Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we're joined by Lucy Barnard. Lucy, along with her pup Wombat, has walked from the southern tip of Argentina all the way through the Great Divide Trail in Canada, and she'll be picking up the final leg of this monster journey — through northern Canada and into Alaska — later this winter. We get into what compelled Lucy to take on such an audacious mission, especially given that she had virtually zero long-distance hiking experience beforehand. She shares some truly wild stories from the trail, including being held at gunpoint by cartel members, what it's been like navigating this trek with a dog in tow, the extra hoops that come with that, the overwhelming kindness she's encountered from strangers along the way, and plenty more. We wrap the show by highlighting a 140-mile in Portugal that belongs on your bucket list, how a thru-hiker staple might be giving us all mercury poisoning, movies we definitely don't recommend, the triple crown of embarrassing foods, and the lazy person's guide to making your own dehydrated meals. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com . Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker . [divider] Interview with Lucy Barnard Lucy's Instagram Lucy's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:3:00 - Reminders : Apply to blog for The Trek , subscribe to our Youtube channel , Apply to VLOG for The Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:07:10 - Introducing Lucy 00:10:00 - High Low Buffalo 00:14:40 - Discussion about nutrition 00:16:34 - How do you resupply Wombat's food? 00:18:45 - How did you get Wombat? 00:23:35 - Is Wombat a good security dog? 00:41:16 - What is your concern about sharing stories about risky times? 00:47:00 - Did you consider quitting the trail after that? 00:50:20 - Discussion about culture shock and language expressions 00:53:03 - What were you doing before this hike? 01:02:00 - What was your hiking and traveling experience prior to this hike? 01:06:20 - Were you nervous when you started the trip? 01:09:05 - What created your desire to do this? 01:14:00 - Discussion about people from other countries interested in hiking in the US 01:19:07 - Discussion about deworming 01:21:30 - What is in Wombat's first aid kit? 01:23:30 - Do you have a standout animal encounter story? 01:30:20 - How much of the trip is a logistical puzzle versus physical challenge? 01:33:50 - How have you managed family and friend relationships during this hike? 01:38:20 - What is celebrity and fame like in Australia? 01:42:30 - Why do you think this journey is going slower than you expected? 01:49:15 - How do you balance accepting good advice with not getting overwhelmed? 01:52:40 - Tell us about your overall route thus far 01:56:00 - Discussion about Lucy's navigation app 01:58:15 - What due diligence do you do ahead of time to make sure you stay safe? 02:02:00 - Lucy's stories about providing trail magic 02:04:50 - Tell us more stories about being integrated with the locals 02:13:25 - Tell us about Wombat getting sick from eating crabs on the desert 02:15:08 - Tell us about the Great Divide Trail 02:20:15 - What was your hardest day on this experience? 02:26:30 - How can listeners support your journey? 02:27:20 - What is the future of the journey going to be like? 02:35:00 - Where can people go to keep up with you? Segments Trek Propaganda: Apply to be a Vlogger for The Trek The Fisherman's Trail: A 140-Mile Luxury Thru-Hike in Europe (Complete 2026 Guide) by Chickpea Could This Thru-Hiker Staple Give You Mercury Poisoning? By James Townsend Ultralight Quilt Comparison: Enlightened Equipment Revelation vs. Katabatic Alsek vs. UGQ Bandit by JT Simmons QOTD: What are movies you definitely don't recommend to people? Triple Crown of embarrassing foods Listener Voicemail Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee . Sign up for the Trek's newsletter 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 and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis S

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we're joined by Gabe Vasquez, known on trail as "Wing It." Gabe is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, long-distance kayaker and cyclist, and the first known Mexican-American to complete the Triple Crown. Gabe opens up about his time in the Marines and the challenges that followed- PTSD, becoming addicted to prescription meds to manage the PTSD in addition to anxiety and depression, losing friends to suicide after their service, and night terrors. In his efforts to heal, Gabe turned to adventure. He began by paddling the Mississippi with a friend, then took on a PCT thru-hike, followed by eight consecutive years of long-distance backpacking, paddling, and cycling. Gabe shares how that time in nature helped him reclaim his peace, and why he's happier today than he's ever been. Worth noting- this episode includes graphic descriptions of PTSD and suicide. If these topics are sensitive or triggering for you, please take care while listening. We wrap the show with news of a pair of fatal bear attacks near the Ozark Highlands Trail, a partially blind grandmother who thru-hiked the PCT- averaging nearly 40 miles a day in the process, the definitive etiquette around holding doors for strangers, and the triple crown of the worst phrases and expressions. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com . [divider] Interview with Gabe "Wing It" Vasquez Gabe's Instagram Tommy Corey's Video with Gabe Semper Fi Fundraiser Time stamps & Questions 00:05:20 - Reminders : Apply to blog for the Trek , subscribe to our Youtube channel , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:12:45 - Introducing Gabe 00:16:10 - What was it like to join the Marines? 00:22:45 - What was your specific job like in the Marines? 00:23:30 - Tell us about your deployments 00:29:20 - What was the vibe like in that sort of environment? 00:33:37 - Did you know you were actively pushing things down at the time? 00:35:06 - What was the comedown like when returning from a deployment? 00:36:40 - At what point did you seek professional help? 00:38:30 - How did the PTSD show up for you? 00:42:35 - How did you know you needed to get off the meds? 00:49:30 - How did you transition from experiencing these symptoms to advocating for others? 00:56:04 - How did you decide to kayak the Mississippi River? 00:59:20 - Did you feel a sense of accomplishment after the kayak trip? 01:09:20 - Did you go into the PCT excited to hike it? 01:13:20 - At what

