Survival

Unveiling the truth: Should you drink your own pee to survive? Expert Jessie Krebs separates fact from fiction, delivering insights for life-or-death decisions in the wild.

Havasu Falls' beauty has made them a staple of FOMO-inducing Instagram pics. But in an instant, they can turn into a dangerous deluge.

Our Gen Z editor had a secret: She had never seen Grizzly Man. We recruited bear biologist and podcast host Wesley Larson to watch it with her and recorded their reactions.

Survival, courage, and tragedy intertwine on Mount Rainier in this riveting episode of Out Alive. Join us as we recount a daring rescue, honor a fallen hero, and explore the thin line between triumph and disaster in the face of unimaginable odds.

Uncover the secrets of survival packing essentials with renowned survivalist Jessie Krebs as she shares her expert tips and strategies.

No matter what your favorite grizzled YouTuber tells you, survival isn’t about learning to track animals or spear fish with a stick. In this new column, former Air Force survival instructor Jessie Krebs explains what hikers actually need to know to return from the backcountry alive.

In June of 2022, 62-year-old Dan Wenker fell into a moat in the Tetons, breaking his leg. His climbing partner helped save his life.

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.

In the face of a daunting cancer diagnosis, polar explorer Eric Larsen discovered unexpected solace and strength in the lessons he had learned from polar exploring.

Lost in the Pecos Wilderness with her aid dog, Shannon Baruth faced extreme weather conditions for four nights. Together, they fought to make their way back to safety.

Watch footage of a heroic rescue with commentary from a fast-acting bystander.

In this episode of Out Alive Survival Shorts, we discuss the crucial role of signal fires in emergency situations, using a real case story to highlight important dos and don'ts. Former Air Force SERE instructor Jessie Krebs offers expert analysis and practical tips on site selection, fuel choice, smoke color, and other factors critical for survival

In this episode, you'll hear an incredible story of survival from the Editor-in-Chief of Backpacker magazine. While backcountry skiing on a glacier in British Columbia, he developed a rare brain virus that left him struggling with double vision and other neurological symptoms.

Weed may be legal across large swaths of the U.S., but bears know no law except bear.

In 1972, Michael Ober was a ranger in Glacier National Park when he came across a backpacker who had been mauled by a black bear. What he saw carries lessons for today's hikers.

For years, backpackers hung their food to keep hungry bruins at bay. But with trails getting more crowded—and bears wising up to our tricks—many experts say it's time to ditch the bear hang once and for all.

Our readers have a personal question for our bear columnist: What's that hump on your back for?

Every winter, bears tuck into their dens for their annual beauty sleep. But what happens if they wake up early?

From tracking scents to navigating treacherous terrain, we'll learn about the rigorous training and specialized skills of SAR dogs and the incredible bond that forms between handler and canine.

Ruth Woroniecki, 40, slipped on an ice-plated trail in December of 2022. She fell more than 200 feet, tearing ligaments and cracking three vertebrae in her neck.

A climber in the right place at the right time leads a daring rescue of a BASE jumper stranded high on a cliff.

Don't let your own ambitions put you in danger: Knowing when to take a risk and when to run away is an essential skill for every hiker.

Elizabeth Banks’s new film is the latest in a long line of films to turn bears into deeply inaccurate movie monsters. But that’s kind of the point.

There's a lot of outdoor misinformation out there, and we're on a quest to quash it.

They’re big, scaly, and have a massive set of jaws. But as long as they take a few easy precautions, hikers and kayakers can coexist peacefully with gators.

We're taught from a young age to fight our fears. But in the outdoors, sometimes the smart thing to do is to respect them instead.

Dry out your sleeping bag so it will keep you warmer longer.

The backpacking community is a tenacious one. From alligator attacks to danger in the national parks, these 7 stories made our hair stand on end—and taught us a few things about how to stay alive when things go south outdoors.

Cautionary tales from the official journal of the Wilderness Medical Society

When Charlie Finlayson was just 13 and alone with his dad David deep in the backcountry, his father suffered a horrific injury from a rockfall. But Charlie, despite being forced to make decisions way beyond his age and experience, never doubted that his father could survive and that he could help him. Thanks to his unwavering faith, Charlie and David pulled off the impossible.

A pair of hunters wearing camouflage become lost for six days in Alaska. Help is tantalizingly close but just out of reach, as rescuers are unable to see them.

Jeremy Evans takes us through a first-hand account of the catastrophic injuries he sustained after being mauled by a grizzly bear while deep in the Canadian backcountry.

In the second of a two-part episode, listen to a terror-filled tale on one of America's deadliest peaks.

Adrenaline can be a life-saver. But how does it work?

Animal attacks are rare, but it's best to arm yourself with knowledge and know-how before you step foot in the backcountry. Here's how to know when four common animals are about to get defensive.

