Skills

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

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.

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°.

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

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

Smart ways to foolproof your next hike.

4 easy recipes that will warm your whole body.

America's 100 Best Hikes–chosen by you.

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.

Lyme disease may be the nation's #1 wilderness health threat, but it's no reason to avoid the outdoors. Check out this special report on tick-borne illness to learn how to protect yourself and your family.

A park ranger's struggle with the tick-borne illness.

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

Learn to recognize, avoid and treat poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Start by scrolling through the photos below.

Enjoy all-day power by combining these 5 superfoods

30 days to a killer trail body with cardio and strength workouts for backpackers.

A simple twist packs protein into this down-home favorite.

Stuff yourself with this camp-style version of a traditional Mexican stew.

Pack your fishing rod; these biscuits go perfectly with fresh-caught trout or catfish.

Enjoy this instant chair on your next trip

A revolutionary stove-and-pot set that'll cramp your prep time with super-fast boils.

Enjoy this hardy and healthy Mexican soup at home or in camp

The perfect grill for your next car camping trip

Keep your kids entertained in camp and on the road with a football, stuffball, and flyer set

Four new recipes for belly-warming campfire drinks

Fend off a cold-weather slump with these expert strategies.

Make your romantic weekend in the backcountry extra special by inventing your own dessert. Use these versatile starters from your pantry: piecrusts, pudding, and maple syrup.

Sweeten up your next overnight trip with any of these 4 dessert recipes

The tele turn requires careful technique and some practice. Work on these moves at your local slope before venturing onto untracked snow.

Got summit fever? The sky's the limit with a fitness plan and climbing tips from world-class mountaineer Ed Viesturs.

Four steps to a lights-every-time blaze

The author sets out to camp in New York's Central Park--and winds up roused by matters of life and death.

Help your backpacking hound carry his weight with these fit-and-wear tips.

An essential paddling tip for turning in fast water

Supercharge your legs with conditioning tips for monster hikes.

Rich flavors and moist textures take top honors with these trail snacks

Feel good at 10,000 feet with advice from a Rainier guide.

Get more and better Z's with these tricks from a sleep expert.

Four hearty, ready-in-a-flash bread recipes

Conquer any current with these two simple strength conditioning exercises.

Get strong with yoga poses used by a world-class climber

Hot first aid tips for treating sunburn

Don't let a steep hike keep you from the best views. Put these vital mountaineering tips to use this weekend.

A lifeguard's guide to using sunscreen

Simple solutions for backpacking with new babies

Haul hefty loads more easily by strengthening your midsection.

Cooking tips and recipes for easy backcountry meals

31 flavors, 12 discerning testers, 4 clear energy bar winners

Improve your performance with the right drinking strategy

Two editors debate whether one stainless steel spoon beats many (much lighter) free ones.

Health tips for backpackers experiencing life-threatening or just plain annoying bee stings on the trail

4 techniques to soothe trail-weary muscles

9 tips for Leave No Trace dining

7 tricks for averting on-the-trail allergies

A beginner's guide to after-hours hiking

Your ultralight kitchen is now complete

How to make a difference outdoors--without swinging a Pulaski

Save your wild, off-trail adventures for a group of backpacking vets

Testers' favorite backpacking entrees

An online shopping pro shares timesaving advice.

Sunburned eyes can throw you to the sidelines for a painful 48 hours. Learn how to prevent and treat this winter threat.

Get ready for your first race with a fitness plan from a world champ