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we're joined by Kristy and Annette Burns—better known as the Wander Women. About seven years ago, Kristy and Annette ditched the home with the white picket fence, retired, moved into an RV, and shifted their focus to a life centered on freedom and adventure. Since then, they've taken on the AT, PCT, CDT, Arizona Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, the O Circuit, plus a slew of cycling and packrafting trips. We get into what it takes to keep your body ready for thru-hikes at retirement age, why downsizing has made them so much happier, the community they've found on trail, and a whole lot more. We wrap the show with what to wear when hiking in the desert, how to dry the inside of your water bladder, and the triple crown of chairs. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com . [divider] Interview with Kristy and Annette Burns Wander Women Instagram Wander Women Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:02:45 - Reminders : Take the Triple Crowner Survey , apply to blog for the Trek , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:05:06 - Introducing the Wander Women 00:07:00 - How did each of you get into the outdoors? 00:09:44 - How did you two meet? 00:12:20 - How did you go from the sweat lodge to thru-hiking? 00:16:50 - Did you have physical fitness top of mind before getting into thru-hiking? 00:19:05 - How far prior to retirement did you plan to hike? 00:22:55 - What specifically would you do differently, financially? 00:26:25 - What was it like downsizing? 00:31:30 - What physical activity do you do in the RV? 00:36:04 - Do you ever get sick of each other? 00:38:55 - How do you handle difficulties in your relationship? 00:41:00 - Did you know there'd be other retired folks on the AT? 00:45:17 - How have you expanded your social networks in retirement? 00:48:35 - What are some of the common questions you get? 00:50:03 - How do you slowly ramp up your mileage when hiking? 00:51:52 - Describe your gear to us 00:57:40 - Was it easy to transition between RVing and thru-hiking? 01:01:15 - Do you feel like time has slowed down since you retired? 01:10:45 - At what point did you reach this mindset? 01:12:40 - Are you particular with your nutrition? 01:16:20 - Standout stories from the AT? 01:19:35 - At what point did you know you were going to Triple Crown? 01:23:35 - Did you know what you were getting into with the CDT? 01:30:11 - How many other CDT hikers did you encounter? 01:34:50 - Tell us about flip f

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Casey Huffman, known on trail as Vegas. Vegas has been mentioned a couple of times on this podcast in the past, as "the guy whose chest we signed" in 2023, and more recently, "the guy whose ass we signed". As we learn in today's episode, "signed ass guy" is also a real good hang. We chat about how Vegas' mental health struggles ultimately lead him to the trail, how the hiking community and culture gave him the space to reinvent himself, and he shares quite possibly the most entertaining trail name origin story we've ever heard- we'll just say that this one is for adults only. We wrap the show with discussing the merits of a sleeping bag liner, Chaunce is pissed about the cost of fountain soda, we do the triple crown of donuts, and Rachel once again lands a perfectly apropos listener mail bag. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com . Zpacks: Use code BPR50 for $50 off any tent at zpacks.com . Ka'Chava: Use code BACKPACKER for 15% off at kachava.com/backpacker . [divider] Interview with Casey "Vegas" Huffman Vegas's Instagram Vegas's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:00 - Reminders: Take the Triple Crowner Survey , apply to blog for the Trek , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:07:15 - Introducing Vegas 00:09:30 - How did you get into the outdoors? 00:16:01 - What was inpatient treatment like? 00:19:30 - What was life like after you left inpatient? 00:21:00 - What led to you getting on medication as a child? 00:22:45 - Tell us the story about your tattoos 00:24:25 - Walk us through the first part of the AT 00:28:40 - Tell us your trail name origin story 00:47:00 - Discussion about Vegas' reputation on trail 00:47:45 - How was getting off the trail for you? 00:53:15 - What was it about thru-hiking that let you shift your mind into a better place? 00:58:43 - Did you feel like it was a struggle to get to Katahdin? 01:00:00 - What did you know your future life would look like at the end of the trail? 01:07:30 - Tell us about running into a cult 01:12:45 - What did you do after the AT? 01:18:30 - Tell us about your expedition in Alaska <span style="font-wei

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Amy Hunsucker. On trail, Amy is known as "Slider" because she hikes with a trombone- something she's done for the entire triple crown. We of course learn all about this fun quirk, including which animals were most appreciative of her on-trail concerts, which parts of trail provided the best acoustics, the reactions she'd get from other hikers and the broader trail community, and her go-to on-trail trombone jams. Slider also gives us the low down on getting her sawyer certification, her trail maintenance work with the Carolina Mountain Club, hiking South Dakota's Centennial Trail, and life as a hiking guide in North Carolina. We wrap the show with the pieces of thru-hiking advice we wish we'd never given, Chaunce gives her take of whether she'd rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear, we do the triple crown of freezer foods, I give a one-minute gear review of my current rain jacket, and a listener lectures us on how we dropped the ball on our interview with Liz Kidder. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKWINTER15" at topoathletic.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . [divider] Interview with Amy Hunsucker Amy's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:50 - QOTD: What's more upsetting, the Bills' loss or losing your ceremony footage? 00:06:40 - Reminders: Take the AT Thru-Hiker Survey , apply to blog for the Trek , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:11:00 - Introducing Amy 00:11:34 - How did you get your trail name? 00:12:12 - How do you find an ultralight trombone? 00:14:40 - Give us the background on playing the trombone 00:18:55 - Did you learn new songs as you hiked? 00:22:40 - Have you ever used your trombone for anything other than music? 00:24:30 - How did you get into backpacking? 00:27:50 - What was starting the AT like? 00:30:54 - Why don't you think your trombone is a luxury item? 00:31:48 - Is there a GOAT of the trombone world? 00:36:10 - Tell us about getting onto the CDT 00:37:30 - What's your hot take on the PCT? 00:42:50 - Why'd you decide to go southbound on the CDT? 00:45:15 - Why'd you decide to flip flop the PCT? 00:52:15 - How did you keep up your mindset during the flip flop? 00:53:55 - What was your best day on trail? 00:56:10 - What was your worst day on trail? 00:57:40 - What was your scariest day on trail? 01:00:02 - What was your stupidest day on trail? 01:02:45 - Tell us about working for Blue Ridge Hiking Company 01:10:40 - What was being in Asheville like during the hurricane? 01:17:12 - Tell us about g

