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!
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 ...
DID SOMEONE SAY PCT GEAR LIST?
Josh Sheets shares his Pacific Crest Trail gear list that prioritizes lightweight comfort over gram-counting. Because sometimes the best gear decisions have nothing to do with base weight.
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...
RO(U)TE LEARNING: QUADZILLA’S TAKEAWAYS FROM DAYS ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL AND PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
Words and Photos from Jack “Quadzilla” Jones
Jack "Quadzilla" Jones is setting out this year to achieve what only a small number of backpackers have; a calendar year Triple Crown. 8,000 miles of hi...
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...
THE HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR GUIDE FOR A PACKED, PICTURE-PERFECT DAY HIKE (LUNCH INCLUDED)
Words and Photos from the HMG Team and Rebecca Sperry (@sockedinhikes)
An open schedule and a sweet weather window–the foundational elements required for a great day out on a trail. Time outside co...
A BACKPACKING GEAR LIST FOR NEW HIKERS
From Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Huge skies, dense forests, shades of blue and green you’ve never imagined. Climbing peaks and covering distances you didn’t think you could. The sense of accomplishment...
PACKING LIST FOR MULTI-DAY HIKING TRIPS
You’ve saved up paid time off hours, spending weeknights researching trails and reading every last word on The Trailhead. The time has finally come to get out of Dodge and have the backpacking expe...
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...
