Skills

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

A for and against look at heli-hiking

You're lost, hungry, and starting to shiver: Time to play squirrel.

Recover from high-mileage days with these before-and-after stretches.

Last fall, we showed you the many ways that climate change is altering the wild places we love. Now, a look at what BACKPACKER is doing to reduce the magazine's impact.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

With more features, a new look, and the most informative content this side of the trail, the new Backpacker.com is amped up with the best in adventure, gear, travel, skills, and survival on the web.

Mosquitoe bites can be simply annoying or dangerous depending on where you are. Learn how to fend off their attacks.

Not sure how to eat right on the trail? You're in luck. We've taken the liberty of coming up with the perfect plan for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—for just about every situation. So break out your inner chef and get cooking. You'll be eating like royalty in no time.

When cooking in the backcountry, don't leave home without...

Learn how you can help combat climate change by researching everything from Alaska's Bering Glacier to tracking pumas in Argentina through citizen scientist programs

Learn your black bears from your brown bears then figure out how to keep them away from your camp.

On the trail and at the campsite, there's plenty you can do to leave nature...natural.

GORP is great...for a snack. Backpacker offers some pointers on keeping your energy up while on the trail.

If you don't know what triangulation is, read this article.

Take these 21 trail tips to heart, and you're virtually guaranteed a good hike.

Get ready for hiking season in the off-season with this training plan developed by Runner's World contributor Budd Coates.

Protein helps hikers regulate their metabolism, repair tired muscle, and boost their immune system.

Want legs that can tackle any climb, any heavy pack, any mileage? Well, don't work harder–work smarter. We grilled fitness experts and scoured the medical literature to uncover the latest, greatest strategies for building strength, endurance, speed, and flexibility.

Unwind after a long hike chilé fondue, French bread bruchetta, or an Asian peanut dip

Avoid the Pop-Tart rut with Backpacker's seven-day, two-person shopping and menu list.

Eat for energy minus the meat with this three-day, two-person meal plan.

From cashew-ginger chicken to fruited scones, tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner options for the trail and the campsite.

What to eat when you're one person spending one day on the trail and looking to travel light

Trip-planning tips, gear lists, safety advice, and other essential wisdom every hiker ought to know.

There are plenty of pre-packaged first aid kits out there but, here are some good ingredients that should go in most kits for most types of hikes. Keep in mind that the longer the hike, or the larger the group, the more safety gear you should bring.

The first industry-wide survey about which gear manufacturers are positively impacting the environment

Get trail-ready for Spring, Summer, and Fall with our comprehensive three-season gear checklist.

Ready to get wet and wild? This packing list will prepare you for any swamp trek.

Get ready for winter with this comprehensive packing list.

Be prepared for the snowshoe trails with this packing list.

Gear up for potentially sweltering heat and downpours with this gear selection.

Mount Everest? Rainier? Before you go, tick off each of these items for your expedition.

From New Mexico to the Sahara, this gear checklist will have to prepped for any desert adventure.

Changing your altitude? From crampons to ice axes, gear up here.

Getting ready for whitewater or maybe just a relaxing paddle down a remote river? We've got you covered.

Ready your gear quiver for a for a full day outing.

Strip off the pounds with our ultralight checklist and hit the trail light as a feather.

Add garlicky zing to classic southern Appalachian grits.

Lemongrass and peanuts accent this creamy Thai dish.

Maine's celebrated wild blueberries demand real New England maple syrup.

Give your camp dinner a tropical flair

Go Italian—with a Pacific Northwest twist—by serving this seafood pasta.

Limed corn is the secret to this classic New Mexican comfort food. Flour tortillas and lime wedges are traditional accompaniments.

This sweet-tasting dish is more fragrant than hot.

Chili peppers give this meal a pungent kick.

America's 100 Best Hikes–chosen by you.

4 easy recipes that will warm your whole body.

Enhance bland backpacking food with an ultralight spice kit including everything from curry to soy sauce.

Florida's Everglades National Park has a December high of almost 78°.

Sweaty feet, thick socks, and sturdy boots are a blister cauldron. Learn four easy ways to keep your feel clean, dry, and blister free.

A naturopath's top 5 remedies for common backpacking injuries.

Don't forge ahead when faced with whiteout conditions.

Pretty pictures and promises of a trade might get unenthusiastic spouses out the door.

3 simple heat shields to keep your meals toasty in the backcountry

Smart ways to foolproof your next hike.

Whether it's a "Birthday Challenge" or a peak that needs climbing, choosing a specific fitness challenge will help you stay motivated to get out more.

4 steamy drinks to spice up your after-dinner stargazing

Banish blah food with this 3-day guide to quick, delicious meals.

Three apps for map lovers of all tech denominations.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

An expert panel on how to solve various problems.

We asked a few of our favorite pros how to fix some common backcountry annoyances

Check out Kristy Holland's author page.

The official rules for entering and winning prizes in our "Be A Mapper" Contest.

Waterproof maps pack in all the information you need for AT and JMT thru-hikers.

Get to your destination quickly and reliably with the Suunto MC-2 Global.

Expert tips for a safe, sound night's sleep

Hiker Gerald Holzer recounts a 2005 grizzly attack in Yellowstone.

Guaranteed to get you out of trouble fast.

Learn the signs so you can get on the road to recovery faster.

A comprehensive guide to tick-borne illnesses beyond Lyme Disease.

Simple question, complex answer.

Get to know the ticks that cause Lyme-and those that don't

Several tests can detect the Lyme bacteria. Find out which one you should take if you are bitten.

To protect yourself from ticks-and reduce your risk of contracting Lyme disease-follow these steps.

Any way you slice it, Lyme disease is an expanding problem. Use this map and chart to understand how the disease is growing.