When you’re hiking long distances, carrying weight, navigating scree fields, or climbing snowy ridgelines, the right pair of shoes can make or break your experience. And while no single boot will work for every trip, there are a few key things to understand when choosing the best option for your[...]
Hiking clothing is incredibly personal and obviously comes down to individual comfort and style preferences, but outdoor layers are something else entirely— layering is about essential safety, with base layers, mid-layers, jackets, and shells designed to protect you from the elements in[...]
Mountaineering pushes beyond the boundaries of backpacking into high alpine terrain, steep ascents, glaciated passes, and snow-covered or mixed rock routes. It’s demanding, remote, and usually involves technical gear, cold exposure, and long days with little margin for error. Whether you’re cli[...]
Backpacking is the purest form of backcountry freedom— carrying everything you need on your back and heading deep into the wild for days at a time. For many, it can be an intimidating level-up from single day hikes, but there’s nothing quite like watching the sun rise from your tent, cooki[...]
Multi-day hiking doesn’t always mean carrying a tent, stove, and 20kg pack— hut-to-hut hikes are the perfect middle ground between rugged backcountry and lightweight adventure. Whether you’re trekking through the Italian Dolomites, staying in alpine huts in New Zealand, or hiking between[...]
Whether you’re hiking to an epic viewpoint above Lake Louise, summiting a one-day peak in the Alps, or tackling a remote 20hr thru-hike in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, packing the right gear can make all the difference. The old adage "it's better to have it and not need it" holds incredibly true[...]
A good night’s sleep can make or break a multi-day hike— you could be trekking through the most stunning mountains in the world, but if you’re cold, uncomfortable, and sleep-deprived, it’s hard to enjoy any of it. Over the years, I've tested everything from ultralight summer setups to -[...]
Your home on the trail, your gear storage zone, your shelter from alpine storms, and sometimes your only escape from the elements— the right tent can make or break an outdoor adventure. But with so many designs, materials, and specs to consider, how do you know which tent is right for y[...]
Choosing the right backpack for an outdoor adventure is one of the most important gear decisions you’ll make— one with far-reaching implications for your body and the overall trip! But with dozens of sizes, shapes, and styles on the market, how do you know what will actually work for you?[...]
Exploring the mountains, tackling technical climbs, and venturing into remote landscapes is a transformative experience. And even though I normally write about solo adventures here, there are absolutely objectives that require more support! Whether you're an outdoor novice or an experienced climber[...]
A magical little island adrift in the Indian Ocean, Socotra protects pristine beaches, high-elevation forests, sparkling wadis, rippling sand dunes, and 700 plant & animal species found nowhere else on earth. Despite surging internet popularity, we were delighted to find the island so rugged an[...]
An ancient Nabatean city carved deep into the rose-hued sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan, Petra is one of the most awe-inspiring ancient sites in the entire world. Even after 2,000 years, it stands as a testament to the architectural and engineering brilliance of a nomadic people who transformed[...]
The Jordan Trail is a breathtaking hiking route that winds from the lush green forests of Umm Qais in the north all the way to the coral-filled waters of the Red Sea in Aqaba, Jordan’s southernmost tip. Officially opened in 2017, the trail stitches together ancient pathways to offer an intimate j[...]
Due to Argentina’s unstable economy, there is a widespread and easily accessed black market for currency, pinned to the US Dollar. The so-called "Blue Dollar" rate can be anywhere from 1.5-3x the "official" currency exchange that you'd get from a bank, so it really pays to understand this informa[...]
The Queen of the Andes and highest point in the Americas at 6,962m (22,838ft), Aconcagua has long-since captivated climbers from around the world with her broad, marbled face, towering penitentes (ice spires), and dramatic glaciers. Despite being a non-technical ascent, Aconcagua poses an incredibl[...]
The highest volcano and 3rd tallest mountain in all of North America, Pico de Orizaba is a challenge that you might not expect to find in Mexico. Although not overly technical, glacier conditions above 5,000m can be absolutely wild and this mountain is a real mental game, a breathless ascent up sno[...]
Mexico’s 3rd tallest volcano is a truly epic climb along an impossibly long ridgeline complicated by half a dozen false peaks— it’s a little brutal, but truly so spectacular to spend hours above 5,000m, appreciating the sprawl of Central Mexico beneath you and the constant steaming of active[...]
Straddling the border between Puebla and Tlaxcala in one of central Mexico's most beautiful national parks, La Malinche is a dormant volcano named for the local Nahua woman who was sold to Hernán Cortés to act as interpreter and intermediary during the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire. Althou[...]
Situated within easy driving of Mexico City yet a world away from the bustle of the capital, Nevado de Toluca is the country’s 4th highest volcano and an absolutely spectacular Class 2-3 scramble. Of the "easier" climbs in this region, this is by far the most exciting, delivering scenery, intrigu[...]
Nestled in the highland forests of Chiapas, a departure from the sweltering jungles and ancient ruins that abound in Mexico's southernmost state, the little mountain town of San Cristóbal de las Casas (or San Cris, as it's affectionately known) is a true gem. This beautiful colonial town is a[...]