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!

THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – ELOISE ROBBINS

THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – ELOISE ROBBINS

THE SHAKEDOWN marches on with some familiar faces and some new contributors! Dive into what some of our favorite backpacking friends are carrying these days and why.
YOGA TO POWER DOWN AND POWER UP ON TRAIL

YOGA TO POWER DOWN AND POWER UP ON TRAIL

Words and Video from Kat Englishman @KathEnglishman   When you’re taking a backpacking trip, the second best feeling one can have aside from the accomplishment of reaching the summit, is finally ma...
METHOW RIVER TO THE "C"

METHOW RIVER TO THE "C"

Words and Photos from Jessica Kelley The Methow River starts deep in the North Cascades, a tiny rivulet near Methow Pass.
Isolation In the Waimakariri Falls Hut

Isolation In the Waimakariri Falls Hut

Hello to everyone out there at the Trailhead, I sincerely hope all is well.
I AM THE PASSENGER: HOW TO GET TO WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO HIKE WITHOUT A CAR

I AM THE PASSENGER: HOW TO GET TO WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO HIKE WITHOUT A CAR

Words and Photos from Scott Nechemias Every hike starts and ends somewhere and getting there and back after your hike is often one of the more interesting parts of trip planning.
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY IS EVERYDAY! REBECCA SPERRY GETS YOU READY TO DIG IN

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY IS EVERYDAY! REBECCA SPERRY GETS YOU READY TO DIG IN

Words and Photos from Rebecca Sperry As an avid hiker, I have always felt that it is important that we, as a community, give back to the trails that provide so much to us.
THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – SCOTT NECHEMIAS

THE SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – SCOTT NECHEMIAS

@snechemias IG - @alongthewaypoints 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 ...
WHO WE HIKE WITH: LIZ KIDDER

WHO WE HIKE WITH: LIZ KIDDER

Words and Photos from Liz Kidder @lizkidder WHO ARE YOU & WHAT DO YOU DO? Hey! I’m Liz, AKA Handstand!
THEORIES OF RELATIVITY: JEFF GARMIRE LOOKS AT HOW DIFFERENT PURSUITS PLAY OFF ONE ANOTHER

THEORIES OF RELATIVITY: JEFF GARMIRE LOOKS AT HOW DIFFERENT PURSUITS PLAY OFF ONE ANOTHER

Words and Photos from Jeff Garmire In this post, our pal Jeff Garmire (@thefreeoutside) discusses the interplay between some of his favorite activities, and how each one has lifted the other ones up.
37.81819, -108.79699: THE COORDINATES OF AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE

37.81819, -108.79699: THE COORDINATES OF AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE

Words and Photos by Brett Davis & Cody M. Perry For 100 days, we had a drone stranded in some exceptionally rough terrain.
NEED TO HAVE, WANT TO HAVE: THE ESSENTIALS AND YOUR ESSENTIALS

NEED TO HAVE, WANT TO HAVE: THE ESSENTIALS AND YOUR ESSENTIALS

Words and Photos from Rebecca Sperry It’s no secret that I love hiking and spending time outdoors.
800 Miles of Beautiful Variety through Arizona!

800 Miles of Beautiful Variety through Arizona!

The Arizona Trail. The “other” AT. The AZT. Whichever way you choose to refer to the Arizona Trail, you are beckoning to a National Scenic Trail that packs a lot of variety in its 800 miles. Spanni...