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Brendan Leonard Semi-Rad
Anatomy of a Sandbag
Sometimes we need “encouraging.” Sometimes we do the “encouraging.” Here’s how it all goes down.
Why Aren’t You Using Your Vacation Days?
Companies pay employees not to work at least 10 days a year. So why aren’t Americans doing more of that?
9 Ways to Lower Your Travel Anxiety
Semi-Rad knows a thing or three about road, air, and rail time. Trust him on this one.
The Not-So-Bad Bad Day
Life is 10 percent events and 90% your reaction to them. Or something like that.
Some of My Best Friends Have Been Bicycles
Sometimes you have to say goodbye. Some it’s easy, sometimes it’s not.
The Best Gifts Are Not the Things You Ask For
As we scramble to finish shopping this week, we think back to this essay from Brendan Leonard, and remember the…
The More Stuff You Have Strapped to Your Pack, the Cooler You Look
Really, it does, so you should be that guy. Wait, are you already that guy?
10 Tips to Lighten Your Backpack
Because lighter is righter…or something. Step 7: Replace video game console with smartphone apps.
The World Needs Dreamers, Too
Where would we be without being inspired by people who think anything is possible?
Are You That Guy or Girl Who Always Hikes Ahead of Your Friends?
That guy. Or girl. You know.
12 Ways to Make Friends at a Campground
“Whatdya guys think of that Donald Tru… Oh hey, is that beer!?”
The Point of Doing Pointless Things With Friends
It comes down to time – time and leaving richer for having been with them.
Why Hiking Is Cool
Hiking kinda gets looked down on by more extreme adventure types. But that’s not fair.
What’s the Best Rain Jacket You Can Buy?
Once and for all, Semi-Rad answers the question that keeps you up at night.
The 13 Commandments of Leave No Trace Couch Surfing
It starts with the idea that you’ll want to be welcome again…
How Do You Define Adventure?
Do you compare your outings to others’ and sometimes feel less than? Maybe a little perspective is needed.
The Beer-Based Gratitude Scale for Outdoor People
You know you owe your friends…but just how much? Here’s a handy guide so you don’t over- or under-serve.
I Hate Running
I hate running, three to four times a week if I have time. I hated it yesterday for a little…
A Letter from Your Campfire: You’re Welcome
Who’s the life of the party on these cold nights? That’s right, me.
Remembering Kyle Dempster: Alpinist, Barista, Superhero, Regular Guy
The man who died in Pakistan was nice, normal, humble, and decent–qualities all too rare in a culture hungry for…
Gear Review: Water Bottle
How to stick it to the man while imaginary cash registers cha-ching in your head. An essay by Mr. Semi-Rad.
Dear Foam Roller…
Here are a few words from a close personal friend to that tortuous inanimate little bugger on the floor.
What It’s Like to Run Your First Ultra
Are all those aid station Oreos worth the pain of running 50 miles? The answer is…
In-Depth Gear Review of a Plastic Spoon
After a lifetime of testing in the backcountry and frontcountry, we present the world’s most rigorous evaluation of the best…
The Other Side of VanLife
One Saturday last May, I slid a key into the lock on a scrappy little apartment 80 feet off Denver’s…
The Definition of Adventure
As I descended the corniced summit ridge, I saw a climber coming up the same path. I hacked out a…
It Turns Out You Can Buy Happiness
A couple weeks ago, Alastair Humphreys told me about the Explore feature on Kayak.com that allows you to enter the…
The Back to Civilization Buffet
My friends and I drove down a dirt road out of the Sangre de Cristo Range after a two-night backpacking…
The Benefits of Discomfort
About a year ago, psychologist and author Kelly McGonigal gave a TED Talk on “How to Make Stress Your Friend,”…
Surviving a 4,000-Calorie Run (Eating, Not Burning)
When Forest and I had discussed the rules at a coffee shop in Brooklyn three days earlier, I had said,…
Are You ‘Coming Off the Couch’?
Do you ever say yes to a bike ride, day of climbing, run, ski day, or other outdoor activity, and…
Do You Have Obsessive Campfire Adjustment Syndrome?
Do you ever stare at a burning pile of logs and find yourself unable to stop futzing with it? Do…
What Story Are You Telling Yourself?
Chad Kellogg died in Patagonia on Valentine’s Day this year, at 42 years old. I didn’t know him very well,…