Hikes Gone Wrong

Bees. Eye injury. Wiping with the wrong leaf (the horror). Backpacker editors and writers share stories of hikes that went sideways in a big way.

bear slayer hikes gone wrong

A young hiker goes from zero to wilderness hero and back again in record time.

just desserts hike gone wrong

Showing off on a hike doesn't always go the way you plan it.

the wrong leaf hikes gone wrong

Just because there’s no poison ivy around doesn’t mean you’re in friendly territory.

eye for an eye hikes gone wrong

An AT thru-hiker invites friends along for a comedy of horrors.

Stung hikes gone wrong

When a group of hikers disturb a beehive, things can’t get worse. Until they do.

mutiny hikes gone wrong

Optimism isn’t a weather forecast.