At 4,392m (14,411ft), Mt Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the continental US and a serious proving ground for aspiring alpinists. Between crevasse fields, rockfall risk, extreme exposure, and a 12+ hour summit push, every item in your pack has to balance warmth, weight, and safety— especiall[...]
Straddling the border of France, Italy, and Switzerland, Mont Blanc (4,809m) is the undisputed monarch of the Alps. For all her dramatic beauty, climbing this mountain is no hike (and certainly not to be confused with the epic Tour du Mont Blanc trail). On a summit climb, you can expect substantial[...]
High winds, brutal cold, relentless sun, and up to 20 days of food and gear— Aconcagua isn’t just a mental and physical challenge, it’s one of the most logistically demanding expeditions to pack for. The margin for error shrinks with every metre of altitude gained, so gear choices matter here[...]
Packing food for any backcountry trip is a balancing act between weight, space in your pack, nutritional needs, and the logistical realities of cooking outdoors. Needless to say, there’s no one-size-fits-all backcountry food list—and this post isn’t an attempt to tell you exactly what yo[...]
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[...]
Petra is unquestionably one of the most awe-inspiring ancient sites in the entire world, but few venture past the iconic viewpoint of the Treasury— and we'd argue this is where the real magic is! We’ve hiked through Petra MANY times, first as part of our own travels and now on the adventure[...]
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[...]