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!

THEN AND NOW: 50 YEARS OF THE COLORADO TRAIL

THEN AND NOW: 50 YEARS OF THE COLORADO TRAIL

Words from Jenner Haseltine (Kardi) Photography by Cody Jackson (Feathers) 8/19/2024 “Imagine a hiking trail that will trace a 350-mile (now 486-mile) route through some of the most interesting and...
DEAR LADAKH, WITH LOVE

DEAR LADAKH, WITH LOVE

Words by Eleanor Moseman, Photos by Eleanor Moseman (@eleanor.moseman) and Erich Weidenkeller (@erich_w_) Jagged peaks and beckoning glaciers created a torn horizon between the sky and where I stood.
East Coast Trail (ECT) Newfoundland, Canada

East Coast Trail (ECT) Newfoundland, Canada

Back in august of this year, two buddies and I flew up to Newfoundland, Canada to fastpack the ECT (East Coast Trail).  This linear trail consists of 25 consecutive trails linked by community walks...
THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – ESZTER HORANYI

THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – ESZTER HORANYI

Words and Photos from Eszter Horanyi @eszter IG -@ez_gone_coddiwompling Our pal Eszter Horanyi has been hanging out outside, riding a bike for as long as she can remember, and is also an avid packr...
SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – JESSICA KELLEY

SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – JESSICA KELLEY

Words and Photos by Jessica Kelley  THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 marches on with some familiar faces and some new contributors! Dive into what some of our favorite backpacking friends are carrying these days ...
Same Hike, Different Life: 10 Years Apart

Same Hike, Different Life: 10 Years Apart

October 2013 on the left, October 2023 on the right. My wife says I look much better now.
HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR'S BACKPACKING LIST FOR THE LIGHTWEIGHT CURIOUS

HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR'S BACKPACKING LIST FOR THE LIGHTWEIGHT CURIOUS

Huge skies, dense forests, shades of blue and green you’ve never imagined. Climbing peaks and covering distances you didn’t think you could.
Hiking All The Trails in The White Mountain Guidebook

Hiking All The Trails in The White Mountain Guidebook

As of October 29, 2023, I became the 96th person to hike every trail in the White Mountain Guidebook (WMG).
TINA CURRIN'S FLORIDA TRAIL 2022 GEAR LIST - BASE WEIGHT ~7.5 LBS

TINA CURRIN'S FLORIDA TRAIL 2022 GEAR LIST - BASE WEIGHT ~7.5 LBS

Words and Photos from Tina “Cash Money” Currin - @tina Despite many thousands of trail miles under my (hip)belt, the 1,150-mile Florida National Scenic Trail (FT) required the trickiest kit I’ve as...
Glen Canyon Packrafting and Backpacking

Glen Canyon Packrafting and Backpacking

I've been itching to get into Glen Canyon and its many side canyons now that Powell has dropped significantly.
Feeling Young Again While Gear Testing the Contour 35

Feeling Young Again While Gear Testing the Contour 35

Over time, gear can become a little bit like any other sensory input that triggers a memory… seeing a particular model pack or tent I used to hike with can be a little bit like hearing a song I had...
INTRODUCING THE MID 1 - AN ULTRALIGHT SHELTER FOR SINGLES

INTRODUCING THE MID 1 - AN ULTRALIGHT SHELTER FOR SINGLES

Your pack, loaded with just what you need.