Trail & Crag’s mission is to empower outdoor enthusiasts with the knowledge they need to play harder, explore farther, and connect more deeply with the planet.
Why I started this blog
Before I started Trail & Crag, blog articles were supposed to be no more than 2000 words, a limit I found very constraining. When I did occasionally write articles that exceeded this limit, editors would tell me that it had to be shortened ‘because nobody reads long blog articles’. The solution was to take full control of editorial decisions myself, and that meant creating my own blog. And so Trail & Crag was born – a place where I could satisfy my inner nerd and go into topics in greater depth than I could when writing for someone else.
Several years on, longer articles have become the norm in digital publishing, including the outdoor industry. But Trail & Crag is still at the fore when it comes to producing content that gives more scope and depth to topics deserves it. It’s an outdoor blog for people who like to read and understand things fully. Because maintaining a high level of expertise across subject matter is very important to me, I have chosen to focus on the activities I have the most experience in – rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and trail running – as well as general outdoors topics that will be of interest to anyone who wants to expand their outdoor skills.
Who is this guy?
Writing, photography, and human-powered adventure – my interests are many. But there is a common thread running through all of them, and that is a love of the outdoors. Growing up in the mountainous Western Cape, I was lucky to have many opportunities to get outside from an early age – formative experiences that kindled an appreciation for wild spaces and their potential for inspiring personal discovery. Decades later, I still find myself making major life choices according to these values. Even though I have already lived in four hemispheres, I still have a serious case of wanderlust, and the big question is where to next? I have been back in Cape Town for several years, but that could change soon. My full name is Jean Paul de Villiers, but to friends and family, I am simply Paul.
Where is this going?
It’s important that authors do thorough research on everything they write about. But it’s arguably even more important that they write from a place of first-hand experience. As a outdoorsman who compulsively tests both new and established ideas, I try to make this the focus of my writing – sharing insights and lessons hard-won in the field. To see how I do this, and get a behind-the-scenes look at how Trail & Crag is produced, subscribe to my newsletter Trail Mail.
How do I plan to keep Trail & Crag ad-free?
To be self-sustaining, Trail & Crag has to make money, but in a way that still ensures the best possible experience for visitors. And that means no ads, promotional content, or paywalls. Instead, Trail & Crag relies on sponsors, whose logos you see on the home page and relevant blog pages, and on commission earned on purchases made on affiliate websites.
More than coffee
While it is still growing,Trail & Crag also depends on the support of its readers. If you have enjoyed this blog or found it useful, please consider buying me a coffee. Because it’s not just coffee. Micro-donations help pay for web hosting fees, productivity tools, and licenses – everything I need to continue making great free-to-read content.
How do I choose which brands to partner with?
I am currently looking for partners to help me make this a full-time endeavor. If you work for an outdoor brand that sees the value in supporting independent content creators, I would love to hear from you.