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Backpacker Radio

The Trek

From the Appalachian Trail to the Pacific Crest and everything in between. Backpacker Radio is a show all about the wonderful world that is thru-hiking and long distance backpacking.

Co-hosts, Zach "Badger" Davis and Juliana "Chaunce" Chauncey muse on the backpacking life and the latest from the trail every other week. Topics include but are not limited to news, trail culture, interviews, gear, advice, and all you can eat buffets.

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  • 400 episodes
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  • Oct 23, 2023 · 2 hr 33 min

    #224 | Pony 4.0: The Cape Wrath Trail, A Challenging CDT Section, and Retiring from Multi-Month Backpacking

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are re-re-re joined by listener favorite and our pal, Clay Bonnyman Evans, aka Pony. We catch up on all that Pony's been up to since his last appearance on the show including a thru-hike of the Cape Wrath Trail, which he refers to as the AT of the UK, his trek from Edinburgh to Glasgow, his stint as a caretaker at Woods Hole Hostel, and his latest section hike of the Continental Divide Trail, which he cites as his most psychologically challenging hike to date. In typical Pony fashion, this chat is wild- we get an extended Scottish accent, some explicit poop stories, and we are introduced to the erotic world of hedging. You might be able to guess what that is, either way, you're soon about to find out. We wrap the show with a feature from a Trek blogger about how backpacking made her less independent, a triple crown of bummer places to be, and Chaunce triggers the internet. Vargo Outdoors: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for 20% off at vargooutdoors.com. Katabatic Gear: Use code "BPR15" for 15% off at katabaticgear.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Clay "Pony" Bonnyman Evans Pony's Instagram Pony's Website Time stamps & Questions 00:03:48 - Reminders: Check out our new merch, submit your poop story for a chance to win a BPR RTIC mug, and apply to be a blogger! 00:05:35 - Introducing Pony 00:06:02 - Tell us your poop story 00:10:20 - Tell us about caretaking at Woods Hole hostel 00:12:25 - Tell us a second poop story 00:14:38 - Discussion about the murder you got interested in 00:17:35 - Did you consider writing a book about it? 00:19:38 - Tell us about the Cape Wrath trail 00:26:46 - What are the pros and cons of going south or north? 00:28:50 - Are you planning on doing the West Highland Way? 00:29:25 - Did you notice the accent change as you got further north? 00:31:03 - What was resupplying like? 00:33:28 - What was the camping like? 00:38:00 - Anything else you want to share on this hike? 00:40:12 - Do you remember any legends? 00:42:50 - Tell us about hiking from Edinburgh to Glasgow 00:46:33 - Which city would you return to if you could only pick one? 00:47:16 - What's the hiking culture like? 00:50:24 - Did you do anything between Scotland and going back to the CDT? 00:51:20 - Tell us about hiking alone for the most part 00:58:30 - What constitutes a bad day on the CDT? 01:02:03 - What other things did you do to make you realize you were losing your sanity? 01:05:52 - Is it surprising to you that you're still learning a lot about yourself? 01:07:54 - Did you have any standout favorite days? 01:11:07 - Did you do any uncommon alternates that you think more people should do? 01:14:15 - What do you attribute red line fever to? 01:17:18 - What led to you still needing to mop up some miles? 01:21:32 - Tell us about recovering from giardia 01:25:02 - How does overdoing it manifest for you? 01:30:00 - Discussion about the weather 01:31:13 - Tell us about the Glacier permit system 01:35:08 - Why don't the national parks all use the same system? 01:39:30 - Did you have any gear you loved or loathed? 01:43:30 - Do you have any hot takes for us? 01:51:40 - What's next for you? Segments Trek Propaganda: How Thru-Hiking Made Me Less Independent by Gillian QOTD: What is something you've been doing recently to intentionally annoy your partner? Trigger the Internet Triple Crown of bummer places to be Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Oct 16, 2023 · 2 hr 6 min

    #223 | Snakes 101: Bites, Myths, and Antivenom with Dr. Nick Brandehoff and Dr. Bryan Wilson

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Dr. Nick Brandehoff and Dr. Bryan Wilson of The Asclepius Snakebite Foundation to of course talk all things snakes. We cover everything you could want to know about dealing with snakes and snake bites including what to do if bitten by a snake in the backcountry in a variety of circumstances, what to do if your kid or dog is bitten by a snake, common myths about snakes and snake bites, a fornicate marry kill of snake species, what resources people ought to be aware of in dealing with snake safety, and much more. We wrap the show with the best excuses to get out of work, a triple crown of items over $1,000 that aren't living, and are small enough to be manually lifted, a new segment, trigger warning, a horseback DUI, and more! Vargo Outdoors: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for 20% off at vargooutdoors.com. Katabatic Gear: Use code "BPR15" for 15% off at katabaticgear.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com. [divider] Interview with Dr. Nick Brandehoff and Dr. Bryan Wilson Snakebite Foundation Website ASF Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:30 - Reminders: Check out our new merch, submit your poop story for a chance to win a BPR RTIC mug, and apply to be a blogger! 00:08:40 - Introducing Dr. Brandehoff and Dr. Wilson 00:10:00 - Tell us about your backgrounds and how you came to your current roles 00:13:27 - Why does Denver have a high concentration of toxicologists? 00:15:10 - How many snakes do each of you own? 00:15:55 - When you think of snake people, what is the stereotypical snake person? 00:17:15 - Have either of you been bitten by venomous snakes? 00:18:07 - What makes a snake venomous but not dangerous? 00:27:35 - If you get bit by a snake while out hiking, how do you get it to let go of you? 00:29:15 - How far do snakes lunge? 00:31:50 - Have snakes evolved not to rattle? 00:32:12 - If you get bit while hiking, what should you do? 00:35:00 - Discussion about the myth of using electricity to denature venom 00:36:55 - First aid tips 00:38:43 - Is it okay to move to get to medical care? 00:40:20 - Does it make more sense to hike or run? 00:41:48 - Is it a bad idea to try to slow the circulation or elevate the area? 00:42:54 - How does your knowledge impact your outdoor experience? 00:47:11 - Myth busting: are baby rattlesnakes more venomous than adults? 00:50:27 - What kind of venomous snakes are most prevalent in the United States? 00:52:00 - Can you rank the 4 snakes according to how bad it is to get bitten by them? 00:54:05 - Which of the 4 snakes would you most want to get bitten by? 00:57:05 - After you're bit, how long do you have before a snakebite becomes lethal? 00:59:40 - Tell us about the Appalachian snake people 01:02:00 - Discussion about the long term impacts of snake bites 01:04:40 - Is antivenom the same for all snakes? 01:07:02 - How is antivenom made? 01:09:07 - Why do the antibodies have to be taken from other animals? 01:11:45 - Are you optimistic about the technology of antivenom evolving? 01:12:08 - Is it true that not all hospitals have antivenom? 01:13:50 - Discussion about poison centers (800-222-1222) 01:16:20 - What's the craziest thing you've seen with the poison center? 01:20:57 - What should you do if a child or dog gets bit by a snake? 01:24:56 - Do you have any snake jokes? 01:25:30 - Fuck Marry Kill: water moccasins, rattlesnakes, copperheads 01:26:45 - If you could see any snake in the wild, what would you pick? 01:28:25 - What snake would come out the victor in a bracket? 01:29:55 - What are some rapid fire snake facts? 01:32:30 - Have you ever done any snake pranks? 01:33:35 - Why are people so afraid of snakes? 01:35:00 - Where can people learn more about you and your organization? Segments Trek Propaganda: A Camera as Company: Thru-Hiking in Scotland with a Panoramic Camera by Laura Partain QOTD: What's your go-to excuse for getting out of work? Triple Crown of non-living, liftable items you'd want over $1,000 Triggering the Internet Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Oct 9, 2023 · 2 hr 14 min

    #222 | How to Choose a Backpack for Thru-Hiking with Owen Eigenbrot

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are giving you an in depth run through on how to choose a backpack for thru-hiking. We are joined today by The Trek's Managing Editor, serial thru-hiker, and certified gear nerd, Owen Eigenbrot. We walk you through all the features, terminology, material types, sizing tips, and more to give you a foundational knowledge on making an educated decision when purchasing a pack for the purpose of a long-distance backpacking trek. We then share some of our top tips and offer a few specific product recommendations at the end of the panel. Whether you're just getting started in the world of backpacking, you're looking to level up your gear for future trips, or you're just curious to expand your knowledge in the world of backpacks, this podcast has got something for you. We wrap the show with a shoutout to the class of 2023 AT thru-hikers, a new segment - poop news of the week, a miserably embarrassing stupid thing of the week, and a triple crown of our preferred caffeine sources. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com. Katabatic Gear: Use code "BPR15" for 15% off at katabaticgear.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Panel with Owen Eigenbrot Owen's Website Owen's Trek Profile Time stamps & Questions 00:03:38 - Reminder 1: Get an exclusive monthly episode by supporting us on Patreon! 00:05:20 - Reminder 2: We have new merch! 00:06:28 - Reminder 3: Submit your Pooping in the Woods story! 00:07:22 - Reminder 4: Apply to be a Trek blogger in 2024, take the AT survey if you hiked in 2023, and make sure to use our sponsor discount codes when buying gear! 00:08:47 - Introducing Owen 00:09:51 - Give us an overview of your backpacking experience 00:14:31 - Can you introduce the Eastern Continental Trail? 00:17:19 - Introducing the structure of today's show 00:19:05 - Sizing a pack properly and how to measure your torso 00:25:00 - Adjustable versus fixed-size packs 00:26:55 - Sizing cottage gear packs versus larger manufacturers 00:28:52 - Volume/capacity 00:33:17 - Internal frame vs. external frame vs. frameless 00:37:23 - Men's vs. women's vs. unisex 00:40:12 - Traditional vs. ultralight 00:43:28 - Suspension 00:50:24 - Pockets 00:56:00 - Hip belt 01:00:23 - Extension collars 01:01:55 - Closure styles: roll-top vs. cinch cord vs. others 01:06:15 - Straps and buckles 01:10:45 - Price range 01:12:24 - Waterproofness 01:14:25 - Material options 01:24:35 - Bear canister compatibility 01:27:35 - Zach's Pack Tip #1: Of the big 3, the weight of the backpack is the least important 01:28:47 - Chaunce's Pack Tip #1: Consider the weight your pack is designed to carry 01:30:48 - Owen's Pack Tip #1: Use a pack liner 01:34:09 - Zach's Pack Tip #2: Zach's overall pack recommendation 01:36:22 - Chaunce's Pack Tip #2: Chaunce's overall pack recommendation Segments Trek Propaganda: Congratulations to these 2023 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers: Part 4 by Kendra Slagter Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of caffeine sources 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Oct 2, 2023 · 2 hr 53 min

