Skills

Master every detail of far-flung adventure–from visas to vaccinations–with these time-tested tips from guides and veteran globetrotters.

The Gray Whale swims thousands of miles to mate- and you were complaining about picking up the dinner bill.

The smart, social, and friendly mountain gorillas take the heavyweight title.

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

Another dead Denali wolf. A battle for the soul of wild Alaska. Our reporter visits America's most iconic wilderness for the inside story of a park under siege.

Plan and cook for a group with these time-tested tips.

This easy reader trip will keep you feeling fresh and clean on the trail

Solve winter routefinding challenges with these expert tips.

Follow this winter workout and conquer the steeps come spring.

Have one of these three common health problems? Stay safe on the trail by taking sensible precautions.

Don't settle for a hunk of ice-hard jerky when the mercury plummets. A hard day of winter hiking or snowshoeing should be followed with a piping-hot stew.

Frostbite is bad news. Learn how to safely treat frozen feet.

More than just a hammock for your burrito ingredients, tortillas are very versatile.

Get over the hangover and go big this year. Then make it a tradition

Study shows that a head cold doesn't reduce performance or recovery

20 minutes to get the blood and body parts moving will keep you in the game

Slim your way through the holidays with this simple diet

Study shows that depriving the brain of carbs leads to memory loss

Where to go when you want to shop right

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

A test can now tell you if you have what it takes. It'll also tell you if your kid has it too.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Depending on how hard you play, a high-quality, whole foods diet may slow you down

A plan to save the fitness I've got and maybe grow a little stronger

When senior editor Tracy Ross investigated Denali's wolf controversy, she expected to see a dead wolf--but not a skinned one. Go behind the scenes with video filmed in the field and an interview with Ross on the experience.

Author Tracy Ross discusses her feature story "Dogs of War" devoted to the debate raging in Alaska over the famed Toklat wolf pack.

A new job requires a new fitness plan

Eat like a pro with our recipes for every course.

Want to be a better hiker? Look no further. We share the backcountry secrets that separate average campers from true wilderness experts.

Study on brain-speed points to age 39 as the peak for our motor skills

Only in L.A. could you get arrested for doing a sit-up in public

Someone needs to get over it

Drowning in beauty

Gambling in the slots

Where winter strikes year-round

Wouldn't it be cool if you could turn your friends into mewling, terrified--I mean, wouldn't it be cool to be able to tell a great ghost story on your next camping trip? Here's how.

How we rate risk, using a highly scientific formula

Flesh-eating bears. Dive-bombing eagles. Can a regular guy escape certain death armed with only the clothes on his back and the skills he learned on TV from Les Stroud, Bear Grylls, and John Rambo?

We settle the debate with winner-takes-all smackdown: Meet history's true hard man.

When you can and cannot workout with an illness

Which is the bigger backcountry threat, grizzlies or flash floods? Find out what should scare you–and how to survive it–with BACKPACKER's Terror Index.

Adventure racing isn't for those without high pain thresholds, but here's three ways to cut down on the inevitable hurt.

Any serious mountaineer will appreciate this updated Bible of climbing-specific training

Our print-on-demand tool

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Or, why putting down the work/family/chores for a run may be the smartest thing you do all day.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

The water, however, tastes the same

Use this step-by-step guide to beat 7 common backcountry fears. Plus, ideal hikes for overcoming–or avoiding–the source of your scare.

Don't let groundless phobias ruin–or even prevent–your backcountry adventures. Here's a foolproof plan for overcoming your terrors.

Conquer any fear with this DIY guide to applying a proven treatment plan called cognitive- behavioral therapy. Think of it as training for the mind.

Check out Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan's author page.

Get stronger and hike longer with a workout that matches your physique.

What to know about hiking with asthma

Stay fit and healthy with these static and dynamic stretches, and secrets from Yosemite National Park wilderness ranger Mark Fincher.

These 4 red-hot recipes will warm you faster than any campfire.

Should outdoor education be a top priority in public schools?

July to mid-September is prime time for heavy rains in the Southwest, where fast-rising water in narrow canyons can turn trickling streams into deadly torrents. Don't get swept away.

Drat, I was wrong on this one

Billions of players worldwide can't be wrong

Research uncovers a big difference between outdoor fans and gym rats

A successful failure often trumps simple success

Running again after a year feels great

And other ways to prevent tick-borne infections

Having trouble getting motivated? These soldiers toughen you up with their custom can't-quit tips.

Whether you're going ultralight or ultra gourmet, it's crucial to pour the right cuppa joe.

We'll show you how to adapt you favorite bar food for the trail: Mushroom-Asiago Veggie Burgers, Spicy Sweet Potato Fries, Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip, and Toasted Tortilla Chips.

3 key skills for getting off the trail without getting off course

This reader recommends packing hospital scrubs when camping.

You'll need strategy, luck, and a little guile to reserve a spot at the country's most popular parks this summer. Here's how to game the (permit) system.

Will my vacation to a national park help them?

Head to the RMNP for the highest designated camp–find out where below.

Before you hit the trail, take my 5-step quiz to find out if you're primed for action or disaster

Only the white, middle-aged, and well-off appear engaged in sports

Both elite athletes and weekend hikers benefit from a taper

In this exclusive Q&A, Steve Friedman talks about trying out the techniques of TV's survival show hosts Bear Grylls and Les Stroud in the (real) wild.

If you can imagine it, we've seen it-and offered expert analysis. From avalanches to volcanoes, this archive contains step-by-step plans for escaping a slew of mishaps that can befall weary travelers.

A winning proposal helps an ultramarathoner finish Leadville

Study shows that regular jogs push back old-age disabilities

Or, how a bike race reminded me that you need to always eat for the future