Skip to content

OPERATION

ADVENTURE

Adventure | VanLife

Home
About
Adventures
- International Adventures
- U.S. Adventures
  - Alabama
  - Arizona
  - California
  - Montana
  - National Parks
  - Nevada
  - Oregon
  - Utah
  - Wyoming
VanLife
Contact

Home
About
Adventures
- International Adventures
- U.S. Adventures
  - Alabama
  - Arizona
  - California
  - Montana
  - National Parks
  - Nevada
  - Oregon
  - Utah
  - Wyoming
VanLife
Contact

Instagram Youtube Tiktok

FEELING ADVENTUROUS?

Kayaking down Black Canyon

U.S. Adventures

Sunrise on Top of Mt. Shasta

International Adventures

Operation Adventure was born with one single concept in mind – live life to the fullest and never look back! Adventure is always a priority in this household.. or should i say, vanhold? We are constantly looking for new and exciting places to explore and our hope with this space is to inspire you to explore them as well! We have created these guides with as much detail possible, but would kindly as that you follow the principles of LEAVE NO TRACE when exploring. If we all work together to respect the outdoors, we will get to share them with many generations to come!

Let's Explore!

United States

Alabama
Arizona
California
Montana
National Parks
Nevada
Oregon
Utah
Wyoming

International

Banff, Canada
Mt. Kilimanjaro
Patagonia
Southeast Asia

Need Some Inspiration?

Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon at Sunrise, Utah Road Trip

10 Day Utah Road Trip Travel Itinerary

Who’s ready to go on an Utah road trip!? Buckle up friends because we’re about

Mt. Emerson Knife Edge

Mt. Emerson Climb Beta

Mt. Emerson (13,210′) is a beautiful mountain located just outside the town of Bishop, CA.

Torres del Paine Trek, Bridge Landscape

Patagonia in Two Weeks: Two Unique Travel Itineraries

Visiting Patagonia in two weeks allows you enough time to hit the highlights of both

Torres del Paine, Patagonia

Patagonia in ONE Week; Three Unique Travel Itineraries

Patagonia in one week is going to be tough. Patagonia is a region that spans

Banff on a Budget, Moraine Lake

Banff on a Budget: Banff National Park Travel Guide

Banff National Park is Canada’s not-so-secret gem. It’s stunning mountain scenery and plethora of outdoor

Torres del Paine Trek, Glacier Los Perros

Torres del Paine Trek: How to Plan for Patagonia’s “O” Route

What if I told you that you we’re about to embark on an adventure that

Angkor Wat at Sunrise

Angkor Wat in Three Days: What to See and How to See it!

Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious structure and is one of the most important

Moonscape Overlook at Sunrise, Utah Road Trip

Two-Week Utah Road Trip, Utah’s “Mighty-5” & More!

A Utah Road trip is a MUST-DO for any road trip lover out there. It’s

Geothermal Features, Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park Ultimate Travel Guide!

What the hell even is Yellowstone National Park? – have you ever asked yourself this

Isabel and Sentry from Operation Adventure

Operation Adventure

Adventure | VanLife

Find Your Adventure

Adventure Resources

2025 Backpacking Gear Guide and Checklist

Outdoor Gift Ideas for your outdoorsy friend

Outdoor Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Adventurer

the best eSIM for iphone

The Best eSIM for International Travel 2025

Winter Camping in the Snow

10 Winter Camping Tips to Keep You Warm for the Season

Glacier National Park Travel Guide, Van Camping

How to Find Fresh Water Sources While on the Road

DEAL OF THE DAY!

Operation.Adventure

Follow us on Instagram

Mountain living ⬇️ [a d] Living in the mounta

Mountain living ⬇️ [a d]

Living in the mountains DEFINITELY has its quirks. We’re coming up on a year of calling our little A frame in Tahoe home and we have finally come to the realization that the bears have claimed our backyard as their own 😂

🏠 So here are 3 things about living in the mountains that just make sense 👇🏼

1. Bear proof trash

The bears here are super smart when it comes to food so keeping our trash outside like normal ppl is a HUGE no-no. We have to use a metal “bear-proof” bin that’s permanently installed outside our home to stow all of our trash in until trash day!

