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!

GET SMARTER THAN THE AV-ER-AGE BEAR! HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOUR FOOD OUT THERE?

GET SMARTER THAN THE AV-ER-AGE BEAR! HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOUR FOOD OUT THERE?

Last summer, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy recommended the increased use of bear-resistant canisters along the length of the A.T., as it seems that explaining to bears why taking your food is u...
The O-Circuit in Torres del Paine

The O-Circuit in Torres del Paine

This past February, my partner and I backpacked the O-Circuit in Torres del Paine, Patagonia.
SNOWSHOE CAMPING: NOT YOUR TYPICAL VALENTINE’S DAY TRADITION

SNOWSHOE CAMPING: NOT YOUR TYPICAL VALENTINE’S DAY TRADITION

Words by Rachel Jones, Photos by Mike Jones I am a born and raised San Diego girl.
THE REVERSE TRAVERSE–BACKCOUNTRY SKIING WITH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

THE REVERSE TRAVERSE–BACKCOUNTRY SKIING WITH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

Words and Photos from Mallory Duncan @galacticbrown Skiing has been a lifelong journey for me.
SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – LIZ KIDDER

SHAKEDOWN 2.0 – LIZ KIDDER

Words and photos by Liz “Handstand” Kidder @lizkidder, IG - @lizkidder The Shakedown 2.0 has fresh legs and a belly full of Nutella!
in front of the Baxter Creek Trail sign

A LOVELY TRIBUTE TO A VISIONARY: JOSH SHEETS HIKES THE BENTON MACKAYE TRAIL

Words and Photos by Josh “Soulslosher” Sheets @Josh_Sheets Benton MacKaye Trail – Thru Hike, April 2023 - 300 miles of pristine Southern Appalachia wilderness Imagine a trail that starts on Springe...
FIVE NEEDS AND FIVE DIDN’T NEEDS FROM THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL

FIVE NEEDS AND FIVE DIDN’T NEEDS FROM THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL

Words and Photos from Tina Currin (@tina) Hello from mile 2,000+ of the CDT, arguably the most rugged and remote of the “big three” American long-distance trails.
A MAJOR OBJECTIVE: REBECCA SPERRY AND THE WHITE MOUNTAINS: TAKE THREE

A MAJOR OBJECTIVE: REBECCA SPERRY AND THE WHITE MOUNTAINS: TAKE THREE

Words and Photos from Rebecca Sperry In 2019, when I started on this journey, I never imagined that I would still be working on it.
The Bugaboos

The Bugaboos

This picture is of course not from the Bugaboos. In this moment, though, I was planning all kinds of future trips...
Ground Control to Major Trip Planning in Arizona

Ground Control to Major Trip Planning in Arizona

SPOILER!!! This is how the trip went in video form. It's a bit like skipping to the last page of a book if you watch this first, but I won't judge:
WHO’S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET TIMOTHY WENTZELL

WHO’S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET TIMOTHY WENTZELL

Name: Timothy Wentzell @tjwentzell Position at HMG: Ideation Designer Years with HMG: Going on my third trip around the sun with HMG Products you’ve worked on:
gazing at the Alps

A FRENCH ALPS DISPATCH: SKIING WITH CROISSANTS, ESPRESSO, AND THE POPE

Words and Photos by Jessica Normandeau @jessnormandeau Between the conception of an idea and its actualization, a lot happens.