    #221 | Al "Lookout" Marriott on Hiking Through the Sierra in a Record Snow Year (PCT 2023)

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Al Marriott, known on trail as Lookout. Lookout is a 2023 PCT thru-hiker, and one of the very few who was able to connect their footsteps on a continuous northbound hike through the Sierra. This is the main course of our conversation today as we learn all about the wild conditions Lookout and his crew of 6 fellow hikers endured, including some very close call water crosses, how slow and draining the snow travel was, what snow traction worked best for his group (and it might not be what you expect), the energy requirements for this style of trekking, and the group dynamics of traveling in such close proximity for such a long time through such stressful conditions. This one is a doozy. We wrap the show with a quick overview of how much experience is needed to hike the AT, things that get less appetizing as we get older, and a triple crown of the best places for people watching. CTUG: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for 15% off at chickentrampergear.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com. [divider] Interview with Al "Lookout" Marriott Lookout's Instagram Lookout's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:04:02 - Reminders: Apply to be a 2024 Trek Blogger, submit your poop stories, and follow us Patreon! 00:06:59 - Introducing Lookout 00:07:27 - Tell us about your photography setup 00:08:23 - Where are you from? 00:09:56 - Did you do any long distance backpacking in Britain? 00:11:45 - How did you come to bounce between Australia and Thailand? 00:13:16 - What permits did you need to come to the US to hike the AT? 00:17:10 - Did you feel pressure on the AT to make sure your schedule worked? 00:19:27 - What snow hiking experience did you have prior to starting the PCT? 00:20:18 - When you started, did you know you wanted to maintain a continuous footpath? 00:21:55 - Did you run into issues before getting to Kennedy Meadows? 00:26:15 - How did you find a group to enter the Sierras with? 00:31:17 - Did you use snow gear going through Apache Peak? 00:32:25 - What was your start date and when did you reach Kennedy Meadows? 00:32:46 - What was the atmosphere of other hikers on trail? 00:33:49 - Tell us about who you entered the Sierras with 00:38:42 - To what extent did your group plan out your strategy ahead of time? 00:41:38 - Picture of the South Fork San Joaquin Bridge damage 00:42:00 - Were you disappointed to skip that section? 00:45:50 - Narrate your Sierra crossing 00:57:38 - Was bringing the snowshoes a good idea? 01:03:54 - How much dry ground did you see in the Sierra? 01:05:19 - Describe the obstacles you encountered before getting to Bishop 01:06:26 - Tell us about the sketchiest water crossings 01:13:54 - Did those close calls affect your confidence or strategies going forward? 01:15:33 - How much of the Sierra was Type I vs. Type II fun? 01:18:21 - Did having a limited time visa impact your thought processes? 01:21:50 - Tell us about sketchy parts of the next stretch 01:30:16 - Tell us about getting trail magic in the Sierra 01:33:40 - Discussion about conveying what it was like to others 01:37:40 - Story about Stitches 01:44:47 - Did the group stay together or break up after the Sierra? 01:49:55 - Story about getting into Tahoe 02:01:18 - What did you get out of this experience? 02:08:04 - Are there any other gaps in topics related to snow that we could cover in the future? 02:14:16 - What was the longest stretch between resupplies? 02:16:40 - Where should people go to follow you? Segments Trek Propaganda: Can You Hike the Appalachian Trail with No Backpacking Experience? by Diane Duffard QOTD: What's something that gets less appetizing the older you get? Triple Crown of the best places for people watching Mail Bag 5 Star Review Patreon Austen's Hike Update [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Sep 25, 2023 · 2 hr 32 min

    #220 | How to Choose a Tent for Backpacking with Owen Eigenbrot

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are giving you a thorough breakdown on all things backpacking tent related. We are joined by The Trek's Managing Editor, accomplished thru-hiker, and gear encyclopedia, Owen Eigenbrot. We introduce today's panel by giving you a thorough run-through on everything you need about backpacking tents, including the various types of tents, feature sets, terminology, material options, and more. We then do a roundtable offering our top actionable advice for picking a tent, considerations to make, and a few of our favorite specific models. Whether you're new to backpacking, are looking to level up your gear, or are curious about the various nuances of the world of tents, this podcast has something for you. We wrap the show with a triple crown of Taylor Swift songs (Owen is a certified Swiftie), we share some of our strangest beliefs, and we offer a not-so-happy update on the status of Backpacker Radio's Iceland Trip. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. CTUG: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for 15% off at chickentrampergear.com. [divider] Panel with Owen Eigenbrot Owen's Website Owen's Trek Profile Timestamps & Questions 00:03:49 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon, Iceland is off, leave us a voicemail, and apply to be a Trek blogger! 00:06:48 - Introducing Owen 00:08:07 - What's your backpacking background? 00:10:44 - What are the basics of the Eastern Continental Trail? 00:12:32 - Introducing the structure of today's show 00:16:10 - Tent capacity 00:21:00 - Tarps and bivvies 00:23:50 - 3 vs. 4 season 00:27:25 - Single vs. double wall 00:35:05 - Trekking pole vs. (semi) freestanding 00:46:06 - Tent weight variations 00:53:18 - Common materials 01:14:25 - Bathtub floor 01:16:05 - Door location 01:19:42 - Height 01:22:55 - Bug protection 01:23:32 - Pockets 01:24:38 - Stakes 01:31:52 - Tent terminology 01:36:30 - Footprints 01:41:36 - Zach's Tent Tip #1: If you're new to backpacking, go with a semi-freestanding tent 01:48:54 - Owen's Tent Tip #1: Don't give up on 1-person shelters 01:51:10 - Chaunce's Tent Tip #1: Measure how tall you are when sitting straight up 01:52:30 - Zach's Tent Tip #2: Broadest audience tent recommendation 01:55:03 - Owen's Tent Tip #2: Have realistic expectations about tents in general 01:57:00 - Chaunce's Tent Tip #2: Consider the terrain you'll be hiking in 01:58:01 - Owen and Chaunce's tent recommendations Segments Trek Propaganda: The 15 Best Long-Distance Trails in the US by Diane Duffard QOTD: What is the strangest thing you believe in? One Minute Gear Review: Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie Triple Crown of Taylor Swift songs 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Sep 18, 2023 · 2 hr 31 min

    #219 | Jonathon Stalls on his 242-Day Walk Across the United States, Pedestrian Dignity, and Healing in Nature

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Jonathon Stalls. Jonathon is a wildly interesting character who, in 2010, in search of meaning and healing, decided to walk across the length of the country. We learn all about this transformative journey, some of the standout stories along the way- including some instances of the unforeseen kindness of strangers, his alter ego of Cate Blanchett flaring up through the desert, how he was able to fund this journey, an epic poop story, how this expedition turned into his book "WALK: Slow Down, Wake Up, and Connect at 1-3 Miles Per Hour." and his current advocacy work in making urban spaces more pedestrian friendly. This is a deep and honest conversation- and we'd like to offer a trigger warning to listeners that the following interview touches on talks of suicide. We wrap the show with a triple crown of TV shows and movies we've watched recently, a brief comparison of the Colorado Trail vs. the John Muir Trail, and a stupidest thing of the week- Zach losing his mind due to sleep deprivation edition. CTUG: Use code "Backpackerradio" to save 15% on your order at chickentrampergear.com Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com [divider] Interview with Jonathon Stalls Jonathon's Instagram WALK: Slow Down, Wake Up, and Connect at 1-3 Miles per Hour by Jonathon Stalls Intrinsic Paths Website Intrinsic Paths/Jonathon Stalls Patreon Jonathon on TikTok Time stamps & Questions 00:03:53 - If you can only go to one burger spot in Colorado for the rest of your life, where are you going? 00:05:22 - Reminders: If you have a good poop story, submit it here. We are now accepting 2024 blogger applications for The Trek. Apply today! 00:09:05 - Introducing Jonathon Stalls 00:10:15 - Tell us about your dad playing in the NFL 00:13:00 - Are you a football fan today? 00:13:58 - Would Zach let his boys play football? 00:15:06 - What was your sports background? 00:16:58 - How did you get into beach volleyball? 00:20:23 - How much of your life was portrayed in the movie Point Break? 00:20:40 - Where does walking come into play? 00:26:31 - What in Ireland brought out the new approach to life? 00:29:30 - What was your reaction to what you were learning in Ireland? 00:34:57 - How did your mom respond to you coming out? 00:37:23 - How should others approach the conversation? 00:40:45 - Did you know nature was healing to you prior to this hike? 00:42:12 - Walk us through deviating from the American Discovery Trail 00:46:37 - Did you have to pay the funding back? 00:47:30 - Do they give you feedback on what businesses you help? 00:49:42 - How did you select your walking route? 00:55:28 - Let's hear a poop story! 01:06:40 - How did you balance wanting to be in nature and wanting to engage with communities? 01:10:25 - Did you also find healing in the interaction with others? 01:12:37 - Explain the practices you used to find kinship with nature 01:16:20 - Do you have a favorite tree? 01:19:29 - Do you have a desire to reinvent yourself on a long trail? 01:23:25 - Do you find it frustrating to see the direction of society today? 01:26:13 - What are some wins you've witnessed in your work? 01:29:42 - What parts of Denver are most walkable? 01:33:29 - Have you walked the full length of Colfax? 01:34:30 - Tell us about "Walk to Connect" and "Walking Leaders" 01:38:37 - Was there a stretch of trail that wasn't enjoyable? 01:45:23 - Do you have a specific term for your cross-country walk? 01:45:55 - Was there a specific moment where you felt you were healing on your journey? 01:48:38 - Is there anything about the journey or the book you'd like to relay to listeners? 01:50:32 - What do we need to know about pedestrian dignity? 01:52:54 - Zach Anner & The Quest for the Rainbow Bagel 01:57:00 - Impact of TikTok 01:59:00 - Wrap up: Where to find Jonathon Stalls Segments Trek Propaganda: The Colorado Trail vs. The John Muir Trail: Which Trail is Better? By Katie Jackson Thing of the Week Triple Crown of shows/movies you've watched recently 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Sep 11, 2023 · 3 hr 1 min