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we're joined by Jeff Vonvai, known on trail as Long Strides. This conversation will put life's problems into perspective—because for the past seven years, Long Strides has been thru-hiking with stage 4 colon cancer, despite being given just a 3–6 month prognosis. Jeff shares what it's like to balance intense rounds of chemo and surgery between hikes, the challenges of rebuilding his trail legs each time he returns to the trail, and how cancer has transformed his outlook on life—saying he's happier now than he was before his diagnosis. Be ready to feel inspired. We wrap the show with the news that the Continental Divide Trail's southern terminus now requires U.S. citizenship and an Army-issued permit, how to hike the Colorado Trail on less than $800, what crime Chaunce committed to wind up in prison, and the triple crown of things that make us cringe. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com . Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker . [divider] Interview with Jeff "Long Strides" Vonvai Jeff's Instagram Jeff's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:00 - Reminders: Take the AT Thru-Hiker Survey , apply to blog for the Trek , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:07:15 - Introducing Long Strides 00:09:41 - How did you go from Arizona to thru-hiking? 00:12:10 - Describe what it was like to get your diagnosis 00:19:50 - How do you maintain your mindset? 00:22:10 - What do your doctors think about your thru-hiking? 00:24:50 - When does poop start smelling like poop? 00:28:21 - What is the main goal of the surgery? 00:30:25 - Walk us through the timespan between surgery and your next hike 00:34:00 - Tell us about starting the AT a couple weeks after finishing chemo 00:37:25 - Did things get easier after that internal dialogue? 00:40:10 - Is it possible hiking makes anything worse? 00:41:45 - Discussion about hiking the PCT and getting surgery before the CDT 00:45:00 - Are you sharing things with your tramilies? 00:48:35 - Do you have any practices you maintain while hiking? 00:51:20 - How has your mindset changed since your diagnosis 00:53:05 - Discussion about going between the PCT and CDT 00:55:45 - Why did you decide to go southbound on the CDT? 00:56:55 -

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Kenneth Pararo, known on trail as Moron. This is a podcast we've been wanting to make happen for several years now, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. Moron is a thru-hiker, long-distance cyclist, philosopher, hopeless romantic, futurist, and most importantly, just a real solid hang. We learn about why he's all in on AI- as evidenced by him riding cross country rocking his Meta AI glasses, why he quit is corporate tech job to more permanently pursue adventure and experience, how he completed one AT thru-hike and quit another a couple hundred miles from the finish, turning it into an extended road walk to the Canadian border, only to turn around for some more road walking and eventually an extended bike ride, and how he plans his adventuring essentially one day at a time, letting fate largely guide his next move. We wrap the show with tips for safe and steamy tent sex, a contentious debate about using gas station bathrooms exclusively for a year for one million dollars, and the triple crown of people we just don't understand. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com . Sawyer Products: Check out Sawyer's Cnoc collab at sawyer.com . [divider] Interview with Kenneth "Moron" Pararo Moron's Instagram Moron's Podcast Time stamps & Questions 00:04:12 - Apply to blog for the Trek , listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon , and subscribe to Backpacker Radio on Youtube ! 00:09:45 - Introducing Moron 00:11:28 - Tell us about getting sober 00:17:14 - Discussion about sleeping behind a pit toilet in Golden 00:19:05 - What are you up to right now? 00:21:40 - How do you pick roads to bike on? 00:24:40 - Who isn't Moron? 00:29:00 - Discussion about Moron's past girlfriends 00:34:20 - Has nature always been more noise than signal for you? 00:36:25 - Did you start the AT with any preconceived notion about how you'd feel about it spiritually? 00:37:50 - How do you pick what trails and routes you do? 00:40:15 - Where are the best cafes? 00:41:15 - What was your former profession? 00:47:20 - What are your thoughts about AI? 00:52:40 - Would you want to live forever? 00:55:30 - How do you stay comfortable on a bike? 00:57:00 - What are the benefits of bikepacking over hiking? 00:58:55 - How do you decide where to camp each night? 01:02:00 - Discussion about Moron's AI glasses 01:07:30 - Do yo

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we're joined by Mary "Fireweed" Kwart. Fireweed is a thru-hiker, a Deadhead, and a pioneering figure in wildland firefighting with a career spanning more than 30 years. We dive into the challenges of being one of the first women to join the elite Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots, the culture shock of entering a male-dominated field, and some of the most memorable stories from her decades on the fire line. Fireweed also reflects on how long-distance hiking has evolved since the 1970s, her tradition of tackling a new long trail every year since retiring, and her deep love and advocacy for California's Bigfoot Trail. We wrap the show with the best backpacking trails in the Midwest, the thru-hiking advice we wish we'd never given, a debate over whether robotic legs should count as mechanical transport under the Wilderness Act, and the Triple Crown of parts of society we'd turn the clock back for. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKFALL15" at topoathletic.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ka'Chava: Use code "BACKPACKER" for 15% off at kachava.com . [divider] Interview with Mary "Fireweed" Kwart Mary's Instagram Mary's Blog Bigfoot Trail Alliance Time stamps & Questions 00:04:55 - Apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:07:00 - Introducing Fireweed 00:08:30 - Why were you a nontraditional college graduate? 00:11:40 - What was your inspiration for aligning with the feminist movement? 00:13:30 - Discussion about being the only woman in male-dominated spaces 00:16:46 - Tell us about hiking a section of the PCT in the 70s 00:18:20 - What was it like working in Yosemite in the 70s 00:23:50 - Discussion about being a Deadhead 00:25:50 - How were women being treated in general? 00:30:45 - How did you pass the heartbeat challenge? 00:32:45 - Discussion about gear differences between now and then 00:36:50 - At what point did you discover the hard-ass aspect of your personality? 00:43:25 - How did you keep spirits high while working as a firefighter? 00:46:55 - What was the culture of firefighters like? 00:52:00 - Do you have advice for women who want to get into firefighting? 00:54:34 - What was your best day on the job? 00:58:40 - Discussion about the rest of Fireweed's firefighting career 01:00:45 - What kind of schooling would you recommend for someone interested in this career? 01:02:35 - What's your take on the current situation in the Fo

