Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, recorded at Wayfinder, Badger sits down with Weezer, a 2018 PCT hiker with one hell of a story.  We talk about what it's like to thru-hike in the PCT's bubble as a sober person, an incredibly sad life event she had to endure while on trail, and how the trail has played a role in her metamorphosis to a better life.  We get a new thru-hiker of the week and close out with a triple crown of PCT restaurants, joined by special guest Puma.  This is an emotionally dense, yet ultimately, uplifting show.  Subjects discussed in the episode include: Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver Use code "thetrek" at us.foursigmatic.com (our link) to save 15% Sawyer's International Website Sawyer Squeeze vs. Sawyer Micro Squeeze Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO5" for 5% off your order at zpacks.com Weezer's top advice for first time thru-hikers Weezer's Big 3 EE Enigma quilt Nemo Hornet 2p Switch from Osprey Aura to My Trail Co Pack Fires on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018 Her experiences hiking the PCT sober Other notable sober hikers  lint_hikes nic.antoinette Advice for people who want to thru-hike sober Weezer's Instagram: @stephlotus_ Trail Angles on the Pacific Crest Trail by Laura Johnston How to Get to the CDT Southern Terminus by Megan McGowan PCT hiker who ate only McDoubles over 90 mile stretch Thru-Hiker of the Week: @honcebonce Puma's Backpacker Radio Episode Triple Crown of PCT Restaurants Cabazon Casino Buffet Bear Creek Cafe (now The Station Cafe) Stehekin Bakery Buffet at Timberland Lodge Seiad Valley Cafe Paradise Valley Cafe Sonora Cantina (Big Juan burrito challenge) Thai Hachapi Thunder Island Brewing Mom's Pie House Yaks on the 5 Leave us a review on iTunes Danny Devito Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years Check out Trail Correspondents! [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this podcast.  Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, Todd Cartner, and Travis Smith A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven Follow Weezer, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow The Trek, Backpacker Radio, and Chaunce on Facebook. Follow The Trek on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Intro music via.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, Smiles and I sit down with author Ken Ilgunas. To put it simply, Ken is a guy who marches to the beat of his own drum. We talk at length about his time hiking the length of the Keystone XL Pipeline both where it was developed and supposed to be developed, where had to not only trespass for much of this hike, but knock on complete strangers doors for help on many occasions. He shares his take on public vs. private land, why we should have hiking access on private land, the threats to public land, and how this is handled in other countries. Ken also shares about his time living out of his van, before #vanlife was even a thing. We close out the show with a new thru-hiker of the week, some Trek propaganda, and a new segment, two lies and a truth. This is another juicy show. So strap in. Subjects discussed in the episode include: Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Use code "TREK15" at GossamerGear.com to save 15% Gossamer Gear The One Gossamer Gear GorillaVasque Boots Sawyer's International Website Sawyer Squeeze vs. Sawyer Micro Squeeze Use code "thetrek" at us.foursigmatic.com (our link) to save 15% Interview with Ken Ilgunas His second hike ever was in the Brooks Range in Alaska Hiking the Keystone XL Trespassing Across America (Ken's book about this hike) The Montana Posse  Why he didn't take on a more traditional long trail such as the Appalachian Trail or Continental Divide Trail The Right to Roam This Land Is Our Land: How We Lost the Right to Roam and How to Take It Back (Ken's most recent book) His Gear Deuter 65L Backpack Black Diamond Z-Lite Poles TarpTent Walden on Wheels (Ken's book about his time living out of his van in college) Thru-Hikers of the Week Trevor Pyke (@crunchmaster_hikes) and Aaron Johnson (@lismic). Read the story here. Planning a Thru-Hike as a Member of the PCT’s 1.6% by Sam Cooper Apply to be a Blogger / Vlogger for The Trek Two Lies and a Truth Story of Michael Guerette Danny Devito Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years Check out Trail Correspondents! Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this podcast.  Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven Follow Ken Ilgunas, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Ken Ilgunas, The Trek, Backpacker Radio, and Chaunce on Facebook. Follow The Trek on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Intro music via.