When I started planning my 2015 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike, I knew I wanted ultralight backpacking gear. I wasn’t aiming for sub-10 pounds or any particular ‘goal weight’, but I wanted to make intentional gear choices that kept my base weight low without going completely barebones. (Base weight is the total weight of your pack, fully loaded, not including anything...

　　Words by Nina Caprez, photos by Jan Novak 　　Climbing has this ability of showing us what is really going on inside of us, of bringing our ego to the light, and that’s often painful. 　　Standing at the bottom of the wall, I was realizing this. Realizing I had not really faced this type of challenge as directly and bravely as...

　　Last year, Brandon Sharpe made the pilgrimage up the west coast’s Pacific Crest Trail, through 14,000 feet of elevation, 25 national forests, and 7 national parks. His incredible photos showcase many of the trail’s iconic views, and they continue our series: “Thru the Lens: Photo Journeys of the Major Thru-Hikes.” 　　var lightbox_transition = 'elastic'; var lightbox_speed = 800; var lightbox_fadeOut...