Skills

For hikers on the western U.S.'s long-distance paths, large wildfires are part of the new normal.

Warm summer nights were made for grilling. Ditch the backyard for the backcountry with this gear and advice.

When we're burned out on sugary bars and jonesing for some quick calories to help us replenish our stores and re-up our motivation, we reach for one food above all others. Get your daily allotment with Backpacker's favorite cheesy recipes for everything from breakfast through dessert.

These disease-ridden creepy crawlies are everywhere these days. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid ticks—and prevent adverse side effects if you do get bitten.

Spending too much time in a seated position (hello, desk job) can tighten your hip flexors and lengthen your glutes, robbing them of their power. A weak butt is bad for your performance on the trail and even worse for your ankles, knees, and back. Do this ass-kicking workout from Pete McCall once a week, along with your cardio and strength routine, to train all three glute muscles.

Irresponsible campers put forests, people, and hiking seasons at risk. Do your part by making sure your blaze is dead out.

No one likes getting belly troubles from drinking dirty water. Ward them off with these simple strategies.

Periodical cicada hatches like this year’s are an underrated wildlife experience. See the swarm up close—and maybe eat a few of them—on these hikes.

Backcountry meals can be boring. Spice them up—literally—with these handy add-ins.

A solo hiking or backpacking trip can either be a freeing or terrifying experience. Learn how to prepare and tame your imagination in the backcountry.

Before you head out on a thru-hike, set expectations at home and at work, and make sure that everyone knows what to do when trouble arises.

This remixed pancake recipe is the breakfast of your dreams.

Finding time to train is hard. Get trail-ready while you go about your day with these do-anywhere exercises.

Skip the resupply box: There are better uses for your time.

Become a trail botanist. Learn to identify ten of our country's most common wildflowers

Is lighter really always better?

Say goodbye to mildew when you give your water bottle proper care.

Getting pine sap on your apparel can put you in a sticky situation. Get yourself out of it with a little bit of elbow grease and know-how.

From trying to make a bivy sack out of Tyvek to tarping it in mosquito country, going too light can land hikers in a lot of trouble.

What does mountain guide Charlotte Austin keep in her pack? Baling wire, some important information, and a home remedy for nausea.

From training to planning, prep right to maximize your chances of going the distance.

Create a foraged spread worthy of the most sophisticated garden party with this fragrant wildflower.

How focused exercise helped one hiker return to the trails without going under the knife.

Firestarting gets the-step-by-step treatment in Nate Summers’s compelling new treatise.

Whether you’re trekking along a ridge or standing on top of a summit, a fear of heights can cause you to freeze up. Don’t let it ruin your hike.

Hiking muscles feeling rusty? Give them the love they deserve.

Preparing for the Big E took every ounce of dedication I had—but the lessons I learned didn’t stop there.

Recover better with these tips to use a foam roller and give your muscles some TLC.

Little-known fact: The symptoms of chronic giardiasis can mimic gluten intolerance. How can hikers tell the difference?

My first thru-hike attempt didn’t end the way I wanted. Here are the lessons I’ll bring to my next one.

Bringing your little nugget into the woods for the first time can be intimidating. Follow these tips for a safer, less stressful family adventure.

Cryptobiotic soil is essential to arid ecosystems. Here’s how to protect it.

Suffering a major injury can keep us from fully committing to the things we enjoy. Taking the time to care for yourself pays off.

What happens when you introduce condiments to your dehydrator? We head to the kitchen to see if molecular gastronomy can work for hikers, too.

Don't be fooled: Hypothermia can happen in the summer or the winter. Learn how to prevent and treat a dropping core body temp.

Forget bears and lightning: The most common and dangerous backcountry hazard is a river crossing—especially during the spring melt, when backcountry waterways run high and rough. Follow these tips to learn to do it safely.

See the trail in a new light when you bring a pad and pencil.

Gymnasts can land backflips on balance beams four inches wide. Their secret: training barefoot.

Optimize your diet and nutrition and you'll feel fresh, hike strong—and leave the Hiker Hobble behind for good.

