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!
KNOWING WHERE YOU NEED TO BE: A BACKPACKING TRIP TO THE CENTER OF SELF
Words and Photos by Peter GierlachAs my best friend and I pulled into the Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, a sense of peace swelled over me whe...
BETTER GEAR + EXPERIENCE = FARTHER DISTANCE: THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
Words and Photos by Rebecca SperryWe all see them on the trail and internally (or externally) cringe. Maybe they have on a backpack; maybe they’re just carrying a water bottle. Their footwear might...
ACCESSORIES TO COMPLIMENT A TRIPLE CROWN: QUADZILLA’S GEAR LIST, PART ONE
Words from Jack “Quadzilla” Jones, Photos by Chris Shane & Jack "Quadzilla" Jones
Jack ”Quadzilla” Jones is setting out this year to achieve what only a small number of backpackers have; a ca...
THE SITUATION IS THE BOSS, MAN: HUMBLY HYPOTHERMIC ON THE COLORADO TRAIL
Words & photos by Josh Sheets
The Colorado Trail (CT) is often billed as “mile for mile, the most beautiful trail in America.” In 2018, I experienced each one of the beautiful 486 miles from D...
Have Camera Pod, Will Travel: A Season Capturing Images In Wild Places
Words by Matt Morelli / Photos by Matt Morelli and Sam Conley
I was making my way down the trail, bounding with excitement as I moved through the great halls of granite that are the Wind River Rang...
Subjective Danger on Arizona's Mogollon Rim Trail
Words and Photos by Scott Nechemias
It was a slow, continuous slide on a 35-degree angle towards the bottom of a mud pit nestled underneath an overhang of red rocks in Sycamore Canyon, the first wa...
52 Weeks: Hiking Nonstop Through Cancer Treatment
Words and Photos by Rebecca Sperry
In the summer of 2015, I discovered hiking. It was simple–I wanted to go hiking one day, and my husband didn't, so I went by myself and got hooked. The sense of ...
A Life of Miles: Pushing Forward When The Trail Grows Cold
Words & Photos by Jeff Garmire
Thirty thousand miles and always counting, give or take a few yards or inches, all done on foot. Jeff Garmire (@thefreeoutside) is still heading out whenever he c...
Putting It All Out There And Getting It Back Together On The Colorado Trail
By: Lauren "Yardsale" Jones
They call me Yardsale.
An obligatory trail name gifted to me due to the ridiculous mess I make at camp with my clothing strewn about on branches, logs, and tent neverth...
Savings You Can Feel: Tina Currin's Top Tips For Getting Ultralighter on the Cheap
Words and Photos by Tina Currin
If ultralight backpacking has a reputation for anything, it's tiny gear at a hefty price. Dive into any heady discussion with ultralight enthusiasts and you'll event...
“It Will Be Fun," She Said: A Friendly Introduction to Packrafting on the Colorado River
Words and Photos by Eszter Horanyi
The sand was never-ending. Each step was an effort, and the grains of sand building up in my shoes were starting to press against my toes and the arches of my fee...
Mind Over Mileage: Finding Fortitude on the Appalachian Trail
Words and Photos by Max Kiel
Fortitude /ˈfȯr-tə-ˌtüd: strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage
I'm not going to lie; my time spent thru hiki...