    #218 | Ultralight Backpacking Tips with Carl "Professor" Stanfield

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are talking all things ultralight backpacking. We're joined by our pal and thru-hiker extraordinaire, Carl Stanfield aka "Professor", as the three of us share some of our top tips for reducing pack weight. The advice in this episode covers the full spectrum, from broad-based philosophical ways to approach what should and should not be in your pack, to more granular tips for simple and cost-effective ways of going UL. Whether you're hoping to thru-hike a triple crown trail or lighten the load a bit for your weekend outing, this one has insightful and practical pointers for you. We wrap the show with a quick overview of a new ultralight material being used for tarps and tents- and the relative pros and cons, but more importantly, we do the triple crown of the top benefits of an alien invasion which devolves into the most insane debate in Backpacker Radio history. Chaunce goes pure red face. CTUG: Use code "Backpackerradio" to save 15% on your order at chickentrampergear.com Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com PACT Outdoors: Use code "TREK20" for 20% off and free shipping at pactoutdoors.com. [divider] Panel with Carl Stanfield Carl's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:03:58 - Reminders: Join us in Iceland for Summer of 2024! Support us on Patreon! Lastly, if you have a good poop story, submit it here! 00:09:34 - Welcoming Carl "Professor" Stanfield 00:09:49 - What have you been up to lately? 00:13:23 - What do you do with your short break? 00:14:39 - How many days did you get off? 00:17:24 - What was your day-to-day? 00:20:24 - Tell us about your new girlfriend! 00:22:21 - Can you give us a brief overview of your hiking resume? 00:23:30 - Panel introduction: Ultralight Backpacking 00:26:30 - Chaunce's #1: Get used to doing less 00:31:03 - Professor's #1: Be adaptable 00:34:41 - What does everyone do when you don't have a utensil? 00:38:11 - Badger's #1: Don't carry too much water 00:49:59 - Chaunce's #2: Compare weights when shopping for gear 00:53:38 - Professor's #2: Of the big 4, invest in a lightweight tent 01:09:30 - Shelter satisfaction results from The Trek's hiker survey 01:12:24 - Badger's #2: Remove redundancy 01:36:00 - Chaunce's #3: You don't need to bring your hobbies with you 01:48:17 - Professor's #3: Dial in your food consumption 02:07:11 - Professor's Hot Take: Make up for calories in town 02:10:47 - Chaunce's Final Thoughts: Eat your dinner to get your dessert 02:17:00 - Zach's #3: Use Smart Water bottles instead of Nalgenes 02:24:00 - Panel wrap-up Segments Trek Propaganda: UltraTNT: The Newest Material for Ultralight Tarps & Tents By Joal and Jenny Triple crown of alien invasion benefits [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Sep 4, 2023 · 2 hr 30 min

    #217 | Gillian Larson aka the Thru-Rider on Covering 10,000 Miles on Horseback: Logistics, Advice, and Favorite Stories

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by long-distance thru-rider Gillian Larson. Yes, thru-rider. Gillian has more than 10,000 backcountry wilderness miles via horseback, including two thru-rides of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Arizona Trail, and the Colorado Trail. Gillian was the youngest person to solo-thru ride the PCT in 2014, and became the first person to thru-ride both the PCT and CDT. We of course ambush Gillian with an onslaught of ignorant questions of what it takes to complete one of these long trails via horseback. We went into this chat assuming the logistics of a thru-ride were tough, and oh boy, did we underestimate that. A fascinating conversation, we think you'll really dig this one. We wrap the show with a recap and some of Badger's top takeaways from his recent 3-night trek through Washington's Goat Rock Wilderness, a triple crown of things that float, and what range of times are appropriate for dinner. Visit Iceland with Chaunce and Badger: Registration is live for our 2024 trip to Iceland. Come and hike to glaciers, waterfalls, and secret lagoons with your favorite podcast hosts. More info here! Goodr: Use the code "Backpacker" for a free shipping discount at www.goodr.com/backpacker Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKESHELTER20" for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com PACT Outdoors: Use code "TREK20" for 20% off and free shipping at pactoutdoors.com. Interview with Gillian Larson Gillian Larson Instagram Gillian Larson Website Time stamps & Questions 00:04:02 - Reminders: We're still collecting poop stories for our book. Send your story here! Join us in Iceland for Summer of 2024! 00:08:30 - Introducing Gillian 00:09:11 - What got you into the horse life? 00:10:50 -Did your mom ever nudge you in the direction of competitions? 00:12:18 - Was your mom excited about your thru-riding adventures? 00:14:10 - Do you have siblings? 00:14:34 - How old were you when you completed your solo ride? 00:17:08 - How did you prepare for a thru-ride? 00:21:09 - How do you manage two horses at a time? 00:24:32 - What differentiates a pack horse from a riding horse? 00:25:50 - When you get off to walk, what is generally the reasoning? 00:27:05 - Do horses sweat? 00:27:34 - Are they at risk for dehydration? 00:28:40 - Do you have to hide the water caches off trail? 00:29:31 - If you walk with the horses, do you have to guide them with a leash? 00:30:27 - Do horses respond to their names? 00:32:34 - Are horses spooked by thunderstorms? 00:32:58 - How much is a horse's personality nurture vs. nature? 00:34:25 - How much does it cost to feed a horse a day? 00:35:40 - After the desert, are you able to rely on grass for feeding? 00:39:34 - How did you handle finding routes with the low meadow access? 00:42:53 - Tell us about the camping experience 00:44:52 - Do you have the same permit system as hikers? 00:46:36 - Do you have to change horseshoes? 00:49:20 - Can you replace shoes on trail? 00:50:30 - How much does it cost for shoe maintenance? 00:54:08 - If you didn't have support, how did you manage trail towns? 00:56:10 - Do you have any instances where you'd go to town without any support? 00:57:36 - Would you say thru-riding prevents you from having a social experience on trail? 00:58:20 - Is it ever tricky to rely on help from online fans? 01:03:15 - Is that the common way to self-support? 01:04:10 - Do you feel compelled to complete the whole trail, in a purist way? 01:06:22 - Is there etiquette around horse poop on trail? 01:08:40 - Horse poop not smelling like horse poop 01:10:54 - Were you able to connect all the miles on the PCT in 2014? 01:13:15 - Have you ever let hikers ride your horses? 01:14:14 - Any wild animal encounters? 01:16:48 - Do the horses have any favorite snacks? 01:17:42 - How do horses react when seeing a moose? 01:19:31 - What animals are horses afraid of? 01:20:25 - Can a horse outrun a cougar? 01:22:11 - Do you carry bear spray? 01:23:57 - How does your bond change with your horses when thru-riding? 01:33:42 - What other gear do you carry that a backpacker wouldn't? 01:37:21 - What trail is most horse-friendly? 01:39:11 - Is there a reason you picked the PCT for a second ride? 01:40:48 - If someone wanted to do this, what should they budget for? 01:43:09 - How long does a saddle last? 01:45:48 - Do you know you share a name with someone on Survivor? 01:47:17 - What does "retiring" a horse consist of? 01:48:32 - What should people do if they see a horse on trail? 01:51:16 - Is there a standard distance that a hiker should stand away from the horse? 01:52:08 - Can you get a DUI on a horse? 01:52:25 - What are your favorite horse-girl movies? 01:55:08 - Where can people get in touch with you? 01:57:05 - What is an FAQ that we haven't asked? 01:58:18 - Thank you Gillian! Segments QOTD: What timeframe is appropriate for dinner? Thing of the Week Triple Crown of things that float 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Aug 28, 2023 · 2 hr 25 min

    #216 | Sara "Tide Walker" Leibold on 10,000 Solo Human-Powered Miles, Rowing the Mississippi River, and Working at ESPN