2. Transformer table

We got our @transformertable over 4 months ago and it has been the BEST solution for tiny living. We can keep it tiny and put away when it’s just the 2 of us but when friends visit or we host dinner, we can expand it to seat up to 12 people (!!) ++ all the extra leaves are stored in the coffee table, which also doubles as a workspace.

It has seriously been our favorite addition to the house! If you’ve been eyeing them- they’re currently running an Easter Promo where you can get 30% off SITEWIDE until April 23!! ++ you can combine it w our code “ISABEL100” for an extra $100 off!

3. Projector instead of a tv

We don’t have a ton of wall space, and we’re not really TV-every-night kind of people, so we went with a fold-up projector and a screen we stash away when we’re not using it. It’s perfect for cozy cabin movie nights, and it keeps the living room feeling more open when we’re not using it.

This place just feels more and more like home every single day 🫶🏼🫶🏼

One for the boys!!!! Sentry and Kelby @the_advent

One for the boys!!!!

Sentry and Kelby @the_adventureaddicts just got back from a boys trip to Yosemite! They’ve been cooking up their big wall plans all winter so as soon as it melted out they high tailed it down to Yosemite to attempt their first big aid climb in the Valley!

Aid climbing is a little different than regular climbing. When you get to a pitch that you can’t free climb- you ascend the wall using a variety of techniques like using hooks, tiny gear placements, and ladders. Which is much easier said than done.

The wall they attempted is the West Face” on the formation, leaning tower and it’s 11 pitches of 5.7 C2F (this probably doesn’t mean a lot to you, but mentioning in case you wanted to know!!)

Apparently it’s the most overhanging wall in America 😳

They started at the crack of dawn- hiking 1-2 hours in for the approach and hitting the wall in the early hours. They climbed for 12 hours getting up pitch 7 before calling it due to running out of daylight!

Overall they said it was a HUGE learning day - which is exactly what they wanted.

aaaaaand they are already planning for the next one… 🙌🏽

Layers you’ll NEED ⬇️ (AD) Sleeping in your

Layers you’ll NEED ⬇️ (AD)

Sleeping in your vehicle is ALL ABOUT space maintenance (iykyk). Every single item we bring has to serve multiple purposes—otherwise, it is NOT making the cut and that goes for clothes too.

So here are three of our favorite layers we always bring on a car camping adventure 👇🏼

👖 hiking pants
-I have been LOVING these Los Dos Zip off’s from @cotopaxi ! Finding a CUTE zip off is not a simple task and as someone who cannot seem to regulate their body temperature, having the option to switch between shorts and pants mid-hike is a total game changer!

For Sentry hiking pants need to be 3 things- breathable, stretchy, and durable - and the Coraje Tech pants check all the boxes. Not only does he take these hiking and rock climbing, but he also wears them in day-to-day life or just around the house!

☀️ Sun Hoodie
-It is so hard to explain the magic of sun hoodies to someone who has never experienced it. Its a long sleeve layer that actually keeps you COOLER in hot weather than a tank top will- which sounds crazy, but trust me- its true!!

We have both been living in Cotopaxi’s Sombra Sun Hoodies this Spring!! They have built in UPF protection and are literally SO LIGHT it feels like you’re not wearing anything.

🧥 Insulated layer
-Even in the summer, temps can drop fast when the sun goes down so having an insulated layer is crucial.

I am a notoriously cold human so I like to bring Cotopaxi’s Fuego Hooded Jacket, while sentry runs a little warmer and opts for the Capa Hybrid Insulated jacket.

Either way, having an insulated layer for those cooler evenings and early mornings is a non negotiable!!

‼️ BONUS ITEM is our puffy overalls!! We don’t bring these on every trip- but they’re really nice to have for the colder ones!!

Car camping tips 👇🏼 We LOVE the convenience

Car camping tips 👇🏼

We LOVE the convenience of camping in our Subaru - it’s super cozy, gas friendly, AND the all wheel drive is perfect for our crazy adventures.

Our current Subaru is a 2016 and it feels like it has everything we could ever need… so the fact that Subaru is coming out with NEW completely re-designed adventure vehicles makes me SO EXCITED to see what new features it has that would add to our car camping experience.

