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!

A FLOW THROUGH THE BOB

A FLOW THROUGH THE BOB

Words Ian Provo / Photos by Sean Kerrick Sullivan, Ian Provo, & Neil Provo A few summers ago, my brother and I set out to recreate our first grand adventure.
PRETTY INSANE OUT THERE: IZZY CHECK-IN #2 FROM THE PCT

PRETTY INSANE OUT THERE: IZZY CHECK-IN #2 FROM THE PCT

Words and Photos by Izzy "Spoons" Tonneson @izzytonneson “It’s only insanity if you fight it,” a trail angel told me as we bumped along the winding mountain road from Idyllwild back to the Pacific ...
WHEN THE IDEA FOR A FREESTANDING TENT WAS PITCHED: NASH CALVIN AND THE CROSSPEAK 2

WHEN THE IDEA FOR A FREESTANDING TENT WAS PITCHED: NASH CALVIN AND THE CROSSPEAK 2

Words by Nash Calvin, Photos by Bridget Williams, Mike Borchard, Miah Watt    Nash Calvin, one of our R&D Team's esteemed Product Designers, loves a good challenge. Look no further than the pro...
GET THE DEETS FROM SHEETS: BARTRAM TRAIL, NORTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA

GET THE DEETS FROM SHEETS: BARTRAM TRAIL, NORTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA

Words and Photos by Josh "Soulslosher" Sheets @soulslosher LENGTH:  114 miles WHEN TO HIKE:  Spring, Summer, & Fall WHY HIKE:  Different views, healthy dose of solitude, well-maintained trail, ...
A CALENDAR YEAR TRIPLE CROWN FOR THE PEOPLE - MEET IZZY TONNESON

A CALENDAR YEAR TRIPLE CROWN FOR THE PEOPLE - MEET IZZY TONNESON

Words and Photos by Izzy Tonneson @izzytonneson Friends and family often ask me, “What’s your favorite part about thru-hiking?” usually trying to wrap their heads around why I’d commit to something...
THE SITUATION IS THE BOSS, MAN! BROKEN IN BAJA WITH BRETT AND DIANA DAVIS

THE SITUATION IS THE BOSS, MAN! BROKEN IN BAJA WITH BRETT AND DIANA DAVIS

Words and Photos by Brett Davis @brettrdavis From the bed of the pickup, I focused on the fingers that lightly grasped and pushed up the truck's hood.  The shutter clicked.  This snapshot of time w...
MILES COVERED, KNOWLEDGE EARNED. GOING LIGHTWEIGHT WITH SENIOR NOLS INSTRUCTOR, MARCO JOHNSON

MILES COVERED, KNOWLEDGE EARNED. GOING LIGHTWEIGHT WITH SENIOR NOLS INSTRUCTOR, MARCO JOHNSON

Words and Photos by Marco Johnson, Senior NOLS Instructor When I began my career in Outdoor Education, and took my NOLS Field Instructor Course in 1985, the idea of being lightweight, as we think o...
GET TO KNOW THE APA: PADDLE, PROTECT, AND EXPLORE

GET TO KNOW THE APA: PADDLE, PROTECT, AND EXPLORE

Words by Sarah Kilborne, Photos by Sarah Kilbourne and Jack Henderson Hi, I’m Sarah Kilbourne, the Executive Director of the American Packrafting Association (APA) and a passionate packrafter. Pack...
PETER GIERLACH'S CURE FOR CABIN FEVER

PETER GIERLACH'S CURE FOR CABIN FEVER

Words and Photos by Peter Gierlach, @Pete Gierlach Looking out the window, I had absolutely zero reason to step outside. It was pitch black, a presumably starry sky blocked by thick layers of cloud...
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

By Jeremy Cronon, NOLS Partnership Director Since 1965, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) has been at the forefront of outdoor education, empowering hundreds of thousands of participant...
THE PROFESSOR SINGS SWEET HOME ALABAMA: HIKING THE PINHOTI TRAIL IN WINTER

THE PROFESSOR SINGS SWEET HOME ALABAMA: HIKING THE PINHOTI TRAIL IN WINTER

Words and Photos by Carl “Professor” Stanfield  @prof_carl Folks in the long-distance hiking community have come to know and appreciate the beloved communities around our Triple Crown trails. Anyon...
PUT A PIN ON IT: JOSH SHEETS ON THE PINHOTI TRAIL, ALABAMA AND GEORGIA

PUT A PIN ON IT: JOSH SHEETS ON THE PINHOTI TRAIL, ALABAMA AND GEORGIA

Words and Photos by Josh “Soulslosher” Sheets @soulslosher QUICK HITS: ·      Length:  335 miles ·      When to Hike:  Spring and/or Fall; winter if you’re hardy ·      Why Hike:  Robust trail town...