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Sara Leibold. Sara is a solo adventurer, thru-hiker, writer, and vlogger with more than 10,000 human-powered miles under her belt. Her adventures include several thru-hikes, for which we zoom in on her hikes of the AT, Benton MacKaye, and most recently, the Hayduke. We also learn about her wild adventure of rowing the length of the Mississippi River, from source to sea. And we get a run down on Sara's many odd jobs, including ridge running on the AT, working in production for ESPN, and more. We wrap the show with sad news of an AT hiker who turned up deceased in Vermont, the triple crown of worst appetizers, and what petty hills we are willing to die on. But first. Visit Iceland with Chaunce and Badger: Registration is live for our 2024 trip to Iceland. Come and hike to glaciers, waterfalls, and secret lagoons with your favorite podcast hosts. More info here! Range Meal Bars: Use code "THETREK" for 20% off at rangemealbar.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. Interview with Sara Leibold Sara Leibold Instagram Sara on YouTube Sara's Website Time stamps & Questions 00:03:38 - Reminders: We're still collecting poop stories for our book. Send your story here! Join us on Patreon for more chaos! 00:07:27 - Welcoming Sara 00:08:01 - How did you get your trail name, Tide? 00:8:48 - Tell us about your Master's thesis 00:10:14 - Why focus on the Arizona Trail? 00:11:41 - Were you able to capture cause and effect? 00:12:50 - Did your interest in low impact travel stem from your graduate program? 00:13:45 - How do you define low impact travel? 00:14:38 - Is there a style of outdoor adventure that's lower impact? 00:15:08 - Who did you pull your low impact inspiration from? 00:15:50 - Can you give us your trail resume? 00:18:30 - When was your AT start and finish date? 00:19:29 - What put the AT on your mind? 00:20:00 - Did you complete it in four months? 00:20:26 - Did you have a light pack at least? 00:20:38 - What was the response to doing the AT in 2011? 00:21:44 - Did you let your hair grow throughout your hike? 00:22:00 - Any big highlights from the AT? 00:22:47 - Tell us about your river trip 00:23:54 - What was your sport in college? 00:24:10 - Tell us about the Suwannee river 00:24:40 - What was it like traveling with your dad? 00:25:17 - Did you do the full length of the river? 00:25:40 - How did you plan for your river trip? 00:26:30 - Tell us about the Natchez Trail bike ride 00:27:19 - How long did it take you? 00:27:44 - Are you a fast swimmer as well 00:28:10 - Are all of your trips intentionally low impact? 00:29:09 - What brought you back to that AT after your bikepacking trip? 00:30:56 - Did you encounter a lot of weekend warriors? 00:32:04 - What type of crash course tips could you give a new hiker? 00:33:20 - What is that smell experience like? 00:35:12 - What's the turnover rate for ridge runners? 00:36:36 - How often did you encounter bears in the Shenandoah? 00:38:03 - What are the redeeming qualities of ridgerunning? 00:40:10 - Do you have housing for ridgerunning? 00:40:34 - What's the time commitment? 00:41:57 - Do you have insider names or terminology? 00:44:59 - What was the best culinary experience of the Camino? 00:46:24 - Tell us about the Anna Purna Circuit? 00:37:31 - What was drawing you to international hikes? 00:48:07 - Did you ever feel a pull to go do the PCT or CDT? 00:49:15 - How did you sustain a lifestyle of year-round hiking and traveling? 00:50:12 - Did you ever have doubts living your lifestyle? 00:51:56 - Do you have any advice for people stuck in the comparison phase? 00:53:09 - Do you foresee yourself settling for a different lifestyle? 00:55:13 - Where do you think you gained your independence? 00:56:13 - Tell us about your source-to-sea adventure 00:58:18 - What did you do for butt padding? 00:58:45 - Was it similar to college rowing? 00:59:35 - Are there stretches where you could swim? 01:00:17 - How do you manage going through a lock and dam? 01:02:29 - Was any of this Type 2 fun? 01:03:12 - What's the safety like? 01:05:30 - How long did it take you? 01:05:53 - What job opportunity presented itself? 01:06:48 - How did you fall into this job? 01:09:58 - What are your top favorite seasonal jobs? 01:13:19 - Do you ever take souvenirs from the US Open? 01:16:51 - Anything else notable about your Mississippi voyage? 01:18:36 - What was on your gear list for the Mississippi trip? 01:19:52 - What do you eat? 01:20:10 - What are redeeming qualities of cold soaking? 01:22:09 - What do you cold soak in your resupply boxes? 01:24:12 - How did you land in the hospital? Ramen overdose? 01:27:30 - Tell us about the Netherlands/Belgium bikepack trip? 01:31:18 - How much time are you spending on the bike vs. exploring cities? 01:31:55 - What would you recommend for those hoping to do a similar trip? 01:33:12 - Tell us about your Benton MacKaye hike 01:33:50 - What is a census job? 01:36:15 - How did the Pinhoti compare to the Benton MacKaye trail? 01:37:31 - What's the elevator pitch for the Benton MacKaye trail? 01:39:05 - Tell us about the Hayduke 01:43:43 - Where did things get scary? 01:46:06 - How did you prepare for the Hayduke? 01:54:50 - At what point did you feel the imposter syndrome dissipate? 01:56:04 - How has doing the Hayduke impacted future hikes? 01:57:31 - Tell us about the book you're writing? 02:00:02 - Thank you, Sara! Segments Trek Propaganda: Missing Appalachian Trail Hiker Found Dead in Vermont by Owen Eigenbrot QOTD: What is a petty hill you would die on? Triple crown of worst appetizers Mail Bag 5 Star Reviews [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Aug 21, 2023 · 2 hr 42 min

    #215 | Heidi Nisbett on Her Thru-Hiking Art, Being a Hiking Guide, and A Wild Rescue Story from the CDT

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Heidi Nisbett aka Sketch. Heidi is a thru-hiker, hiking guide, and an exceptionally talented artist, having recently been commissioned to paint a giant mural at the Trail Center in Damascus. Heidi gives us the lowdown on why she loved the Foothills Trail, the Superior Hiking Trail, Pinhoti Trail, and more. We also go in-depth on Heidi's journey as an artist, how she fell in love with it as a kid, fell out of love with it post-college, and rekindled the flame during her time hiking the AT. She shares her top advice to aspiring trail-focused artists, we learn about a CDT thru-hike that went wildly awry, and we chat the best and worst beer styles. This is another fun chat guaranteed to bring a smile to your head. We wrap the show with reasons why the Florida Trail is actually awesome, I'm shamed for liking things I'm good at, we do a triple crown of hiking things we just don't get, a Florida Man segment, and much more. Visit Iceland with Chaunce and Badger: Registration is live for our 2024 trip to Iceland. Come and hike to glaciers, waterfalls, and secret lagoons with your favorite podcast hosts. More info here! Range Meal Bars: Use code "THETREK" for 20% off at rangemealbar.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. PACT Outdoors: Use code "TREK20" for 20% off and free shipping at pactoutdoors.com. [divider] Interview with Heidi Nisbett Heidi Nisbett Instagram Sketching Summits website Sketching Summits TikTok Time stamps & Questions 00:03:05 - Reminders: Chaunce is unwell & we're still collecting poop stories for our book. Send your story here! 00:08:54 - Introducing Heidi Nisbett 00:09:42 - Is it safe to say you're a beer connoisseur? 00:09:55 - What's the style of beer you're into now? 00:10:07 - Do you have a favorite wheat beer? 00:10:24 - What is your trail name and the origin? 00:11:10 - Why didn't you like the name Picasso? 00:11:56 - What did Picasso do for art history? 00:12:45 - Were you sketching at all shelter logs? 00:13:58 - How long do the paintings take you? 00:14:58 - Was it hard to maintain a social group if you stop to paint? 00:15:40 - Do most people break up with art after their degree? 00:20:07 - When did art stand out as something you were talented in? 00:20:50 - Do you come from artsy people? 00:22:58 - At what point were you getting positive feedback on your art? 00:23:40 - What role did social media play as you re-entered the art world? 00:26:13 - What happens between your art career and hiking the AT? 00:29:11 - How does a paint and sip class work? 00:30:44 - What tips do you have for amateur artists? 00:34:00 - Tell us about your style of art now 00:35:08 - How would you describe the style of art? 00:37:36 - How did you transition from art girl to hiking girl? 00:40:28 - What was your hiking experience prior to the AT? 00:42:06 - Tell us about the evolution of your art as you hiked along the AT? 00:44:46 - How did you decide to make your art your full-time business after hiking? 00:47:20 - What draws people in the most? 00:48:40 - How do you overcome imposter syndrome? 00:49:50 - Tell us about your work with the ATC 00:52:52 - Was that your first mural? 00:54:40 - How does it work when painting around features in the room? 00:55:44 - Is this the piece of art that has consumed the most amount of your time? 00:55:52 - What is the second longest? 00:56:51 - What's the most popular piece of art? 00:57:22 - What do you mail most often? 00:59:07 - How do you determine what to turn into a sticker? 01:00:23 - Have you asked if the Pinhoti has any mural needs? 01:02:10 - How was the Pinhoti? 01:04:30 - Why pick the Pinhoti over other trails? 01:05:48 - How does the difficulty compare to the AT? 01:06:54 - Is there a bad time of year to hike the Pinhoti? 01:08:01 - Would you pick Pinhoti or Superior Hiking Trail? 01:09:42 - How was the Foothills Trail? 01:11:57 - What's the hiking culture in North Carolina? 01:12:56 - Are you familiar with the Overmountain Trail? 01:15:23 - FMK…Beer styles 01:16:53 - FMK…Landscape, Animal, or People Artwork 01:18:30 - FMK…Watercolor, Oils, or Acrylic Paintings 01:19:07 - FMK…Pinhoti, Superior Hiking Trail, or Mountains to Sea trail 01:20:36 - How did the CDT attempt go? 01:23:24 - Tell us about the double helicopter evacuation you witnessed 01:30:33 - Were you able to enjoy fun van activities? 01:31:27 - What's the proposal story? 01:35:40 - Tell us about guiding 01:38:12 - How do you experience a hike differently as a guide? 01:39:19 - If someone wants you as their guide, how do they request that? 01:40:53 - Tell us about your watercolor trips? 01:43:11 - Did your art background play a role in getting hired as a guide? 01:44:16 - Do you have any advice for someone who is trying to find their start in the art world? 01:46:25 - What was your top hike in Guatemala? 01:47:53 - What did you say your husband does? 01:48:15 - Thank you, Heidi! Segments Trek Propaganda: 11 Reasons The Florida Trail Is Awesome by Owen Eigenbrot QOTD: What is something you're good at, but don't enjoy doing? Voicemails Thing of the week Triple crown of hiking things you just don't get Florida man + birthdate Gross or Not Gross Chaunce QOTD: How is it living with Garrett? Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Aug 14, 2023 · 2 hr 28 min

