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!
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
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
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
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
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
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...
YOU WANNA BACKPACK IN A SHOULDER SEASON? TIPS FROM THE PROFESSOR
Words and Photos from Carl "Professor" Stanfield @prof_carl
Love backpacking but getting tired of ruining your gear with all that sweat? Stoked to spend days on end outdoors but can't stand all tho...
PITCHING AN ULTAMID 2 IN SNOW WITH NOLS INSTRUCTOR, JEFF WOHL
Words, Photos, andVideo by Jeff Wohl
After wrapping up the summer season with trips in Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, and the canyons of Utah, I get excited to head out into the winter wonderland for...
THE SITUATION IS THE BOSS, MAN: LET THE SCOTS SKI!
Words and Photos by Huw Oliver @topofests
Wise words. I’m not much of a Deadhead, so instead, I picture HMG’s own Mark Sirek nodding sagely, stroking his magnificent beard, and encouraging me to s...
SOMEWHAT SELF-SUPPORTED SKI TOURING: THE ALASKA MOUNTAIN WINTER WILDERNESS CLASSIC
Words and Photos by Eric Parsons, Founder of Revelate Designs
“It’s DEAD!” came spewing from my mouth as I flung the expensive chunk of aluminum that was our stove into the snow. More swearing fle...
TRAIL REPORTAGE WITH JOSH SHEETS: THE ALLEGHENY TRAIL, WEST VIRGINIA
Words and Photos by Josh "Soulslosher" Sheets @soulslosher
THE ALLEGHENY TRAIL QUICK HITS
Length: 315 miles
Time to Hike: Spring and/or Fall
Why Hike: Unique, remote, wild & wonderful, suppor...
LIZ KIDDER AND THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL–PREP TIME!
Words and Photos by Liz Kidder @lizkidder
I am going to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail this year. A bold statement–as if I have full control over being able to hike all of its 2,650 miles. Unfor...
