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Hiking

Archive

More than a dozen testers moved, sweated, stretched, arm balanced, and meditated on 35 mats. These are the ones we’re still practicing on.

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Sure, it’s heavy. But this setup allows me to bring the comforts of home deep into the mountains.

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Can’t take it anymore? We hear you. Step up to the void and scream it out on these six trails.

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Five questions with the Santa Fe–based ultrarunner about coaching high schoolers, running backyard ultras, and staying focused while out on the trail

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I’ve optimized my clothing system over the years and have a few pieces that I go back to again and again

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If you’re going to carry your kid on a hiking, skiing, or biking adventure, these five items will make the journey easier and more fun. I’ve tried them all.

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In response to a shrinking budget, the land-management agency is suspending seasonal hiring next year. Public lands will bear the cost.

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Like humans, dogs have accidents in the backcountry. So what do you do if your canine hiking companion is in distress?

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Our hiking columnist tested Satisfy’s pricey Dyneema shorts. Turns out, the most expensive product isn’t always the best.

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Katmai's famous Fat Bear Week contest is about to celebrate its tenth anniversary—but for the first time, its biggest star is nowhere to be found. We pay tribute to a true champion.

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Our hiking columnist phoned up experts along the iconic pathway to get a sense of the destruction left by Hurricane Helene

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Some of the AT’s most famous towns and their residents bore the worst of Helene’s damage. Hikers who were on trail discuss the moment that the storm hit—and locals contemplate the long recovery ahead.

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Parks and trail towns along the southern reaches of the AT are devastated. Here's how hikers can help.

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Don’t just chuck it in the trash. Here’s the right way to get rid of your spent bear spray.

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Drop the jargon, demystify the tech. We’re bringing you nothing but the facts.

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The husband of runner Camille Herron admitted to having altered the Wikipedia biographies of prominent ultrarunners. The revelation came after a Canadian journalist launched an investigation.

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FKT season has arrived, and no record is safe. Here’s a peek at five of the wildest record attempts we’ve seen go down this year.

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A hiker suffered severe burns after falling into a hydrothermal feature this week. The park responded with a reminder that its hot springs are its deadliest feature.

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Ultrarunner Tara “Candy Mama” Dower shaved 13 hours off Karel Sabbe’s previous record for hiking the iconic route

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Boston Marathon champion Des Linden believes in the performance benefits of caffeine. What does top nutritionist—and elite runner—Magda Boulet say?

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For years, tensions have run high between AT thru-hikers and rangers in Baxter State Park. One hiker wonders, could moving the terminus solve the problem?

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Mountain runner Michelino Sunseri appeared to have climbed the iconic peak in record time, but the arbiters of speed determined it didn’t count

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At 101, Kelty is one of the oldest outdoor industry pioneers alive today

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Five questions with American runner Katie Schide, who recently shattered the course record at France’s UTMB

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Walking from terminus to terminus is a thru-hiker’s dream, but what about when circumstances—or a really cool side trail—lead you on a detour?

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While most of the ultra-trail running crème de la crème are in Chamonix for UTMB, the 36-year-old legend is also in the Alps for a massive undertaking of his own. We sat down with him in person to unpack his relationship with the sport and himself.

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Sponsor Content: KEEN

Meet two artists who want you to be a maker, too

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Trail running just held its Super Bowl in Chamonix, France. Here are three stories from the UTMB weekend.

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Your complete guide to the UTMB races

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Diversifying your footwear keeps your feet dry, comfortable, and healthy. What else could you want?

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Mammoth Lakes locals and the Bishop Paiute Tribal Council were outraged and want others to learn from the tragic incident

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Physical movement, breathwork, and meditation are being used as a stopgap in place of costly therapy

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On a long hike, Snickers, GORP, and instant coffee can start to become as draining as the miles. Here are five—admittedly fancy—alternatives we love.

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Colorado Silver Star, a family-run metalsmith in Denver, has been handcrafting each and every buckle awarded to Leadville 100 finishers for nearly 40 years

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Five questions with running coach David Roche about his improbable victory and course record at the iconic ultramarathon

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As part of a long struggle with alcoholism, I decided to jump-start my recovery with a serious physical challenge: hiking 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail

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You all know not to pet the fluffy cows in Yellowstone, but do you know how to plan a successful visit?

