I Moved to ‘Bear Island.’ Here’s What I Learned.
Someone on the plane told me I could die in my new home of Kodiak, Alaska, home to one of the world's largest bear subspecies. Instead, I adapted.
Stories
Spend your life on the trail, and one thing’s for sure: You’ll come away with plenty of hiking stories. From survival stories to personal essays to stories to adventure tales from the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail, this is where you’ll find backpacker’s favorite yarns.
Phenomenon: Crevasses Are Glaciers’ Hidden Hazards
These gaping glacier cracks are dramatic—and deadly. Here's how they form, plus three safe places to see crevasses up close.
Phenomenon: Quicksand Is a Cartoon Danger You Can Find in Real Life
Is quicksand as big of a threat as Hollywood tells us it is? Zion's chief park ranger gave us the truth (and tips on escaping quicksand...just in case).
Phenomenon: Microbursts Are Miniature Storms That Come Out of Nowhere
Though microbursts are rare and usually fairly short-lived, these vertical hurricanes can cause extensive damage.
Phenomenon: Valles Caldera Is a Peaceful Valley With an Explosive History
Hike into the epicenter of a cataclysmic explosion in New Mexico's Valles Caldera.
Phenomenon: The Northern Lights Are a Spectacular Show from Space
The science behind the sky's natural fireworks display–and how to see it.
Phenomenon: Sky Islands Are Biodiverse Paradises in the Desert
To see how animals stay cool in a hot climate, just look up.
Natural Phenomena: Nature’s 6 Greatest Shows and How They Work
From the northern lights to glacial crevasses, science meets spectacle in these fascinating features.
Magma, Eruptions, and Third-Degree Burns: A Beginner’s Guide to Geysers
From the world-famous Old Faithful to Iceland's original Geysir, geysers have a way of captivating people's imaginations with their geothermal torrents. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about the science and safety of them.
Sponsored Content
An Inside Look at Jason Hardrath’s Journey to 100 FKTs
Watch the new documentary from Athletic Brewing Company that chronicles Hardrath’s record-breaking feat
I Was in Denial About My PTSD. On the Pacific Crest Trail, I Learned How to Heal
When the memories of combat refused to fade, a former army medic found healing in thru-hiking.
When it Rains, it Pours in Colorado’s Elk Mountains
When it started pouring, good rain gear and a great sense of humor brought this trip to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
It’s Time to Face It: There’s Privilege in Thru-Hiking
Hiking a long trail is a challenge no matter who you are. But not everyone is equally able to make the compromises it requires.
Is There a Campsite Shortage?
Across the country, hard-to-nab spots are sitting vacant. How do we make sure these coveted spaces aren’t going to waste?
In China’s Tiger Leaping Gorge, a Mountain Culture Flourishes
As he hiked through this UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jake Maynard found that the people who made the canyon home challenged his American idea of "wilderness".
A National Park Ranger Reveals the Secrets of the Job
True tales from the front lines—and behind the scenes—of America's national parks.
Want to Explore the Wilderness in Winter? Ski It.
Why go high? Because going down is so much fun.
A Thru-Hike Won’t Fix Your Life
At a crossroads in her personal life, writer Maggie Slepian decided to go on a thru-hike. But as it turns out, your problems will follow you no matter how many hundreds of miles you go.
Live Stream: Watch the Northern Lights
Need a break from the world? Sit back and catch the aurora borealis live from Churchill, Manitoba.
What It’s Like to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail as a Transgender Woman
“The world and how it interacts with me changed the day I came out as trans”