The Trailhead

CRUX 40 VS HEADWALL 55 SKI PACKS: DIG IN WITH CARVER CULBECK

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!

PREP FOR A WINTER EXPEDITION WITH MALI NOYES

PREP FOR A WINTER EXPEDITION WITH MALI NOYES

Words and Photos from Mali Noyes There are a lot of pieces that go into preparing for a winter expedition. There are the obvious things, like logistics and gear packing, but there are also the tri...
WILDERNESS DIKE CHASING IN PRIDE MONTH WITH SADIE FORD

WILDERNESS DIKE CHASING IN PRIDE MONTH WITH SADIE FORD

Words by Sadie Ford, Photos by Danny Kern In a certain peak in Oregon, the landscape is covered with exquisite dikes–the most of any volcano in the west. A rare geological feature that shoots out o...
FALL ON VERMONT'S LONG TRAIL WITH MAX KIEL

FALL ON VERMONT'S LONG TRAIL WITH MAX KIEL

Words and Photos by Max Kiel  Fall is the best hiking season of the year. Just my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I love being out there any time of the year, but that window from late September thro...
WHAT BARANOF TAUGHT US–A SAIL TO SKI WITH MALLORY DUNCAN

WHAT BARANOF TAUGHT US–A SAIL TO SKI WITH MALLORY DUNCAN

Words by Mallory Duncan, Photos by Andy Cochrane As I soared in on a small commercial prop plane, I snapped a few photos of the white peaks jutting between the clouds. This winter, storms had smac...
WHY NOLS INSTRUCTORS RECOMMEND HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR: JEFF WOHL AND JEREMY CRONON

WHY NOLS INSTRUCTORS RECOMMEND HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR: JEFF WOHL AND JEREMY CRONON

Since 1965, the instructors and students of the nonprofit global wilderness school, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), have immersed themselves in backcountry settings or through course...
STUCK IN WATER CANYON*: AN AMERICAN DISCOVERY TRAIL SURVIVAL STORY

STUCK IN WATER CANYON*: AN AMERICAN DISCOVERY TRAIL SURVIVAL STORY

Words and Photos by Briana DeSanctis *Water Canyon is no longer on the official route of the ADT It was October in the isolated Nevada desert, and there I was, thousands of miles into my American ...
SHOP VISIT: ALPENGLOW SPORTS

SHOP VISIT: ALPENGLOW SPORTS

They’re the essence of a “Happy Place”–a great local gear shop produces its own kind of serotonin! Get to know Alpenglow Sports in Tahoe City, California. You know what your local gear shop means t...
WHY THIS CALENDAR YEAR TRIPLE CROWNER (AND PROFESSOR) LOVES THE CONTOUR 35

WHY THIS CALENDAR YEAR TRIPLE CROWNER (AND PROFESSOR) LOVES THE CONTOUR 35

Words and Photos by Carl “Professor” Stanfield I’ve been a part of the long-distance hiking community for just over six years. In that time, I’ve racked up about 16,000 backpacking miles, most of w...
WHO’S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET FRANCINE FROM R&D

WHO’S HAD A HAND IN YOUR GEAR? MEET FRANCINE FROM R&D

Francine was our first hire, and for the past fifteen years, she’s applied her otherworldly sewing abilities to every product we’ve made, figuring out how to streamline the manufacturing process wh...
THE ULTIMATE ULTRALIGHT CAMERA FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

THE ULTIMATE ULTRALIGHT CAMERA FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

As much as I love being outdoors, my passion is even greater for photography. I love taking photos of beautiful moments and sharing them with people.
THE ACROPOLIS ADVENTURE WITH SHAUN MITTWOLLEN AND THE ELEVATE 22

THE ACROPOLIS ADVENTURE WITH SHAUN MITTWOLLEN AND THE ELEVATE 22

Words and Photos by Shaun Mittwollen @shaunmittwollen Summer quickly transitions into winter down here in Tasmania.
GEARING UP FOR THE COLORADO TRAIL WITH JENNER HASELTINE

GEARING UP FOR THE COLORADO TRAIL WITH JENNER HASELTINE

Words and Photos by Jenner Haseltine @jennerhaseltine To the hiker trash it may concern–My name is Jenner, and I’ll be starting the Colorado Trail in Denver on August 12, 2024.