Episode 65: John Soares on Boondocking and Hiking Guidebooks

On this episode: guidebooks, boondocking, breakfast burritos, and the best hiking in Northern California. We’re talking with hiking guidebook author and boondocking aficionado John Soares.

Show Notes

• 00:35 – Introducing John Soares and how he grew to love the outdoors
• 03:30 – The Trinity Alps, Burney Falls, and social media
• 08:10 – Why skipping the campfire is a great idea
• 11:25 – Managing expectations and avoiding crowds?
• 18:00 – Why use a guidebook when there are so many online resources?
• 21:31 – How John became a guidebook author
• 28:10 – What John drives for boondocking and dispersed camping (no, you don’t need 4WD)
• 32:20 – Updating guidebooks
• 35:00 – What is dispersed camping, and how do you get started?
• 50:00 – Great hikes in the Shasta area (for the next time Jason drives up to Bend)

Mentioned in this Episode

• Find details of John’s Northern California hiking guidebooks at NorthernCaliforniaHikingTrails.com.  
• Get info on John’s book Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping & Boondocking on America’s Public Lands along with a dispersed camping gear checklist and info on related apps and resources at DispersedCamping.net.
• Interested in journaling your hiking and camping experiences? See the journals John has created for you to fill in at GetOutsidePress.com. 
• Find John’s Northern California Hiking Trails Facebook page here. 
• Seven Suns Coffee in Shasta (get a breakfast burrito)
• The Fifth Season – great gear shop in Shasta
• GetOutsidePress.com

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Our Co-hosts

• Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
• Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen  web: AdventurUsWomen.com
• Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker  web: SoCalHiker.net

Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music. 

The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.