Using Imperfections to Ascend to the Top
The universal climbing rule is to start at the base of a climb and go up. How you choose to move, or what you’re capable of doing with your...
A Brush with Police While Dirtbagging Through Covid-19
It’s 4 AM on an early September morning when there’s a knock on my car door. I’ve been sleeping inside my Subaru next to the sparse contents of my...
Excuse My Hiatus
Many of you have been asking where I’ve gone (I’m looking at you, Aussie filmmaker). How could I dump my feelings onto Thedirtbag.org week after week only to disappear...
I’m not okay, how are you?
I've been waking up in the middle of the night lately. My brain is full of thoughts that want to spill from my consciousness at the most inconvenient times....
Heeding the Travel Bug’s Call
A lot of people told me that I was running from myself when the travel bug first bit. They filled my mind with doubt. It’s just a phase. You’ll...
Don’t Date a Man Without a Stamped Passport
“Don’t date a man without a stamped passport,” one of my college professors recently advised me.
Something flipped in my belly when she spoke the words. It was like I...
Disconnection in the Era of Connection
Last Spring, I took a trip to a sustainable community in North Carolina. The creator of “Turtle Island Preserve” inspired my Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2015. And I wanted...
Reflections of a Serial Thru-hiker
Guest Post by John Adriance
Thru-hiking is, in itself, a cathartic act. The natural world sweeps you up with its beauty on some days. It invites you to look closer...
Paralyzed Woman Hikes the Appalachian Trail
Every year thousands of ambitious hikers set out to traverse the Appalachian Mountains. This year, Stacey Kozel shares this inconceivable dream. But what sets Kozel apart from the average...
Paul Walks On: Epilepsy On the Appalachian Trail
Recently, a heartbroken woman contacted the Dirtbag Diaries with a story about a man who waited just a little bit too long to chase a dream. Paul remained indefinitely...
Latest article
Best Sunglasses for High-Elevation Endurance Sports
Did you know that exposing your eyes to consistent UV rays can cause you to develop issues like cataracts? You could also face problems...
Best Outdoor Dog Gear for Your Pets in 2023
Venturing into the backcountry with your pup is a great way to spend time together. You might hit an iconic peak for sunset, or...
“Some of Us Have Real Jobs”
I’ve had to navigate a lot of doubts to get to where I am today. For a long time, I thought that nobody wanted...
