

Backpacking Light Podcast
Backpackinglight.com
The Backpacking Light Podcast explores the technology, gear, skills, and philosophy of backcountry wilderness travel through stories, interviews, and investigative reports.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 15, 2022 • 14min
Episode 71 | Sleeping Bag Layering Systems
In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to talk about how to use multi-layered sleep systems to stay warmer on multi-day trips in cold weather.

Nov 2, 2022 • 18min
Episode 70 | Fall Backpacking & Cold Feet
In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to talk about how to mitigate cold feet during fall-season backpacking conditions.

Oct 11, 2022 • 43min
Episode 69 | Ultralight Shelters in Inclement Weather
In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to talk about gear and skills for pitching ultralight shelters in inclement conditions - rain, snow, wind, and cold. View the show notes here.

Sep 30, 2022 • 28min
Episode 68 | Unpacking the New Garmin inReach Messenger
In today's gear short episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to talk about the brand new Garmin inReach Messenger and how it fits into the broader market of satellite communications devices for backcountry users. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.

7 snips
Sep 9, 2022 • 16min
Episode 67 | How to Poop in the Woods (Skills and Tools for Backcountry Pooping)
In this skills short episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Andrew and Ryan talk sh**, a.k.a, 💩. How to poop in the woods? It’s an age-old question, particularly as popular backcountry sites become more crowded. This episode addresses the question of how long poop takes to decompose and suggests alternative LNT-approved methods (beyond catholes) for dealing with human waste. To view the shownotes for this episode, click here.

Aug 26, 2022 • 17min
Episode 66 | Hiking Cameras: Compact, Durable, and Lightweight Cameras for Hiking and Backpacking
In this skills short episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, Ryan and Andrew discuss small cameras for backpacking. Today's episode is very focused and short - just a quick list of a few cameras we've liked and used to get good results with backcountry photography. Click here for show notes.

Aug 9, 2022 • 1h 19min
Episode 65 | Empowering Young Women in the Outdoors with Amanda Hatley
In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Andrew and Ryan chat with She Summits Co. founder and director Amanda Hatley. She Summits is a female-owned and female-led adventure camp that empowers young women through outdoor experiences like backpacking, kayaking, and climbing. In the extended Members Only version of this episode - the full interview with Amanda Hatley, the Tarptent Dipole Li, Bedrock Sandals Cairn Adventure Sandals, Scarpa Ribelle Shoes, and new educational opportunities at Backpacking Light. click here for show notes: https://www.backpackinglight.com/episode-65-amanda-hatley

Jul 22, 2022 • 30min
Episode 64 | BPL Author Spotlight: Contributor Drew Smith
In this episode, Andrew chats with Backpacking Light Staff contributor Drew Smith. If you are a reader of the website, you may know Drew from his lovely stories about desert backpacking, or perhaps you’ve been reading his ongoing series about freeze-drying. If you haven’t read Drew’s work, make sure you check out the resources section (below) where we’ll have links to the articles we talk about in this interview. Drew Smith grew up in Tuscon and Southern California and dabbled in long-distance hiking in his early twenties before picking it back up again later in life. He’s got a lot of interesting things to say about deserts, gear, food, and how to craft a hiking story, Enjoy! An extended video version of this podcast goes into more depth. Not a member? Click here! Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-64-drew-smith

Jun 21, 2022 • 31min
Episode 63 | BPL Author Spotlight: Staff Writer Mark Wetherington
In this episode, Andrew chats with Backpacking Light Staff writer Mark Wetherington. Mark began backpacking in 2007 as a student at the University of Kentucky, and since then he’s been exploring the southeast and the west on foot, bicycle, and skis. Mark’s writing has appeared in Backpacker Magazine and Trail Groove Magazine in addition to Backpacking Light. Andrew and Mark chat about backpacking in the southeast, Mark's love of exploring the same place over and over again, Mark's favorite pieces he's written for Backpacking Light, and more. Click here for show notes and video version: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-63-mark-wetherington The extended version of this podcast is available for Unlimited Members on our website. Click here to become a member: https://backpackinglight.com/membership/ *** Help us keep this podcast AD-FREE *** Our podcast is 100% supported by Backpacking Light Members - please consider supporting us today by becoming a member so we can keep this channel AD-FREE! https://backpackinglight.com/membership/ *** Get the FREE Backpacking Light Handbook *** Want outdoor gear and skills info you can really trust? Get our Handbook - the resource you need to make intelligent decisions about gear, safety, comfort, and pack weight: https://backpackinglight.com/newsletter/ *** Affiliate Disclosure *** https://backpackinglight.com/disclosure-letter/

Jun 10, 2022 • 33min
Episode 62 | Dan Durston Talks X-mid and More
In this episode, Andrew chats with gear designer and biologist Dan Durston. Dan is an accomplished backpacker and longtime Backpacking Light member. He went from gear enthusiast to gear tester to successful gear designer and small-business owner in a remarkably short time. His most recent shelter, the Durston X-Mid Pro 2 (read our review), is one of the buzziest ultralight shelters to hit the market in quite a while. All this despite the fact that Dan doesn't have a background in engineering or design. In this wide-ranging interview, Andrew and Dan talk about design philosophy, the difference between designing for shelters and packs, his journey from tester to designer, upcoming projects from Durston Gear, and more. click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-62-dan-durston