The Trailhead
Every journey has a first step. And some of the greatest, most meaningful journeys begin at trailheads. Welcome to ours! Here you’ll learn about gear, see route and trail intel, and dive into stories, images, and videos from our global community of adventureheads like you. Think of it like "The Third Place"–not home, not work, but your other most important/favorite place. The spot to hang out around like-minded people and have your life decisions and priorities validated. You won't need to justify your latest gear purchase or explain why you're using up all your paid time off hours to this crowd. They get it. Let’s go!
JUST PEDALED: MARCO JOHNSON COMPLETES THE EUROPEAN DIVIDE BIKEPACKING ROUTE
Words and Photos by Senior NOLS Instructor, Marco Johnson
A massive CONGRATULATIONS to our good friend and Senior NOLS Instructor, Marco Johnson, for his completed ride of the European Divide bikep...
ADVENTURES IN PARALLEL WITH PETER GIERLACH
Words and Photos by Peter Gierlach - YouTube: Pete Gierlach
In the darkness of a frigid winter night, my alarm goes off.
My old alarm used to fade in gently, singing natural sounds that started the...
THE ACTION IS GO! IZZY'S 2026 CALENDAR YEAR TRIPLE CROWN PLAN
Words and Photos by Izzy Tonneson @izzytonneson
Planning a long thru hike is an exercise in irony. You can prepare for what’s coming, but you are also guaranteed that the trail will rewrite your pr...
ROLLING TIDES: LITTLE GLIMPSES INTO A BIG ADVENTURE
Words and Photos by Rylie and Tristan, @rollingtides.rt
This is the fourth post documenting the surfpacking / bikepacking / backpacking adventure of Rylie and Tristan starting in different parts of...
PROFESSOR CARL’S NITTY GRITTY THRU HIKER GEAR LIST, PART ONE
Words and Photos from Carl “Professor” Stanfield @prof_carl
I think it’s pretty obvious that for a thru hike, you need to acquire all your gear. What’s less obvious is what that should entail. Th...
ABOVE THE CLOUDS ON THE DIVIDE: BACKCOUNTRY LINES AND HUT TIMES
Words and Photos by Jada Lippincott @whereisjadaa
John, aged 85, and Kris, aged 76, do more outdoor activities in a single day than most younger folks do in a week. From canyoneering to biking, and...
A STUDY ON THE BENTON MACKAYE TRAIL WITH PROFESSOR CARL
Words and Photos by Carl "Professor" Stanfield @prof_carl
I’d always thought of the Benton MacKaye Trail as the little, forgotten brother of the Pinhoti Trail. It’s shorter, generally less known, a...
ROLLING TIDES: NEVER GIVE UP THE VISION
Words and Photos by Rylie and Tristan, @rollingtides.rt
This is the third post documenting the surfpacking / bikepacking / backpacking adventure of Rylie and Tristan starting in different parts of...
FOOD PLANNING: AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT TO BACKCOUNTRY SUCCESS
Words and Photos by Brett Davis @brettdavis
"I love it when a plan comes together." – Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith, The A-Team
I love it when we accomplish what we set out to do. This happened rec...
PROFESSOR CARL ON BECOMING A POD-VERT
Words and Photos by Carl "Professor" Stanfield @prof_carl
My favorite piece of gear is the one I haven't gotten to try yet. After eight years of using trash bags to keep my gear dry, I decided to s...
I AM BETTY KELLENBERGER, APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLASS OF 2025
Words and Photos by Betty Kellenberger
Allow us the extreme pleasure of introducing you to, at 80, the oldest woman to ever complete an Appalachian Trail thru hike. Aptly trail-named, "Legend," Bet...
THE FIRST TRAVERSE: A FILM ABOUT LAURA WATERMAN LEADING THE WAY FOR WOMEN
Words, Photos, and Video by Chris Shane @chrismshane
The 19-mile Presidential Traverse in the White Mountains of New Hampshire is well known for its indifference to human presence. Those who choose...
