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Officials said the hikers were “ill-prepared” for winter weather. New Hampshire is one of the few to levy fines on rescued hikers deemed to have entered the wilderness unprepared. Could they pay?

When the European colonists arrived, American chestnut trees were a dominant species throughout most of the eastern piedmont and Appalachian Mountain range. Their trunks could grow to be 10 feet wide and stretch upward of 105 feet into the canopy; limbs spanned an equally wide footprint. The trees could live for three or more centuries and covered an estimated 300,000 square miles of land from Maine to Mississippi.

Arizona is among the states with the highest number of lightning deaths and injuries. Severe weather—including lightning, hail, and heavy rain—can occur unexpectedly and frequently at high elevations, particularly in the northern part of the state.

After two hikers lost their way during an unexpected snowstorm in Washington’s Snoqualmie region, search and rescue personnel are urging anyone recreating in the backcountry to be prepared. Here’s a list of 10 essential items everyone should include in their daykit.

The endurance athlete’s ill-fated run up and down the Grand occurred on September 2, 2024. He shaved a sliver off the standard 13-mile route, taking an informal trail to circumvent a switchback on the descent. As a result of the cut, Fastest Known Time refused to recognize his record.

The author and her partner recently ascended a 10,000-foot peak in the Cascades while dressed for a cocktail party

New restrictions in some parts of New Mexico require hikers to obtain a permit to access the southern terminus of the Continental Divide Trail, and appear to ban most non-U.S. citizens from it entirely. Here's what we know about the situation so far.

Grizzly attacks are most common in the spring, when sows are defending their cubs, and in the fall during hyperfagia, a period of extensive eating to prepare for winter. Although both hikers were hospitalized—one in critical condition—both are expected to recover.

After collapsing into tears at the trail terminus, the 30-year-old hiker welcomed her birthday with Oreos

Idaho’s rugged Sawtooth Valley is as remote as it gets, and it’s not a place where you’d want to have a problem

Alex Honnold announces he will free solo a skyscraper live on Netflix, plus one missing hiker was rescued using a simple, inexpensive tool. �����ԹϺ��� has you covered in this edition of our weekly news roundup.

Madeleine Bryant completed the entire end-to-end Grand Canyon trek alongside her father over the course of 17 years

Authorities report three suspects are in custody for initial felony charges

Two hunters were killed by a lightning strike in Colorado, plus Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel skied from the summit of Mount Everest without the use of supplemental oxygen. �����ԹϺ��� has you covered in this edition of our weekly news roundup.

The duo sustained non-life threatening injuries in the attack, and were able to drive themselves to a local hospital

John "Legend" Garmine used his hike to raise more than $29,000 for the Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth

For those who aren’t chasing game but still want to wander the woods, �����ԹϺ��� rounded up five safety tips to keep yourself safe while adventuring outside

On most days, she was the first person on the trail. That led to some close encounters with the local wildlife.

Both parties were on the non-technical Clear Creek route. �����ԹϺ��� spoke with climbing officials to find out what happened and why.

The iconic American action star hiked Northern California’s 10,457-foot Lassen Peak

Colorado’s “Climbing Smiths” completed the 67 highest peaks in the contiguous United States in 1974. It took them just 48 days.

After a weeklong search consisting of more than 50 search and rescue teams, both men were found deceased on September 18

She was the only hiker ever to die while seeking the summit of central Colorado’s most famous 14er. A member of the successful search team investigates who she was, how her death—and her recovery 19 years later—impacted her family, and what we all need to consider before heading into the alpine.

The “Save Our Signs” project is attempting to archive as many signs as possible before they are removed, and hopes park visitors will contribute

The largest Western Larch in the U.S has survived the plague, and the Industrial Revolution. It's also a stones-throw from a major highway.

Thousands of people flock to Illinois' “Snake Road” every year to view the slithering serpent crossing

Family members of one of the missing hunters confirmed the news on September 18

A 29-year-old solo hiker suffered "significant but non-life-threatening" wounds in the attack, which occurred on the Turbid Lake Trail

The full extent of the damage is unclear, though some social media users have stated that the petroglyphs were “bulldozed"

Ultimately, responders said the incident was a preventable waste of time and resources

From Half Dome to The Wave, some of the most renowned outdoor destinations require reservations. Still want to go? Get out your calendar and mark these dates.

In light of multiple alleged dog-related assaults on trails, �����ԹϺ��� consulted a canine behavioral researcher to learn more about training and protecting our furry best friends

Big Bend does not see many visitors, but it has a high relative death rate.