    #214 | Tisha McCombs, Executive Director of the Colorado Trail Foundation

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined by new Executive Director at the Colorado Trail Foundation, Tisha McCombs. Tisha gives us a rundown on her journey to becoming the head at the CTF, what her vision is for the Colorado Trail moving forward, all that goes into maintaining the CT and where help is most needed, and much more. We also chat a bit about the role mountain biking plays into sustaining many trails throughout Colorado, what her top advice is to aspiring adventurers - coming from the perspective of an adventure and life coach, and a fuck marry kill of the sections of the Colorado Trail. We wrap the show with a triple crown of ways to insult thru-hikers, a review of the updated version of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite from a former guest of the show, and a new segment, plug me. PACT Outdoors: Use code "TREK20" for 20% off and free shipping at pactoutdoors.com. Visit Iceland with Chaunce and Badger: Registration is live for our 2024 trip to Iceland. Come and hike to glaciers, waterfalls, and secret lagoons with your favorite podcast hosts. More info here! Range Meal Bars: Use code "THETREK" for 20% off at rangemealbar.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKESHELTER20" for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. [divider] Interview with Tisha McCombs Tisha McCombs Instagram Colorado Trail Foundation Time stamps & Questions 00:05:02 - Reminders: Find us on YouTube and Patreon 00:06:03 - Introducing Tisha McCombs 00:06:24 - Does Tisha give us Mims vibes? 00:07:22 - Packing resupply boxes 00:13:16 - Walk us through your previous work prior to your new role with the CT 00:15:45 - Check out the CTF store 00:16:45 - Should we treat this as trading cards? 00:17:37 - Between CA and CO, what are some National Park recommendations you'd give? 00:19:20 - Tell us about your other non-profit experience 00:20:04 - Were you responsible for the Palisade Plunge? 00:20:50 - Were you primarily managing people at COPMOBA? 00:21:37 - What are some of the challenges with volunteer work? 00:23:36 - Have there been any oopsies with volunteers? 00:25:08 - Are the trails for hikers as well, or only mountain bikers? 00:25:46 - Is there any tension between mountain bikers and hikers? 00:29:24 - Do mountain bikers think e-bikers are lazy? 00:29:46 - How much do e-bikes and dirt bikes impact trails compared to mountain biking? 00:33:36 - What are the rebates that CO is giving on e-bikes? 00:36:30 - If you could only bike or hike the rest of your life, what would you pick? 00:37:15 - How does the spine injury impact wearing a backpack? 00:38:35 - Do you have a favorite pack that helps? 00:39:41 - The CT is a multi-purpose trail. How do you make decisions that benefit all uses? 00:43:34 - Do you get funds from dirt bike tags? 00:45:19 - How does trail maintenance differ between mountain biking and hiking? 00:46:33 - What would you like to do differently as the new Executive Director of the CTF? 00:51:53 - What type of money does it take to maintain trails? 00:59:15 - Why do you think there is so much interest in making the CT the best maintained trail in the US? 01:02:18 - How do you increase volunteer interest? 01:06:26 - Did you go through similar feelings with your son? 01:08:09 - Did you ever get resistance from your son when trying to bring him to your activities? 01:11:17 - What are some specific needs of the CTF? 01:15:17 - What's one of the best trail crew meals you've had? 01:16:22 - If options were endless, what would you do for the CT? 01:17:40 - What logistics would go into removing road walks? 01:18:55 - What are your two other wishes for the CTF? 01:21:59 - Are there any transportation recommendations? 01:22:58 - What about park & ride options? 01:24:01 - Are there apps for private parking spaces? 01:26:16 - What are top business ideas for someone who wants to offer value to the trail? 01:29:18 - Is there anywhere along the trail to do mail drops? 01:31:39 - Is there a shuttle into Lake City? 01:33:59 - Tell us about your work as a life coach 01:37:33 - Is there one element that merges adventure, career, and trauma? 01:40:23 - Are there any go-to fly fishing spots along the CT? 01:41:51 - Is it catch-and-release along the trail? 01:42:20 - FMK for Colorado Trail Segments 01:45:15 - Thank you, Tisha! 01:45:43 - Visit www.coloradotrail.org Segments QOTD: How old are you in your mind? Trek Propaganda: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad Review Thing of the Week QOTD 2: What's the most unethical thing you'd do to save money? Triple Crown of ways to insult thru-hikers Mail Bag/Plug Me: The Unseen by Mike Clelland 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Aug 7, 2023 · 2 hr 5 min

    #213 | Andrew Terrill on his 7,000 mile journey from southern Italy to northern Norway, encounters with The Mafia, and battling snow in the Alps

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by fellow Goldenite, Andrew Terrill. Starting in 1997, Andrew walked more than 7,000 miles from the southernmost point of Italy to northern Norway, an 18-month journey across the wild parts of Europe. Needless to say, learning about this unique and fascinating trek is the focus of today's chat, as we learn what inspired Andrew to take on this route that no one had ever done previously, how he was received by locals throughout his journey, standout stories from his adventure- including running into the Italian mafia, his favorite stretches of trail, and how this journey helped him overcome his social anxiety. This hike is unlike anything we've ever featured on the podcast, and we think you'll really enjoy learning more about Andrew's story. We wrap the show with news of a giveaway The Trek is hosting, featuring nearly $15,000 worth of backpacking gear, what our "liked it before it was cool" brags are, the Triple Crown of things that are the modern-day cigarette, and an epic listener email on the legality of stabbing people who enter your tent. Range Meal Bars: Use code "THETREK" for 20% off at rangemealbar.com. PACT Outdoors: Use code "TREK20" for 20% off and free shipping at pactoutdoors.com. Goodr: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping on your first order at goodr.com/backpacker. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKESHELTER20" for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. [divider] Interview with Andrew Terrill Andrew Terrill Website Andrew's Instagram Andrew's Facebook Time stamps & Questions 00:04:55 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon 00:05:54 - Introducing Andrew Terrill 00:06:31 - Tell us about living in Golden, CO 00:07:04 - Why Golden instead of other Colorado cities? 00:07:59 - How did you meet your wife? 00:10:23 - Were you appreciative of the email addresses? 00:11:14 - What was the inspiration for your journey? 00:14:25 - What were you doing for work at the time? 00:15:28 - Did you get any support in quitting your job to hike? 00:17:10 - Can you tell us the scary story from the Pyrenees? 00:20:36 - What injuries did you get? 00:22:58 - How did that experience not make you shy away from hiking? 00:23:50 - Did you dread sharing the news of your fall? 00:25:02 - It's 1997, how did you plan the logistics? 00:27:58 - How many times was the lucky coin unlucky? 00:29:26 - Did your fall make you want to pursue risk more? 00:31:07 - Tell us about being warned of the mafia 00:34:10 - Do you speak Italian? 00:34:32 - Was the threat of the mafia present through the full trip? 00:36:32 - Tell us about your gear back then? 00:39:30 - What happens when you leave Calambria? 00:40:51 - What mistakes did you think you made? 00:42:12 - Tell us about getting lost? 00:45:42 - What were the logistics of camping on this journey? 00:48:26 - Why did you get turned away from the hotel? 00:50:52 - Tell us about the shepherds you met along the way? 00:55:28 - What there a specific turning point? 00:56:25 - Tell us about your encounter with wild boars 00:57:41 - Any bear or wolf encounters? 01:01:23 - How did you overcome your social anxieties? 01:08:12 - Do you attribute your hike to resolving those anxieties? 01:09:22 - Tell us about hiking through the Dolomites 01:11:36 - Were there other historic sites you stumbled upon? 01:12:30 - Can you give us more specifics about the route you took? 01:13:50 - How do you handle the Alps in the winter? 01:20:41 - Is it challenging to plan food resupply? 01:22:15 - Were you ravenous after this journey? 01:22:45 - Did you have any unique culinary experiences? 01:23:54 - What types of freelance work were you doing for money? 01:25:03 - Did you ever lose any film? 01:25:38 - If you could highlight a 50-100 miles stretch in each of the countries, which would you recommend? 01:28:14 - Are there polar bears in the arctic? 01:29:08 - What kind of wildlife is there? 01:30:01 - Did you deal with short days in Norway? 01:30:36 - Did you have trouble sleeping? 01:30:52 - What should we ask you? 01:33:34 - If someone wants to follow your route, what advice would you give? 01:35:00 - Books: The Earth Beneath my Feet and On Sacred Ground SEGMENTS QOTD: What was your "I liked it before it was cool" brag? Trek Propaganda: It's Still Summer Giveaway Stupidest thing of the week Happy National Raspberry and Cream Day Triple Crown of things that are the modern day cigarette Cinnamon Court Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Jul 31, 2023 · 3 hr 27 min

    #212 | Mandy "Veggie" Redpath and Kevin "Karma" Savage on 30,000+ Trail Miles, the Low to High Route, Scottish National Trail, and Camino de Santiago

