Expedition & Trip Reports

The Accursed Mountains: Exploring the Borderlands of Albania and Montenegro

Peak Bagging in the High Sierra

Isaac Simons writes about the experiences, struggles, and transcendence of peak bagging in the Sierra Nevada.

Bikepacking: More Miles, More Smiles

Mark Wetherington tries his hand at ultralight bikepacking and hiking to remote places along the CDT in Montana.

Home Range: A Place that Keeps the Wild in Your Life

Drew Smith reflects on hiking in the places close to home as he explores a nearby mountain drainage during all seasons.

Seven Lakes Basin and the High Divide Loop

Daniel Hu backpacks the High Divide Loop, one of the most beautiful hikes in Washington State and Olympic National Park.

The Gift of Surprise in the Rawah Wilderness

James Montavon hikes in Colorado’s Rawah Wilderness, and discusses the differences between using different trip planning softwares.

Backcountry Skiing to a Fire Lookout

BPL author Mark Wetherington skis into a remote fire lookout tower in Montana’s backcountry on a chilly winter night.

I Got Caught in a Sierra Storm, on Purpose

Isaac Simons tells the lessons of extreme Sierra weather and questionable gear choices through the lens of the writings of Phil Arnot.

A Walk from Crested Butte

Drew Smith writes about using public transit to make the travel to, from, and between trailheads more sustainable.

Clouds and McLeods

James Montavon discusses giving back to the trail community through his experience volunteering with the Colorado Trail Foundation.

Down to the Valley: Embracing the Desert Trail from the Mojave Desert to Badwater Basin

Drew Smith journeys from the Mojave Desert to Badwater Basin finding beauty in a seemingly desolate place.

Desert Crossing

An introspective account of what one can learn about themself through the story of crossing Saudi Arabia’s Hejaz region.

Mantras, Mandalas, and Meditations: A hike through the hidden Tibetan Kingdom of Nepal – the Nar Phu Valley and Upper Mustang Regions

An account of a trek through Nepal's Central Himalayan Nar Phu Valley and Upper Mustang region near the border of Tibet via an ancient trading route.

Strange Homecomings: A Journey on the Colorado Trail

Nikki Stavile returns to Colorado finding her home state changed but finds solace in the unpredictable mountains along the Colorado Trail.

Brooks Range Summer 2015 – fragments: Part 1

Time in the outdoors gives us a chance to question ourselves and find the primary motivation for fear. Oh and there are bears too.

Bear Attack in the Rockies

Bear attacks are frightening and unexpected. This author shares her bear encounter with the hiking community.

Wind River Backpacking: Talus, Tundra, and Ice on a Wyoming High Route

Notes from an eleven-day Wind River backpacking trip via a high route adjacent to the crest of between Spider Lake and Flagstone Lake.

Taking It Up a Notch: Camp Fire Teens Face the Weather at Guadalupe Mountains National Park

A challenging yet rewarding trip exposes these youth to the joys of backpacking and kindles their love of the outdoors.

Walking Still in the Desert

A place of stillness and calm, the desert can be a harsh, dry environment but for many it is a haven for contemplation and peace.

Solo across the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Brooks Range, Alaska

A solo, multi-week expedition along the Brooks Range proves to be mentally and physically challenging as the author faced uncertain conditions and rugged terrain.