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My experience on the Appalachian Trail with HMG
The bizarre part of this story is that I don't wear a HMG pack. I'm also partially sponsored by another gear company. I came to the AT determined to finish the AT - and the triple crown - as quickly as I could. I was aiming for 100 days, and I was pretty close to being on pace. But I changed my plans and took a ton of…
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REFLECTIONS ON BACKCOUNTRY SKIING WITH CODY TOWNSEND AND IAN PROVO
Words and Photos from Cody Townsend and Ian Provo Maybe you heard that there’s a new member of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear pack family! The Headwall 55 is a backcountry ski pack for the chill people who work hard and put in long hours to get to the top, just to see it all go downhill. But they love it that way, and we’re…
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Thoughts on Slow Hiking?
Hi all, Over the past few months I've been practicing something I call slow hiking. I've noticed over the past few years I've become too obsessed with metrics. Distance, pace, elevation, photos, etc. It's almost as if my watch at the map app have become more important than the hike itself. Hikes started becoming another…
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Flag guy
If you've spent a significant amount of time on the trail, perhaps you have experienced the old-fashioned way in which news travels. Not by tweets or snapchats or whatever the kids are using these days - but by word of mouth. In a similar manner to the old mantra "loose lips sink ships", the spoken word really travels…
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The Importance of Staying Flexible
Last week I was fortunate enough to spend a week with my partner in the Canadian Rockies. This place has always been special to me and last summer we thru-hiked the GDT, traversing nearly the entire range. Our plan was to start picking away at the remaining overnight hikes in the Banff area as we had done nearly all of…
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SUNKEN COSTS HAVE NO BUSINESS IN SMART ADVENTURING
Words from Diana Davis, Photos by Brett Davis This could be bad. I feel a few sprinkles mist my face as I look up at the looming gray moving in overhead. Hiking in the rain, paddling in the rain, camping in the rain–no problem. I have solid rain gear and an awesome Hyperlite shelter. Climbing on loose rock, surrounded by…
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Andy Neal on Hiker Podcast, Plus-Sized Modeling, and Social Media’s Double-Edged Sword
Hello, my name is Oats, and today I’m excited to chat with Andy Neal, host of the Hiker Podcast, outdoor influencer, creator, and hiker extraordinaire. Now, the last time Andy and I chatted was in 2020. I lived in a school bus and was fresh off the Colorado Trail, and he was in the midst of season one of Hiker Podcast.…
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Twenty-Five Hikes, Ten Percent Traced, Entering August
“A gentle mist kissed my cheeks as I strapped on my pack and headed towards the US/Canadian border. A cold front had blown in overnight and the trees swayed in front of me. It felt like a dream and from the moment that I got out of my car, I smiled. This time I wanted to take it all in, to go slow and stay present. Last…
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Versa Kayaking!
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Fairies and bluebirds on The AT?
8/08 If flying fairies and talking blue birds suddenly appeared, I would not be surprised. The hypnotic magic of the AT cannot be explained- it's other-worldly.
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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 lay awake, fighting to recall how well you checked for dead limbs above you before setting up camp. This time, however, it was jet lag that had me up, not the lingering…
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Emily AKA Dim Sum and Her Advice for International Thru-Hikers Following in Her Footsteps
Hi y’all, Oats here! This week, our spotlight is shining on Trek Blogger Emily who flew to the PCT from London and has been making stellar updates, sharing photos, tales from the trail, and details on all things new and unexpected in sunny Southern CA ever since. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. The…
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Alyssa’s Powerful “Why” and How It’s Kept Her on Trail Time and Time Again
Hello, my name is Oats, and today I’m joined by Trek Blogger Alyssa, who has had an absolutely wild 48 hours. After being helivaced out of the Sierra Mountains due to severe altitude sickness, Alyssa is sharing all the things you want to know about life on trail (and then some). The “then some” includes her touching…
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Zero Waste Honey on the Appalachian Trail
Hi y’all, Oats here! I’m the Social Media Wiz for The Trek back on IG Live with another interview from the Appalachian Trail. Today I’m delighted to chat with Honey, a Trek Vlogger taking on a monumental challenge. She’s not only walking 2,200 miles from GA to ME, and not only vlogging it along the way (which if you’re in…
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Hiking Through Cancer: An Interview with Rebecca Sperry
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2020, Rebecca Sperry underwent years of treatment all while being in graduate school, working part-time, and hiking over 1,000 miles mostly in the White Mountains National Forest of NH. You may know her as a Hyperlite Ambassador or from her wonderful articles and think-pieces on…
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Small things make a big difference!
Here's a note I and my Windrider 55 sent to Harrison's Pierce Pond Camp which is emblematic of thru hike experiences: I recently stayed at the Harrison Pierce Pond Camp during my thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. You may not remember me, but I certainly remember you. Of the hundreds, if not thousands of positive…
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The Balance Between Type 2 Fun and Type 3
We have all experienced Type 2 Fun on trail; some hikers love it, others despise it. As my experience in the mountains grows, and as I hear more and more stories about even the most prepared hikers being caught in dangerous situations, I have been confronted with where the lines lies between Type 2 Fun and the decision to…
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YOUNG ICARUS FLEW OVER THE PYRENEES: SLEEPING FAR ABOVE THE CLOUDS
Words and Photos by Michel Grebenikof Our favorite “correspondent from Dubai,” Michel Grebenikof, was kind enough to write up a trip report about a recent adventure he went on, this time in the Pyrenees. We first met Michel when he shared another trip he went on for the series, “The Situation is the Boss, Man!” that you…
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Photographer and PODs
Hello any photographers use the PODs to store their camera and lenses?