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Articles editor Frederick Dreier explores the societal urge to test oneself under the golden arches

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Sponsor Content: Columbia

Lace up with stable shoes for big gains on the country’s steepest and most scenic hiking ascents

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Plan your next summer escape around these parks, where high latitudes and high altitudes are still keeping temps cool

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Sponsor Content: Columbia

Put traction into action exploring the most rugged hiking routes in the country

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Choosing the right backpack can make or break your trip. Our expert helps make your choices simple.

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After a jump off Yavapai Point ended in tragedy, we asked an expert to help us understand what happened

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He earned an A for resourcefulness and an F for sharing

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It’s the perfect time for long afternoons of reading on the porch or hiding out in the dark in front of a fan and watching a movie

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Sponsor Content: Columbia

Outfit for extra miles and go the distance on these top long-distance trails

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Our trail columnist spent the summer hiking with novice backpackers to come up with this key advice for beginners

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We’re headed to Kathmandu for two weeks of school-building, teahouse trekking, and incredible Himalayan views. Want in?

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If rising temperatures have you clamoring to stay inside until fall, you can adapt your body to them and thrive on the trail

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These are the symptoms to look out for and how to save your dog’s life if they start to overheat

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Debris flies hundreds of feet in the air in this video recorded by a Yellowstone hiker

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Over the past 15 years, ultralight gear has gone mainstream—and gotten a bit heavier, too

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It's Dauwalter’s third straight course-record win, while almost 49-year-old Pommeret nailed the grueling 100-mile event on the first try to take down Kilian Jornet’s course record

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After recovering quickly from the emergency surgery on July 5, Miller was hopeful to start the 100-mile race through Colorado's San Juan Mountains

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Sponsor Content: Travel Texas

How to take your wild child (or children) on a western adventure they’ll never forget

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Our writer dove into the inner workings of the Backpacker’s Pantry factory to learn the tricks of the trade

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Like millions of Americans, Outside’s articles editor took his family camping over the long weekend. But are the stresses that parents endure during a typical family camping trip worth the struggle?

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Descending a trail strains your muscles and ligaments. Our hiking columnist asked a physical therapist how to avoid aches and pains on your next downhill adventure.

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Even for thru-hikers with a wealth of long trail experience, the Colorado Trail offers challenges all its own

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On Tuesday, a horse slid off the side of a popular backcountry trail, falling 30 feet into a ravine

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Sponsor Content: Toyota

In episode five of Ultimate Mountain Athlete, presented by the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, the first season concludes with the Free Ski contest before the final points are tallied and winners are announced

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What may sound like freedom to us can create total sensory overload in your pup

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After spending her infant years ascending New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks in a carrier, Lydia Pearson recently accomplished the challenge on her own two feet—summiting all 48 of them

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Apple’s new iOS 18 update allows its products to work off-grid. But are phones a suitable replacement for purpose-built backcountry communication tools?

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Unplugged thru-hikes are increasingly rare—but not extinct. Here's how to thru-hike without a smart phone.

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The new Forloh BTM Pros might look the Fjallraven Kebs, but they’re made in America, and far more durable

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Five questions with Shilletha “Dragonsky” Curtis, whose memoir ‘Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself’ explores her transformative hike on the Appalachian Trail

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This fruit-based energy gel, once touted for its high-carb intake and low volume, contains about a third of calories than advertised, multiple independent nutritional analyses suggest

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Our editors asked their fathers about a piece of gear they’ve held onto over the years, and what it means to them

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Getting bit? It could be your backcountry hygiene—or lack thereof.

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From bucket hats to visors, headgear blocks out the sun and helps define your trail persona. Our hiking columnist helps you choose which hat is best for you.

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Backpacker editors go head-to-head on the most controversial of feminine hygiene accessories

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But popularity online could also be the ticket to better funding for parks with lower engagement

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The tragedy offers some sobering lessons for anyone who spends time outdoors

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Five questions with Matt Lyons, the Instagram comedian who skewers outdoor cliques

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A great trail is eternal. See if you can pick out some of America’s best hikes in these photos from the National Park Service’s archives.

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From our favorite hikes in national parks and every state to the most beautiful trails in the world, here’s what to put on your trekking bucket list. Plus, maps, beta, and more to get 'er done.

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Sponsor Content: Lexus

Watch Freida Pinto and Cory Tran take full advantage of everything the surreal landscape has to offer

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The bills would have instructed the state to seek reimbursement when hikers needed rescue from a closed trail, but they faced opposition from emergency personnel

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