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by me. Because I hiked Tour du Mont Blanc. We go through all the nitty gritty details of my trip, including how I decided on going with a self-guided tour (aka staying in hotels instead of camping), the differences across the French, Italian, and Swiss portions of the trail, the best towns, the landscape highlights, the crowds, the food, how my knees asked for a divorce from my body, and everything else. But wait, there's more. Chaunce is fresh off her wedding and honeymoon, she gives us the full scoop of her month of nuptials and romance. We wrap the show maturely by covering how many poops in a day is too many poops, my business pitch for selling farts online, the triple crown of wedding traditions, I share some new gear that I got to test on TMB, and listeners share their top TMB tips- including how I did it all wrong. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ombraz : Send a DM on Instagram or to [email protected] for $30 off at ombraz.com . [divider] Interview with Zach! Time stamps & Questions 00:04:55 - Apply to blog for the Trek , apply to be a Trail Correspondent , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:13:05 - Introducing Zach 00:13:45 - Trail difficulty 00:16:40 - Tour du Mont Blanc Fast Facts 00:17:40 - What prep work did you have to do for the hike? 00:20:00 - More discussion about the self-guided hike option 00:22:30 - How much does the self-guided hike option cost? 00:26:30 - How did you pack and what bag did you bring? 00:30:50 - What was in your pack? 00:33:20 - Did you carry food in your pack? 00:35:00 - Discussion about the navigation app issue 00:39:30 - Discussion about daily pace and difficulty 00:42:30 - Discussion about crowding on the trail 00:47:20 - Journeying to the trail 00:51:00 - Day 1 00:57:20 - What makes this mountain range different from others? 01:01:00 - Day 2 01:08:40 - Day 3 01:22:50 - Day 4 01:36:10 - Day 5 01:51:30 - What wildlife did you see? 02:01:40 - Were you ready to be done by the last day? 02:02:50 - What were the top 3 towns to zero in? 02:05:30 - Zach got recognized! 02:07:30 - Would you have do

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by thru-hiking power couple who've hiked more than 11,000 miles together Chris and Sara, known on trail as Endless and QB. "What haven't they hiked?" is a fair question, because it's been a lot, including the AT, the PCT (twice), CDT, CT (twice), Arizona Trail, Manaslu Circuit, Hayduke, Long Trail, Cohos Trail, Loowit Trail, Wonderland Trail, Ruby Crest Trail, Why-wash, (ahl-pah-MY-oh) / Santa Cruz Trek, the GR20, and more, believe it or not. They share the story of how they met, offer tips for making a marriage work both on trail and off, discuss how they befriended Mac from Halfway Anywhere and Viking during their many trail adventures, and explain why rafting the Grand Canyon stands out as the most epic adventure of them all. We wrap the show with news of the asshat who vandalized the Katahdin sign, the triple crown of seafoods, and definitively answer the age old question of window vs. aisle. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker . [divider] Interview with Chris & Sara aka Endless & QB Chris's Instagram Chris's Website Sara's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:05:00 - Apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:09:10 - Introducing Endless & QB 00:15:55 - We Love Love: Where did you meet? 00:21:20 - Tell us about getting together on the CDT 00:23:55 - What's it like to be a firefighter? 00:29:11 - What are some standout firefighter stories? 00:32:15 - Would you recommend being a firefighter to others? 00:35:35 - Is it difficult to align both of your schedules? 00:36:30 - When did you know you wanted to hike more trails together? 00:37:50 - When did you meet Jabba? 00:39:50 - How did you meet Twinkle and Grace? 00:43:36 - Any stories from the AZT? 00:45:40 - Tell us about Nepal 00:51:36 - Tell us about getting married at a pool party 00:56:10 - Tell us about your road trip in 2018 00:58:00 - Discussion about their speed of hiking 01:02:15 - How many miles have each of you hiked? 01:03:40 - What do you disagree about on trail? 01:05:15 - Was it hard to transition to an off-trail relationship? <span s

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Spencer "Boiler" Dunn. Boiler, is a self-described "pro-yapper", improv leader, former employee of Parks Canada, pie enthusiast, and of course, a backpacker. Spencer takes us through his long trail adventures across Canada, including the Bruce Trail, West Coast Trail, North Coast Trail, and Nootka Island Trail—journeys that brought him face-to-face with some incredible wildlife, from bears to whales to the elusive sea wolf. We also dive into his recent hike on the PCT—how he broke the record for pies per mile, the notoriety that earned him on trail, navigating people's perceptions as a plus-sized hiker, how his trek deepened his connection to his queer identity, and, of course, his unapologetic hatred for gear talk (which I make him do). We wrap the show with news on New Zealand's most famous thru-hike getting a whole lot pricier, tackle the age-old question of which liquids we'd want to dispense from our fingers, we do the Triple Crown of tummy aches, and hear a listener's compelling pitch for taking this circus to the Pacific Northwest. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ombraz : Score a $30 discount by sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/ombraz/ , and letting them know that Backpacker Radio sent you. [divider] Interview with Spencer "Boiler" Dunn Spencer's Instagram Spencer's Youtube Spencer's Substack Time stamps & Questions 00:03:00 - Apply to blog for the Trek , take the 2025 AT Thru-Hiker survey , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:06:25 - Introducing Boiler 00:08:50 - How did you get your trail name? 00:10:20 - What's your outdoors origin story? 00:12:30 - What is Parks Canada? 00:15:40 - What's the difference between national parks in the US and Canada? 00:17:10 - What is the outdoors culture like in Canada? 00:20:15 - Is there a community around the Bruce Trail? 00:23:10 - Do you think there's a hunger for more long trails in Canada? 00:25:00 - How did you end up on the PCT? 00:26:00 - What gear did you start with? 00:32:00 - Discussion about Boiler's PCT hike 00:32:53 - Tell us about making pies on the PCT 00:41:55 - What was your favorite town? 00:43:20 - More pie talk 00:45:38 - Discussion about being a fatter hiker 00:56:50 - Do you have any advice for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps? 00:58:45 - Discussion about differences between men and women on the trail 01:01:10 - Did you have any uncomfortable situations on trail? <span style="font-weigh