Listen to a hair-raising account of terror and salvation on one of America's deadliest peaks.

Knowing the difference between fact and fiction might just save your life.

Need a backcountry overnight dwelling in a crisis? Survival skills instructor Jessie Krebs has you covered.

When Svati Narula agreed to spend a season as part of a communications team at Mt. Everest basecamp she thought there would be a buffer between hers and the perils of Everest’s high slopes. But she would find there was no safe distance from the worst disaster in Mt. Everest’s history.

Peter Agricola was mountain biking near his home in Norfolk, Massachusetts when went over the handlebars on a downhill and landed chest-first on a downed log.  

When a rafter was stung by a scorpion, she assumed she’d be fine. Then she lost her ability to see or speak clearly.

In June 2021, Andrew Devers disappeared after setting out for a dayhike in Washington’s Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

While snow climbing, William Toor and Mariella Colvin fell nearly 1,000 feet down a couloir in Rocky Mountain National Park.

A first-hand account of an alligator attack in Florida.

A firsthand account of a free-solo accident in the Sierra Nevada.

On the "easy" climbs up Mexico's volcanoes, ignorance and arrogance can be deadly. A classic story from the Backpacker archives.

A group of researchers from University of California, Irvine investigated the link between SAR incidents, park visitation, and Twitter posts. Their conclusions could inform how hikers portray their own adventures—and view those of others—online

Cave divers Rick Stanton and Dr. Richard Harris, two of the most influential rescuers from the Thai Cave Rescue, disclose how their pursuit of an unusual and dangerous hobby made them some of the only people anywhere who would have a chance to save the lives of 12 boys and their coach. 

Trauma specialist and psychologist Dr. Alison Roy is confronted with helping her own family heal in the aftermath of a vicious, rabid animal attack.

Yes, you can find snake repellent on shelves. It won’t keep snakes away from your campsite.

Andrew Devers survived 9 days near the Pratt River Trail in Washington by drinking stream water and eating berries. But the biggest threat to his own survival and only hope turned out to be himself.

In 2013, Mary Grimm got lost amid whiteout conditions on Mt. Hood. She spent six days alone before anyone found her.

In 2013, Mary Grimm got lost amid whiteout conditions on Mt. Hood. She spent six days alone before anyone found her.

A routine flight turns into a fight for life.

Rattlesnakes bite 150,000 pets each year in the U.S. These innovative rattlesnake training courses could save you and your canine companion.

Our resident bruin answers all your questions in 'Ask A Bear.'

Night is falling, and you’re far from the trailhead without a tent. Time to build your own all-natural Airbnb.

Staying safe in bear country is important, but you know what’s more important? Looking cool in front of your friends.

Should you climb a tree to get away from a bruin? Do bear bells really attract bears? We tackle these questions and more.

In July 2013, Matt Dyer was lucky enough to see a polar bear in Canada’s Torngat Mountains. His good fortune ended there.

Got a burning ursine question? Ask our resident bruin expert in our 'Ask A Bear' column.

Can the most common bear deterrent work in heavy wind and sub-zero temperatures? A group of researchers set out to test it.

In 2013, Mary Grimm got lost amid whiteout conditions on Mt. Hood. She spent six days alone before anyone found her.

Knowing fact from fiction can help you avoid—and survive—a 54,000℉ strike.

In this film based on a true incident on Mount Washington, particulars are off but the message is hope.

Think they perish in winter? Not a chance.

For many bears, winter means hibernate or die. Here's what they do to survive. Plus: how climate change puts newborn cubs in danger.

Craving backcountry snow adventures? First, use this primer to learn how to identify and avoid slide-prone terrain. Then decide if you need an avalanche safety course to maximize your winter fun.

Long-lasting Covid symptoms can affect your hiking performance at high elevations. Here's how to prepare.

The "Ten Essentials"—ten items supposedly necessary for a safe hike—are a widely-accepted dogma in backpacking. But new research adds to the narrative.

When campfires are allowed, it's important to know how to light them—and how to put them out.

Amber Kohnhorst was hundreds of miles from her nearest friend when she fell down a cliff and broke her back.

Floods, falls, ornery wildlife: Find out if you have what it takes to survive a desert dayhike gone wrong.

Humans have been starting fires without matches longer than with them. Can our modern man measure up?

Stay safe and move efficiently on loose, steep terrain with these tips.

'Marking your territory' to keep bears away from your tent may seem like a smart idea. The reality: It does more harm than good.

A heart-stopping bolt hits one hiker and levels a group of his friends who then fight to resuscitate him.

From a leaky tent to a bout of hypothermia, these misadventures left us wiser in the end.

Did ranger Randy Morgenson succumb to disaster or despair?

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.