Skills

BACKPACKER wants to hear how you're handling the pandemic.

Sleeping the sand? Pack these 10 items to ensure a good time.

Does “go big or go home” hold up on a dawn-to-dusk mission?

Looking for the fastest route to deep backcountry? Lace up your sneakers, ditch the heavy pack, and run your favorite trails with advice from Gina Lucrezi, two-time winner of the Leadville Silver Rush 50 and holder of the women’s fastest known time on Mt. Whitney’s Standard Route (5 hours, 29 minutes, 22 seconds car to car).

It's the perfect time to tackle one of these indoor DIY projects to set yourself up for a great hiking season.

Taking a kid along on a 211-mile hike takes more than a little practice. Is it worth it?

If you want to appreciate how your body feels, rather than looks, on the trail, you have to let it all hang out.

You don’t have to go far to enjoy camping season: If you have a yard or even a balcony, you have a campsite. Here are 8 ways to make the most of very close-to-home camping.

Submit your best recipe to share with the Basecamp community.

Cold soaking is a popular no-cook method among weight-conscious hikers. But ditching your stove doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor.

Experiment with three wild recipes.

Anyone else feeling a little rusty? Brush up and win big with these virtual outdoor challenges. Fire up your camp stoves, we’re bringing backcountry skills right to your home.

Make sure you’re prepared for your next trip into bear country.

Epic views and all-time sunsets: See the wilderness through a BACKPACKER photographer's eyes.

Stay ready for the trails with these simple exercises you can do at home.

Turn your daily dairy into a tangy, protein-packed snack that's ready for the backcountry.

Practice mindfulness to experience the healing of nature from home.

Enjoy the wildlife right outside your window.

Up your fitness the easy way with these simple exercises.

Downtime in camp has never been so fun.

Power your thru-hike with the right food, snacks, and resupplies for the long haul.

Hike with efficiency, speed, and intention, and you’re sure to accomplish your thru-hiking goals. Here’s how to plan your pace and fight lollygagging tendencies to reach the terminus before winter does.

Go from couch potato to trail monster with these simple tips from a personal trainer.

Gear up for the United States' toughest long path with these expert picks.

Headed out on the Pacific Crest Trail? Expert thru-hikers Liz “Snorkel” Thomas and Nathan Pipenberg break down the gear you’ll need.

Get ready for your AT thru-hike with this gear checklist from expert thru-hikers Liz "Snorkel" Thomas and Nathan Pipenberg.

See exclusive photos and videos as you listen to season 2, episode 5 of Out Alive

Who says you need water in your food? Dehydrate your vittles and you'll carry less weight, save money, and eat better.

An early-season snow sends a hiker into delicate territory.

Just because you're packing in dinner shouldn't mean you have to skip the best course. These sweet treats are well worth the extra ounces.

A strong body helps you get out into nature, but a well-trained mind makes the time count. Use these three exercises to derive more rejuvenation from your next hike.

Going slow on the snow can help you relish the smallest details.

Can our writer get in the best hiking shape of his life—without doing a single hike over 10 miles?

Start reconnecting with Mother Earth by learning to forage your dinner in the wild.

How much do you know about camping, cooking, and surviving in the cold? Let's find out.

The most memorable trails can be the hardest to find. New Editorial Director Shannon Davis reflects on a trip through canyon country.

Lacking inspiration in your life? Look no further. These accounts will enrich your feed with enchanting landscapes, creative artwork, activism and authentic stories that are sure to leave you feeling encouraged and energized.

Get toasty from the inside out with these hot beverages.

A forgotten WAG bag leads to a smelly situation on Mt. Whitney.

Dehydrating your own backpacking food opens up a world of gourmet possibilities for fueling up on the trail. Here's how to make your favorite foods backcountry-friendly with advice from Good To-Go founder Jennifer Scism.

You train your legs for the trail, right? Now do the same for your upper body and make your days on the water easier. Bonus: These exercises work the same muscles that help you carry a heavy pack.

With little preparation, any fit canine can handle the alpine. Here's what you need to know.

Less oxygen? No problem. Crush your alpine goals—whether ski-touring in winter or hiking in summer—with these tips from Peter Hackett, MD, founder of the Institute for Altitude Medicine.

We explored the Austrian hills with Komperdell’s famed mountaineer Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner to get the inside scoop.

Gear up for trips on all types of water.

Doing a number two outside can be a fraught topic for kids. But it doesn't have to be.

Keep your gear going season after season with these tips from Boulder Mountain Repair technicians Sam Goodhue and Matt Wintston to prevent little problems from becoming big (and expensive) ones.

Chow down on these edible plants, all found across the U.S. Briana Wiles, author of Mountain States Foraging and owner of Rooted Apothecary, and Kat Mackinnon, RH (AHG), Botany Program Director at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism, give you the goods.

It’s just like backpacking, but with a paddleboard instead of boots. Right?

The 3,000-mile long trail has plenty of alpine highlights, and this one in northern Colorado is my new favorite.

Going meatless shouldn’t mean going hungry. These protein-packed vegan recipes will satisfy any hiker.

Birding adds a new dimension to every hike.

Find trail bliss with expert advice from Hike It Baby's Jessica Carrillo Allatorre

Choose the right challenge with expert advice from Family Channel editor, Lisa Jhung

Expert advice on choosing trails for families with babies to teenagers, and all ages in between.

Get your teens psyched on hiking with expert advice from BACKPACKER Editor-in-Chief, Dennis Lewon

Experience begets skill—and blind spots, ruts, and inefficient routines. Just because you’ve taken to doing something one way doesn’t mean it’s the right way. From crossing a river to leading a group, there’s a better way.

Unlearn your bad hiking habits today with these simple, instant changes to your routine.

Plan your trips better and enjoy yourself more.

Battle blisters and learn to pack a sensible first aid kit.

The wilderness can be a hazardous place, but the biggest danger to you is, well, you.

Stay away from bears and show some respect for the humble mouse.

Your gear is your lifeline. Pack it right and maintain it correctly for a fun, hassle-free trip.

Everyone has their own special slice of the backcountry. For BACKPACKER Editor-in-Chief Dennis Lewon, it's a slice of beach in Northern California.

Use pressure-point stretching, known as myofascial release, to loosen key hiking muscles and boost recovery.

Grab a paddle to access quiet coves, mirror lakes, or exhilarating rapids. Best part: You can pack like you’re car camping when you trade boots for a boat.