Activities

Is It A Hike?

Aaron Rickel Jones

A flow chart to help you determine whether you are on a hike, a walk, or something else entirely.

Backpacking into the Eastern Sierra: Honeymoon Lake via Piute Pass

Kristen Fuller

Swimming in alpine lakes, fording rivers, watching sunsets, and traversing snowfields.

Random Wednesdays – a Travel Philosophy Discovered in Italy

Thomas Bacon

In our case, being students on a budget, we found that vacation was expensive, travel is cheap, exploration was almost always free, and those memories were truly priceless.

An Adventure in Spain: Cinderella’s Real Castle

Maggie Donohoo

It was easy to understand why Walt felt so inspired by the charm of the castle. Not only was it monumentally stunning, but it perfectly captures every child’s dream of opportunity and endless joy.

Solo Adventuring while Living the Van Life

Michael Wigle

When you're thinking about a solo adventure, look no further than joining the van life!

Do Not Eat Hot Wings Before Hiking

Aaron Rickel Jones

You never know when nature will call, or what it will have to say.

First Aid Kit Advice for River Travel

NOLS

Growing Confidence Through Solo Canoeing

NOLS

NOLS Instructor Rumi Kodama takes us inside the connection between person and paddle as she develops her whitewater canoeing skills.

Sea Kayaking the Great Bear Rainforest

NOLS

Inside Whitewater Expeditions in the Rockies

NOLS

How NOLS Ruined the Old Me

NOLS

How a 30 day NOLS expedition in Wyoming's Wind River Range changed my life.

The Big Picture: How I Found My Grit on a Semester in Baja

NOLS

Hiking the Amalfi Coast: Path of the Gods

Maggie Donohoo

After a rocky path past some stone houses, we were greeted with our first stunning panoramic view of the coast. While a gentle mist sat on the distant land, we had a clear look at the Tyrrhenian Sea over 2,000 feet below.

An Early June Photography Tour of the Canadian Rockies

Nick Palastro

I made my second trip to the Canadian Rockies in early June, revisiting some places for the second time and exploring some new places for the first time.

Rediscovering One of the Best Areas to Hike Near Boulder, Colorado

Kyle Reader

Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado has some of the best views of the Flatirons and front range that you can find. The park's accessibility and many trails are welcoming to hikers of any skill level. Whether you are a long time visitor or coming up for your first hike, there are many sights to behold in Chautauqua.

The Best Waterfalls in Western North Carolina

Jared Beeler

Explore some of the best waterfalls in Western North Carolina

Black Elk Peak-Nic

Isaac Parsons

A Mountain Picnic is a triathlon created to challenge someones physical capabilities. This version was biking at the beginning, swim across and back a small lake, then run up South Dakota's highest point, then do the whole thing again back down.

How to Spend Your First Weekend in Yosemite National Park

Kyle Reader

Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous and beautiful National Parks in America, but it can be a bit daunting to determine how to maximize your first trip there. We just recently did this ourselves, and have recommendations on camping, hiking and how to beat some of the crowds!

5 Trekking Destinations In Canada With Amazing Views

Geraldine Mills

Explore Canada's five best hiking trails and be amazed on the scenic views that it offers.

Lake Life Essentials

Kristi Teplitz

Late summer is a great time for lake activities!

My Favorite Trek in Europe (so far): The Indomitable Dolomites.

Rob Feakins

Nothing quite prepared me for the Dolomites

North by Northwest: The Perfect Alaskan Adventure

Nate Luebbe

Alaska is truly a state that has it all: towering, glaciated peaks, sparkling turqoise lakes, rugged coastlines teeming with wildlife, and magnificent expanses of arctic tundra. Although the beauty is seemingly endless, the sheer size of the state makes it nearly impossible to explore everything in a single trip (or even a single lifetime).

Drinkin’ from the Devil's Punchbowl

Masa Kato

Hiking through and learning the history of a relatively hidden alien landscape on the outskirts of Los Angeles.

A South African Adventure: The Whale Truth

Maggie Donohoo

The captain revved the engine up to maximum speed and I watched as smoke billowed angrily from the exhaust tube, bumping into the gentle pinks and blues of the setting sun. Still, the whale lay motionless, seemingly uninterested in the attempts to rescue her. She had already given up.