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined by Mandy "Veggie" Redpath and Kevin "Karma" Savage. Combined, the pair have accumulated more than 30,000 trail miles, and an endless number of stories to boot. We get a detailed breakdown comparing a few different variations of Camino de Santiago- Frances, del Norte, and Primativo, a serendipitous hitchhike which kick-started their romantic journey, their first shared trek on the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Hayduke Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Low to High Route, Scottish National Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, and more. In a nutshell, if you like trail stories and beta, you will dig this chat. We wrap the show with a Trek propaganda presented by today's guest on why you should thru-hike trails other than the AT PCT or CDT, the triple crown of things that you eat when you're sick, and the ways in which we align with the boomers. Range Meal Bars: Use code "THETREK" for 20% off at rangemealbar.com. PACT Outdoors: Use code "TREK20" for 20% off and free shipping at pactoutdoors.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKESHELTER" for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. [divider] Interview with Mandy and Kevin Mandy's Instagram Karma's Instagram Mandy & Karma's Website Time stamps & Questions 00:04:42 - QOTD: What makes you go, "I'm with the boomers on this one"? 00:06:18 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon! 00:07:42 - Introducing Veggie and Karma 00:08:27 - Give us your trail resumes 00:11:47 - We Love Love: tell us about how you met 00:15:40 - Tell us more about falling in love 00:18:08 - Tell us about the start of the Pacific Northwest Trail 00:19:50 - Was the spark there on the CDT? 00:21:56 - What did you do after the Pacific Northwest Trail?00:23:56 - Tell us more about the various Camino routes you've done 00:27:46 - How much do the different routes overlap? 00:29:00 - Give us a pitch for each of the routes you did 00:32:11 - What did you use the trail guide for? 00:34:06 - Describe the water situation 00:35:00 - Describe the lodging 00:37:40 - What's the language barrier like? 00:39:13 - What drew you to doing the Camino multiple times back to back? 00:42:02 - What did you do your thesis on? 00:43:00 - What type of injuries do people get? 00:44:51 - Give your best elevator pitch for the Camino 00:48:50 - Tell us about hiking the AT 00:51:00 - How did the AT compare to the Camino? 00:54:30 - What standout story do you have from the AT? 00:58:20 - Do you have any beginner mistake stories from the AT? 00:59:35 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail 01:05:37 - How did you get accustomed to dealing with afternoon thunderstorms on the CT? 01:06:14 - Tell us about the Pacific Crest Trail 01:08:09 - Describe PCTAZDKO 01:09:04 - Did the ice ax lessons come in handy? 01:11:00 - How did you navigate the PCT in 2012? 01:13:02 - Do you have any strong feelings about people's dependence on Far Out? 01:15:03 - Have you ever needed a compass in addition to paper maps? 01:17:20 - Discussion about wildfires on the PCT 01:19:00 - Any standout stories from the CDT? 01:22:32 - How bound to the red line were you coming from the AT? 01:25:07 - How did the CDT last year compare to 2015? 01:27:15 - Why is the Wyoming Basin awesome? 01:29:35 - How did you first get into wildlife photography? 01:31:38 - Why do you like bird watching? 01:34:00 - Discussion about bird songs 01:37:21 - What is the best part about hiking with your partner? 01:39:30 - How do you help the other person when they're having an off mental day? 01:43:58 - Any standout stories from the Hayduke? 01:46:00 - Zach and Chaunce have a fight 01:49:07 - What made you decide to do the Oregon Coast Trail? 01:51:55 - Tell us about the remoteness of the Oregon Coast Trail? 01:54:23 - How does the scenery change as you progress along the trail? 01:55:08 - What section of the trail would you hike again if you could? 01:56:12 - Tell us about the Kalalau Trail in Hawaii? 01:58:57 - Is the permit process difficult? 01:59:54 - Tell us about the Wonderland Trail 02:01:45 - Tell us about the Low to High Route 02:06:05 - Tell us about your scorpion encounters 02:08:40 - Has anyone gotten stung by a scorpion? 02:10:15 - What was the weather like on the Low to High Route? 02:13:01 - How did the AT compare going sobo instead of nobo? 02:14:35 - Any standout stories from the Arizona Trail in 2019? 02:16:04 - Tell us about the Scottish National Trail 02:18:18 - What is the Scottish take on Braveheart? 02:20:00 - Give us the pitch for the Scottish National Trail 02:21:32 - How often did you resupply? 02:22:00 - Tell us about being vegan and finding food options internationally 02:25:14 - Why did you decide to become vegan? 02:29:20 - Do you adhere to vegan gear and apparel as well? 02:30:25 - What is the most annoying thing about hiking with the other person? 02:33:14 - What's your best gear idea? 02:33:52 - Tell us about the Grand Enchantment Trail 02:37:35 - Give us your top wildlife photography pictures you've taken 02:41:05 - How do you finance your hiking? 02:45:20 - Do you have any recommendations for making hiking a lifestyle? 02:47:10 - Are you pursuing any additional passions or careers? 02:49:05 - When are you getting engaged? SEGMENTS Trek Propaganda 5 Reasons To Hike Trails Other Than the Triple Crown by Mandy "Veggie" Redpath National Mutt Day Thought of the Week Triple Crown of things to eat when you're sick Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Jul 24, 2023 · 2 hr 2 min

    #211 | Matteo Volpi on Starting a UL Gear Company in Mexico, Entrepreneurship Lessons, and Backpacking in the US

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Matteo Volpi, the CEO of Volpi Outdoor Gear, the Mexico-based UL gear company. We talk about what it's like to run a cottage gear company out of Mexico, a country without much of a long-distance backpacking culture. We learn about what goes into starting and running a new business, how he designs the products he uses and sells, the challenges of managing a team, and much more. We also talk about Matteo's hikes on the PCT and Colorado Trail and his love affair with backpacking in the US. We wrap the show with a brief overview (and hopefully some foreshadowing) of the UK's 230-mile Cape Wrath Trail, the Triple Crown of activities that aren't but feel like sports, and some further education on the subject of real people who exist that don't have internal monologues who are real people that really exist. Range Meal Bars: Use code "THETREK" for 20% off at rangemealbar.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKESHELTER20" for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. [divider] Interview with Matteo Volpi Matteo's Instagram Volpi Outdoor Gear Instagram Volpi Outdoor Gear Website Time stamps & Questions 00:03:39 - Support us on Patreon! 00:05:14 - Introducing Matteo 00:06:05 - How did you get your trail name? 00:09:05 - How did you first get introduced to thru-hiking? 00:09:58 - Tell us about Guadalajara 00:12:35 - Are there any long trails or public land in Mexico? 00:14:48 - Is there any sort of backpacking culture in Mexico? 00:16:40 - Discussion about gear access and outdoor retailers in Mexico 00:20:40 - What's the process for getting a visa for hiking the PCT 00:23:30 - What was it like starting at the Mexico-US border? 00:25:10 - Did you face any sort of racism or unpleasant behavior? 00:26:40 - Tell us about your early days on the PCT 00:30:28 - What are the top three non-obvious places to visit in Mexico? 00:37:00 - What highlights do you have from your first days of the PCT? 00:40:40 - When did you start your gear company? 00:42:11 - How did you get started with your gear? 00:45:13 - How do you make the packs? 00:48:24 - How do you source the fabrics? 00:55:40 - What led you to start your gear company? 00:57:11 - How hard is it to ship internationally? 00:59:00 - Tell us about hiking the Colorado Trail with your pack 01:00:03 - What are your favorite features of your backpack? 01:02:50 - How many miles do you typically do a day? 01:04:52 - How do you manage your time hiking, running a company, and going to school? 01:06:19 - What are you hoping to accomplish by going to college and studying GIS? 01:08:07 - How big is your team? 01:08:45 - What are your ambitions for the company in the future? 01:11:28 - What is the biggest, non-obvious challenge for your company? 01:14:52 - What advice would you give to yourself about starting a company? 01:16:07 - How do you approach taking risks? 01:18:03 - Rolf's celebrity question: what are your plans right now? 01:19:52 - Do you have a favorite section of the CT? 01:21:18 - Where can people keep up with you? SEGMENTS QOTD 1: What's the shelf life of leftover sushi? QOTD 2: Are mashed potatoes just Irish guacamole? Trek Propaganda Going Stoveless: The Pros and Cons of Cold Soaking by Diane Duffard The Cape Wrath Trail: The Wild, Wonderful, 230-Mile 'AT of the UK' by Clay Bonnyman Evans Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of things that aren't sports but feel like sports Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Jul 17, 2023 · 2 hr 27 min

    #210 | Lyla Harrod: Thru-Hiking while Trans, Sober, and Queer

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Lyla Harrod. Lyla is is a sober, queer, transgender woman currently on the last leg of her triple crown and has accrued an absurd amount of trail miles in just the last 2.5 years. She swings by the studio in the midst of her CDT thru-hike to share her journey of coming out as trans, how that's interfaced with her many thru-hiking miles, establishing the FKT on the Bay Circuit Trail, her love affair with the Hayduke, setting the women's White Mountains Direttissima FKT, her hikes on the AZT, Florida Trail, and much more. We wrap the show with some tips on scoring a walk-up permit at some of the most high-demand backcountry destinations, how we'd waste our money if we were billionaires, a very old guy centric stupid thing of the week, and the triple crown of failed candle scents. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKESHELTER20" for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. Enlightened Equipment: Use code "EETREK10" for 10% off Enlightened Equipment's Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket at enlightenedequipment.com. [divider] Interview with Lyla Harrod Lyla's Instagram 7 Ways to Be "Trans Competent" on Trail by Lyla Harrod Trans hikers to follow this season Aubri Drake Stephanie Cawley Oliver Henderson Jordan Pinneke Time stamps & Questions 00:01:50 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon! 00:02:48 - Introducing Lyla 00:03:08 - What got you into backpacking? 00:04:41 - Tell us your trail name origin story 00:08:55 - What got you into thru-hiking? 00:10:20 - What was the AT like in 2021? 00:12:31 - What would you like to tell us about your background pre-transitioning? 00:19:10 - What was the reaction when you started to come out? 00:21:41 - Where did you get information from after you came out as trans? 00:23:47 - Did you ever fear you were wrong or would regret your decision? 00:24:58 - What was your mindset like before starting the AT? 00:26:53 - How did your on trail experience compare with your expectations? 00:28:35 - Did anyone use slurs at you? 00:32:00 - Did you experience a difference between hikers and people in towns? 00:33:41 - What are the most common things people get wrong? 00:35:45 - How do you interact with someone who has transphobic views? 00:37:09 - How often do people not believe you when you say you're trans? 00:38:28 - How do you handle always having to have a positive front and decompress? 00:41:33 - Do you have a general piece of advice you offer to people who reach out to you? 00:43:42 - If you had an FAQ page, what would the top questions on that page be? 00:47:47 - Are hormone medications difficult to manage on trail? 00:49:04 - Are there any other modifications you made that make hiking easier for you? 00:50:54 - Are you still hurt when someone makes a mistake you can tell was unintentional? 00:54:08 - At what point did you know that thru-hiking was your new thing? 00:56:03 - Tell us about doing FKTs as a trans woman 01:00:00 - Tell us about the Bay Circuit Trail 01:03:00 - Tell us about doing the White Mountains Direttissima FKT 01:05:37 - How well did the PCT prepare you for the White Mountains? 01:06:41 - How do you train for something like that? 01:07:29 - How did you handle the rules about camping in alpine zones? 01:09:08 - Any advice for someone looking to set an FKT on the Bay Circuit Trail? 01:09:57 - What was your biggest newbie mistake on the AT? 01:11:44 - What 3 day stretch of the AT would you like to go back and relive? 01:12:55 - Have you ever shit your pants? 01:13:55 - Tell us about going from the AT to the AZT 01:16:34 - Tell us about your social experience and interactions on the PCT 01:20:00 - Why did you start the PCT in mid-March? 01:22:30 - What differences have you noticed in the continuous footpath mindset across the three Triple Crown trails? 01:25:49 - Can you define redlining? 01:27:00 - Tell us about the increasing popularity on the CDT and whether you've noticed it 01:28:38 - Do you think your PCT struggles enhanced or detracted from your experience? 01:29:55 - What were your highlights from the Hayduke? 01:32:24 - What's the most difficult aspect of the Hayduke? 01:37:20 - What are your top moments from all the trails you've done? 01:46:30 - How have the San Juans compared to the Sierras in April? 01:49:01 - What's making people decide to flip up to Glacier on the CDT this year? 01:52:08 - What will it mean for you to finish your Triple Crown? 01:54:56 - Tell us about your gear 01:58:50 - What parting message do you have for our listeners? SEGMENTS Trek Propaganda How To Score a Walk-Up Backpacking Permit Anywhere by Katie Kommer QOTD: If you woke up tomorrow morning a billionaire, what's the most extravagantly lavish thing you'd waste your money on? Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of failed candle scents The Candle Daddy: Shart 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns.

