Hiking and Backpacking
Archive
GPS trackers and cell phones give us a false sense of security in the wilderness. And with more thru-hikers than ever set to take on the Appalachian Trail this year, we should be on alert.
In 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes, Jennifer Pharr Davis hiked from Georgia to Maine鈥攁 total of 2,181 miles. That time stands as the women's record for fastest thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. In this short video from filmmaker Kerrin Sheldon, Davis talks about what the…
Whenever he needed to check his email, Mahabir Pun made a two-day trek from Nangi, a mountain village in western Nepal, to Pokhara, the nearest city with Internet access. In 2001, he sent an email to the BBC聽asking for ideas on how to connect his remote community to the web,…
A one-stop guide on what to wear while hiking this spring and summer
Between Earth and Sky is an inspiring and visceral short film shot and directed by Australian filmmaker Benjamin Dowie in the French Alps while adventuring with his good friend and fellow filmmaker Mathieu Le Lay. During this same adventure, Le Lay produced Walk the…
Officials at Baxter State Park, at the north end of the AT, are concerned about an anticipated increase in the number of thru-hikers tramping through the park. Their solution? Hiker registration cards.
Plug in your headphones and get ready to binge. These podcasts give 鈥楽erial鈥 a run for its money.
One of the hardest parts of the PCT is simply getting to the southern start, in the middle of the desert by the U.S.-Mexico border
The latest tech innovation in tents doesn鈥檛 reduce weight, it lights them up
No one has ever completed the 2,180-mile trail heading southbound and starting in December, but this full-time hiker is trying
The New Hampshire politician shares his state pride by tackling a legendary hiking challenge鈥攐ver and over
The only problem you鈥檒l have in the planet鈥檚 ultimate adventure mecca is deciding what to do first
Juicier, tastier meat that's easier to cook. And all you need is a natural hot spring.
Upstart companies are offering to ship customers primo boxes of hand-selected outdoor tool and toys
Remembering a leader whose talents were hard to match and whose enthusiasm was contagious
We put the new Gore-Tex Active fabric through its paces during a two-week test in Vermont and B.C. and found that there's no better option for athletes who move fast and light
Nature eases stress, and there鈥檚 no better way to offset the collective holiday insanity than by escaping to wild places. Presenting five family adventures for a meaningful season.
It's a different kind of nostalgia when you're out in the backcountry (or out of the country) and trying to preserve the holiday spirit鈥攂ut these adventurers did their best and lived to tell the tale
When George Rue started hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail six summers ago at age 18, he carried a sketchpad, intending to use it as both diary and camera.
Travel south and stay warm for a long walk on these worthy winter trails
Trevor Thomas lost his sight as a young man, but that hasn鈥檛 stopped him from turning pro as a long-distance hiker. His insights will give you a whole new perspective on the outdoors.
A family of backcountry maximalists learns to love going fast and light
Presenting the best trips in one of the hemisphere's hottest travel regions.
Heather Anderson just crushed the record for the fastest known unsupported Appalachian Trail thru-hike. That makes her the biggest badass you鈥檝e never heard of.
We break down the science behind these devices and explore which ones will keep you safest
Simone Anne soloed all 220 miles of the trail in a month, capturing her favorite moments along the way and posting them to her feed.
Walk the Ridge, from filmmaker Mathieu Le Lay, is a short film that aims to share the deep feelings one can experience while hiking in the mountains.聽Le Lay spent several days hiking four mountain peaks in the French Alps with his…
In 1990, a grisly double homicide on America鈥檚 most famous hiking route shocked the nation and forever changed our ideas about crime, violence, and safety in the outdoors
Overcrowding on the country鈥檚 most popular thru-hiking destination may come to a head, as the route鈥檚 managers contemplate imposing a hiker limit
We stopped seven trekkers passing through Oregon to find out what they couldn't live without on their 2,550-mile journeys
Columbia Sportswear announces it will pay two people a full six-month salary, plus benefits, to test gear around the world
Columbia just reinvented the rain jacket, and it works great
Gear companies know how to make packs lighter, jackets more waterproof, and skis burlier. The only problem: young people couldn鈥檛 care less.
From beer to bourbon, here鈥檚 how to cut loose (safely) while camping
Bushwhacking, pack rafts, and a historic float down one of the world's most beautiful wildernesses.
This is a longterm relationship that will have a major impact on your lifestyle. It pays to choose wisely.
And meet the man who鈥檚 made it his mission to keep it that way
The Wikipedia (and Google Street View) of the outdoors will change your life
Nothing beats campfire cuisine, if you know what you鈥檙e doing
The former Appalachian Trail speed record holder responds to how she feels about Scott Jurek鈥檚 FKT and reflects on her time on the trail
Could this be the last rain jacket you鈥檒l ever buy?
A space-saving design with that real water-bottle feel
Scrutinizing what kind of tent, sleeping bag, and pack you need for a multiday trip can be difficult. Here鈥檚 a comprehensive overview of how to find exactly what you need and assess it with confidence.
We used to write. Let's bring that back.
The stigma is gone. For years, canned beers were derided for their metallic taste. Worse, the options were limited鈥攆ew breweries canned beer that you鈥檇 want to sample, let alone drink 12 ounces of. Then, Oskar Blues started canning its flagship Dale鈥檚 Pale Ale in 2002. And everything changed.
The best stories aren't just on paper anymore. Our (totally subjective) ranking assembles the millenium's 33 best new classics.
Smell like the great outdoors, no matter where you are.
Not long ago, there were three clearly defined categories for jackets: waterproof hard shells, stretchy and breathable soft shells, and wind shells.
This brew lovers鈥 dream camping trip lets you sip high-quality suds deep in the California wilderness
Can鈥檛 fit two to five months into your schedule to hike the PCT? No worries. These monthlong thru-hikes are just as good.
Our anonymous survey results are in. These are the genuine horrors and joys of leading strangers into the wild.
A different kind of close shave, inspired by one of the world's most famous alpinists and photographers.
We've cut the fat (and circumnavigated the crowds) so you can enjoy any of these thrilling parks in just one day
Get a jump on the crowds. Explore our favorite hidden corners, empty spaces, and wild places in ten iconic National Parks
Hiking boots get a long-overdue dose of style.
With trail traffic increasing following the release of 'Wild,' the association overseeing the PCT wants to block new races. The move has prompted a Change.org petition from some very angry runners.
Where to camp, how to navigate鈥攁nd how not to get stuck
Don鈥檛 just throw money at the problem. Master layering鈥攜es, even for summer!鈥攁nd the outdoors will never be the same.
The most innovative multitool we've seen in years.
A new effort to add removable solar power panels to hard goods may finally make the tech indispensable for the outdoor set.
We asked an expert to watch the horror movie 鈥楤ackcountry鈥 and break down the myths and realities of encountering one of the forest's most intimidating animals
Don't plan any vacations before reading this year's Best of Travel winners.