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!
BETTER GEAR + EXPERIENCE = FARTHER DISTANCE: THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Words and Photos by Rebecca SperryWe all see them on the trail and internally (or externally) cringe. Maybe they have on a backpack; maybe they’re just carrying a water bottle. Their footwear might...
ACCESSORIES TO COMPLIMENT A TRIPLE CROWN: QUADZILLA’S GEAR LIST, PART ONE
Words from Jack “Quadzilla” Jones, Photos by Chris Shane & Jack "Quadzilla" Jones
Jack ”Quadzilla” Jones is setting out this year to achieve what only a small number of backpackers have; a ca...
Cash Rules Every Trail Around Me: A Guide To Financing A Thru Hike
Words & Photos by Garrett "Pricepoint" Martin
Every year, bright-eyed hiker hopefuls set out on our long trails to conquer the beast and accomplish a thru hike. Some prepare for years, some pre...
An Appalachian Trail Experience in Four Parts: Max Kiel Gets into the Best Section Hikes
Words and Photos by Max Kiel
If you're a backpacker or a regular reader of this blog, you have probably heard of the Appalachian Trail before. You may have even hiked on the trail at some point. If...
Savings You Can Feel: Tina Currin's Top Tips For Getting Ultralighter on the Cheap
Words and Photos by Tina Currin
If ultralight backpacking has a reputation for anything, it's tiny gear at a hefty price. Dive into any heady discussion with ultralight enthusiasts and you'll event...
Mind Over Mileage: Finding Fortitude on the Appalachian Trail
Words and Photos by Max Kiel
Fortitude /ˈfȯr-tə-ˌtüd: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage
I'm not going to lie; my time spent thru hiki...
The Other Kind of Thru Hiker Funk: Adapting to Life After The Trail
Words & Photos by Garrett Martin
Disclaimer: I am not a psychologist, and everything in the following article is anecdotal and from my own experiences and opinions. There are many other article...
No Room For Elephants; Why I Hike and Keep Hiking
Words and Photos by Zac Boston
After encountering countless people on the Appalachian Trail, it's easy to see that something obviously causes a shift in life, leading us all to devote a sizable chu...
Smooth Operator: How to Maximize Backpacking Efficiency with Garrett Martin
Words and Photos by Garrett Martin
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Superbud, Garrett "Pricepoint" Martin (@somedudewalking), has picked up a thing or two about using time wisely on his thru hike of the App...
What’s Lost And Found Along The Way: An Appalachian Trail Odyssey
Words and Photos by Liz Kidder
I had never backpacked before. I hadn't even day-hiked all that much when I first learned of the Appalachian Trail. And yet, I was completely drawn to the idea of a t...
So, You've Got A Thru Hiker In Your Life. Now What?
Words and Photos from Tina Haver Currin
With longer days, hotter afternoons, and the dreaded arrival of biting insects, late spring is once again sliding into summer—which also means it’s thru hiki...
Keep Your Feet on the Gas: How to Resupply (And Eat) Like a Champ on a Thru Hike, Part 2
Words and Photos from Eloise Robbins
Tell anyone you hike long distances, and one of the first questions they'll ask you is about food. What do you eat? How do you carry all of your food for five m...
