Sam grew up in Chicago. His love of the outdoors didn’t blossom until he started bicycle touring in his early 20s. After a couple of years in graduate school deciding he did not want to be an academic, he set off on a 7,000-mile cross-country bike tour. After that, it was on. Sam moved to Colorado, where he started mountain biking. He immediately decided to bikepack the 500-mile Colorado Trail, of course. While riding a detour around a wilderness area, he vowed he would start backpacking to one day thru-hike the CT. Well, two years later, he was thru-hiking that trail. Then, he thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. Then, he thru-hiked the CT, again. Along the way, he also started rock climbing. Because, it’s Colorado, so why not? He still goes out on his bikepacking rig when not on foot, too, pedaling dirt roads far out there. You can find him out adventuring somewhere in the American Southwest if you look long enough.
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Sam Schild
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The Ultimate Backpacking Gear Checklist for 2024
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Rab Electron Pro Review
This ultra-warm jacket has all the right features and element resistance you could want and is perfect for icy morning...Best Buy
Rab Microlight Alpine Review
A water-resistant down built to battle the elements, this jacket holds its own in poor weather at an affordable price.Best Buy
REI Co-op 650 Down Review
This light and packable down jacket is a simple, hoodless option that is very comfortable and a great value.10 Best Solar Chargers
We're always looking for the best solar charger to power our adventures. We tested tons of models this year, and these...
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