We’ve been sleeping in the back of vehicles for years now and feel like we’ve got our car camping skills down to a science so here are our BEST tips on how to stay comfy and cozy sleeping in your vehicle:

-pack SMART, not heavy
Space is limited so you HAVE to pack multi-use items and clothing. We usually bring ONE main hiking outfit and then warm layers to add on top.

-make your bed comfy
When it comes to our bed, this is the only place we’re sacrificing space for comfort bc if your bed isn’t comfortable, you will have a HORRIBLE time car camping. We bring our blow up double sleeping pad, a fitted sheet, TONS of blankets, and 2 full sized pillows!

-black out shades
Window covers block the light at night and provide extra privacy (especially when you’re stealth camping). We have cheap black out shades that we got on amazon and are an essential for a good night’s sleep!

-camp kitchen
We keep a DEDICATED car camping kitchen that stays in our Subaru at all times- that way we always have what we need without worrying if we forgot something.

-wet wipes are your best friend
Bring more wet wipes than you think you’ll need and thank me later 😂

-air flow
A portable fan goes a LONG way on the warmer evenings. Make sure you crack a window or two as well as the sunroof so you can circulate air throughout the car.

In April, we’re traveling to New York with @subaru_usa to be some of the first people to check out Subaru’s new adventure vehicles and will get to share the entire experience with all of you 👀

So stay tuned!! Can’t wait to share!! #sponsored

Bring on more sunburns!!! This Spring has been a

Bring on more sunburns!!!

This Spring has been a roller coaster - weather wise - one day its dumping MULTIPLE inches of snow and the next day its sunny and warm enough for a tank top.

TBH I’ve been feeling extremely uninspired by the snow lately so any time there’s even a hint of sunshine and temps in the 50s- I’m taking FULL advantage.

Between 2 of our big late season snowstorms we had a small window of sunny weather so I threw on a swimsuit and was DETERMINED to make a beach day out of it!

The crazy thing about the weather here is that after a long cold winter - 50 degrees starts to feel more like 70 😂 I don’t know if that’s a mental thing or what, but I am NOT complaining!

So I pulled my bike out of winter retirement and took Fitz to our favorite beach for the first time this year!

I swear I could literally FEEL the depression leaving my body with every second in the sun and it was absolutely glorious!!!

Buuuuuut I will say that while the sun is warm… the water is - indeed - still freezing 😂😂 baby steps 🤷🏼‍♀️

Sometimes all you need is a quick trip to the dese

Sometimes all you need is a quick trip to the desert to feel whole again 🫶🏼

Tahoe has gotten some very rare late season snow storms this year- and while I am SO grateful for the precipitation leading into fire season - mentally I am not stoked to be transported back into winter again.

So on a whim, sentry and I said “f it” let’s just drive south to find some sunshine and rocks to climb- and that’s exactly what we did 🙌🏽

Between our schedules we only had about 24 hrs before we had to be back in Tahoe, but sometimes the inconveniences are worth it!

We had the most soul filling 24hrs- sleeping in our car, climbing in the gorge, hanging with friends, and just THAWING OUT from winter!

It might have been the quickest trip known to man… but by god it was worth it 🦎☀️🏜️🫶🏼

Packing tips 👇🏼 #ad A good backpacking pack

Packing tips 👇🏼 #ad

A good backpacking pack can make or break your trip and for us, the perfect pack needs three things: an adjustable torso length for a custom fit, an anti-gravity suspension for comfort, and TONS of pockets for easy access!

We’ve both used @ospreypacks since we first started backpacking, and we LOVE how comfortable they are and how you can get a super custom fit with all the adjustable straps!

Our current Osprey packs are on the smaller side (48L), which is great for overnight trips, but this year, we wanted a pack that could handle multi-night adventures—so we upgraded to the Osprey Aura AG 65L (me) and the Atmos AG 65L (Sentry) and we are SO excited to take them out on the trail this year!