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by adventuring legend, author, blogger and backcountry guide, Andrew Skurka.  This is a very meaty show, we touch on a huge number of subjects including his ridiculous backpacking endeavors, his favorite backcountry routes, his bear bagging recommendations, the current state of rain gear, specific gear recommendations for an AT or PCT thru-hike, and so much more.  Strap in, this is a fun interview filled with a ton of valuable insight. We also debut a new segment, featuring a popular YouTube personality by the name of Second Chance Hikes, and close out the show with a triple crown of survival items.   Subjects discussed in the episode include: Subjects discussed in the episode include: Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Use code "TREK15" at GossamerGear.com to save 15% Gossamer Gear The One Gossamer Gear Gorilla  Sawyer Micro Squeeze Sawer Micro vs. Sawyer Squeeze Use Code "trek10" at Greenbelly.co to save 10% off your order. Use code "thetrek" at us.foursigmatic.com (our link) to save 15% Smiles intro! ULA Circuit  Big Agnes Fly Creek 1 Mountain Hardware 15 Andrew Skurka Interview Zion Williamson needs a new pair of shoes Andrew "Paul Revere" Skurka Sea to Sea Route Great Western Loop Jeffrey Garmire aka Legend recently became second person to complete this trail Alaska-Yukon Expedition Andrew's Guided Trips InsectShield and other factory treated permethrin treatments Andrew's Bear Bagging Recommendations Ursack Loksak Bear Canister Yosemite High Route Pfiffner Traverse Wind River High Route Columbia Outdry Andrew Skurka's Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide 2nd Edition Sleeping bag / quilt insulation for the Appalachian Trail Hydrophobic down or high quality down provider like Western Mountaineering How to keep your down preserved on a damp / humid trail Andrew made a grizzly bear shit itself Future expedition that excites Andrew AndrewSkurka.com Second Chance Hiker on YouTube Email us at podcast@thetrek.co to nominate a "Thru-Hiker of the Week" Triple Crown of survival items Danny Devito Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years Check out Trail Correspondents! Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven Follow Andrew Skurka, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow The Trek, Backpacker Radio, and Chaunce on Facebook. Follow The Trek on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Intro music via.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we're joined by Peter Downing, a modern day renaissance man.  We chat about his history as an ultra runner (including his four wins at the Buena Vista 50), his time in the Peace Corps, his career as a lawyer, and now, his latest undertaking, Suffer Better, a community of ultra runners whose mission is to give back.  It's a fun, freewheeling convo where Peter teaches us the ins and outs of the ultra world.  We touch on what it's like to have cold feet before a thru-hike and we get into a lewd edition of Would You Rather. Links: Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver Greenbelly.co - use code "Trek10" to save 10% Sawyer Micro Squeeze Sawer Micro vs. Sawyer Squeeze Zpacks.com - use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" (all caps) to save 5% (good through 4/31) Four Sigmatic (our link) - use code "thetrek" to save 15% [divider] Chaunce is on the AT, but she isn't, but she is (but she isn't). Zach kicked in a window. Altra Lone Peaks are not glass proof. Hoka One One trail runners (started from the former Salomon employers) Ultimate Direction running vests Chaunce gets covered in poo (again) The life of a law student Suffer Better Second Thoughts and Pre-Hike Blues by Christy Fairlie Would You Rather 5-star iTunes Reviews Danny Devito Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years Check out Trail Correspondents! Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this podcast.  Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven Follow Suffer Better, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow The Trek, Backpacker Radio, and Chaunce on Facebook. Follow The Trek on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Intro music via.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we're joined by Justin Helmcamp, aka Two Taps, who was kind enough to extend his layover in Denver to record this show.  We chat about his Flip Flop thru-hike of the AT, his hike on New Zealand's Te Araroa, and his work as a wilderness therapist.  We do a patent pending.  