Hiking and Backpacking
Archive
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’ dream camping trip lets you sip high-quality suds deep in the California wilderness
Can’t 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—and how not to get stuck
Don’t just throw money at the problem. Master layering—yes, even for summer!—and 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 ‘Backcountry’ 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.
These adventure geniuses will make your next trip the one you never, ever forget.
A flashlight, a fitness tracker, a GPS...the list goes on.
Stuff these in your pack and head out of the country with peace of mind
Think Cheryl Strayed is tough? Meet these guys.
Control your sustainable energy on the go with a smartphone app
This year, go beyond Daytona Beach to surf Puerto Rico, fish the Bahamas, or explore an Ecuadorean rainforest. (Don't worry, skiers—there's neck-deep powder here for you, too.)
Discover Mount Hood at the bottom of your empty beer glass.
It doesn't take much to feel like you've gotten away.
Three new, surprising offerings from a heritage knife maker.
That's how Mark Twain defined a gold miner. But when our writer heard head-spinning treasure tales from a legendary prospector named Flint Carter, he organized a full-scale expedition into the mountains near Tucson, Arizona. Following a hand-drawn map, the team lit out for the harsh Sonoran Desert hopped up on gold fever in search of the fabled Lost City.
Barely-there shells for all kinds of conditions
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a droplet of water cascading off of a cliff? If you try waterfall jumping, you might just find out.
A portable sound system built for the demands of the outdoors
Among the benefits to hitting the trail in winter? No mosquitoes. But there are more!
Saddle up for brisk days and cozy fireside nights at some of the plushest digs in the West.
What to do when it's dark and frigid outside? We have some ideas. For starters, try building a backyard sauna, mixing up a powerful cocktail, joining a mountain race, mixing up a powerful cocktail, joining a mountain race, creating the perfect cabin fire, learning to dogsled, swinging a war hammer, kicking back with a classic adventure book, or escaping to a tropical island. Just hurry up—spring will be here before you know it.
If lingering holiday malaise and winter's cold, short days are knocking you off your game, look no further. One of these trips is sure to recharge you.
If you've never been to India, go with a company that knows the ropes, even in a well-traveled state like Kerala. Here's how to do it right.
That's what they call the southern Indian state of Kerala, a laid-back tropical paradise where you can paddle hidden backwaters, trek the rugged Western Ghats, look for tigers, indulge in Ayurvedic treatments, and chill out on unspoiled beaches. Just leave your manic Western self behind.
From that time Lance Armstrong showed us how to fix a flat tire to an investigation into USA Swimming’s sex abuse scandal, we look back at the stories that defined the year.
Photographer Ian Tuttle set up camp three times throughout the summer on the Pacific Crest Trail, capturing snippets of the 2,663-mile trail that stretches the length of the West Coast. He made portraits of those he met, asked them questions, and even followed up with a few after their time on the trail.
Canadian Kate Harris' sure-fire two-step guide on how to become a modern explorer.
Plus three more sheep-wool alternatives to keep you warm this winter.
For adventurers, explorers, athletes—and anyone else who's been really, really good this year.
The crude that would feed the XL pipeline comes from a once pristine part of Alberta that now resembles mining operations on a sci-fi planet. At places like Fort McKay, home to First Nations people who've lived there for centuries, the money is great but the environmental and health impacts are exceedingly grim.
The movie version of Cheryl Strayed's hit book features Reese Witherspoon like you've rarely seen her—tangled hair, ratty clothes, and dirt under her fingernails. But the backpacking film has a secret: it's actually a brutal story about loss and love.
Is there such a thing as the greatest vista on earth? The Japanese think so, and they've got the breathtaking Three Scenic Views, a trio of iconic landscapes that stand above the rest. One writer takes them all in on a breakneck tour.
Lightweight, durable, and comfy, this gear finds its way into Chris Solomon's pack every time he heads out the front door.
We'd known about the storm for days, so how come hundreds of trekkers were caught off guard?
There are many threats to the 50-year-old Wilderness Act. But the most dangerous, Kenneth Brower says, comes from those who are chipping away at the very idea of wilderness itself.
Come for the solitude on the island's unpeopled parts and check out the dedicated ex-pat community if you decide you never want to leave.
It may be the oldest emotion. Before happiness, before sorrow, before exhilaration, and way, way before the urge to climb mountains and bomb down steeps, there was fear. Now scientists are finding new ways to help us conquer our deepest anxieties—and use them to perform even better.
Five business icons share how they flipped the switch on their careers—and how you can follow in their footsteps.
Jack Kerouac spent the summer of 1956 manning a fire tower on Washington's Desolation Peak, in the northern Cascades. He didn't do much writing there, apparently, despite being alone with pencil and paper. But he stayed for 63 days. The views were good.
Cheryl Strayed started out on the legendary 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail with no backpacking experience, too-small boots, and a massive pack she nicknamed Monster. She learned a thing or two about gear on that 93-day trek (REI’s return policy saved her on one occasion), and she writes about some of…
When you have only the weekend to get outside and play, it helps to have an adventure-ready daypack prepacked and ready to go. Think of it as your bug-out bag, but instead of fleeing an impending apocalypse, you’re escaping from the tedium of your workweek. So whether you’re going…
A smart probe that crowdsources snowpack data to tell you where it's safe to ski.
Our favorite jackets for staying warm and dry—even on the chilliest adventures
There's a six-pack of cold ones waiting for you at base camp. The only problem? No bottle opener. Thankfully, we're here to help.
We're all familiar with digital detoxes, but one young man took it a step further. Many steps further in fact.
Do cell phones, satellite messengers, and personal locator beacons create more false alarms in the backcountry?
A star political blogger for Grist.org, David Roberts spent so much time posting and Tweeting and staring at screens that he almost went nuts. So he pulled the plug for a year, restarting his relationship with technology and actively seeking health, balance, and adventure in the real world. What he learned just might save you from meltdown.
I'd love to haul my kids up the railings to Half Dome, but don't want to risk accidents—or turning them off of hiking forever. How can we have fun while staying safe in the national park?
Who says you have to chose between land or water?
Climate change is opening up more than ice fields—it's stoking a new tourism economy.
When it comes to staying safe and enjoying great views, rooftop tents are the way to go.
