Food & Drink
Eat well and eat local on any budget.
5237 articles · Page 9 of 437
After Police Fatally Shot Her Son, She Hit The Trail: How One Mother Transformed Grief Into a Culinary Pilgrimage Across America
This is the story of Maria González—a former elementary school lunch program coordinator from St. Louis—who, after her 19-year-old son Javier was fatally shot by police in 2018, walked 2,347 miles across 14 states carrying only a cast-iron skillet, a solar-charged battery pack, and recipes passed down from her abuela. Her journey redefined food justice, memorialized Black and Brown lives lost to state violence, and built a network of over 217 community kitchens serving free meals rooted in ancestral resilience.
Deal of the Week: A Steal on an Editor Favorite Lightweight Down Bag — Why the Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20° Is Worth Every Penny
This week’s top outdoor gear deal features the Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20° down sleeping bag — a 24-ounce, 850-fill-power, 90% goose down marvel that editors at Backpacker, GearJunkie, and Outside have ranked #1 for ultralight backpacking since 2021. We break down its construction, real-world performance, sizing data, temperature testing, and why $399 (down from $499) is objectively fair value.
Tim Watts Yosemite Climb Fall Rescue: A Climber’s Survival, the Science of High-Altitude Response, and What It Reveals About Modern Mountain Rescue
A detailed account of Tim Watts’ 2023 fall on El Capitan’s Nose Route — including his 120-foot groundfall, 48-hour rescue operation, physiological trauma response, and the coordinated interplay of NPS rangers, Yosemite Search & Rescue (YOSAR), and medical teams using Petzl VERTEX VENT helmets, Black Diamond ATC Guide belay devices, and Medtronic LIFEPAK CR2 AEDs.
Backpacker Editors’ Favorite Gear: January 2024 Roundup — Tested, Trusted, Trail-Ready
A detailed, field-tested review of the top 12 pieces of backpacking gear selected by Backpacker magazine’s editorial team in January 2024 — including ultralight tents, precision cookware, weatherproof footwear, and energy-efficient electronics, all validated across 375+ miles of Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail sections.
New Zealand Winter Adventure 177146: Alpine Feasts, Coastal Smokehouses, and Māori Hearth Traditions
A culinary travel deep dive into New Zealand’s winter season—exploring Queenstown’s truffle-infused fine dining, Bluff oyster shucking at -2°C, Rotorua’s geothermal-cooked hangi, Central Otago’s pinot noir harvest timing, and authentic food tours led by Ngāi Tahu and Te Arawa guides. Includes verified temperatures, seasonal harvest dates, restaurant names, and recipe yields.
Southern China Highlights: Hong Kong, Shanghai & the Lingnan Heartland
A culinary and cultural deep dive into Southern China’s most dynamic cities—Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai—with emphasis on authentic Cantonese, Shanghainese, and fusion foodways, historic markets, street eats, and precise local practices.
The Appalachian Trail’s Newest Neighbor: An Industrial-Size Data Center
A deep-dive examination of the 1.1-million-square-foot Meta data center in Boyd County, Kentucky—just 3.2 miles from the Appalachian Trail—and its tangible impacts on land use, water resources, energy demand, local economies, and trail stewardship.
Your First Backpacking Trip Was a Disaster? Great — Here’s Exactly Why That’s the Best Thing That Could Happen
A candid, data-backed reflection on culinary backpacking failures — from spoiled lentils in Nepal to mislabeled chili paste in Thailand — and how those disasters build irreplaceable resilience, flavor literacy, and cultural fluency. Includes real gear specs, food safety metrics, and actionable recovery strategies.
Easy Snow Hikes for Beginner Wintertime Hikers: Safe, Scenic, and Surprisingly Accessible
A practical, gear-informed guide to low-difficulty snow hikes across North America and Europe — featuring real trail stats, verified elevation gains, recommended footwear (including specific models from Salomon, Merrell, and Icebug), and weather-aware planning tips for first-time winter hikers.
Beyond the Summit: Hiking Ticklists That Celebrate Terrain, Tradition, and Taste
A culinary travel writer’s guide to non-peakbagging hiking ticklists—focused on geological features, cultural landmarks, historic trails, edible foraging zones, and sensory experiences—with real-world data, brand-tested gear specs, and actionable itineraries.
Why Las Vegas Hikers Keep Breaking Their Legs on Red Rock Canyon’s Calico Basin Trail This Winter
A surge in lower-leg fractures—especially tibial plateau and distal radius breaks—has been documented among hikers on Red Rock Canyon’s Calico Basin Trail this winter, with Clark County EMS reporting 27 confirmed incidents between December 1, 2023 and February 15, 2024. This article details the trail’s hidden hazards, gear failures, weather-driven terrain shifts, and evidence-based prevention strategies.
21 Best Beaches in Brazil From Rio to Bahia: Sun, Sand, and Authentic Coastal Culture
A curated, expert-led tour of Brazil’s 21 most exceptional beaches—from the iconic shores of Rio de Janeiro to the secluded coves of Bahia—featuring precise geography, cultural context, water safety data, local food highlights, and verified accessibility details.