James Townsend is a photographer, writer, and experiential educator. His photojournalism work has been featured in The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, and more. In the experiential education field, James has led outdoor adventure and international trips for over a decade, working with companies like National Geographic Student Expeditions and New York Times Student Journeys. As an avid traveler, he has visited nearly 50 countries, and 46 US states. James thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021, and the Arizona Trail in 2022. He is the Social Media Coordinator for The Trek. For his stories and photos of meaningful travel and outdoor escapades, follow him at @jamesgoesplaces on Instagram.
Posts
“I Just Had To Skip So Many Miles”: How 2024 PCT Thru-Hikers Are Adapting to Fires and Trail Closures
On the Pacific Crest Trail, wildfire closures are no longer the rarity they once were — they’ve become part of the thru-hiking experience. With
Sea to Summit Spark 45 Sleeping Bag Review
The deeper you dive into building the perfect backpacking kit, the more you realize it’s usually better to tailor your gear to the specifics of each
No Signal, No Problem: Apple Introduces 2-Way Satellite Messaging for iPhones
Hikers and iPhone users are about to stay a lot more connected in the backcountry with iOS 18's new satellite messaging feature.
Introducing Thru-Hiker Central: Your Year-Round Trail Community Hub
As the thru-hiking season winds down and winter approaches, that doesn’t mean your connection to the trail community has to fade away. The Trek is
What To Expect When You’re Expecting (Too Much From Your Thru-Hike)
Thru-hiking is about more than just walking. It’s the adventure of a lifetime. It’s a lifestyle of absolute freedom. It’s pure bliss. It’s unfettered