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!
WHY NOLS GUIDES RECOMMEND HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR: JEFF WOHL AND JEREMY CRONON
Since 1965, the guides, educators, and students of the nonprofit global wilderness school, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), have immersed themselves in backcountry settings or through...
STUCK IN WATER CANYON*: AN AMERICAN DISCOVERY TRAIL SURVIVAL STORY
Words and Photos by Briana DeSanctis
*Water Canyon is no longer on the official route of the ADT
It was October in the isolated Nevada desert, and there I was, thousands of miles into my American ...
SHOP VISIT: ALPENGLOW SPORTS
They’re the essence of a “Happy Place”–a great local gear shop produces its own kind of serotonin! Get to know Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City, California.
You know what your local gear shop means t...
WHY THIS CALENDAR YEAR TRIPLE CROWNER (AND PROFESSOR) LOVES THE CONTOUR 35
Words and Photos by Carl “Professor” Stanfield I’ve been a part of the long-distance hiking community for just over six years. In that time, I’ve racked up about 16,000 backpacking miles, most of w...
THE ACROPOLIS ADVENTURE WITH SHAUN MITTWOLLEN AND THE ELEVATE 22
Words and Photos by Shaun Mittwollen @shaunmittwollen Summer quickly transitions into winter down here in Tasmania.
GEARING UP FOR THE COLORADO TRAIL WITH JENNER HASELTINE
Words and Photos by Jenner Haseltine @jennerhaseltine To the hiker trash it may concern–My name is Jenner, and I’ll be starting the Colorado Trail in Denver on August 12, 2024.
TINKERIN' AT TINKER CLIFFS: AN UNBOUND 40's MAIDEN VOYAGE
Words and Photos from @Abby_Evans @abbigator53 I took the Unbound 40 on a shakedown hike on October 15th and 16th.
HOUSTON, I’M RUNNING AWAY FROM MY PROBLEMS - A LOOK AT UNCOOL BACKPACKING
(OR, HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE TEXAS TRAILS) Words and Photos by Taylor “Haiku” Bell To those of you that have always lived someplace "cool" - as in, an iconic magnet for outdoor acti...
Beautiful Things Don't Ask For Attention
It doesn’t matter how beautiful the scenery is around me. The reality is that I am scared, in over my head, and want to quit.
BOOBS, BURDENS, AND BACKPACKS
Words and Photos by Briana “Rocky Mountain High” DeSanctis “The soonest we can schedule you for surgery is going to be the end of October,” the receptionist flatly stated.
CLEARLY UNKNOWN: THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AESTHETICS OF ARTIST GEOFF MCFETRIDGE
Words by Geoff McFetridge, Photos from Geoff McFetridge and Ely Phillips Top Photo Courtesy of Ely Phillips Artist Geoff McFetridge is one of those lucky individuals that has known from a young age...
Crevasse Rescue In the Age of Glacial Recession
Each year, I find myself saying nearly the same thing, "I can't believe how much this place has changed." The unfortunate reality is that each time I say it, it's in response to the not-so-gradual ...