  • Jul 10, 2023 · 2 hr 33 min

    #209 | The Daley Family on Thru-Hiking with Three Young Kids: Motivation, Gear, Meltdowns, and More

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by the Daley Family. Marketa and David Daley have been avid backpackers for many years, and have not let the addition of their three kids Sequoia (age 6), Joshua (age 4), and Standa (age 3) slow them down in the slightest. Their recent treks include thru-hikes of the Tahoe Rim Trail, 1,300 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, and 250 miles of the Appalachian Trail this year. Although we've interviewed thru-hiking families in the past, we cover some new ground here, including managing breastfeeding while backpacking, an honest portrayal of the challenges that come along with backpacking with three young kids and how that gets more challenging as the family grows, the events that are most likely to trigger meltdowns, dealing with critiques from the online community, and why they still wouldn't have it any other way. This is an insightful chat for anyone who's curious what it's like to backpack with multiple youngsters. We wrap the show with a story of a woman who was bitten by a black bear on the Appalachian Trail, the triple crown of backpacking-specific compliments, and an impromptu interview with a Patreon Chuck Norris Award Winner about backpacking on the Centennial Trail. Do you want to hike with Backpacker Radio? Fill out this survey to indicate your interest! RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. Enlightened Equipment: Use code "EETREK10" for 10% off Enlightened Equipment's Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket at enlightenedequipment.com. [divider] Interview with Marketa and David Daley Daley's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:02:48 - QOTD: Rank who gets the most excited when a pregnancy is announced 00:07:25 - Support us on Patreon to get bonus content! 00:11:20 - The TrovaTrip is happening! 00:13:30 - Introducing the Daley family 00:14:33 - What are everyone's trail names? 00:16:22 - How did you two get into backpacking? 00:18:19 - Where did you move to America from? 00:20:31 - What was it like growing up in a PCT town? 00:22:22 - How did you both get into trail work? 00:23:14 - What was your thought process when you first got pregnant with Sequoia? 00:24:18 - What is the toughest age of kid to backpack with? 00:25:23 - We Love Love: tell us more about how you met and fell in love 00:31:00 - Was Sequoia a surprise? 00:32:03 - Walk us through the evolution from not wanting kids to having 3 of them 00:34:22 - Have all three of the kids adapted to the outdoors easily? 00:35:56 - At what point did the prospect of a long backpacking trip become feasible? 00:37:41 - What is it like to adopt a child and did backpacking play a role? 00:40:00 - How did Sequoia adapt to gaining a sibling? 00:42:40 - What was the main difference between backpacking with one kid versus two? 00:43:40 - Tell us about water crossings with kids 00:45:45 - Tell us about the Tahoe Rim Trail 00:47:40 - What does your backpacking schedule look like? 00:48:56 - How has hiking with kids changed your relationship with each other? 00:50:25 - Does any part of you feel like you're sacrificing the way you want to hike? 00:52:31 - How do you gauge whether your kids are enjoying the hiking or not? 00:55:18 - Relative to their peers, what attributes do you think your kids have gained? 00:56:35 - Have you ever freaked out on trail about the kids? 00:58:02 - Tell us about breastfeeding and food on trail 01:00:30 - Tell us about hiking the PCT in 2022 01:03:00 - What is your gear setup? 01:04:50 - How did you ration water? 01:06:29 - Are the kids comfortable with night hiking? 01:07:28 - How do you prepare kids for dealing with rattlesnakes? 01:09:17 - At what age did you feel like you can cohesively communicate dangers to them? 01:10:22 - Tell us your best kid poop stories 01:12:32 - Is there a common meltdown trigger, and how do you deal with them? 01:15:40 - Tell us about your experiment on the last day of the AT 01:17:52 - What caused you to get off the AT? 01:20:25 - What has the feedback been on social media versus in real life? 01:25:37 - What's the most common question you get? 01:28:22 - Do you feel pressure to set records as a hiking family? 01:30:00 - Would say either the PCT or AT is more kid friendly? 01:31:06 - How do you handle the threat of ticks on the AT? 01:32:00 - What's next? 01:33:19 - Is there a non-obvious question related to kids hiking that we haven't asked? SEGMENTS Chuck Norris Award Winner Interview Trek Propaganda A Woman Was Bitten by a Bear on the AT Last Month. Here's What Happened by Bloodhound Triple Crown of backpacking-specific compliments Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.

  • Jul 3, 2023 · 2 hr 22 min

    #208 | Alina "Abstract" Drufovka on Creating Trail-Themed Art, Exploring Her Latina-Jewish Heritage, and Meeting Her Partner on Trail

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Alina Drufovka aka Abstract. In addition to being a thru-hiker and adventurer, you're likely already familiar with the name Abstract because of her incredible and unique outdoor-themed artwork. We learn all about Alina's transformation from thru-hiker to now full-time artist, her time on the AT, PCT, and Israel National Trail, her current gig as an Ambassadors on the Get Outside Tour where she travels the country in a van alongside her boyfriend, attending outdoor events, leading clinics, and overall spreading joy to the people. Abstract is nothing but good vibes and this is a spirited interview that will elicit smiles. We wrap the show with a chat about why cell phones don't appear in dreams (or do they?), a story about a PCT hiker who was bit by a rattlesnake, a triple crown of people who are probably serial killers, and more! Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com. Do you want to hike with Backpacker Radio? Fill out this survey to indicate your interest! RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. Goodr: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping on your first order at goodr.com/backpacker. Enlightened Equipment: Use code "EETREK10" for 10% off Enlightened Equipment's Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket at enlightenedequipment.com. [divider] Interview with Alina "Abstract" Drufovka Abstract's Instagram Abstract's Website REI Embark Program Get Outside Tour Time stamps & Questions 00:04:01 - QOTD: Have cell phones ever appeared in your dreams? 00:09:55 - Reminders: Is it or is it not Rachel's birthday? 00:13:25 - Introducing Alina 00:14:20 - Tell us about hiking the AT 1.5 times 00:17:20 - We Love Love! 00:22:16 - Discussion about being half Colombian, half Jewish 00:24:52 - How did your love blossom along the trail? 00:26:10 - How did you learn about the AT at age 13? 00:27:57 - What was it like retracing your steps two years after being injured? 00:28:40 - Tell us about the St. Patty's party trail magic 00:34:00 - Does your mom fit the stereotype of a nervous Jewish mom? 00:37:40 - What are the cornerstones of your grandma's book? 00:41:10 - What was it like to get past the point where you got off trail the first time? 00:43:10 - Discussion about expressing interest in someone without being creepy 00:44:22 - What's the story behind the Wonder Woman outfit? 00:46:15 - At what point did art intersect with thru-hiking? 00:48:00 - Discussion about Abstract's art style 00:51:28 - Tell us about hiking the Israel National Trail in 2018 00:54:35 - What are towns like on the Israel National Trail? 00:55:44 - Discussion about making Aliyah and Birthright 00:58:02 - Did you feel safe on the Israel National Trail? 00:59:50 - What advice do you have for people interested in the Israel National Trail? 01:02:30 - Interlude: Rachel's birthday! 01:05:15 - Tell us about the PCT in 2019 01:08:24 - What was it like to live in Colombia? 01:10:30 - What were the biggest differences between Colombia and Israel? 01:11:15 - How did you turn your art into a business? 01:15:45 - Tell us about the Embark program 01:16:27 - Have you experienced imposter syndrome? 01:19:57 - How do you decide when to release something new and price your art? 01:20:55 - What's been your biggest business challenge? 01:22:53 - How do you deal with having your designs ripped off? 01:28:21 - What's your inspiration for a new painting these days? 01:29:29 - What is the Get Outside tour? 01:33:58 - How many events will you attend? 01:35:01 - Did you get to customize the van? 01:38:40 - What events are coming up on the tour? 01:39:40 - Fuck Marry Kill: Appalachian Trail, Pacific Trail, Israel National Trail 01:40:10 - What piece of art are you most proud of? 01:41:31 - Describe your art to the listeners 01:43:30 - Where can people follow you? 01:44:14 - Tell us about living on a commune 01:50:37 - Are you interested in polyamory? 01:51:30 - If you could bring an aspect of commune life into your regular life, what would it be? SEGMENTS Trek Propaganda PCT Hiker Hospitalized After Rattlesnake Bite by Kelly Floro Stupid Thing of the Week Listener Voicemail Triple Crown of people who might be serial killers Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Dayne, DoGoodPantry, Greg McDaniel, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, and Peter.

