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Hiking and trekking

Explore the world one trail at a time and discover the freedom of the great outdoors. With gear designed for comfort, durability, and innovation, you'll be ready for every journey—whether scaling rugged peaks or wandering serene forest paths.

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Close up of a dark grey Thule Topio backpack.

Backpack parts explained – straps, loops and more!

What are the loops on my backpack for? And what do the backpack straps do? We explain all the insanely useful backpack parts you didn't know about!
Two people and a dog stand in a mountainous setting.

Camping and Hiking with Your Dog: The Ultimate Guide

This guide aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge for both camping and hiking adventures with your dog.

Hiking vs Trekking: What is the difference?

Hiking, in comparison to trekking, tends to be shorter trips on trails that have been purposefully cleared for hikers, or at least cleared due to the frequent passage of hikers. This makes walking and navigation easier. Hikes can be day or multi-day trips but often tend to have multiple stops at a base. 

Trekking, on the other hand, tends to be out in untamed nature where anything goes. This might mean harsh weather conditions or a grueling natural environment with a high altitude or steep slopes. These trips are longer than hikes and consist of camping every night, walking all day, and not stopping until you reach your destination.

Apa Sherpa standing in the mountains while carrying a hiking backpack and smiling.

Apa Sherpa – One of the greatest living mountaineers


Meet our ambassador Apa Sherpa


Apa Sherpa is one of only two men in history to reach the top of the world 21 times. As such, he is widely recognized to be one of the greatest living mountaineers.

Ironically, summiting Everest was never a goal for Apa. At 12 years of age, he first began working as an expedition porter to earn money following the untimely death of his father. Leaders and trekkers alike immediately noticed the child who, despite his exceedingly small stature, carried loads greater than his own weight with strength, quickness and a wide smile.

Coming from Thame, the hometown of Everest legend Tenzing Norgay, it was almost inevitable that Apa would become a high altitude sherpa on Everest. He began carrying loads on Everest in 1988, but it wasn't until May 10, 1990, that he reached the summit for the first time along with Rob Hall, Gary Ball, and Peter Hillary.Apa Sherpa is one of only two men in history to reach the top of the world 21 times. As such, he is widely recognized to be one of the greatest living mountaineers.
Ironically, summiting Everest was never a goal for Apa. At 12 years of age, he first began working as an expedition porter to earn money following the untimely death of his father. Leaders and trekkers alike immediately noticed the child who, despite his exceedingly small stature, carried loads greater than his own weight with strength, quickness and a wide smile.
Coming from Thame, the hometown of Everest legend Tenzing Norgay, it was almost inevitable that Apa would become a high altitude sherpa on Everest. He began carrying loads on Everest in 1988, but it wasn’t until May 10, 1990, that he reached the summit for the first time along with Rob Hall, Gary Ball, and Peter Hillary.

Two small children playing with backpacks.
Four people with big hiking backpack stand on a mountain side while one of them points at something.

Since that memorable day, Apa has participated in 22 Everest expeditions and reached the summit 21 times. Adhering to a simple philosophy that “Everest will always be there” and it is more important to keep all team members and sherpas safe, Apa has led his teams to amazing success.
In 1996, Rob Hall, an acclaimed mountaineer from New Zealand set out to climb the Everest once again. Hall had already climbed with Apa three times so he already knew he wanted him to join this new excursion. For the first time however, and despite Rob hall’s insistence, Apa declined. Instead, he decided to stay home and help his wife Yangjin build their new house in Thame. Tragically, this would be Rob Hall’s final climb as he and many of Apa’s close climbers lost their lives in what is now known as The 1996 Mount Everest Disaster. That year, fifteen people died trying to reach the summit, making it the deadliest year in Mount Everest’s history.
After officially retiring from climbing in 2011, Apa set another record by covering a distance of 1,700 kilometers on foot to raise awareness for climate change in the Himalayas in 2012 (The Great Himalayan Trail). Apa and his team completed 20 Himalayan districts from the East to the West of Nepal in 99 days.


Apa Sherpa Foundation


The Apa Sherpa Foundation advocates for Nepalese children to have better access to education. Apa strongly believes that without an education the children of Nepal have no other choice than to become porters and risk their lives. The Apa Sherpa Foundation seeks to empower individuals where they live, beginning in Thame, and expanding from there.
Read more about Apa Sherpa Foundation