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Wesley Tils, known on trail as Megaman. Buckle in because oh boy does Megaman have an origin story. After growing up in the Mormon church, leaving the church to become a pro boxer, quitting boxing to give the church another shot and going on a missionary trip as his trial of faith, and ultimately leaving the church for good during this missionary trip, escaping onto the PCT with several church members essentially chasing him in pursuit, Megaman's path to thru-hiking was not exactly conventional. Since hitting the trails, Megaman hasn't stopped hiking, accumulating more than 15,000 miles across 18 long trails in 9 years. We learn about all his adventures, including hikes of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, River to River Trail, his self-made Mexico to Canada Trail called "the fourth crown route, and a goosebump inducing story about an aggressive encounter with a grizzly bear on the CDT. We wrap up the show with our one-minute elevator pitch to convince aliens that humanity deserves to survive, the triple crown of cable channels, share the news of Tara Dower's latest FKT, and deliver a five-minute one-minute gear review of a new free-standing tent from Hyperlite Mountain Gear. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKFALL15" at topoathletic.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker . [divider] Interview with Wesley "Megaman" Tils Wesley's Instagram Wesley's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:35 - Reminders : Apply to blog for the Trek , take the 2025 AT Thru-Hiker survey , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:07:30 - Introducing Megaman 00:08:20 - Tell us about your religious upbringing 00:11:30 - Do you ever experience anger while boxing? 00:12:40 - Why did you decide to leave the church? 00:15:25 - How did people react when you left the church? 00:18:02 - What was your mission like? 00:26:00 - How did your family feel about your decision? 00:27:30 - What did your kit look like for your first 200 miles on the PCT? 00:28:29 - How did you go from the PCT to the AT? 00:32:40 - What's your relationship with spirituality and religion now? 00:35:25 - What's your trail name origin story? 00:36:45 - Discussion about Megaman's time on the trail 00:38:30 - When did you know you'd keep thru-hiking? 00:40:20 - How was hiking through the Sierra in a high snow year? <span style="font-weight: 400;"

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek brought to you by LMNT, we're joined by Jeff Oliver, better known on trail and online as IBTAT. In addition to building a large following on YouTube and Instagram, IBTAT will be a familiar voice to long-time Backpacker Radio listeners, as he was part of our first season of Trail Correspondents. We dive into IBTAT's story, including his journey to 12 years of sobriety — going from drinking two fifths of liquor a day to cutting alcohol cold turkey overnight, and the dangerous side effects that followed. We also cover his more than 11,000 miles of trekking over the past seven years, including hikes of the Triple Crown trails, the Scottish National Trail, the C&O Canal Towpath, and Sweden's Kungsleden Trail. Lastly, being a talented photographer and videographer, IBTAT shares expert advice on choosing the right camera and capturing quality photos and video during your hikes. Sassafras, Double Dip and I wrap the show with a call for this year's AT thru-hikers to take the 2025 Appalachian Trail Survey, we opine on what the AT will look like in 2035 (and look back at how it's changed over the past decade), we find the precise point at which a walk becomes a hike, Sass and Katie share how they got started in the Outdoor Industry (providing advice and inspiration for those who want to follow in their tracks), and we do the Triple Crown of cooking tips and hacks. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ombraz : Score a $30 discount by sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/ombraz/ , and letting them know that Backpacker Radio sent you. [divider] Interview with Jeff "IBTAT" Oliver IBTAT's Youtube IBTAT's Instagram IBTAT's Website Time stamps & Questions 00:06:00 - Reminders : Apply to blog for the Trek , take the 2025 AT Thru-Hiker survey, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:08:05 - Introducing IBTAT 00:11:15 - When did you start partying? 00:12:25 - Discussion about getting sober 00:16:35 - What was your outdoors experience prior to the AT? 00:19:15 - When did you start videography and photography? 00:22:15 - Are there differences in your audience across different mediums? 00:25:00 - At what point did thru-hiking click for you? 00:27:18 - How did you take to the AT community? 00:29:09 - How was hiking the AT with your dog? 00:31:32 - Any standout stories from the AT? 00:33:16 - When did you decide to get on the PCT? 00:34:51 - What's the most common dinner you eat on trail? 00:36:55 How was the PCT in a high snow year? 00:46:45 - Have you seen a culture change on the PCT?</s

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by social media and YouTube sensation, Liz "Handstand" Kidder. Liz is a thru-hiker, vlogger, dreadlock artist, former skydiving fanatic, and a handstand-expert. Liz gives us her full story, including the events that lead to her becoming sober in 2014, how she nearly died in a horrifying skydive gone wrong, how the internet got way too much into her biz almost immediately into her thru-hiking journey, the time she donated a kidney, and we make her choose which trail reigns supreme between the AT and PCT- for which she does not hesitate to pick a winner. We wrap the show with why you shouldn't wear underwear on a thru-hike, a call for 2026 Blogger applications, which is better- hiking steep and short and long and steady, I offer a REPEAT stupid thing of the week, and we do the triple crown of things we'd step in barefoot. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKFALL15" at topoathletic.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker . [divider] Interview with Liz "Handstand" Kidder Liz's Instagram Liz's Youtube Liz Kidder Studio Time stamps & Questions 00:05:15 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:08:40 - Introducing Liz 00:12:50 - Where's the most epic place you've done a handstand? 00:15:10 - Do you have tips for someone who wants to get better at handstands? 00:17:10 - What was your introduction to the world of backpacking? 00:21:05 - What is the New Hampshire uniform? 00:22:00 - Tell us about skydiving 00:31:00 - How as the first week on trail? 00:32:40 - Had you done any social media prior to the AT? 00:34:50 - What was the drama? 00:36:35 - At what point were you hooked by the AT? 00:38:24 - Why did you end the AT in a more sour mindset than the JMT? 00:39:40 - How did the trail change you? 00:43:24 - Tell us about donating your kidney 00:52:10 - Tell us about your career 00:55:35 - How do you create dread locs? 00:57:20 - Do you get a lot of business through hiking? 01:00:10 - Tell us about the Annapurna Circuit 01:04:35 - How did the Annapurna Circuit compare to your other hikes? <span style="fo