And we commence the #ChaunceDontChafe hashtag. [divider] Subjects discussed in today's show include: Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Use code "TREK15" at GossamerGear.com to save 15% Sawyer Permethrin Sawer Micro vs. Sawyer Squeeze Use code "thetrek" at us.foursigmatic.com (use that link) to save 15% Use Code "trek10" at Greenbelly.co to save 10% off your order. Chaunce is on the AT.  Will still be co-host of the show, but will miss some episodes this year. Justin "2Taps" Helmkamp Te Araroa Oregon Desert Trail His Gear Pack: Gossamer Gear Kumo 36, SWD 35, Pa'lante Packs Shelter: Hyperlite Mountain Gear echo II tarp Quilt: EE Enigma Apex 30 Synthetic Footwear: Lone Peak 4, Bedrock Sandals HIKE for Mental Health The History of the Pacific Crest Trail by Kenny Howell Myron Avery: The Bully Who Built a Trail by Geoff Hutton.    Patent Pending! Mailbag 5-star reviews Check out Trail Correspondents! Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this podcast.  Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven Follow 2Taps, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow The Trek, Backpacker Radio, and Chaunce on Facebook. Follow The Trek on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Intro music via.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we are joined by Gummy Bear, a 2018 PCT hiker and all around awesome dude.  We do a deep dive on his experience of being a gay and plus size hiker in the trail community.  We chat some about his upcoming Arizona Trail hike.  Chaunce and I deliver the PCT class of 2019 a warning for what they can expect to see in the Sierra this year and why you might want to consider hiking southbound.  We do a triple crown of things to freak out about before leaving for a thru-hike.  Basically we touch on all the reasons why you should never leave your house (not actually).  This is a meaty show, so find a comfortable place to sit, lay, or meander down the trail. Subjects discussed in today's show include: Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver, CO Use Code "Trek10" at Greenbelly.co to save 10% off your order. Sawyer Micro Sawyer Micro vs. Sawyer Squeeze Video The Sierra is snowy Chaunce's PCT 2017 Video As It Happens Start interview with Evan Haut aka Gummy Bear Trail name origin What drew you to hike the PCT - love of travel, liked camping better than partying aspects of festivals he had been going to Gay pride bandana attached to pack - important to have it on there after talking to other hikers in town who were hesitant/uncomfortable being open - prior to flag, felt like only gay person on trail, post flag, had a lot of people opening up and talking to him about it - ‘was nice to know they had someone they could talk to about it’ Discouragement and doubt around ability to be successful based on his weight - people becoming more supportive once he reached KM bc they stopped doubting as much Hard to find clothing for his size (3XL) Columbia and New Balance do good jobs of accommodating big/tall people Highest mile day: 24 How he trained - day hiking, this year: 3-4hrs a day at the gym (quit job and just training now) Section hike of the PCT - what’s done and what’s left Water carries for a slower/heavier hiker: how much he carried, obstacles, having to skip sections due to inability to carry enough water Deciding to be a section hiker, and feelings around that Clothing carried Smartwool 250g top and bottoms Outdoor Helium II Things he would’ve changed if he could re-prep for PCT Start in trail runners, doing the trail sooner - wouldn’t have had the motivation to train the way he needed to do it bc he wouldn’t have known what he was signing up for Fitness vs budget - one of the biggest downfalls yo hiking slow Vegan on trail apart from beef jerky Northbay Trading Co. Mother Earth Foods Section hikers were less arrogant, but didn’t realize that until Washington Reasons why other hikers ask about start dates Theory on why he had worse reactions as an overweight hiker than a gay hiker The different ways long distance hiking takes a toll on your body when you’re overweight AZT as prep for PCT Quick overview of the Arizona Trail Ways the hiking community can be more accepting to section hikers / plus sized hikers / gay hikers LGBTQ Facebook Group Use code "TREK5" to save 5% at zpacks.com Triple crown of things to freak out about before leaving for a thru-hike Mailbag Pacific Crest Trail Resupply Guide by Maggie Wallace Check out Trail Correspondents! Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Gummy Bear on Facebook. Follow The Trek on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Intro music via.

