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For many travelers, long term exploration begins with a single decisive break from routine. For Aleks (@Aleksxrx) that moment arrived shortly after finishing his studies. The original plan had been to move to Australia and pursue a surf-oriented lifestyle, but a lack of money forced him into full time work instead. During that first year of employment, he used short holidays to backpack through Thailand and later Mexico.

Photo credit: Ricardo Kaljouw Ricardo Kaljouw grew up in Zeeland , a province in the southwestern Netherlands where much of the land lies below sea level. There, risk is not theoretical. Dikes, storm barriers, and coastal defenses shape daily life, reinforcing the understanding that safety depends on preparation, vigilance, and respect for environmental forces. That early exposure to managed risk shaped Kaljouw’s approach to exploration. Growing up below sea level taught m

Submitted photo Utah does not ease you into the outdoors. It drops you straight into it. Red rock arches rise without warning. Slot canyons cut deep into the earth like secrets. Alpine trails climb fast and don’t apologize for it. For hikers, Utah isn’t a destination you casually check off. It’s a place you show up ready—or you learn quickly. From desert heat to snow-dusted peaks, Utah packs five national parks , dozens of state parks and thousands of miles of trails into one