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined once again by Dan Durston. Dan is the man behind Durston Gear, a backpacking gear brand that has exploded in popularity amongst long-distance backpackers over the last handful of years. Dan gives us the rundown on how his business and life have changed since he was last on the show, when another company was exclusively selling his designs via a third-party manufacturer, including taking a second mortgage out on his house, quitting his job as a biologist, and going all in on slinging packs, tents, and poles to his loyal cult-like following. Dan shares some insights on why he thinks he's developed such a loyal following amongst this community, the struggle of trying to strike a healthy work/life balance, and the challenge of balancing scaling his company while maintaining the hands-on customer service experience his customers have come to expect. Chaunce and I unveil a new segment with Dan- Piranha Pool- where we pitch some of burning backpacking innovations and Dan is forced to invest in either of our ideas on the spot. Sassafras and I wrap the show with the best section hikes on the PCT, we break down our weekend at Cascade Locks for PCT Trail Days, the triple crown of jobs we definitely couldn't do, Sass previews a Trek blog post that angered a lot of the Internet (and why she loved it and agreed with it) and a listener gives us some very important grocery store history. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ombraz : Score a $30 discount by sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/ombraz/ , and letting them know that Backpacker Radio sent you. [divider] Interview with Dan Durston Durston Gear Durston Gear Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:05:55 - Recap of PCT Days 00:24:20 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:25:15 - Introducing Dan 00:27:30 - Tell us about your evolution since 2020 00:32:30 - How do you get past fear and decide to take big risks? 00:35:43 - How did the first day of orders go? 00:41:20 - When did you know that you had to quit your full time office job? 00:42:45 - What is it about customer service that's so important to you? 00:49:20 - Why do you think you've developed such a cult following? 00:53:50 - How do you balance your following with scaling bigger? 00:56:05 - Are you concerned about burnout? 01:01:00 - What are your sleeping bag thoughts? 01:04:50 - How are your products innovative compared to the competition? 01:15:25 - Can you say something nice about Gossamer Gear? 01:17:00 - Pitch us on ultralight

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are chatting all things Wonderland Trail. The Trek's very own Jess Stone is fresh off her thru-hike of this near-100 mile lap around Mt. Rainier in Washington, and gives us a detailed breakdown of her journey and the trail at large. We cover the ideal number of days to do this hike, the standout campsites, wildlife, the permitting process, and the best games to play on trail with your hiking buddies to pass the time such as eating rocks. We wrap the show with a couple of new opportunities to get involved with The Trek, why Nova Scotia has banned all hiking for the foreseeable future, ranking a series of different hiking conditions (or- why postholing is the worst), the triple crown of gear deal breakers, we get even more input on the very controversial decision to use dry ice for resupplies, and a listener reminds us that not all owl encounters are all that interesting. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKFALL15" at topoathletic.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com . Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . [divider] Panel with Jess Stone Jess's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:50 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , apply to blog for the Trek or be a social media intern, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:11:23 - Introducing Jess 00:13:45 - Where is the Wonderland Trail? 00:14:15 - What is the permit system like? 00:18:10 - What is the distance and are there alternates? 00:22:20 - Did you bring a bear canister? 00:23:20 - Where did you start and what direction did you go? 00:25:35 - How did this trail compare to some of your past thru-hikes? 00:29:10 - Tell us about the wildlife 00:34:45 - How do the resupplies work? 00:36:45 - Tell us about making your own food 00:40:04 - What were the best campsites? 00:43:00 - Tell us about your hike chronologically 00:47:27 - What was your hiking group? 00:51:50 - Day 3 of the hike 00:59:00 - Did you encounter rangers? 01:02:30 - Eagles Roost to Golden Lakes 01:05:50 - Golden Lakes and afterward 01:09:50 - High Low Buffalo 01:12:15 - What gear stood out to you? 01:17:50 - What footwear did you use?</sp

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Danielle and Cassie, the hosts of the popular podcast, National Park After Dark. In this episode, Chaunce gets the lowdown on some of the most outrageous stories from the our beloved national parks, including the infamous cocaine bear, tuberculosis huts in Mammoth Cave National Park, the tragic tale of Ishi, the last Yahi, who emerged from Lassen Park in the early 19th century, and the night there were two separate fatal grizzly attacks in Glacier National Park. We wrap the show with an opportunity to get paid to thru-hike (and consequently why you should be on The Trek's newsletter), cheap items that double as ultralight backpacking gear, my mediocre marriage advice, the triple crown of outdoor fears, and another listener offers a PSA on why you should probably not use dry ice for your resupply. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ombraz : Score a $30 discount by sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/ombraz/ , and letting them know that Backpacker Radio sent you. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . [divider] Interview with Danielle and Cassie of National Park After Dark NPAD Website NPAD Instagram Danielle's Instagram Cassie's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:45 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:09:40 - Introducing Danielle and Cassie 00:10:24 - What trip are you on right now? 00:11:50 - How did you two meet? 00:13:35 - How did you develop your podcast? 00:15:50 - What is it that makes your podcast so popular? 00:17:45 - Have you two visited a lot of the national parks? 00:23:50 - How often are you two out hiking together and what are your favorite trails? 00:29:45 - What are your favorite solo hikes? 00:32:30 - What is your podcasting research process like? 00:36:50 - Tell us about the Night of the Grizzlies at Glacier National Park 00:43:55 - Do you ever get in touch with people involved in the cases? 00:52:40 - Tell us about the mysteries of Mammoth Cave 01:01:36 - Tell us about Ishi, the Last of His People 01:06:50 - Tell us about Crater Lake National Park 01:15:30 - Tell us about Dope Lake in Yosemite 01:17:30 - Tell us about Cocaine Bear <span style="fo

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we're joined by Juliette Kerven, known on trail as Scorpion Queen. Juliette is a Michelin-trained chef, former yacht crew member, full-time nomad, and a thru-hiker of both the PCT and AT, and we caught her during her CDT thru-hike attempt for this conversation. This is a solo interview led by Chaunce, and it ventures into some uncharted emotional terrain for this podcast as Scorpion Queen openly wrestles with whether or not to continue her hike, and she ultimately comes to a decision during the interview. We also talk about what it's like hiking in the U.S. as an international hiker (Juliette is from England), hear about her experience working on yachts, and learn how her Michelin-level culinary skills translate to the backcountry. All that and much more. We wrap the show with the most common injuries to AT thru-hikers, small things that make our days better, the triple crown of gingers (fictional characters edition), and the definitive guide to the sluttiest fonts. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKFALL15" at topoathletic.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com . Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker . [divider] Interview with Juliette "Scorpion Queen" Kerven SQ's Trek Author Page SQ's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:56 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , apply to blog for the Trek , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:10:30 - Introducing SQ 00:12:30 - How did you get your trail name? 00:15:05 - Why did you hate nature as a kid? 00:17:50 - When did you become fully nomadic? 00:21:07 - How did you decide to hike the PCT? 00:23:45 - What's it like to work as a chef? 00:28:15 - What are your go-to dishes to make? 00:30:40 - When did you actually get on the PCT? 00:36:00 - Discussion about visas 00:37:30 - What are your crazy stories from working on super yachts? 00:39:00 - What grew your love for the PCT so much? 00:43:40 - What was your favorite trail town? 00:44:40 - What would you

