Italy is known to its inhabits as ‘the beautiful country’ (la bel paese), and for good reason. While famed for its ancient monuments, delicious cuisine, stunning coastlines, colorful politicians and beautiful people, many are unaware that the la bel paese also possesses some of the most outrageously stunning camping spots

A wise person once said of backpacking, “the more you know, the less you need.” After two thru-hikes and decades of multi-day trips I’ve become more confident in choosing the gear that works for me, but I’ve made some poor choices along the way. It took a lot of experience

One of the greatest gifts Mother Nature has granted lovers of the outdoors is our planet’s wealth of alpine lakes. Blessed with fascinating colors and scenic mountainous backdrops, the vast majority of these high-altitude jewels come with a ‘must see’ quality not shared by many of their lower-altitude cousins. National

Over the years, Mount Everest has attracted a fine selection of the world’s weirdest, wackiest and most wonderful characters. For the most part, however, these days the idiosyncrasy of majority of those trying to scale the world’s highest peak tends to lie in the fact that they are very wealthy

Choosing a hiking destination in Italy can be like choosing a ‘coffee’ bar in Amsterdam, a castle to visit in Scotland or a sauna in Sweden – with so many options, it can all get a little bit overwhelming and you’re likely not to be disappointed with your choice! Luckily,

The Pacific Crest Trail runs 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada and boasts an incredible variety of landscapes. Almost every day thru-hikers enter a new environment and experience the stunning natural diversity that exists. From the dry and windy deserts of Southern California to the lush and forested slopes of

Viewing the summit-shots of successful mountaineers, we could be forgiven for thinking there’s not much to the art of mountaineering other than healthy levels of strength, stamina, fitness, courage and, of course, a good beard. Above, however, we have chosen our words very carefully, for mountaineering is indeed an ‘art’

Whatever pursuits we turn our hands to in life, as beginners the chances of making mistakes are exceedingly high. Climbing and mountaineering are no exception to this rule, only the potential consequences of our errors in either of these high-risk activities are considerably more severe than in most others. While

The Matterhorn. Just say the name and your mind is likely to conjure all sorts of tales from its treasury of climbing mythology – accompanied, no doubt, by an image of what might just be the most iconic mountain in the world. Skewering the Valais and Valtournenche skyline with its

For the avid hiker, spring-time means it’s time to get outside and hit the trails! With the snow melting, milder temperatures and alpine flowers, it’s the ideal time to explore the wilderness in the western United States. So, to help you plan your first of the seasons adventures, here are