But even the best pack will be painful if you don’t pack it correctly so here is how we pack our bags for a multi-night adventure:

**always put your FULL water bladder in first- we’ve learned this the hard way 😅

Bottom
- we put all of our light, but bulky items towards the bottom which helps to create a cushion for the heavier items and also absorbs some of the shock of the overall pack weight

Core
- our heavy and dense items go towards the middle of the pack to help create a more stable center of gravity right around the center of our backs. We also like to pad these items with extra pieces of clothing to fill in the air gaps and create a more cushiony feel!

Top
- The top of the pack is where we put bulky items that we MIGHT need access to on the trail like our water filter and first aid kit

Accessory pockets (brain, hip belt, outer pockets, side pockets, etc.)
- This is where the Osprey packs shine! They have SO MANY ACCESSORY pockets that we love using for organization. All of our trail essentials are dispersed throughout these pockets like our snacks, headlamps, sos device, toilet kit, sunscreen, sunglasses, extra layers, ect.

Gear loops
- Finally our trekking poles go in the gear loops for quick access when we’re not actively using them!

Once everything is packed we like to TIGHTEN all of the compression straps to keep things secure while we’re hiking!

Let us know if you have any questions!!

#ospreypacks #ospreypartner

I love being outside, I love moving my body, I lov

I love being outside,
I love moving my body,
I love living somewhere so inspiring,

I LOVE YOU TAHOE 🥹🫶🏼

IT’S BACKPACKING SEASON!!! When we first starte

IT’S BACKPACKING SEASON!!!

When we first started backpacking, we had NO CLUE how to adjust our bags, (as shown in our last post LOL)

Since we just upgraded our backpacking packs for the first time in YEARS I figured I would share how adjust your new pack for anyone else that might not know!

Pack: @ospreypacks Aura AG 65L

Steps to adjust your pack 👇🏼

1. Loosen straps
start with a completely clean slate and loosen all of the straps on the pack

2-3. Adjust torso
measure your back from your shoulder to hip and adjust the packs torso length accordingly - Ill just use a random chord I have in the house if Sentry isn’t here to help!

**not all brands/styles of backpacking packs come with an adjustable torso length- skip this step if yours does not!

4. add weight
Fill your pack with enough weight/ volume to simulate a real backpacking load

5. adjust waist strap
start by clipping and cinching the waist strap down. It should hug the top of your hip bones comfortably without feeling too constricting!

6. adjust shoulder straps
Pull down on the ends of the shoulder straps to tighten them until they wrap tightly around your shoulders but not TOO TIGHT that it feels like your shoulders are taking on significant weight.

7. adjust chest strap
buckle and tighten the chest strap down and adjust the height until it is comfortable for you. Don’t OVER tighten this strap or it will restrict your movement and ability to take a deep breath!

8. adjust load bearing straps
THESE ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT STRAPS TO ADJUST. Your load lifters are what brings the weight of the pack up and over your shoulders rather than pulling your shoulders back!! Pull these towards the front of the pack until they angle back at around a 45 deg angle (or until comfortable)

That’s the very basics!! Once you’re on the trail, you should play with all of these straps in order to find the perfect fit for you! The main point is to make sure you’re feeling the majority of the weight on your legs and slim to none on your shoulders!

LMK if you have any questions!!! We will be sharing HOW to pack your backpacking pack next (bc there actually is a right and wrong way to pack it) 😂

Trial & error… & error & error 😅 One of the

Trial & error… & error & error 😅

One of the questions we get most often is “HOW do you start backpacking?” - and the answer is SO simple… just START! Pack your best guess, hit the trail, and make notes for next time. Because the only way to get better at backpacking… is to go backpacking.

Backpacking is one giant trial-and-error process. Every single trip teaches you something—what gear you actually use, what you can live without, and what little luxuries are completely worth the weight. & the thing is, it doesn’t matter how experienced you are… you’ll still makes mistakes!

We’ve been backpacking for 8 years now and we STILL come back from every trip with at least one new mistake (or even a repeat one) LOL

The whole point of backpacking is to find a way to rely on yourself and your partner to survive. It’s about learning to adapt, to improvise, and how to make suffering… fun?!

And at the end of the day, our most cherished memories are the ones where we failed, laughed about it, figured out how to improvise, and became stronger and better for it in the end!!!

About
Contact
Privacy Policy

About
Contact
Privacy Policy

Instagram Youtube Tiktok

error: Content is protected !!