The Trailhead

The TrailHead

WHAT 60 YEARS OF CARRYING HEAVY PACKS HAS TAUGHT NOLS ABOUT HOW TO LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD

WHAT 60 YEARS OF CARRYING HEAVY PACKS HAS TAUGHT NOLS ABOUT HOW TO LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD

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!

AN ULTRALIGHT APPROACH TO SURVIVING HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENTS

AN ULTRALIGHT APPROACH TO SURVIVING HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENTS

Words & Photos by Matt Wordell and Zach Voss Our names are Matt Wordell (@mhwordell) and Zach Voss (@retroscope). We’re based in Boise, Idaho.
THE THREE MOST DANGEROUS ROAD WALKS ON THE AMERICAN DISCOVERY TRAIL

THE THREE MOST DANGEROUS ROAD WALKS ON THE AMERICAN DISCOVERY TRAIL

Words and Photos by Briana DeSanctis For two years, Briana DeSanctis trekked across fifteen states following the 6,800-mile American Discovery Trail, becoming the first woman to do so in the process.
THE JUNCTION’S FUNCTIONS MEET DOOM’S RAMBUNCTION

THE JUNCTION’S FUNCTIONS MEET DOOM’S RAMBUNCTION

Words & Photos by Steve “DOOM” Fassbinder Hi folks, Steve (Doom) Fassbinder here.
Chasing Ten With Christopher Johnson

Chasing Ten With Christopher Johnson

How long have you been going light? As soon as I began backpacking five years ago, I knew I needed to lighten the load I was carrying.
WAYPOINT 35 FIELD REVIEW–CODY JACKSON

WAYPOINT 35 FIELD REVIEW–CODY JACKSON

Words and Photos from Cody Jackson Howdy!
TRAVERSING THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS WALKING TRACK IN WINTER WITH THE OATES

TRAVERSING THE AUSTRALIAN ALPS WALKING TRACK IN WINTER WITH THE OATES

In the winter of 2018, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ambassador Mark Oates and his twin brother Andy tossed ski-laden Porter packs over their shoulders and set out to complete the Australian Alps Walking...
MUST HAVE, SHOULD HAVE, WANNA HAVE: ABBIGALE EVANS

MUST HAVE, SHOULD HAVE, WANNA HAVE: ABBIGALE EVANS

Words and Photos by @Abby_Evans - @abbigator53 We asked our friends and fellow adventurers across a broad spectrum of outdoor specialties to take a look in their gear piles and pick three items–one...
KNOW THE HISTORY BEFORE YOU GO

KNOW THE HISTORY BEFORE YOU GO

When you travel throughout the beautiful parks and wild spaces of America there is a story and aspect of the land we often forget: this land is not ours.
BE BOLD, START COLD: MY TIPS FOR STAYING WARM IN COLD WEATHER BACKPACKING

BE BOLD, START COLD: MY TIPS FOR STAYING WARM IN COLD WEATHER BACKPACKING

Words and Photos from @Abby_Evans @abbigator53 Backpacking in the cold can be just as fun as backpacking in the summer—if you're not shivering.
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN AVOCADO TOAST AND PIZZA: NEVADA’S TOIYABE AND TOQUIMA MOUNTAIN RANGES

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN AVOCADO TOAST AND PIZZA: NEVADA’S TOIYABE AND TOQUIMA MOUNTAIN RANGES

Words and Photos by Scott Nechemias @snechemias In an early June, I found myself putting an ice ax on my pack in 87-degree heat.
ONE HUNDRED DIVIDED BY EIGHT: DEEDRA ZEEH IN THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL'S 100-MILE WILDERNESS

ONE HUNDRED DIVIDED BY EIGHT: DEEDRA ZEEH 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?
FINDING DIFFERENT GEMS IN THE GRAND CANYON: THE HERMIT-BOUCHER LOOP WITH PETER BUGG

FINDING DIFFERENT GEMS IN THE GRAND CANYON: THE HERMIT-BOUCHER LOOP WITH PETER BUGG

Words and Photos from Peter Bugg @bugglife Over the past few years, I’ve been making an active effort to accept when plans have to change.