Last year, Sunseri broke the speed record for ascending and descending the 13,775-foot peak. The record was shortly revoked

Five years after Forrest Fenn’s bronze chest was found, a Canadian treasure hunt is reigniting the wild search for riches

Six questions to ask yourself before adventuring into the outdoors, according to the National Park Service.

Hikers in British Columbia and Montana successfully fended off attacking bears in two separate incidents using this compact deterrent.

From proximity alerts to downloadable map options, the app’s new tools keep users in the flow no matter where they are

At least one popular trail in the area has been closed due to severe weather

The area around a popular lake trail is replete with human waste. Park officials may install a permanent toilet.

An alpine marriage proposal, a California coastal trek, and other tales of outdoor exploration with furry friends.

Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness offers a million acres of raw mountain terrain

The Farmer’s Almanac predicts these 21 states will showcase the most stunning fall leaves this year—here’s when to catch them at their peak

Instead of a dedicated satellite messaging system for emergencies, I decided to trust the new feature on my phone—and it worked

Two years after our colleague argued the merits of the tiny dogs, a glacier rescue in Switzerland adds considerable clout to his take

Your partner doesn't hike. So what?

Four rescues in June prompted SAR squads to issue a request to pet owners: “these pup emergencies can be prevented.”

These hiking shoes breathe, grip, and manage moisture in heat and humidity

Five distress calls in seven days prompted the local search and rescue team to warm visitors to hike with caution

We need to rebrand the outdoor activity, which is ideal for families, cheaper than buying new gear, and often more accessible than traditional camping

Officials have reminded the public that summer conditions can quickly become dangerously cold and windy atop the 6,288-foot peak

After seeing a dramatic uptick in search and rescue calls, an official in southern Washington is threatening to charge hikers who are deemed to be negligent

Rescuers located Israeli-American hiker Samuel Vengrinovich near the city of Dharamshala in India’s Himalayan foothills

Search and rescue teams believe the mission to save the stricken hikers resulted in the highest helicopter medevac in state history

A medevac crew in southern Colorado completed a helicopter rescue on the 14,055-foot mountain, which was recently reopened to hikers

I wish the Near Zero �����ԹϺ��� Bundle had been around when I started backpacking

Federal cutbacks will leave our favorite pathways without vital resources and maintenance this year. Our hiking columnist explains how you can grab a chainsaw and a shovel and get involved.

We drank more than 100 cups of coffee and professionally cupped 24 to find instant coffee you will be happy to pack in

Hikers around the world are rediscovering Spain's Camino de Santiago, Medieval Europe's version of the thru-hike. A veteran of the pilgrimage shares his tips for getting your boots on the path.

The year’s top gear for outdoor adventures, reviewed here

Battered by Antarctic storms in the southern Andes at the very tip of Chile, I met my biggest mental outdoor challenge yet on the Dientes de Navarino, the southernmost trail in the world.

Because the natural elements you'll be surrounded by can easily destroy your meds

First step: Accept that mud is inevitable on any trail

Two hikers are lucky to be alive after one of them plummeted down a cliff along Northern California’a famed trekking route

This basic piece of gear can make or break your hiking experience

Fend off fatigue by eating enough of the essential macronutrient

Practice these for hanging gear, tensioning guylines, and joining ropes

Trail veterans often jerry-rig the popular Sawyer Squeeze water filter onto a bomb-proof Vecto bladder. Now, the two products come together as a unit.

From nutrition myths to getting protein, our experts break down how to stay fueled and feeling good on your next big hiking trip

Strong legs make for easy miles. Get yours ready for your next big trip with this advice.

Backpacking in the snowy season doesn’t need to be an ordeal. We polled our colleagues to find out their best gear tips for packing for snowy adventures.

With a child-free week ahead of him, one dad decides to summit as many local peaks as he can. In the end, he learns something about adventure, accomplishment, and himself.

Not bringing ice cleats or crampons on an icy hike can be frustrating at best, and deadly at worst. Here’s how to know what you need—and some staff-tested recommendations fo what to buy.

Awe doesn’t have to be reserved for far-flung places. Instead, take a moment to learn about the landscape just outside your door.

Here’s to a new year of adventure. Fill your 2025 calendar with day trips and thru-hikes to summit peaks, remote forests, and urban escapes with our picks for the best destinations of the year.

When our trail columnist first started sliding silicone spacers between his toes, friends chuckled. But now these little separators are getting the moment they deserve.