountry's least-loved vine.

Nature can be brutal. Learn how to to deal with wounds from all kinds of thorns, spines, splinters, shards, quills, needles, and anything else that might get under your skin when you’re on the trail.

There's calorie density, nutritional profile, and bulk to consider. But when it comes to packing food for a thru-hike, one thing will always hold true: it has to taste good enough to eat.

Everyone does it. But it takes a special kind of hiker to make tripping look good.

Great photography is more accessible than ever, thanks to affordable camera tech. But you still need the know-how to use it. Pro adventure photographer Adam Barker offers these pointers for getting started.

Strengthen joints and banish sprains for good.

Turn up the fun factor with stuffed fruits and veggies. Best part? No dishes required.

Can a landlubber learn to paddle—and like it?

Get a backwoods kind of quiet—even when you drive there.

Trail art or nuisance? We answer your questions about backcountry sculpture.

Tyvek Home Wrap is a DIY backpacker’s dream. It’s cheap, sturdy, waterproof, and it weighs about .2 ounce per square foot—ideal for making your own A-frame tarp tent.

Few devour distance like Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy, who holds the overall speed record on the Appalachian Trail. Here are his tips for wringing more miles out of the day.

Packing a backpack for a multi-day trip can be tough. Here's a guide to getting it right the first time.

Build up your abs for better balance and all-day comfort on the trail.

A hiker makes a Leave No Trace confession, and we're here to dole out penance—and a piece of advice.

Ditch summer camp for these five excellent adventures, where young women gain wilderness skills and the confidence to use them from real outdoor role models.

While it’s nice to share, you don’t want to share with a bear.

One option: Skip it entirely.

Want to write about your adventures for a living? Avoid these common mistakes.

There will be times when only a thin layer of fabric protects you from Mother Nature’s fury. Choose the right shell and take care of it.

With map and compass in hand, world-class navigators take to the Estonian forest to compete at the World Orienteering Championships. Who has what it takes to complete this race?

Not every campsite is create equal. Learn where to pitch your shelter for maximum weather protection.

Learning to control the climate inside your jacket plays a giant role in how dry and comfortable you'll be when hiking in rain.

The rain caught you unaware. Now you're getting cold. Learn how to get dry again, and fast.

Learn how wet-weather veterans load a pack to keep their most important gear from getting soaked.

A little rain never hurt anyone. With these tips, there's no such thing as bad weather.