Ask an Outsider: I love urban hiking but my friends say it’s “just walking.” How can I convince them I’m a hiker? Miles Howard|April 16, 2026 Urban trail expert Miles Howard explores how walking and hiking differ—and how you can defend your urban hiking hobby to your skeptical outdoorsy friends.
First Look: The North Face Universal Wawona 3 Tent Emily Pennington|April 14, 2026 A top-down look at a new tent designed to make the outdoors more accessible for everyone.
Trekking and Transforming Family Dynamics on The Camino de Santiago with Lauren Duke Shelby Stanger|April 14, 2026 Lauren Duke holds a master’s degree in psychology focused on physiology and body based behavior, and studies how movement helps us process emotion. In 2023, she tested that work on a 535 mile Camino de Santiago hike across Spain with her family. The month long trek surfaced unresolved family dynamics, leaving no real option but to keep walking and stay in relationship.
From Road Racing to Ultras with Marathon Legend Des Linden Shelby Stanger|March 31, 2026 Marathon legend Des Linden made history on April 16, 2018, becoming the first American woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years. Over more than a decade at the top of the sport, she raced the biggest marathons in the world, represented the United States at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, and set a 50K world record. Last year, on the morning of her 13th Boston Marathon, she announced her retirement from professional road racing. Now she is applying the same discipline and curiosity to new challenges, reshaping what a running life can look like beyond the marathon.
Big Wall Climbing and Ultrarunning with Thomas Bukowski Shelby Stanger|March 24, 2026 In 2022, Thomas Bukowski took a risk that felt personal and professional by applying to The North Face athlete development program and pitching himself as a climber worth betting on. As a queer athlete from Hong Kong who found climbing later than most, he has long carried the feeling of being an outsider, then watched that narrative shift when he earned a place on The North Face climbing team. Since then, he has chased fear into major climbs in Argentina, Alaska, and Pakistan, and in 2024 he pushed into trail running by running the 211 mile John Muir Trail in four days.
Breaking the Self Supported Appalachian Trail FKT with Jeff Garmire Shelby Stanger|March 17, 2026 Jeff Garmire is a legend in the world of fastest known times with more than 20 FKTs on routes including the Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Arizona Trail, and John Muir Trail. On September 21, 2025, he reached Mount Springer after setting a self supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail, completing the route in 45 days, 8 hours, and 37 minutes.
Living The Life We Have with Rob Shaver Shelby Stanger|February 17, 2026 Rob Shaver has been living with stage four cancer for over 20 years. He's had multiple recurrences, been through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and received more than 60 radiation treatments. In 2020, after he finished chemo to fight his third recurrence, Rob started running and ended up running for 1,175 days straight.
Hiking 4,000 Ft Peaks in Winter with Mardi Fuller Shelby Stanger|February 10, 2026 Adventurer Mardi Fuller made history in 2021 as the first Black person to hike all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000 foot peaks in winter. The White Mountains are defined by steep, exposed trails, deep snow, extreme winds, and rapidly changing weather that demand constant attention to navigation and risk.
Hiking Zen with Brother Phap Luu Shelby Stanger|February 3, 2026 Brother Phap Luu is a Zen Buddhist monk at Deer Park Monastery in Southern California, founded by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. He co‑authored Hiking Zen, which explores walking and hiking as mindfulness practices that cultivate presence, awareness, and connection to nature. Drawing from monastic life and meditation traditions, Brother Phap Luu shares how slowing down outdoors can help us reconnect with ourselves and the natural world.
6 Ironman Races on 6 Continents in 1 Year with Ariana Luterman Shelby Stanger|January 27, 2026 Ariana Luterman is an endurance athlete whose IRONMAN journey began after a year‑long battle with an unexplained illness that left her extremely weak and often bedridden. In 2023, she completed an IRONMAN just ten months into rebuilding her health and went on to pursue a Guinness World Record for finishing six IRONMAN races on six continents within one year.
A Spiritual Approach to the Seven Summits with Wasfia Nazreen A Spiritual Approach to the Seven Summits with Wasfia Nazreen|December 23, 2025 Wasfia Nazreen is a Bangladeshi mountaineer and human rights advocate known for blending adventure with activism.
Moving Through Chronic Pain Vanessa Nirode|December 18, 2025 Persistent aches and pains—whether from an injury or illness—can alter a person's ability to enjoy time outside. Experts and patients share their tips for managing discomfort on the trail.
