Survival School: How to Downclimb
Learn how to get down safely when you've climbed into a dangerous position.
Videos & Photos
Videos & Photos
Survival School: Make a Splint
Broken a bone in the backcountry? Here's how to make a splint with what's right in your pack.
Survival School: Treat Hypothermia
Hypothermia can set in in as little as 30 minutes--and can kill. Here's your plan of action if your partner is suffering from the symptoms.
Survival School: Make Emergency Sunglasses
Got duct tape? You can make a quick pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from harm.
Survival School: Build an Emergency Shelter
Learn to build an emergency shelter with the materials around you in a couple of simple steps.
Survival School: Sharpen a Knife With a Rock
Use this technique to sharpen your knife with nothing but a rock.
11 Haunted Hikes That Will Give You the Chills
Ghostly tales and unsolved mysteries will send a chill down your spine on these spooky hikes.
Coconut Chia Pudding
Chia is the darling of the nutrient dense treat world, and this no-brainer showcases its versatility.
Backcountry Eggs in a Bag
Get your eggs fix with none of the mess with this easy method.
The Best Hikes for Thrill-Seekers
Wild, adventurous, and possibly dangerous trails.
Survival School: Windproof Your Fire
Wind can destroy your fire or create a serious forest fire hazard. Here's how to windproof it.
Survival School: Windproof Your Fire
Wind can destroy your fire or create a serious forest fire hazard. Here's how to windproof it.
Survival School: Six Things That Burn
A lot of unexpected things burn long and hot enough to get your fire going. Here are six that you can make at home and pack with you.
Survival School: Six Things That Burn
A lot of unexpected things burn long and hot enough to get your fire going. Here are six that you can make at home and pack with you.
Survival School: Fire 101
Learn the right way to site, start, maintain, and extinguish a low-impact fire.
Survival School: Fire 101
Learn the right way to site, start, maintain, and extinguish a low-impact fire.
Survival School: Start a Fire With One Match
Only one match left? Here's how to get a campfire going.
Survival School: Start a Fire With One Match
Only one match left? Here's how to get a campfire going.
Survival School: Start a Fire With Whiskey
Put this backpacking-favorite libation to work in getting a fire going.
Survival School: Start a Fire With Whiskey
Put this backpacking-favorite libation to work in getting a fire going.
Survival School: Purify Water With a Plastic Bag
Boiling water is a guaranteed way to purify it, but in a survival situation, you probably won’t have a pot and stove. Here’s how to heat your water with just a plastic bag and a fire.
Get Out More: Sleep Warmer
Our team shows you how to stay cozy on cold backcountry nights.
Get Out More Tour
Find out more about the Get Out More Tour - coming to a city near you!
Get Out More: How to Layer Your Clothing
Learn about the three layers: base, mid and outer shell.
Make Lemon Herb Trout
Take your fresh-caught trout to the next level with this recipe from Charlie Borrowman, cooking instructor for Wolf College at Washington.
Make Salmon Curry
Bold flavors, spices, and heat take this dish to the next level.
The Ten Essentials
Don't leave home without the 10 most important items in your pack.
Get Out More: What to Eat on the Trail
Use a simple calculation system to figure out how many calories you need to consume while on the trail.
Get Out More: How to Keep Your Gear Dry
Learn how to keep your pack and gear dry.
Make Delicious French Toast
This decadent breakfast treat will make your morning. Learn how to make it here, courtesy of American Alpine Institute's Andy Stephen.
Out Alive: Survive A Grizzly Attack
One couple's harrowing escape from a predatory bear.
Out Alive: Survive A Grizzly Attack
One couple's harrowing escape from a predatory bear.
Bourbon Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is the ultimate way to end your day—or start it.
The 12 Best Fall Leaf Hikes to See Color This Autumn
Grab your camera and hike to leaf-lover paradise this autumn.
The Best Stargazing Spots for Backpackers
Pitch your tent in one of these 9 parks for a prime view of the cosmos.
The Best Volcano Hikes in the U.S.
Make like Frodo and climb one of these volcanically active peaks—no passport required.
2014 Fall Book Roundup
6 new books that backpackers will love this season.
The Best National Park Dayhikes
Only have a day to spare? Here are our short-and-sweet picks for 10 popular national parks
The Best Ghost Town Hikes in the U.S.
These eerily beautiful ghost towns—complete with abandoned mines and train depots—add historical interest to nearby hikes.
10 Wildflowers That Can Kill You
Here are 10 poisonous and otherwise hazardous flowers to watch out for on the trail.