  • Jun 26, 2023 · 1 hr 47 min

    #207 | Renee "She-ra" Patrick on the Blue Mountains Trail, Ground Truthing New Routes, & Consulting Trail Organizations

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are re-joined by friend of the show, Renee "She-ra" Patrick. She-ra is a triple crowner whose backpacking experience you heard all about in episode 44, today we catch up on all she's been up to since last being on the show, including hikes on the Blue Mountains Trail, the Corvallis to Sea Trail, re-visiting the AT as a southbounder, and more. Renee also walks us through her latest endeavor and mission to help long-distance organizations improve the trail experience for hikers and to bring awareness to conservation efforts on trails across the country. We wrap the show with things our parents told us that we're now pretty sure is a lie, the triple crown of ways we're turning into our parents, a few ways to save money in town as a thru-hiker, and more. Enlightened Equipment: Use code "EETREK10" for 10% off Enlightened Equipment's Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket at enlightenedequipment.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. [divider] Interview with Renee "She-ra" Patrick Renee Patrick Consulting Renee's Blog Renee's Instagram Long-Distance Trail Consulting | Hiker Survey Blue Mountains Trail | Greater Hells Canyon Council Greater Hart-Sheldon: Sagebrush Stronghold Story Map Time stamps & Questions 00:03:28 - QOTD: What's something your parents used to tell you that you're now pretty sure is a lie? 00:06:30 - Introducing She-ra 00:07:05 - Catch us up on your last 4 years 00:08:48 - Tell us about the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon 00:10:20 - Discussion about managing the Oregon Desert Trail 00:12:30 - What kind of issues occur in that area? 00:14:11 - What is the number one challenge with building a trail? 00:16:00 - What's your trail resume? 00:18:00 - What was it like hiking on the AT 20 years after your first thru-hike? 00:20:30 - What is your favorite thing about route hiking? 00:21:40 - Fuck Marry Kill: Trails, Routes, Consulting 00:22:28 - Do you have suggestions for approachable routes? 00:26:00 - What does the research look like for the first person to hike a route? 00:28:30 - What are common mistakes people make when starting routes? 00:32:10 - Tell us about the Corvallis to Sea Trail 00:37:20 - Discussion about the Three Sisters Trail and the Up North Loop 00:41:38 - If someone wanted to start their own trail, what roles do they need to fill? 00:47:16 - Can you estimate how long it takes to make a trail based on the mileage? 00:49:09 - What is a National Recreation Trail? 00:51:30 - Tell us about your consulting business 00:56:00 - Do you work with both trail organizations and hikers? 00:58:15 - What practical things can organizations recommend to hikers? 01:04:08 - Zach's pitch idea for Renee 01:04:55 - Where can people fill out your survey? 01:05:56 - How do you narrow down your focus? 01:09:00 - Tell us about your logo design work 01:12:00 - Tell us about the dabbling you've done in GIS 01:15:28 - What parting messages do you have for the listeners? SEGMENTS Trek Propaganda Top 10 Ways to Save Money in Town by Eloise Robbins Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of ways you're turning into your parents Mail Bag (artist mentioned) 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Dayne, DoGoodPantry, Greg McDaniel, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, and Peter.

  • Jun 19, 2023 · 3 hr 14 min

    #206 | Briana DeSanctis on Hiking the 6,800 Mile American Discovery Trail

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Briana DeSanctis aka Rocky Mountain High. Briana is currently hiking the 6,800 mile American Discovery Trail and upon completing this trail, she will be the first solo woman to ever accomplish this feat. We obviously swan dive deep on everything to do with hiking the ADT, including the specifics of the route, how much of it is on single track vs road, some of the highlight stops along the trail, how she manages resupply and water, what's to love and hate about the trail, and more. Briana is a riot and has no shortage of fun stories from this very wild endeavor. Grab your popcorn, strap in, and enjoy. We wrap the show with a story about a mom hiking the AT alongside her 15 kids, the triple Crown of people who ought to be on the first rocket to Mars, and we opine if people without inner monologues actually exist. Do you want to hike with Backpacker Radio? Fill out this survey to indicate your interest! Organifi: Use code "BACKPACKER" for 20% off at organifi.com/backpacker. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. [divider] Interview with Briana DeSanctis Briana's Instagram Briana's Facebook American Discovery Trail Time stamps & Questions 00:05:04 - QOTD: Are people without internal monologues more likely to quit thru-hikes? 00:09:07 - Reminders: Check out updates from the PCTA here! 00:10:00 - Introducing Briana 00:11:15 - What got you into the outdoors? 00:13:40 - Where should people visit in Maine? 00:15:30 - Are you a lobster snob? 00:17:30 - Tell us about starting the AT 00:21:00 - Did you feel prepared for the AT? 00:23:07 - How did the hike compare with your expectations? 00:25:01 - What were your best meltdowns on the AT? 00:31:00 - How did you adjust your interactions with strangers after that? 00:31:57 - What are your tips for hitchhiking? 00:35:22 - Give us the highlights of what you did between the AT and ADT 00:41:05 - What are the basic fun facts of the ADT? 00:46:41 - What are the selling points of either the northern or southern routes? 00:50:57 - Discussion about walking through cities 00:54:39 - Tell us about how you navigate the trail 00:56:20 - What drew you to hiking the ADT? 00:59:50 - Will you be the first woman to thru-hike the ADT? 01:02:30 - What kind of carts do people push? 01:04:20 - How many people have hiked the ADT? 01:04:54 - How much of the hike is on road versus single-track? 01:08:19 - Why did you almost die from heat exhaustion? 01:13:02 - What is cell reception like on the ADT? 01:14:09 - Fill us in on your timeline? 01:16:39 - How often do you resupply? 01:18:20 - What keeps you motivated to continue on this trail? 01:20:40 - Are you taking notes or journaling? 01:23:00 - What's a good story that will definitely be included in your book? 01:24:45 - Tell us about shitting your pants 01:32:05 - Zach's AT poop story 01:33:05 - Briana's creative shits 01:40:08 - Discussion about sleeping in bathrooms 01:42:35 - Discussion about planning mileage and places to camp 01:45:04 - Discussion about Briana's interactions with police 01:50:00 - Discussion about people giving Briana things 01:52:22 - If you could pick one chain to eat at for the rest of the trail, what would you pick? 01:54:51 - What one town stands out to you? 02:01:30 - Fuck Marry Kill: the states you've been through thus far 02:05:55 - Fuck Marry Kill: road trails, rail trails, trail trails 02:06:53 - Is there one restaurant experience that stands out to you? 02:12:15 - Discussion about staying with people in towns 02:15:04 - Discussion about the common questions people ask 02:18:14 - What sort of takeaway do you think you'll leave the ADT with? 02:19:24 - How has this experience changed your perspective on our country? 02:25:03 - What's the deal with your flip flops? 02:31:30 - What's your best elevator pitch for the American Discovery Trail? 02:34:05 - Where can people follow you? SEGMENTS Trek Propaganda 32 Feet Up: A Single Mom and Her 15 Kids Hike the Appalachian Trail by Bloodhound Triple Crown of people who should be on the first rocket to Mars [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Dayne, DoGoodPantry, Greg McDaniel, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, and Peter.

  • Jun 12, 2023 · 1 hr 56 min

    #205 | Warren Doyle: Appalachian Trail Legend on His Record 18 Completed AT Traverses

    In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Warren Doyle. Warren is a legend. With 18 traverses of the entire Appalachian Trail accounting for more than 38,000 miles, no one on earth has completed the AT more times than Warren. In addition to his vast knowledge and infatuation with this trail, Warren is a fascinating character, with outspoken beliefs on culture, disobedience, and philosophy. Chaunce and I really enjoyed our chat with Warren and we think you will too. We wrap the show with a triple crown of things that are better than sex, thru-hiking artists you need to know about, and a few of our most nerve-wracking hitchhikes. Do you want to hike with Backpacker Radio? Fill out this survey to indicate your interest! Enlightened Equipment: Use code "EETREK10" for 10% off Enlightened Equipment's Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket at enlightenedequipment.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "TAKELESSTREKMORE" for 15% off at gossamergear.com. RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com. [divider] Interview with Warren Doyle Warren's Website Time stamps & Questions 00:04:25 - QOTD: What is a boring fact about you? 00:08:30 - Reminders: Listen to our Patreon-exclusive Q&A episodes by becoming a supporter! 00:10:17 - Introducing Warren 00:11:22 - What is the full origin story for you and the AT? 00:12:16 - What was the trail like in the 1970s? 00:14:43 - What is your approach to teaching prospective AT hikers? 00:17:20 - What made you return to the AT over and over? 00:20:25 - Discussion about questioning authority 00:22:48 - What are some examples of laws protecting us from the land? 00:24:30 - Discussion about the ferry service 00:31:56 - Are there other stories of trail changes? 00:38:06 - What was the better way to go about that? 00:42:30 - What do you attribute to your group trips' 100% success rates? 00:45:05 - What are the keys for prospective AT hikers? 00:49:17 - What litmus test can people use to know if they're prepared? 00:56:25 - What were some of the advantages and disadvantages of hiking the trail at different ages? 00:58:32 - Was there a particular age where you crossed that threshold? 01:02:03 - Did any injury play into that decision? 01:04:48 - What is one of your favorite stories from one of your trips? 01:09:04 - Is it upsetting to you to see the hikers of today? 01:11:26 - What's the meaning behind the Circle Hikes? 01:14:30 - Walk us through your very first day on trail 01:20:21 - What message do you want to convey to the listeners? 01:21:40 - Where can people learn more about you? 01:22:22 - What do you want your legacy to be? 01:24:48 - What's your strategy when someone wants to quit? SEGMENTS Trek Propaganda 10 Incredible Thru-Hiking Artists Inspired by Long Trails by Katie "Oats" Houston Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of things that are better than sex Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Dayne, DoGoodPantry, Greg McDaniel, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, and Peter.