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Nathan Wright, known on trail as Switchback. Nathan is an ambassador for the Pinhoti Trail and Alabama trails more broadly, wearing almost too many hats to count. He is the co-founder of the Pinhoti Outdoor Center - a hostel he runs with his wife, President of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society, Vice President of the Alabama Pinhoti Trail Association, Chairman of the Board of the Pinhoti Experience Foundation, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Alabama Trails Commission. In this conversation, we go deep on everything to do with the Pinhoti Trail and Nathan's many roles in supporting it. We cover the best time of year to hike it, what to expect in terms of wildlife, resupply, water, and logistics, as well as the standout physical features of the trail. Nathan also shares why the trail's surrounding community makes it so special, the can't-miss town stops and restaurants, and why he believes it's the best off-season thru-hike in the US. We wrap the show with a FREE STUFF alert for 2025 PCT Thru-Hikers, how to get college credit for thru-hiking the AT, how our lives would be totally different if our first names were spelled differently, the triple crown of thru-hiker fads, a shortest day of the year of the week, and a listener shares some intel on Texas' most underrated trail. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Ombraz : Score a $30 discount by sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/ombraz/ , and letting them know that Backpacker Radio sent you. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . [divider] Interview with Nathan Wright Pinhoti Experience Foundation Website Alabama Hiking Trail Society Website Pinhoti Outdoor Center Website Nathan's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:05:20 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , apply to blog for the Trek or to run Trail Correspondents and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:13:20 - Introducing Nathan 00:14:30 - Tell us about your hiking experience 00:15:00 - What made you fall in love with hiking in Alabama? 00:17:40 - Did you get involved with the trail first or hike it first? 00:19:30 - Tell us about finding out you were having a baby 00:21:44 - Discussion about section hiking the AT 00:23:45 - Tell us about all the organizations y

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Kevin "Sunshine" Silvernale. Originally a commercial pilot from Seattle, Kevin thru-hiked the PCT in 2016 and immediately fell in love with the Hiker Trash lifestyle. That passion led him to put his flying career on hold to hike the AT, Colorado Trail, much of the CDT, and most recently, to begin creating a brand-new long trail route, the Northern Colorado Trail. We chat about his life as a pilot, including when Chaunce coaxed him into sharing a story about how he joined the mile high club, and how thru-hiking ultimately pulled him away from aviation. We go deep into the Northern Colorado Trail (or the NoCo Trail as he calls it), a 300-mile route he's developing, covering what goes into designing and rerouting a trail, working with public lands agencies, the best time of year to hike it, standout sections (including a hair-raising traverse of the Devil's Causeway), the wildlife, its growing popularity, resupply and town stops, how to access both terminuses, what he envisions for the trail's future- and much more. We wrap the show with the sad news of the drowning death of a 2025 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, Chaunce talks in depth about how she's pooing liquid, the triple crown of bodies of water, Chaunce's car getting broken into of the week, how I voluntarily stepped into a patch of poison ivy, and the best listener email of all time. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKSPRING15" at topoathletic.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com . Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . [divider] Interview with Kevin "Sunshine" Silvernale Northern Colorado Trail Website Northern Colorado Trail Instagram Kevin's Instagram Kevin's Blog Kevin's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:16 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:08:22 - Introducing Sunshine 00:09:30 - Tell us about being a commercial pilot 00:12:55 - Are you part of the mile high club? 00:14:08 - What are some quirks of pilot culture? 00:15:55 - What's a go-to pilot movie? <span style="fon

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Karl Ford. Karl is a retired environmental scientist, conservationist, and author of Triple Crown Hiking Adventures and The Colorado Trail in Crisis: A Naturalist's Field Report on Climate Change in Mountain Ecosystems . In this conversation, we dive into Karl's experiences hiking the Triple Crown, his perspective on the current state of conservation and what the future may hold, and how climate change is already impacting our beloved long trails, with a special focus on the Colorado Trail. We also talk about what individuals can do to help combat climate change, and how Karl personally walks the walk when it comes to protecting our planet. We wrap the show with some convo on pre-hike anxiety, what the Hiker Trash four houses are, the triple crown of gingers, a blood boiling thing of the week, and a listener voicemail about UTIs. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKER20" for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com . Ombraz : Send a DM on Instagram or to [email protected] for $30 off at ombraz.com . Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . [divider] Interview with Karl Ford Karl's LinkedIn Karl's Post on the Trek The Colorado Trail in Crisis: A Naturalist's Field Report on Climate Change in Mountain Ecosystems by Karl Ford Triple Crown Hiking Adventures: 8,000 Miles on the Long Trails by Karl Ford Time stamps & Questions 00:05:20 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , apply to blog for the Trek or to run Trail Correspondents , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:10:55 - Introducing Karl 00:11:34 - What's your trail name? 00:13:04 - What's your outdoors origin story? 00:23:45 - Do you have a standout story about Colorado Trail history? <span style="fo

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Spencer McKee, the Director of Content and Operations for OutThere Colorado. If you've been to Colorado and have Instagram, you've likely already come across Spencer's videos - he's mastered the art of packaging interesting Colorado news stories, culture, and fun facts into short form video content through OutThere's social media channels. Spencer shares some of his favorite standout outdoor rec stories from the great state of Colorado with us, including what's underneath Cheeseman Park, the legend of Rattlesnake Kate, Colorado's active volcano, the most underrated mountain towns, best hidden gem restaurants, breweries, and the truth behind his obsession with flannels. We wrap the show with a call for the next host, editor, and producer of Trail Correspondents, some severe damage sustained by a beloved Appalachian Trail hostel, why thru-hiking is your next career power move, and we're joined by Elise for the segments, including the triple crown of things that make our lives easier. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKSPRING15" at topoathletic.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKER20" for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com . Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com . Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker . [divider] Interview with Spencer McKee OutThere Colorado Website OutThere Colorado Instagram Spencer's Instagram UpaDowna Website Time stamps & Questions 00:05:20 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , apply to blog for the Trek or to run Trail Correspondents , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:09:07 - Introducing Spencer 00:12:06 - How'd you land in Colorado? 00:13:45 - What led you to OutThere? 00:16:50 - How do you reach Coloradans successfully? 00:17:25 - What's up with the flannels? 00:18:50 - What did you do when you first joined OutThere? <span style="font-weight: 400;"

