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 sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan, Petra is unquestionably one of the most awe-inspiring ancient sites in the entire world. Millions have stood at the base of the Treasury, marvelling at 2000 years of history— but few venture deeper into the site an[...]
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 breathless ascent up snow and ice that threa[...]
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 acted as interpreter to Hernán Cortés during the Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire. Although many view her as a trait[...]
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[...]
There's a popular saying among locals: you aren't a true Slovenian until you've climbed to the top of Mt Triglav. At 2864m, this is Slovenia's highest peak, an iconic "three-headed" mountain that rises above the spectacular Julian Alps and dominates the view throughout Slovenia's one and only natio[...]
You've seen the photos: slender iron rungs leading up the side of a limestone cliff while a climber dangles dramatically over the void below, clipped only to a cable bolted into the mountainside. Invented right here in the Italian and Austrian Alps, the Dolomites are home to hundreds of via ferrata[...]
With its endless stretch of pristine coastline, infinite camping possibilities, and hidden gems tucked far away from tourist hotspots, Baja may just be the ultimate roadtrip destination for those seeking adventure south of the border. Even more than the beaches and the prices, you'll fall[...]
Preparing to set out on an epic hut-to-hut adventure in the Italian Dolomites? I've spent months hiking through these mountains across different routes, seasons, and conditions, eventually building the ultimate Alta Via packing list that works for any hut-based hike through the Dolomites. Whethe[...]
For avid hikers, climbers, and the otherwise mountain-obsessed, there's hardly a more exciting destination than the Italian Dolomites, a paradise of dramatic limestone spires, sparkling glacier lakes, and breathtaking peaks cut by thousands of kilometres of hiking trails and more via ferrata routes[...]