This summer William Woodward shifted gears and decided to take to the waters for some reflection, introspection and distance from the life he was accustomed to. Now that he is back, we sat down with him to get the scoop on how his endeavor changed, challenged and impacted him. What was the influencing factors that…
Category: Summer Sports
5 of America’s Best Mountain Towns
There are so many great options in the United States to choose for your next adventure. So let’s narrow it down a bit and look to the mountains. Mountain towns are fun: enthusiastic outdoor scene, hidden gems, local breweries, and culture. Each town has a unique personality and once you figure out which one matches…
A Guide to Your First Trip to the Backcountry
If you’ve never tried backcountry camping, we’re here to get you stoked about it! So you love camping (but only in a car!) or perhaps you’re a pro at tent camping, but only at a site. Either way, we all agree that it’s hard to beat an evening spent swapping stories with friends around a…
The AT Thru-Hiker’s Decision: Get Back on Trail or Call it Quits
Gretchen Pardon was one month and more than 270 miles into her Appalachian Trail thru-hike when she realized she had to leave the trail. It was March 23, less than two weeks after the World Health Organization had officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic, when she walked into the city of Hot Springs, NC expecting to…
A Summer Spent Chasing Slippery Gold
I don’t think many people refer to salmon as “slippery gold” but after spending three months on a fishing boat, I quickly learned that the more fish you caught, the larger the paycheck would be. Just about 5 years ago a friend of mine from high school reached out and made me an offer I…
10 of the Best Swimming Holes in the United States
Swimming Holes are a beloved summertime ritual that’s equally sweet in its simplicity—all you really need is a swimsuit and a bit of insider savvy to find the best spots
How to Go Beach Backpacking
Ditch the beach crowds for your own private wilderness, and forget the ritzy resort hotel with its fuzzy bathrobes and redundant oceanside pools for a tent and a bed on the world’s best natural mattress—the sand.
4 Southern California Hot Springs for Backpackers Only
For a resplendent escape from the sprawl and bustle of the Los Angeles area, grab your backpack and bathing suit and hit the trail to explore these four incredible hot springs in Southern California—Mother Nature’s best day spas.
6 Best 3-Day Backpacking Trips Around the World
Dreaming of trekking along mountaintops, summiting peaks, and meandering around rivers? Yeah, us too.
The 8 Best Day Hikes in National Parks
National parks really are America’s Best Idea, and the best way to see them is to get off the road and carry your pack to an unforgettable destination.