What Are the Most Dangerous National Parks? One Study Got it Wrong.
A widely-circulated article ranks parks by the total deaths they saw in a ten-year period. But those numbers don’t tell the real story.
Survival
Master essential wilderness survival skills with tips and advice from the experts at Backpacker Magazine. Our experts teach you how to build fires, forage for food, find shelter, survive animal attacks, and get the most out of every piece of gear you bring into the wilderness.
How to Start a Campfire
When campfires are allowed, it's important to know how to light them—and how to put them out.
I Survived a 100-Foot Fall
Amber Kohnhorst was hundreds of miles from her nearest friend when she fell down a cliff and broke her back.
Could You Survive Disaster in a Slot Canyon? Play Our Game and Find Out.
Floods, falls, ornery wildlife: Find out if you have what it takes to survive a desert dayhike gone wrong.
Starting a Fire With a Bow Drill Is Way Harder Than it Looks
Humans have been starting fires without matches longer than with them. Can our modern man measure up?
Hiking Up Scree Sucks. Here’s How to Hike Through it Safely.
Stay safe and move efficiently on loose, steep terrain.
Will Peeing Around Your Campsite Really Help Keep Animals Away?
'Marking your territory' to keep bears away from your tent may seem like a smart idea. The reality: It does more harm than good.
What’s it Like to Survive a Lightning Strike?
A heart-stopping bolt hits one hiker and levels a group of his friends who then fight to resuscitate him.
Learn From Our Mistakes: Backpacker Writers Share Their Worst Screw-Ups
From a leaky tent to a bout of hypothermia, these misadventures left us wiser in the end.
He Was a Backcountry Ranger With 28 Years of Experience. Then He Vanished.
Did ranger Randy Morgenson succumb to disaster or despair?
This Study Predicts Who Is Most Likely to Get Hurt in the Wilderness
A survey of more than 700 John Muir Trail thru-hikers gave researchers insight into what makes a hiker more likely to get injured or ill while backpacking.
How to Survive Getting Separated From Your Group
If you get lost while hiking, you need to how to find your footing and reconnect with your group up the trail.
Don’t Become a Victim: How Situational Awareness Can Save Hikers’ Lives
Running into danger to save others is a noble urge. But curb it: A hurt rescuer is worse than no rescuer at all.
These Skiers Accepted Death When An Avalanche Buried Them Alive
They survived and celebrate their "second birthday" every year.
Lost in the Wilderness? Don’t Change Your Voicemail.
A post making its way through several social media channels has misleading advice, according to SAR officials.
When It’s OK to Help Find Missing Hikers, According to a Search and Rescue Expert
And what to do when you see an injured hiker on the trail.
I Thought I Could Handle the Hike Alone. Then I Fell.
When his brother turned back a few miles into their overnight hike, Jacob Velarde decided to continue solo. It was a mistake.
First, the Long Fall. Then, the Even Longer Wait.
When his brother turned back a few miles into their overnight hike, Jacob Velarde decided to continue solo. Then, he fell.
Thanks, Climate Change: Rattlesnake Bites Are Likely to Get More Common
Warm summers mean more snakes, and more people outside mean more encounters. Here's what to do if you get bitten,
Do Hikers Really Need to Filter Water Before They Drink It?
For decades, hikers have debated the benefits of filters. Here's where we land.