Today's show is a special edition, an experiment, and a community-sourced show, all rolled into one giant tortilla, hiker trash style. A few months ago, we put a call out to The Trek's bloggers and vloggers to share their top tips for someone who's about to embark on a thru-hike. Tis the season. As you will see, this advice runs the gamut, and can often even be contradictory to one another. The reason for this is simple, there is no one single approach to successfully thru-hiking. That said, I do think there's tremendous value in listening to the insight of those who've walked the walk, as you can pick and choose what resonated with you, test different approaches, keep what works, and discard the rest. Additional resources:  Apply to be a Trek Blogger or Vlogger (upcoming or current thru-hiker) Apply to be a Trek Writer (completed thru-hiker or equivalent experience) In today's show, you hear advice from: Me  Chaunce  Danny Strayer Audrey Payne Grizzly Melanie Harsha Jennifer Gardner Allison DiVerde Christy Kintzel Jenni Thompson Rebecca Burns Brandon Chase Kate Emmons Sarah Legg Kate Mueller Katie Elder Kelsy Filler Meredith Johnson Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow The Trek on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Music via.

In today's special Valentine's Day episode of Backpacker Radio, we sit down with Grizzly and Jenna, a couple due to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and Colorado Trail this year.  We learn about how they plan to keep the love alive in the midst of 3,000 miles of backpacking.  We also breakdown how to hike 30 miles in a day, and talk a whole lot about orgies on trail. It's a very sexy show, so grab the chocolate and the oysters, and pull up a seat. Subjects discussed in today's show include: Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Use code "TREK15" at GossamerGear.com to save 15% Sawyer Permethrin Sawer Micro vs. Sawyer Squeeze TRAIL CORRESPONDENTS! AT FAQ: Resupply boxes? How many and where do I send them? Where to send resupply boxes on the Appalachian Trail Thru-hiking = many section hikes Interview with Michael "Grizzly" Ivey and Jenna Duesterhoeft Backpacking backgrounds Jenna: Superior Hiking Trail Grizzly: JMT, PCT, CT, SHT, part of CDT / upcoming: PCT then CT Having to push back the PCT from 2018 to 2019 due to illness How they’re preparing Concerns for their relationship? That time Grizzly chased a grizzly bear Considerations that tall hikers (6’5) that rest of us don’t have to think about  Big 3: Grizzly: Zpacks Duplex, Pa'lante Simple Pack, Katabatic Sawatch Jenna: Sharing tent, Katabatic Sawatch, Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest, Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xlite Stoveless backpacking and cold soaking method / foods Time constraints to accomplish both the PCT and CT in one summer Concerns of burning out by CT? Trek propaganda How to conquer 30 mile days regardless of hiking speed  Thermarest Uberlite Review / Comparison Video The 4-state challenge Questions from Chaunce's sorority sisters Tent orgies 5 star reviews  Jenna's SHT profile Jenna's Canyonlands profile Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!   Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon! A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven Follow Grizzly, Jenna, Backpacker Radio, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow The Trek on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Intro music via.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we sit down with Teresa Martinez, the executive director at the Continental Divide Trail Coalition.  We talk all things CDT, including the future of the trail, the biggest threats to its continued development, Teresa's favorite stretch of trail, and way more.  We also talk through some layering strategies for the Appalachian Trail, and Chaunce gives us a primer on vlogging etiquette.  We close out the show by featuring your questions via Instagram. Subjects discussed in today's show include: Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Use code "TREK15" at GossamerGear.com to save 15% Sawyer Permethrin Sawer Micro vs. Sawyer Squeeze Recommended AT base layer options for guys and ladies.  