Backpacker Radio Liz "Handstand" Kidder: Scary Moments in the Sierra, Skydiving Near Miss, and Donating a Kidney (BPR #322)
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.
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Interview with Liz “Handstand” Kidder
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?
01:06:45 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail
01:07:45 - How has the PCT experience compared to the Colorado Trail?
01:12:00 - Tell us about the scary moments in the Sierra
01:22:24 - Tell us about the Tehachapi challenge
01:30:20 - Tell us about spraining your ankle
01:38:30 - How did you feel about going home during trail?
01:40:51 - Are you still on a continuous footpath?
01:45:00 - Did you capture either of the sprains on camera?
01:47:45 - Do you like the PCT or the AT first?
01:50:11 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
- Day 93: The Katahdhin Stream Campground Miracle Arrives by Anniversary and the Historian
- Why You Shouldn’t Wear Underwear on Your Thru-Hike by Kelly Floro
QOTD: Would you rather hike 2 miles uphill with no switchbacks, steep grade, or 5 miles uphill with switchbacks, moderate grade?
Stupid Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of things you’d step on/in barefoot
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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