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!
MATT GRAHAM AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE AERO 28
Words and Photos by Matt Graham My name is Matt Graham. I grew up in Southern California, and I come from an endurance and triathlon background.
A STEP BACK TO LOOK FORWARD: AN ODE TO BACKCOUNTRY PROGRESSION
Words and Photos from Peter Bugg @bugglife As we gain backcountry knowledge, it can sometimes be difficult to remember what it was like not having years of experience to draw on when making critica...
SAME ADVENTURES THROUGH THE AGES: ULTRALIGHT FOR OLDER BACKPACKERS
Words and Photos from “No Spring Chicken,” Michael DeYoung (New trail name: Second Chance)
My first real life-changing event was a two-week backpack trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico in 19...
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW: LESSONS EARNED ON A CALENDAR YEAR TRIPLE CROWN
Words and Photos from Jack "Quadzilla" Jones
Jack "Quadzilla" Jones set out this year to achieve what only a small number of backpackers have; a calendar year Triple Crown. Eight thousand miles of ...
SIX HIKING HABITS TO LEAVE WILD PLACES BETTER THAN YOU FOUND THEM
Words and Photos from Katie Houston (@oatshikes)
Sometimes we pat ourselves on the back for sticking diligently to Leave No Trace, the expectation of backcountry behavior meant to protect our publ...
DRESS LIKE AN ONION: PEELING BACK THE LAYERS FOR EFFECTIVE AND COMFORTABLE HIGH DESERT BACKPACKING
Words and Photos from Scott Nechemias
The vast majority of my shoulder and winter season hiking takes place in the Oregon High Desert and Great Basin. This unique climate can throw so many differe...
MEGA PINTS AND MEGA VERT ON THE GR20 IN CORSICA
Words and Photos from Dan Oliver
It started with one of those nights where the forest sounds like an ocean, the winds gusting with such force that you’re stuck awake, fighting to recall how well y...
SHIFTING GEAR: QUADZILLA TWEAKS HIS SETUP FROM THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL FOR THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
Words and Photos from Jack "Quadzilla" JonesAny gear heads in the audience here? Thought so! As you well know, selecting the right equipment for any trail is an addictive art form, and how others d...
THOUGHTS FOR FOOD FROM A TRIPLE CROWNER: HOW QUADZILLA FUELS UP FOR THE BIG MILES
Words and Photos from Jack "Quadzilla" Jones It’s probably your number one job on trail–eating! It’s likely the number one topic of daily conversation amongst The High Mileage Set, too! But what ki...
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...
ONE LAST HIKE WITH A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND
Words and Photos by Sarah Strattan
The jar of Chandler's ashes had sat on my shelf for months now. I've seen people keep their loved one's ashes in urns, proudly displayed above a fireplace or simi...
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...
