The wilderness isn't as hazardous as Hollywood makes it out to be, but that doesn't mean danger isn't out there. Case in point: These six hazards, which range from itch-causing plants to massive predators. Learn how to recognize them so you won't be caught flat-footed.
Which is the bigger backcountry threat, grizzlies or flash floods? Find out what should scare you–and how to survive it–with BACKPACKER's Terror Index.
Keep an eye out for nature's water-borne nightmares.
There's a backcountry killer on the loose, and it's not hypothermia, grizzly bears, or rockfall. The thing mostly likely to maim you on your next hiking trip is living inside your head.
From crossing raging rivers to falling through thin ice, here are 11 worst-case scenarios and tips for coming out unscathed.
Test your winter survival strategies for a chance to win a free class from AIM Adventure U.
Can pee save you? Our new survival expert sets the record straight.
Hiking where bears are present (that's more than 40 states) always requires precautions, like hanging food. But these three signals demand extra vigilance.
The wilderness has its fair share of dangers. Find out how you'd fare in a crisis.
Waves, currents, and tides threaten thousands of miles of American trails (any within a quarter of a mile of a waterway), and hikers can get caught in the barrage. Headland-sculpting, beach-pounding waves can swallow an unwary trekker without so much as a burp. Learn how to recognize, negotiate, and avoid nearshore hazards