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Abstract Hikes on 5,000 Miles of Backpacking, Diversifying Her Art, and Overprotective Moms
Hello everyone! I’m Oats, the Social Media Lead at The Trek, and today I’m having on a guest that has been using her art and talent working with several mediums to showcase what she calls “the trailverse”, Alina AKA “Abstract” of Abstract Hikes. In own words, her mission is to, “Help people reconnect with their journeys in…
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Ran the Leadville Silver Rush 50 This Weekend
My first race of any kind since I ran track in high school. Felt really good for most of the race, threw up around mile 21 because I was still wearing long sleeves. Felt better after I dropped to a t-shirt and held it together until about the last half-mile of climbing at around 34.5. Threw up there and at the very top at…
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Favorite Backpacking Spots
Just curious, what is everyone’s favorite backpacking spots around where you live? Both winter time and summer time? Gotta get out n about all year ya know?
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Greetings!
7/07/22 First, a huge shout-out to Mark. He is amazing! Just returned from section-hiking Colorado Trail. I about froze! 7 items saved me: long pants, alpaca hoodie, hat, long drawers--top and bottom; full fingered gloves, carbon fiber hiking. poles, and SPF 36 lip Rx. Living in Gulf Coast Texas, HOT is a dominant feature.…
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Colorado Springs or Near
Hello everyone just curious if anyone lives in or near Colorado Springs to possibly meet up to hike 🤙🏾
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Hornstrandir Backpacking Trip in Iceland
Hey everyone, Has anyone backpacked the Hornstrandir trail in Iceland? I would love to know if you have and what would be some advice you would give to someone going to do it! Was there a piece of gear that is a must bring? If you have any pics or experiences then I would love to hear about them!
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Hometown Shoutout: Ombraz
Just wanted to give a hometown shoutout to WA sunglasses brand Ombraz. Went through countless frames on my first thru hike, having always snapped the arms, but I’m happy to report 100% satisfaction with investing in a pair of Ombraz for the CDT. Crossing into WY this week and these shades are still kicking it!
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Iceland Food
Hey everyone, I am going to Iceland in July to backpack! And we are going to be driving around the entire Ring Road! I was wondering if you guys have any recommendations of places to eat in Iceland or something that we should see around the road! Let me know!
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KNOWING WHERE YOU NEED TO BE: A BACKPACKING TRIP TO THE CENTER OF SELF
Words and Photos by Peter Gierlach No need to mince words, folks. Times are a little, uh, odd. We've all got our spots that we can rely on to clear the fuzz, or experiences we know will guarantee a recharge. Hop into the discussion and share yours! As my best friend and I pulled into the Pharaoh Mountain Wilderness in the…
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Pack Rafting with the Southwest 55
A few years ago I tried pack rafting for the first time. Armed with a Costco float, my Southwest 55, a mat and some food, I set off with some friends to try our hands at a small rather tame chunk of the Mckenzie river. I trusted my southwest to keep my clothes, my camera gear and my mat dry, which despite being flipped at…
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Laugavegur Backpacking Trip in Iceland
Hey everyone, I will be going on a trip to Iceland this summer in July. I plan on backpacking the Laugavegur trail and was wondering if anyone has done it? Anything that I should for sure take with me? I would love to hear about experiences you had on the trail!
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WHAT DEFINES A SUCCESSFUL ADVENTURE? LET’S TALK ABOUT UNFINISHED TRIPS
Words And Photos by Neil Irwin “Well, that was an adventure!” We say it all the time, whether we’re talking about an expedition or trying to get a license renewed at the Department of Motor Vehicles. But there is often a tendency to feel like unfinished or unsuccessful trips don’t count as much as those accomplished in…
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THIS WEEKEND IN ADVENTURE HISTORY: WHAT'S THE PLAN? - 5/20/22
Who's got happy feet? (Or paddles or pedals or skis) Feed the stoke machine, people!
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THIS WEEKEND IN ADVENTURE HISTORY: WHAT'S THE PLAN? - 5/13/22
You creative explorer types always have something cooking - let's hear what you're up to!
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SNOWSHOE CAMPING: NOT YOUR TYPICAL VALENTINE’S DAY TRADITION
Words by Rachel Jones, Photos by Mike Jones I am a born and raised San Diego girl. Growing up in a city that is sunny and 70 degrees year-round, I have no tolerance for cold weather. You say it's going to be 68 out today? I'll grab my puffy! However, last year my husband convinced me to go snowshoe backcountry camping for…
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OUR FILM, "NORTH WOODS - FROM AWAY"
Spring 2021, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Marketing Room – "Remember that survey we sent out a while back? We got the answers sorted. Turns out that one of the most common responses to 'second favorite activities' is canoeing." "No foolin'? Guess it's not too surprising–it's a sweet way to travel through the backcountry and get…