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Leah Harman, known on trail as Twig. Although Twig is relatively new to the world of thru-hiking, with less than 10 years of experience, she's hit the ground running, accruing well over 20,000 miles in the process. In addition to all the usual suspects, triple crown trails, Colorado Trail, TA, Arizona Trail…Twig has also completed a number of lesser known trails, including the Mogollon Rim Trail, Bigfoot Trail, and a Desert Winter Thru-Hike from Tucson to San Diego. We of course learn all about these treks, why cows are the most dangerous animal on trail, and how she makes her perpetual hiker trash lifestyle work. Leah also recounts her past life living and working aboard ships, confirming that all the stereotypes about drunk and horny sailors are, in fact, hilariously accurate, complete with some entertaining hazing stories. We wrap the show with news of a group who trusted ChatGPT to plan their hike, and how that went terribly wrong, Chaunce details the stress associated with planning a wedding, and the triple crown of movie/tv shows that broke us. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKER20" for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com . Ombraz : Send a DM on Instagram or to [email protected] for $30 off at ombraz.com . Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . [divider] Interview with Leah "Twig" Harman Twig's Blog Twig's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:05:30 - Reminders: Take our survey , sign up for the Trek's newsletter , listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon , reach out if you'll be at Trail Days, and apply to blog for the Trek or to run Trail Correspondents ! 00:12:45 - Introducing Twig 00:15:30 - What's your take on the current state of public lands? 00:20:46 - What should you do if you get charged by a burro or cow? 00:23:00 - Tell us about your career before backpacking 00:26:40 - What are your crazy stories from living on a boat? 00:35:30 - What was the wildest storm you encountered at sea? 00:43:20 - Story about rescuing another ship 00:44:45 - Tell us about working on fishing boats

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we're joined by Whitney La Ruffa, better known in the world of backpacking as "Allgood." Allgood is the former president of ALDHA-West, the current Chief Revenue Officer at FarOut, and a certified backpacking OG—his first thru-hike dates all the way back to the early '90s (some of you weren't even alive then… which is weird). Since that first trek, Allgood has racked up an impressive list of trails, including the JMT, Wonderland Trail, Chinook Trail, Sierra High Route, PCT, CDT, and others. In this episode, we dive into stories from his countless miles on trail, his passion for backpacking food—he's a bona fide backcountry chef, as evidenced by him freeze drying his own meals—and he spills the beans on some of his favorite trail-tested recipes. We also chat about how a chance encounter on the AT led him to adopt his dog, Erwin, and how Erwin has deepened his love for dogs in general. Beyond the trail, we get Allgood's take on how backpacking has evolved since the 1990s, hear a heartfelt update on the health of former guest and beloved trail icon Renee "She-ra" Patrick, and unpack some of the recent bumps in the road for FarOut. We wrap the show with how Damascus has bounced back in the wake of Hurricane Helene, if animals could talk, which species would be the most annoying, and the triple crown of states we'd draft in a civil war. Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKER20" for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com . Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com . Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . Bear Mattress : Use code "BACKPACKER" for 40% off at bearmattress.com . [divider] Interview with Whitney "Allgood" La Ruffa Allgood's Instagram Allgood's Blog Time stamps & Questions 00:04:25 - Reminders: Listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon , hold the Trek's tent for us, apply to blog for the Trek ! 00:11:00 - Introducing Allgood 00:15:52 - How has the world of thru-hiking changed from the early 90's to now? 00:21:05 - Do you have any strong stances in which you're a curmudgeon? 00:28:35 - Do you think there are more entitled hikers today? 00:36:05 - Tell us about your dog 00:43:00 - What's the key to maintaining a dog's longevity? 00:46:30 - Do you have a strong opinion about fresh/refrigerated dog food? 00:47:30 - Tell us about ridgerunning with Erwin 00:50:13 - Did you do any thru-hiking between 1996 and 2011? 00:52:45 - Tell us about the Chinook Trail 00:54:40 - Have you picked up any parallel hobbies? 00:56:55 - What

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Julia Sheehan, known on trail, as Rocket. Julia is a thru-hiker, former Trek Vlogger, social media sensation, nurse, and now a published author. Julia details how impulsive decision-making lead her to the wonderful world that is thru-hiking, inspired in part by everyone's favorite Hiking Viking. Rocket also shares how health issues ultimately forced her off-trail, the unsavory response she's gotten from some in the social media sphere in light of "quitting" and subsequently posting non-hiking content. Julia also shares the process in self-publishing her brand new book, Hiking is the Easy Part, a memoir of her thru-hike on the AT. We wrap the show with some news about Trail Correspondents 2026 edition, the story of a hiker that was found alive at a popular PCT pitstop after being lost in the backcountry for weeks, how much weight people lose during an AT thru-hike (and why it's generally not a good long term weight loss strategy), Chaunce and I have a borderline-impossible coincidence during today's QOTD, and the triple crown of albums. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKSPRING15" at topoathletic.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKER20" for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com . Ombraz : Score a $30 discount by sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/ombraz/ , and letting them know that Backpacker Radio sent you. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek . [divider] Interview with Julia "Rocket" Sheehan Rocket's Instagram Rocket's Youtube Rocket's Blog Time stamps & Questions 00:05:30 - Reminders : Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon and apply to blog for the Trek ! 00:07:45 - Introducing Rocket 00:08:20 - Tell us about your social media journey 00:15:30 - Did you ever feel like you could make a living from social media? 00:17:10 - Tell us about your background in the military 00:19:30 - How did you transition from the military to nursing? 00:21:15 - Can you talk about running from things prior to thru-hiking? 00:23:00 - Discussion about Rocket's eating disorder 00:27:50 - What got you to the AT? 00:32:00 - What was the beginning of the AT like? 00:34:45 - At what point did thru-hiking click for you? 00:38:57 - What's the hard part of thru-hiking? 00:43:00 - Tell us about the half gallon challenge 00:45:15 - How did you get your trail name? 00