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!
THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL GEAR LIST AND AN IDEAL BASE WEIGHT FOR HIKING
So! You've decided to go for a 2,190-mile walk in the woods! First off, CONGRATULATIONS! The Appalachian Trail is a transformative experience for those who follow its iconic white blazes. Second, g...
You’re Entering A World of Pain: Jeff Garmire Talks About the Cave Where It Dwells
Words and Photos by Jeff Garmire
Thirty thousand miles and always counting, give or take a few yards or inches, all done on foot. Jeff Garmire (@thefreeoutside) is still heading out whenever he can...
Time to Clean House: Getting Your Gear In Order For The Next Trip or Off-Season Storage
Words and Photos by Tina Haver Currin
Like Newton's third law of motion, what gear goes out must inevitably come back in. And if you're anything like me, you pull goodies from your gear closet with...
One Hundred Divided By Eight: Deedra Zeeh Goes to School in the Appalachian Trail's 100-Mile Wilderness
Words & Photos by Deedra Zeeh
What do you tell others about a 100-mile walk in the woods? How do you describe it? Do you tell them that you feel more alive than you have in years? Do you tell t...
Hiking the Maine 4,000 Footers in Seven Days, Maybe Less
Words and Photos by Zac Boston
One of our favorite local dudes, Zac Boston, is nothing if not goal oriented. Just before leaving for a southbound hike of the Appalachian Trail, he was kind enough t...
Points in the Right Direction: Backcountry Travel with the Gaia GPS Navigation App
Words from Mike St. Pierre
Mike St. Pierre here, founder and CEO of Hyperlite Mountain Gear and avid adventurer. I’ve traveled extensively both on and off trail. And while I’m familiar with the old...
Party of One: Overcoming the Fear of Hiking Solo
Words & Photos by Rebecca Sperry
In the past six years since I started hiking, I've spent over 90% of my time on trail hiking solo. I choose to go solo for a variety of reasons (it's easier, I ...
The Horror Of Sesame Seeds: Hikers, Lyme Disease, and Tips To Survive and Thrive
Words & Photos by Matthew Morelli
They are tiny; they are everywhere. Drop your guard a little while exhausted in the backcountry or just while walking your dog at the park, and it can have lif...
And Now For a Look at the Weather. Introducing Meteorologist and Photographer, Michael DeYoung
Words & photos by Michael DeYoung
I’m Michael DeYoung, and I am a former Air Force meteorologist. For the past 30 years, I have been a travel and adventure photographer with a commercial career...
Chasing Ten with Huw Oliver (Scottish Edition)
How long have you been going light?
I don’t think I’ve ever been a fan of carrying more than I need to! I have vivid memories of a hiking trip when I was four or five, and my dad shouldered a big p...
Chasing Ten with Steve "Doom" Fassbinder
How long have you been going light?
It's been a lifelong learning curve.
What’s the base weight of your pack before adding consumables like food and fuel?
This can vary greatly on the type of trips...
Lots of Ground to Cover (To Cover a Lot of Ground)
Therese Hobson’s Studious Approach to Gear for the Appalachian Trail
Therese Hobson completed a NOBO thru hike of the Appalachian Trail this year, taking with her not just gear, but a good base of ...