One of our favorite backpacking snacks gets a bagel-themed makeover.

Too cold to catch some rest? This simple hack provides a long-lasting boost of warmth—and works as well at home as it does on the trail.

Use these proven methods to make sure your first romantic camping foray into the wilderness isn't your last.

Take back winter fun—no matter the weather—by learning how to keep your feet warm.

The longer you stay out, the more likely you are to see significant precip. You can get by with less protection in warmer weather, but in temps below about 65°F, you’ll need to suit up to stay safe. Here’s how to dress for the occasion.

Go further—and hurt less—with the right preparation for a big trip.

Coming out of the woods tired and dirty is a rejuvenating experience. But it's possible to overdo a good thing. Take care of yourself on your next hike with these five simple quality-of-life hacks, and you'll reap the benefits.

Spending a day on the trail is one thing, but for those who have never camped before—or don't do it often—letting their guard down and snoozing in the great outdoors is a big leap. Make it a little easier with these tips.

Put a backcountry spin on a fast food cult favorite.

Seek out splashes of color amid pale winter landscapes with these five cold-loving birds.

Your feet carry you every step of the way, so don’t neglect them in your training. This workout hits every major muscle group while building foot strength, which improves mobility and balance and safeguards against common injuries. Complete this circuit once a week along with a cardio and strength regimen, and allow yourself at least six weeks to train before a big hike.

Ever dreamed of working as a photographer, wildland firefighter, or gear designer? Six pros tell you what it takes to get their careers.

A hike a week can change your life.

Warm up with this recipe for apple cider with a kick.

Elevate your standard Ramen with this savory sauce that comes together in minutes.

Cold fingers and toes cause quick misery in the backcountry. The key to feeling as warm as possible is keeping your digits toasty. Take care of your hands and feet and you’ll have a much more pleasant winter camping experience.

Wow your hiking partners with this simple yet delicious dessert.

The fourth season’s rewards—unparalleled solitude and otherwordly views—don’t come easy. Use this advice from Colorado ski guide Mia Tucholke to handle the cold and witness the season’s splendor.

Two fair-weather enthusiasts tear down their fear of the fourth season.

Whether it’s a moderate overnight load or 45 pounds of expedition gear, the moment you put on a pack your body must acclimate to additional pressure on your joints, muscles, and spine. Add these exercises to your workout routine to feel like a champ no matter how much you're carrying.

Hit the trail with your dog and you’ll find you’re both happier and healthier.

In winter, consuming hearty, nutrient-dense foods goes a long way toward keeping you warm. Stoke your inner furnace with these three energy-packed recipes.

We all need a little something to munch on while we wait for the chili to rehydrate. These tasty, easy-prep apps might just be the most memorable part of the meal.

Up your photography game with this expert advice.

Taking a dip in a backcountry lake? Stop and think about what you're wearing.

A longtime hiker faces her fears to level up her adventure resume.

Reap the bounty of nature’s pantry by learning to identify and responsibly harvest wild edibles on the trail or in your neighborhood.

It can't all be sunsets and bear encounters. Thru-hikers spend most of their time doing one thing: walking.

Are you packing the best fuel?

Escape the gym with these movement-based routines designed to take your workout outdoors.

These moves will help you make an injury-free transition to lightweight hiking shoes without risking a sprain.

There are many challenges to backpacking, but packing your sleeping pad shouldn't be one of them.

Thru-hiking lingo isn’t just code, it’s a window into how people backpack.

Making art on the trail helps you appreciate the landscape in a new way.

Is all that extra breathability worth exposing your feet to sun, bugs, and toe stubs?

Want to go really, really light? Take a hint from a guy who finished the Long Trail in less than 5 days.

The trail is for everyone. Experience it your way by learning your limits and planning ahead.

Before you hit the trail, try these exercises to build leg strength and stamina.

Get inspired by the everyday, every day.

Are you prepared to deal with injury or illness in the backcountry?

Work! Altitude! Traffic! Sometimes it seems like the universe is conspiring against your hiking plans. Here's how to subdue those hazards and 18 other trip killers to keep your weekends sacred.