Feeling fernweh? Check these spots out + brands the planet loves

From: Backcountry - Thursday Apr 20,2023 11:47 pm

Spring is just poking through the pile s of snow in our neck of the woods, and the green is giving many of us in the Backcountry office cases of fernweh (desire to travel). We asked around to see where Gearheads are heading this spring, and Moab, UT, Dahlonega, GA, and Upstate NY, all made the shortlist—here’s why.

Moab, UT

Dahlonega, GA

The Finger Lakes, NY

Moab: This iconic red-rock town is surrounded by some of the most visited national parks in the country. There’s MTB singletrack and world-class climbing in every direction.
Highlight: Arches National Park

Dahlonega: This beautiful small town is full of southern-comfort vibes. It’s 20 minutes from the start of the Appalachian Trail (which is booming this time of year).
Highlight: Amicalola Falls

Upstate: Come April and May, The Finger Lakes region bursts to life. Winding country roads and wineries abound, make it a cyclist’s paradise.
Highlight: Watkins Glen State Park

TOP TRAVEL BAGS

Gear Of The Week

Now that your weekends are totally booked until Labor Day, you’ll need to haul all your gear to and fro. That’s why we’re dedicated this Gear Of The Week to our best travel companions—bags. We’ve got our own slick bags, plus the newest styles from Cotopaxi, Patagonia & so many more.

Pack Your Bags!

WHO'S ADVENTURING

WhereToWillie

William Woodward is an adventure photographer who brings a glimpse into the life of those with a nomadic spirit. Living in his VW van Ruby for the last six years has allowed him to pursue climbing, skiing, and sailing in some of the most exceptional places. Here are Willie’s top 3 destinations and his gear picks for each.

Black Diamond Camalot Z4

Osprey Packs Mutant 52L Backpack

Yeti Loadout Gobox 30 Gear Case

(ALMOST) EARTH DAY

Nature-Friendly Brands
And Why We Love Them

Picture Organic

Outerwear, streetwear, and shells made of recycled, organic, and BioSourced materials

Wetsuits made of oyster shells & eicoprene

Their new Circular Program rocks

Dive In

Free Fly

Plant fiber made from bamboo

No pesticides, no irrigation & is renewable

The bamboo is organic and FSC certified

Check Them Out

Patagonia

1% of sales goes to preservation

98% of their line is recycled materials

Regenerative & organic cotton

See Their Stuff

THE BACKCOUNTRY PODCAST

Episode 3: Matt's Story & The Outdoor Sports Boom

Would you rather wrestle a 5-foot fish or 5 feet of pow? Matt, our director of brand marketing and all-around outdoors man, struggles to answer the loaded question, but what Matt does know is a lot about the outdoor industry, marketing, and collecting hobbies.

Listen Now

HERD HACKS

Packing Cubes

From a quick weekend trip to a multi-day backpacking adventure, packing cubes will change your world. They help you organize your clothing, food, and gear for quick access, and they help reduce wrinkles and quarantine your not-so-fresh socks and shoes from the rest of your items.

Cube It

JOIN THE HERD

Hiring In-Store Gearheads

Think you know your gear? Love helping people get outside? Combine your powers and become a Gearhead at our new California stores in Los Angeles and Palo Alto. (Part- & full-time gigs available!)

See Openings