The Dirtbag Diaries

Saying yes to out of the box ideas can lead to incredible places. Alex Honnold’s live solo of the Taipei 101 tower seemed to spring out of nowhere, but it was the culmination of more than a decade of effort to make the moment happen. Today, we sit down for a debrief.

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Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Gazing out at the magnificent coastline of Big Sur, Justin Krompier realized his day job wasn't going to cut it.  Following a decades long battle with drug addiction, Justin decided to take a leap of faith, leaving the stability of a 9-5 for a life of adventure on the road with his camera. 

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Ka’Chava New customers get $20 off an order of 2 bags or more at https://kachava.com 

Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

In August of 2025, professional adventure cyclist Sarah Swallow spent over a month bikepacking from the Pacific Ocean to the Eastern slopes of the Rockies. Her goal? To scout a new formal bikepacking route developed by the Adventure Cycling Association which stretches from the Mississippi River to Oregon: The Golden Gravel Trail. Sarah breaks down the highs and lows of her mostly solo bikepacking trip.

Support comes from

Oboz 

Darn Tough Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG

Ka’Chava New customers get $20 off an order of 2 bags or more at https://kachava.com 

Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Andy Cochrane hails from a Park Service cabin in Minnesota and has lived the life many dirtbags dream of. He spent years on the road, funding his travel through skillful storytelling and photography. While out on a long trail run, he realized something was missing, and decided to create it. As he brought friends and community members on board, he discovered someone else had the same idea.

It quickly starts to look like Andy, Ian MacLellan and Rickey Gates are in a race to complete the 50 Classic Trails of America, and the result will undoubtedly shape the future of trail running. 

Support comes from

Oboz 

Darn Tough Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG

Kuat Racks 

Ka’Chava New customers get $20 off an order of 2 bags or more at https://kachava.com

Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

As a high school teacher in Santa Maria, CA, Taylor Mihelic understands the power of a field trip. Whether it’s plant identification hikes through the forests, or habitat restoration projects on the coast, Taylor gets the best out of her students when there’s adventure in the air. During her summer break this year, Taylor took her own field trip on the tour divide bike race, exploring the edge of her limits and teaching herself a lesson in optimism along the way.

Support comes from

Kuat Racks 

Oboz

Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order.

Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Our book, States of Adventure, 30 stories adapted from The Diaries, is out in the wild. See if it's available on your local shelves or order it here: geni.us/StatesofAdventure