
Trail Tales - Thru-Hiking & Backpacking
What’s it like to hike and live in the backcountry for 5 months? Host and thru-hiker & YouTuber Kyle Hates Hiking (Kyle O’Grady), who has completed every last step of the Appalachian Trail, interviews other thru-hikers, peak-baggers, and backpackers who are almost as crazy as him. Is life while thru-hiking really as glamorous as the social media stars make it out to be? Is pooping in the woods really that big of a deal? Find out these answers and more on Trail Tales.
Latest episodes

Mar 4, 2020 • 1h 1min
#67 | A Medical Emergency while in the Backcountry with Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Christopher Johnson
Christopher Johnson thru hiked the Appalachian Trail SOBO in 2019. We caught up with one-another on Episode 54 of Trail Tales, but shortly after our conversation he suffered a dire medical emergency while in the backcountry on his thru hike. In this episode he takes us through what happened, and tells the story of how he was able to make it to safety... and still complete the Appalachian Trail! Check out his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_walk_with_winnie/
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.
Feel free to leave me a five-star review on iTunes (I read every one at the beginning of the next episode), and subscribe if you like the show! My personal Instagram is @kylehateshiking, so feel free to follow me on there as well.
Subscribe on iTunes, and listen on Google Play and Stitcher!

Feb 26, 2020 • 60min
#66 | Pushing the Limits of Late Start Dates on the Appalachian Trail with Ryan Fox
Ryan Fox thru hiked the Appalachian Trail SOBO starting in August 2018 - which is a very unique time to start! He followed that up by crushing a good portion of the PCT the following year, and is currently planning on competing in the 2020 Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon. This dude does it all! We talk about how his Appalachian Trail start date affected his hike, the similarities and differences between the hiking community and the triathlon community, and at the end he tells a crazy story about camping with some homeless folks on the PCT.
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.

Feb 19, 2020 • 1h 8min
#65 | Juliana Chauncey on How to Support a Thru-Hiker From Home
Juliana Chauncey has thru hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and is the co-host of the Backpacker Radio podcast! In this episode we chat all about her thru hikes, and her book 'Hiking From Home: A Long-Distance Hiking Guide for Family and Friends' which will be available in just a few weeks. Her book will be an incredibly useful resource for the friend's, families, and significant other's of folks who want to take on a thru hike like the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail.
Pre-Order 'Hiking From Home': https://www.julianachauncey.com/product-page/signed-hiking-from-home-a-long-distance-hiking-guide-for-family-and-friends
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.

Feb 12, 2020 • 1h 2min
#64 | Pushing the Limits of What's Possible in New Hampshire's White Mountains with Arlette Laan
Arlette Laan has done some incredible things in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and elsewhere. She is a triple crowner, and currently holds the FKT for the woman's unsupported White Mountain Direttissima. Not only that, but she also crushed the first ever WINTER Direttissima with her husband. In our conversation she tells the story of both of these incredible feats in the White Mountains, plus the story of how she met her husband while thru hiking! Arlette's Instagram: @arlette_laan
Arlette's website: http://arlettelaan.com/
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.

Feb 5, 2020 • 1h 15min
#63 | Appalachian Trail 2020 Hopeful Interviews Successful Thru-Hiker
Zach Cote is going to be setting off to thru hike the Appalachian Trail in 2020, and after he reached out I decided to help him out! Zach takes over as the interviewer and asks me the Appalachian Trail preparation questions he is still pondering before he head's to Springer Mountain. We cover gear, food, transportation to the Southern terminus, and much more! Follow along with Zach's journey: @hikeoutzack
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.

Jan 29, 2020 • 1h 6min
#62 | The Quest for the FKT of the Appalachian Trail with Kristian Morgan
In 2018, Kristian Morgan supported Karl Sabbe in his successful attempt to set the Fastest Known Time for the Appalachian Trail. Feeling inspired from this experience, Kristian decided to try and set the record himself in 2019. Unfortunately he did not make it, which we talk about in the episode. He was not discouraged from this experience, and he is planning on heading out again in 2020, taking with him the lesson's that he learned from his failed attempt in 2019.
Kristian's website: https://www.kristianultra.com/
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.

Jan 22, 2020 • 1h 12min
#61 | Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 70 Days with David Braunlich
In 2019, David 'Seventy' Braunlich set out to thru hike the Appalachian Trail in an ambitious time period of seventy days. He was SO close to completing that goal, but as we discuss in the episode... his body had some other plans. Beyond the Appalachian Trail, David also has completed the Colorado Trail, a good portion of the Arizona, and many ultra marathons. We talk about all of this, and much more!
David's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvDFp_OzbOSq1reZpChIEg
David's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidbraunlich/
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.

Jan 15, 2020 • 1h 17min
#60 | Darwin on the Trail talks Music, Arizona Trail Film, and Being a Creator in the Hiking Niche
The man himself, Darwin on the Trail joins me this week to discuss his upcoming film about the Arizona Trail called 'Through The Great Southwest', the relationship between music and hiking, and much more. Darwin's YouTube channel is one of the most well known hiking channels and he has inspired countless numbers of people to get outside and hit the trail. At the end of the episode he tells one of the craziest stories I've heard on Trail Tales, and it's one that he hasn't really opened up about in his videos. Darwin is the man!
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Darwin's episode with the Byland Podcast: https://byland.co/podcast/episode-95-the-outdoor-evolution-of-darwin
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.

Jan 8, 2020 • 1h 6min
#59 | How to be MENTALLY Tough when Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail with Early Riser
Early Riser thru hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2017, posting on his Youtube vlog the entire way. He has since taken on a very motivational role for future Appalachian Trail thru hikers, posting videos that highlight how to achieve success when thru hiking the trail. Many of these videos highlight the mental side of thru hiking, and are very helpful for those who take mental preparation seriously. Early Riser and I have much in common in terms of how we view thru hike preparation, and it was a pleasure being able to discuss these topics with him.
Early Riser on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCKgxH-Ei-JA7fPn4Om3p8w
724 STG Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsfogvEjXh-KgKy-8lbxoUg
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.

Jan 1, 2020 • 1h 7min
#58 | Thru Hiking the Vermont Long Trail with Jeremiah Stringer Hikes
Jeremiah Stringer Hikes joins the show to talk about thru hiking the Vermont Long Trail! We cover some stories from his hike, and talk about the ins and outs of having a backpacking Youtube channel! Many of you know how much I love the Vermont Long Trail, so that coupled with talking to an awesome dude like Jeremiah Stringer made for a super fun episode! Check out Jeremiah Stringer Hikes on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7An3Lkt9Byo76gxmx65LFQ
Check out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/kylehateshiking
While you're at it, Check out the show's website at trailtalespod.com
Like what you hear? Want to talk some smack? You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or send me an email: trailtalespod@gmail.com
If you're really into Trail Tales and want to receive some bonus content, please consider supporting the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trailtales.