Skills

Eat well without all the fuss with these prepackaged camp meals

Improve the taste of any meal

Measure it, whisk it, and serve it in the backcountry with these kitchen accessories.

A gourmet cook set for fancy feasts

Our favorite toddler-hauler

The best way to tote your infant on a hike

When life hands you a lemon, make lemon bars, then go hiking.

Stop trailhead snafus with this pretrip checklist.

Take your rappel slings with you after learning this simple method.

Leaving rappel slings behind gets unsightly - and costly - but this simple technique lets you take it all with you. (Caution: Carry extra slings and quick-links in case you snag irretrievably.)

BACKPACKER's camping experts are coming soon to an outdoor shop near you. Learn what you can expect from this dynamic couple and their Get Out More clinics.

Maps are invaluable for navigating unfamiliar terrain, but without this basic step, you might just be spinning in your tracks.

Make your favorite breakfast staple either overnight or day-of with these cold-soak recipes.

You'll be the life of the campfire with a few tips from the pros.

Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.

Everything you need to cook up a feast in the backcountry.

A 2.4-liter hard anodized aluminum cookpot.

A 1.8-liter aluminum cookpot.

A white gas stove that doesn't require priming.

Follow a day of hiking with one of these yummy desserts.

Caffeine in the palm of your hand–no plumbing or plugs required.

A subtle way to mask chemically treated water.

We review their new recipe book Ultimate Camp Cooking. Plus: their easy-cook Dill Salmon recipe.

Use these simple DIY tips to keep your trekking poles secure and easy to adjust.

Lads and lasses, stuff your gobs with these tasty treats.

Learn to use this lightweight method of getting your food out of a bear's reach.

This method is popular with ultralight thru-hikers and requires two materials that you don't normally carry (cord and carabiner). Like all bag hangs, it can be foiled by smart, food-conditioned bruins. Check regulations to make sure bag hangs are legal.

New research reveals high levels of arsenic and cadmium in the mountain's snow and soil. Plus: Should you worry about similar pollution in North America's high country?

Dress up your fresh caught trout with this delicious wild berry compote.

This basic survival skiing turn is a backcountry staple for experts and novices alike.

New research shows spinach makes your muscles work more efficiently, so power up with this savory dish.

The most dangerous mistakes are the ones you don't recognize.

Your body is an engine. It runs on a mix of carbohydrates, fats, and a very small amount of protein. And it's a finely tuned engine, using the best fuel for every need.

How to keep off what you've hiked off.

Test your skills—and possibly save some fingers—with this first-aid quiz.

Dig into a backcountry fish feast with these easy-prep, sure-to-wow dishes.

Try this quick and easy fish recipe.

Take your fire-side fish skills to the next level with this savory salmon recipe.

Travel safely through snowscapes with this lifesaving locator.

This time- and trail-tested solution to heel blisters has saved our Rocky Mountain Editor's bacon on many an epic. May it do the same for you.

Start your morning with the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through camp.

Don't let different hiking speeds tear your group apart.

Add pizzazz to your gorp with this addictive mix.

Repair fiberglass or aluminum tent poles the sleazy way, or the better way.

A cheap, simple solution for secure tent-pitching on snow or sand. Note: The dowels work better for snow. However, by using a small disk (something like kid's play dishes), you can get the same effect for sand.

Use this cheap, simple solution for securing your tent on snow or sand in no time.

How your cell phone calls for help even when you don't have service

Fortify your immune system (and avoid GI distress) in the backcountry with these tasty powder mixes.

Spoil your love in the backcountry with this fruit-forward winter cocktail.

Why pay a mint for fruity snacks when you can make your own?

There's an art to pitching a tent on snow. Follow this step by step guide.

Chocolate, wine, and pasta for two.

How to light an expert blaze every time

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Fill the tanks with these 5 new trail snacks.

Say goodbye to Jose and say hello to these tasty tequilas you won't want to miss.

You choose! Look through the slideshow and at the end cast your vote to help decide which one will be the winner for BACKPACKER's June 2011 issue.

Why Aron Ralston's survival required more than a multi-tool

Switch things up with these twists on the classic treat.

Rainshell or fleece? Know at a glance with this wireless weather station.

You can bake this yummy treat even at altitude, and you and your mates will be fighting over the last crumbs.

Rethink gin. With heavy pine needles and balanced, exotic flavors, this spirit may be the perfect backcountry compliment you've written off.

10 reinventions of trailworn dinner recipes. Plus some easy breakfast and dessert options.

Overall top-scorer: This wallet-saver meal is super easy to make but packs dynamite flavor.

BACKPACKER readers submitted scores of simple, delicious recipes. Here are 21 taste-tested favorites.

Switch things up with this easy twist on a classic staple.

Hit the ground hiking with this off-season checklist.

It may seem obvious but there's a right way and a wrong way to strap on those trekking poles. Get it right with this simple tutorial for maximum comfort and utility.

Trekking poles are a boon for security on sketchy terrain, and they'll keep your knees alive over hard-charging decades of hiking. To get the most benefit on flats, uphills and downhills, use adjustable-length poles and adjust them correctly. Here's how.

Having boot trouble on the trail? You might be able to save your day, and your feet, just by using these simple lacing solutions. Combine them as necessary to get the comfort you want.

If Miss Manners backpacked, she'd agree with us.

Even the best backpack isn't comfortable if you don't fit and adjust it correctly. To start: Pick a pack that's the proper gender and general size for you. For example: women's small or men's medium.

Poles can prevent falls and stress injuries, particularly on rough terrain with big loads. But, the constant 'click click' can drive you nuts. They leave poked holes in soft trails, and on rock slabs trek pole tips skate dangerously. Here, a simple fix.

Pitching a tent is almost always about versatility. Instead of tying guys and auxiliary stake-out loops permanently to your tent, using convertible guylines and rock out loops. Here's how:

Ideal for family outings plus has everything but the kitchen sink

Complete kitchen in an easy to pack compact package

Just because you're 10 miles into the wilderness doesn't mean you should miss out on holiday drinks.

Ring in the New Year with this twist on the classic champagne cocktail featuring pomegranate and brown sugar.

The 10 essentials packing list was designed to ensure that hikers could a) respond positively to an accident or emergency, and b) remain safe if forced to spend one or more nights out. Here they are, along with some specific suggestions.

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