The Best Fossil Hikes in North America
Want to feel young? Hike to some of the continent's coolest prehistoric sites.
6 Sweet New Stoves at Outdoor Retailer 2014
The backcountry stove market is heating up! We tracked down six brand-new options for cooks of every kind, plus one revolutionary pot.
The 7 Coolest Tents at Outdoor Retailer Summer 2014
"Livability" is this year's buzzword for tents. Some do it by cutting weight, others by making huge tents you can stand in. Our senior editor picked out his favorites.
The Best Watchtower Hikes in the U.S.
These towers offer the best views in town, and you can hike to them.
The Best Lighthouse Hikes in the U.S.
These see-worthy beacons are just a day hike away.
16 Great Songs for Backpacking
From folk songs to oldies to rock 'n roll, this eclectic list will inspire your next trip.
Climbing Mount Shasta
BACKPACKER readers are climbing 14,180-ft Mt. Shasta in support of Big City Mountaineers! Check out the photos from their summit bid.
Hall of Fame: Camp Food
An indisputable fact of hiking life: Food tastes better outdoors. A simple cheese sandwich can be heaven. A chunk of dark chocolate feels like a winning lottery ticket. And a savory, hot meal can turn a tired, wet hiker into an entirely new person.
The 10 Best Outdoor Dog Breeds
These pups love the trail just as much as you do.
Reader Photo Contest
Enter your best shot in our monthly photo contest.
Beautiful Fall Foliage Photos
Check out these amazing photos of fall colors across the country and beyond, from Yosemite to Banff to Acadia.
2014 Reader Adventure Travel Photos
Our readers travel to some of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the world. Need proof? Just get an eyeful of these winning entries.
6 Trail-Ready Summer Cocktails
Hand-picked summer refreshments from our Backcountry Bartenders.
Out Alive: Swept Away
As water crashes through a 70-foot-high slot canyon, three hikers have to make the ultimate choice to survive.
Gear Review: EMS Traverse Tent
See why this dependable year-round shelter shined with our testers.
Don't Get Lost
Our Get Out More team has five easy tips for staying on course in the backcountry.
Gear Review: Scarpa Zen Pro
This versatile hybrid features to-the-toe lacing, a softshell tongue, and thick suede leather.
Voormi High-E Hoodie
Rocky Mountain wool made this versatile layer a top pick for our testers.
Gear Review: Spyder Nordwand Ski Pants
The three-layer construction of these ski pants offers good breathability and waterproofness.
Crux Plasma Puffy Jacket
This jacket is “epically warm."
Gear Review: Zeal Penny Lane Sunglasses
Testers praised the fit and coverage of these glasses—from sweaty, 120°F descents into the Grand Canyon to a cold summit near Yellowstone.
Gear Review: Dynafit TLT6 Ski Boots
A lightweight ski boot with downhill precision.
Gear Review: Arc'teryx Beta LT Shell Jacket
Durability and light package make this jacket shine.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Equipment Anthem Backpack
Our team loved this stabilty of this pack for carrying skis and tools, and raved about the back panel that zips open.
Gear Review: Big Agnes Shovelhead Puffy Jacket
Big Agnes brings their sleeping bag tech to puffy jackets.
Gear Review Black Diamond Factor MX Ski Boots
A bona fide touring boot with solid downhill performance.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Ice Pack
This pack is waterproof, practically weightless for the size, and as far as we could tell, indestructible.
Flylow Lab Coat
A breathable fortress that's perfect for powder hounds.
Mountain Hardwear Grub Glove
These convertibles combine the best of mittens and gloves.
Gear Review: Fjallraven Akka Endurance 2 Tent
A shelter built to withstand the worst weather on Earth.
Easton Torrent 2P
A four-season tent with all-around excellence.
Gear Review: Freewater GPS Sandals
The most supportive, comfortable sandals we've found in years.
6 Must-See Waterfall Hikes
With summer (finally) approaching, these gushers guarantee refreshment with a big side of splendor.
Gear Review: Oakley Airbrake Snow Goggles
Oakley’s Switchlock Technology makes swapping lenses a cinch–even while wearing gloves.
Salomon Tour Jacket
This fully water-proof, breathable hardshell skips the bells and whistles and straight-up performs.
Tarptent Scarp 1
At 2 pounds, 15 ounces, this ultralight tent impressed.
Gear Review: The North Face Banchee
This multiday pack is perfect for type As who love organization, ventilation, and maximum adjustability.