Budget & Backpacking A Tragic Discovery in Durango: Black Bear Euthanized After Ingesting Human Waste, Underscoring Alarming Rise in Human-Bear Conflicts September 11, 2026 Ronny Sianturi Durango, Colorado – A somber September 9th marked a grim milestone for wildlife officials in Durango, Colorado, as a black bear was euthanized after being discovered in severe distress within…
Budget & Backpacking Thru-hikers: The Unofficial Trendsetters of the Backpacking World, Revealing This Season’s Hottest Gear September 10, 2026 Ronny Sianturi Thru-hikers, those intrepid souls who commit to traversing vast, long-distance trails like the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) or the Appalachian Trail (AT) in their entirety, are more than just resilient…
Budget & Backpacking Montana Judge Blocks BLM Order to Remove Nearly 1,000 Bison from American Prairie September 10, 2026 Ronny Sianturi In a significant victory for conservation efforts and a blow to a controversial reinterpretation of federal grazing law, a U.S. District Court judge has temporarily halted an order from the…
Budget & Backpacking Pacific Crest Trail Northern Terminus Reopens After Weeks of Fire Closure September 9, 2026 Ronny Sianturi The much-anticipated reopening of the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) on September 9, 2026, brings a sigh of relief to countless northbound (NOBO) thru-hikers whose meticulously planned…
Budget & Backpacking Gregory Katmai and Kalmia: Your Ideal Companions for Carrying a Few Extra Luxuries September 8, 2026 Ronny Sianturi When the call of the wild beckons, but your inner epicurean desires a touch of indulgence, the Gregory Katmai and Kalmia backpacks emerge as the quintessential partners for your adventures.…
Budget & Backpacking Five Years of Ultralight Wisdom: A Gear Retrospective from Nate Pipenberg September 7, 2026 Ronny Sianturi Published September 7, 2026 06:56AM After five years dedicated to scrutinizing the lightest and most innovative gear for Backpacker Magazine, Nate Pipenberg is embarking on a new adventure, marking the…
Budget & Backpacking The Great Spider Surge: Why They Seem to Be Everywhere in Late Summer and Early Fall September 5, 2026 Ronny Sianturi The crisp air of early September often carries a subtle shift, not just in temperature, but in the very fabric of our natural surroundings. For many who frequent outdoor trails,…
Budget & Backpacking Hiker Survives Grueling 50-Foot Fall on Appalachian Trail After Night of Solitude and Struggle September 4, 2026 Ronny Sianturi A 29-year-old man, whose name has not been released, is recovering after a harrowing experience on the Pennsylvania section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) this past weekend. The incident, which…
Budget & Backpacking Volunteer Search and Rescue Teams Face Growing Strain as Call Volume and Complexity Increase September 4, 2026 Ronny Sianturi Published September 4, 2026 06:05 AM The unseen heroes of our wild spaces, volunteer search and rescue (SAR) teams, are facing unprecedented pressure. From technical rope rescues for a climber…
Budget & Backpacking Ultralight Columnist’s Farewell: The Gear That Earned My Money After Five Years of Reviewing September 4, 2026 Ronny Sianturi Published September 2, 2026, 11:50 AM After five prolific years and over 100 in-depth articles chronicling the pursuit of minimal weight on the trail, I am stepping down from my…