Interview with Teresa Martinez of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition Worked at the ATC Transition from the CDTA to CDTC The CDT is 3100 miles long, starts in boot heel of New Mexico to Glacier National Park in Montana - Mexico to Canada Logistics of entering Canada after CDT vs PCT What does job look like as executive director of CDTC Why there are fewer people on the CDT than on the PCT or AT Differences between the ATC and CDTC “Focus on protecting the corridor and everything else will follow” The CDT Corridor: congress created the CDT and said from the physical 18-24 inch tread of the trail, a 1/2 mile from either side of it - 1 mile wide - 1.9 million acres of land to protect experience around CDT What percent of the trail is complete today What are the threats to the trail  Teresa's favorite section of CDT That time Teresa had a gun pulled on her CDT Kickoff - April 26-28 Favorite book: Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey Head to continentaldividetrail.org to donate or learn how you can volunteer Land and Water Conservation Fund New sponsor! Greenbelly.co  Use code "TREK15" at checkout to save 15% Trek Propaganda Vlogging Etiquette (by Chaunce!): Tips to not let your vlog affect other hikers’ experiences Emergency Q&A Mail Bag  5 Star Reviews KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR TRAIL CORRESPONDENTS TO DROP ON 2/8/19!!!   Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon! A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Sawyer Products, Travis Smith, and S11N. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Andre Oosthuizen, Randy Harter, and Peter Leven Follow The Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Backpacker Radio, The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow The Trek on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for our newsletter. Intro music via.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, the Cinnamon Connection catches up with Bill Manning, the Executive Director at the Colorado Trail foundation. We do a deep dive on all things Colorado Trail related, including the best time to hike the trail, the biggest mistakes aspiring thru-hikers make, and the inner workings for keeping such a beautiful trail afloat. Chaunce lets us in on a mega surprise, and we cover the most popular sleeping bags used on the AT last year. Subjects discussed in today's show include: Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Sawyer Permethrin Sawer Micro vs. Sawyer Squeeze Chaunce's big reveal How to Get to Springer Mountain Barefoot Hills Hostel (formerly Hiker Hostel) NikWax Down Wash DownTek Products Ursack Loksak Opsak Bill Manning interview Bill’s backpacking experience - has done full length of the CT split between horse, bike, and hike Difference between cycling and hiking route Do you notice tension between the bikers and hikers How he got involved with Colorado Trail Foundation Responsibilities as executive director Difference between Trail Crews and Adopt-a-Trail Why do Trail Crews cost money? What kind of skills does someone need to work on a trail crew? The biggest challenges the CT currently faces? Biggest mistakes Bill sees people make who want to thru-hike the CT Recommendations for dealing with altitude NOBO / SOBO/ SWOBO / NEBO? How has the trail changed since Bill's involvement with the CTF How have hikers changed Story of Gudy Gaskill Collegiate East vs Collegiate West Bill’s favorite section of trail What does the future of the Colorado Trail look like? What to do if you see a moose. What’s the most bizarre story Bill's heard on trail? Ideal time to start the trail Ctf@coloradotrail.org Colorado Trail Photos Trek propaganda The Top Sleeping Bags, Quilts and Pads on the Appalachian Trail TOP BRANDS 1. Enlightened Equipment 2. Rei 3. Kelty and Big Agnes TOP SLEEPING BAG MODELS 1. Kelty Cosmic 2. Zpacks Classic (hybrid quilt and sleeping bag) 3. REI Joule and REI Magma TOP QUILTS 1. EE Revelation TOP SLEEPING PADS Therm-a-Rest NeoAire Xlite, followed by the Z-lite Fan mail (podcast@thetrek.co) 5-Star Reviews     Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this podcast.  Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. Support us on Patreon! A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Sawyer Products, Travis Smith, and S11N. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Andre Oosthuizen, Randy Harter, and Peter Leven Follow The Colorado Trail Foundation, Backpacker Radio, The Trek, Chaunce, and Badger on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow The Trek on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.