In this issue

FITNESS GUIDE FOR AWESOME ADVENTURES
You’ve got goals, and we’ve got the workout plans and inspiration to help you achieve them.

THE RIVER THAT YEARNS TO RUN FREE
A hike along the Elwha River—freed from the dam that once held it back—gives perspective on half a millenium of persecution, and a home worth fighting for in the Washington Cascades.

CRYSTAL GAIL WELCOME

After a long battle against a rare brain disease, Crystal Gail Welcome, a 41-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, took up running as a spontaneous celebration of her health and perseverance. Then a friend invited her on a short day hike, where she had a profound encounter with, well, a tree (tale below). She later went on to tackle the Pacific Crest Trail and other cross-country jaunts. Now, Welcome seeks to bring the healing power of hiking to those who need it most.

3 mins

On the Mountain of the Gods

After striking out on his first attempt, the author returns to Mt. Olympus determined to make the summit.

5 mins

Break Out Your Boots

Shake off your winter hiking slump with these early-season destinations.

6 mins

Processing Trauma, Step by Step

When the memories of combat refused to fade, a former army medic found healing in thru-hiking.

5 mins

Daypack Dreamin'

From family-friendly jaunts to grueling summit pushes, your daypack is your constant companion, so choose it wisely. At 35 liters or less and all under three pounds, these rucksacks have the smart features and robust suspensions you need to adventure as far and as often as you please.

10+ mins

YOUNG STRONGEST HIKING SEASON EVER

WHETHER YOU'RE AN OBJECTIVE-ORIENTED HIKER OR A CASUAL FUN-SEEKER. IMPROVING YOUR FITNESS WILL HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OUT OF HIKING SEASON. KEEPING AN AMBITION IN MIND WILL MOTIVATE YOU FROM THE FIRST SQUAT UNTIL THE MOMENT YOUR BOOTS HIT THE TRAIL. SET A GOAL AND GET READY TO HAVE THE BEST HIKING SEASON OF YOUR LIFE.

10+ mins

THE RIVER THAT YEARNS TO RUN FREE

A HIKE IN THE AUTHOR'S NATIVE WASHINGTON STATE GIVES PERSPECTIVE ON HALF A MILLENNIUM OF PERSECUTION, AND A HOME WORTH FIGHTING FOR.

9 mins

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

A hike through Panama's Parque Internacional La Amistad highlights wonders, both of the natural world and within the hikers themselves.

10+ mins

CAN SQUID TENTACLES AND PINEAPPLE LEAVES SOLVE THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY'S SUSTAINABILITY PROBLEM?

APPAREL-MAKERS ARE TURNING TO EVER-MORE EXOTIC MATERIALS IN THE SEARCH FOR PLANET-FRIENDLY FIBERS. BUT WHETHER YOUR FLEECE IS MADE FROM WILDFLOWERS OR RECYCLED WATER BOTTLES, THE TRUTH MAY NOT BE AS GREEN AS YOU THINK.

10+ mins

BIGFOOT'S FAVORITE STOMPING GROUNDS

Hoping for a selfie with the legendary biped? Step out on these four hominid-friendly hikes.

1 min

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Backpacker Magazine Description:

The Outdoors at Your Doorstep
Backpacker connects with 1.1 million readers for whom outdoor adventure is the centerpiece to a vibrant, experiential lifestyle. Within the pages of Backpacker, readers find the very best in close-to-home trip ideas and done-in-a-day adventures that they can easily schedule into their busy lives. But beyond hiking and backpacking, Backpacker features the latest in a wide variety of outdoor sports, including cycling, fly-fishing, mountain biking, trail running, rock climbing and more.he Outdoors at Your Doorstep
Backpacker connects with 1.1 million readers for whom outdoor adventure is the centerpiece to a vibrant, experiential lifestyle. Within the pages of Backpacker, readers find the very best in close-to-home trip ideas and done-in-a-day adventures that they can easily schedule into their busy lives. But beyond hiking and backpacking, Backpacker features the latest in a wide variety of outdoor sports, including cycling, fly-fishing, mountain biking, trail running, rock climbing and more.he Outdoors at Your Doorstep
Backpacker connects with 1.1 million readers for whom outdoor adventure is the centerpiece to a vibrant, experiential lifestyle. Within the pages of Backpacker, readers find the very best in close-to-home trip ideas and done-in-a-day adventures that they can easily schedule into their busy lives. But beyond hiking and backpacking, Backpacker features the latest in a wide variety of outdoor sports, including cycling, fly-fishing, mountain biking, trail running, rock climbing and more.