Stories, Essays and Galleries
“As artists who share our work, it’s important for us to be aware of how it affects our audience—not to cater to them, but to gain an understanding that helps us evolve and refine our craft…” by Comp Collective
“Our trip was planned during the shoulder season of tourism to allow for less crowds and cooler temperatures. This also meant the ridge-lines were still closed to hikers/bikers or required snow shoes. So last minute, our plans changed from hiking in Schywz to spending a few days in Thun…” by Raegan Nelson
“Venturing into the BWCA is more than just paddling. It’s about taking time to reset to a time where responsibilities of modern life can be turned off. It’s a place where fishing isn't just about casting a line; it’s about patiently waiting and trying to convince a hungry walleye or lake trout to take your lure…” by Jamie Cooper
The process of fixing things like a canoe or a backpack in a sustainable way is as simple as it gets. Use materials to make your repairs that would otherwise go to waste.
“And there it stood, just barely. With my head down watching my step, I almost walked right past the cabin. It had seen better days, and by days, I mean decades. That thing was rougher than 30 grit sandpaper.” by Zach Duncan
“What are your biggest Phobias. Acrophobia: fear of heights? Trypanophobia: fear of needles? Claustrophobia: fear of enclosed spaces? For me it is the ocean and the dark.” by Matt Hume
“We landed around 2pm and had our bulky backpacking bags in the trunk of our rental car by 3pm. The urban landscape didn’t last long on our way to the first trailhead. An hour and a half drive to a section of the Rogue river was on our gps.” by Jared Nelson
“There is something special about being on the road, particularly when you have no expectations and try to be present in that time and place. This is the story about how I met Dave and Bob.” by Alejandro Lau Regidor
“Moving light and fast in the mountains has never been an anomaly when speaking of objectives for climbers, skiers, runners and others, but there is something invigorating and energizing about moving like this. It seems every week whether it’s a friend, long-lost acquaintance or professional, people are squeezing things that seem to be multi-day adventures into the small 24-hour time frame we have in a day.” by Mitch Milbauer
“My life was changed when I quit my job in corporate finance and set off on a 2,650 mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail (“PCT”) in 2019. After major burnout at work in 2018, I was left with many questions such as “why am I doing this?” and “is this what life is supposed to look like?” by Carol Coyne
Comp Collective came to life as a result of our own experiences on the road and the raw emotion we’re constantly pursuing. That’s why we’ve come together and taken the time to hand pick our favorite stories from real people we’ve connected with across the globe…
“Clearly, there are pros and cons to both mediums, and it’s wonderful to have both options available today. The subject matter, the presence of motion or not and the amount of light all help to determine which medium is best suited for the task…” by Blake Swingle
Photo Essay: Images made from a roll of Portra 160 and Kodak Gold shot through a Yashicaflex 6x6 medium format film camera while backpacking along a creek near Camp Verde, Arizona… by Jared Nelson
“It was a painful half run, half walk, around the neighborhood, but at the end of it I didn't feel as anxious as I did before. That small feeling of relief was enough to get me to lace up my shoes every morning to try to experience it again…” by Laurie Bullock
“I started surfing at a young age and fell in love with the sport and culture. The connection to nature is my favorite aspect of this lifestyle and has been with me since birth. It is something that extends far beyond anything I could write…” by Sean Jones
“Mount Huntington is arguably one of the most strikingly beautiful mountains in Alaska, and it does not yield its summit easily. Standing 12,241 feet high, it’s technical walls of ice, rock, and snow attract world class climbers from every corner of the globe…” by James Barkman
“There are so many ways to look at and perceive imperfection. Some see imperfection as the antagonist; the thing they want to conquer in life. It makes sense. Not too long ago, I had a very similar view on imperfection and a desire to achieve this idea of perfection…” by Jared Nelson
