Skills

Cervical spine injuries are serious, and immobilizing them has become gospel. But in the wilderness, where conditions can change in an instant, is it a waste of rescuers' time?

Ending a long trek takes its toll on your mental and physical health. Here's how to ease back into your home routine.

Go big with these expedition trip planning tips.

And how to tell if a polar bear is aggressive or just passing through the area.

With a little ingenuity, one hiker improvises shelter.

It takes more than a pedicure to truly care for your feet. Here’s how to find more stability in yoga—and in life—by giving your feet some TLC.

We've made the mistakes so you don't have to.

Lingering COVID symptoms—such as fatigue and shortness of breath—can make it hard to hit the trails, even months after getting sick.

Winter camping is super rewarding, but convincing others to join you isn't always easy. It's best to have a few tricks.

Don't let a poorly-loaded backpack put a damper on your next adventure in the backcountry. Learn how to pack it the right way—with efficiency, convenience and comfort in mind.

Companions can make or break a trip. Here’s how to choose one wisely.

The best way to ruin your first backpacking trip? A pack that’s too heavy. Lighten your load with these tips.

If you play your cards right, you can turn your non-hiker friends into lifelong backpacking partners

The trail is your happy place. Here's how you can keep it that way for others, too.

Going off-trail on steep, rocky terrain? There's a way to do it safely.

Snow travel requires more technique and precautions than regular hiking. Here's how to do it right.

Poked, scratched, or worse: Getting a hurt eye on your hike can be a serious emergency.

If you think TikTok is just for viral dance moves and lip-syncing teens, then you’re missing out on a lot.

Campgrounds may be closing for the season but you can still camp from the comforts of your own home.

No one wants a dental emergency in the backcountry. Learn how to avoid and deal with them.

Backcountry Foodie’s Aaron Owens Mayhew explains what you should eat and when to best suit your individual body and hiking needs.

Thru-hiking is a wonderful experience, but it’s not the only way to see a long trail. And for a lot of people, it might not even be the best.

No, your way is gross.

Ward off the chill of fall backpacking with a cup of steamy, savory soup.

It may be taboo in daily life, but talking about poop is inevitable for any overnight hiker.

When you’re hiking 8,000 miles in a single year, your gear needs to work. This is what Calendar Year Triple Crown hopefuls Sammy Potter and Jackson Parell are using.

Low impact does not mean low intensity. Try these exercises to stop huffing and puffing on the trail.

Knowing how to identify these five common venomous snakes, found across the United States, can save you stress on the trail. 

Insomnia can stop you from enjoying a trip to the fullest. Fight it with this advice.

Get a hearty dose of fruit and vegetables right on the trail.

Learn to identify, treat, and avoid shin splints for happier hiking.

If first trips have something in common, it’s that they go sideways pretty often. Here are a few important lessons readers and editors have learned along the way.

Taking your first unguided step onto a big mountain is a leap of faith. Backpacker editor (and retired guide) Shannon Davis tells you how to do it right.

You don’t need a rope and harness to explore nature’s labyrinths. Fall is prime time in canyon country—take advantage of the dry weather and take your hiking to a new level.

Bring a little autumn flavor right to the trail with this easy backcountry pie recipe.

Ready to spend your first night out but don’t know where to start? We've got you covered.

Toilet paper is one of those modern conveniences that most people shudder to think of living without. But in the backcountry, you don't need it.

A recent study suggests that chest compressions may be the most important skill for rescuers to deploy after a drowning.

What's better than apple pie? Apple pie baked over a campfire, of course.

There's sleeping outside, and then there's sleeping outside. Learn to camp without a tent or tarp using these easy tips.

Save time, money, and the planet with these 16 simple gear fixes you can do at home.

Those instructions on the brownie box? Feel free to ignore them. This simple technique will get you a gooey, chocolatey dessert in just a few minutes.

A charging grizzly bear is NOT the same thing as a mugger on a street corner, or even a charging pit bull. Get a bear spray deterrent that's up to the job.

Prep your trail legs with this hiking-specific training plan.

You might be ready for the trail, but your shiny new boots probably aren’t. Here’s how to get them prepped for adventure.

Your body may have changed during a year of staying home. And even if your physical fitness has remained constant, your neurological connections may have weakened from a lack of stimuli. It’s time to shake off the sluggishness with this workout designed to get your body moving. Include it in your exercise routine every other week.

These facts about America's parks will blow your mind.

Your legs are only as strong as your hips when it comes to your comfort on the trails and your form on the slopes.

Backpacking is some of the best medicine for stress. Learning self-massage will give you an extra tool to help you leave your worries behind.

Turn the relaxation up with these activities to help you make the most of downtime in camp.

Animal attacks are rare, but they do happen. Learning what to do after a run-in with wildlife could teach you a few things about how to handle any wilderness emergency

Lower your garbage output on your next long trip with a few simple steps.

The trail is calling. Pack these essential items and go.

We already know that backpacking is better for the planet than other forms of travel. But how much better, exactly? And can we make hiking even greener?

Clear nights in the backcountry offer prime views of the heavens. Catch the best show with these stargazing tips.

Deliberate exercise can help you recover from an injury faster and come back stronger than ever once you’re healed.

Carboload for a full day of hiking with these delicious pasta recipes.

Some destinations may still be closed to US travelers, but that just means you have more time to plot out the perfect trek. Start planning now for the hike of a lifetime.

How to keep hiking when your ankle takes a turn for the worse. Plus, keeping them strong and trail-ready.

To see the best of this Ohio park, you're going to have to work a little harder than usual. Shape up with this off-trail hiking advice from a national park ranger.

Chewing is overrated. Meet your new favorite, slurpable hiking snacks.

Can't decide on just one cocktail for your adventure? Put together a mobile backcountry bar kit.

In a pinch, they can can keep you going—but only if we all do our part.

A new kind of adventure starts where the maintained trail ends. Advance your hiking game and take on the unknown with these tips for route-planning and navigation. Then, practice footwork skills for safer, more efficient mountain travel.

Prep your joints for long miles and big descents with these injury-prevention workouts.

Whether you're participating in Naked Hiking Day or just want to feel the breeze on your skin, there are a few things you need to know first if you want to make sure you don’t end up ticketed or in cuffs.

Warm weather + short trip = a perfect chance to save time and hassle by leaving your cooking gear at home.

No need to skip your coffee just because you didn't bring your stove.

Buy, ship, or check hiker boxes and just hope for the best? Here's how to keep your stove running on your thru-hike.

Hike faster, stronger, and farther with our favorite leg workouts.

Hyponatremia, or water intoxication, isn’t a well-known hazard in the outdoors. But it’s more common than you think.

These crunchy, easy-to-prepare side dishes will make your hiking buddies green with envy.

Cooling down an overheating patient in the backcountry is often an insurmountable challenge. Now, researchers are testing a strategy from the endurance sports world for use on the trail.

So you’re not into hiking-specific workouts. How much do your other activities really help when it comes time to hit the trail?

No one knows the ins and outs of the trail like professional guides. Learn a few of their secrets to take your trips to the next level.

Ease your muscles after a long day of hiking with these simple yoga poses.

Your hips keep you hiking. Treat them right with this workout.