Backpacker Radio

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.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, Chaunce sits down with famed PCT trail angels, Scout and Frodo. We get an in depth look at Scout's new book, "The Continental Divide Trail: Exploring America's Ridgeline Trail", his passion for writing, and we learn about the first person to hike the Continental Divide. We also cover the most popular tents used by 2018 Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, and get into a new segment, Forgotten Internet Holidays. Subjects discussed in today's show include: Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Barney Scout's website The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America's Wilderness Trail PCT fun fact: Three deepest lakes in the US also cross paths with the PCT - Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake , and Lake Chelan  Interview with Scout and Frodo Nepal trip - Everest basecamp Everest basecamp route - about two weeks, most popular route Three passes route - includes Chola pass Scout's new book - The Continental Divide Trail: Exploring America's Ridgeline Trail The Top Tents on the Appalachian Trail Top brands 1) Big Agnes 2) Zpacks 3) Nemo Top 1 person Tents 1) Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 2) REI Quarterdome 3) Six Moons Designs Lunar Solo Top 2 person Tents: 1) Z-Packs Duplex 2) Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 3) Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2  Watch out for the Tiger Wall Forgotten Internet Holidays  Jan 4 - National Spaghetti Jan 8 - National Double Chin Day Jan 12 - National Kiss a Ginger Day Feb 10 - Selfie Next to a Toilet Day Feb 20 - National Love Your Pet Day March 9 - International Flirtini Day March 14 - Steak and BJ Day April 8 - Steal a Dollar from Your Friend Day April 14 - Cake and Cunnilingus Day April 20 - Lima Bean Respect Day June 4 - International Crossdress on Trail Day Sept 15 - National Let Your Dog Lick Your Open Mouth Day October 13 - National No Bra Day Nov 17 - World Danny Devito Appreciation Day   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 and Tama Lama Ding Dong. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Andre Oosthuizen, Randy Harter, and Peter Leven Follow 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.

A life changing adventure is merely a decision away. That's the takeaway lesson from today's interview with Bethany Hughes, who just a few years ago, was running the books at her local H&R Block and miserable for it. Fast forward to December 2018- she just completed trekking the length of South America- just the first piece of her goal to travel the length of the Americas by non-motorized means.  We learn all about this adventure and all the the incredible stories and lessons that come with it.  We also get into some Trek Propaganda featuring the top footwear amongst 2018 Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, the triple crown of under-appreciated gear items, and a listener enlightens us about Norwegians preferred alcohol. Subjects discussed in today's show include: Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Sawyer Micro Squeeze vs. Sawyer Squeeze Wayfinder Her Odyssey Website Missions statement: "Traversing the length of the Americas by non motorized means, connecting stories of the land and its inhabitants." Beagle channel Tierra del Fuego 300km practice Greater Patagonia Trail Qhapaq Ñan - ancient Incan road system - took this all the way up to panama Current task: figure out how to safely cross Central America Fidgit to hike the CDT through USA and Neon bikepacks Great Divide Trail Possibly paddling McKenzie river up to Alaska then following the pipelines to the northern most point How she got this idea - back to Kansas City working at HR Block and had moment reading where it came to her - grew up and was raised in the mountains of South America, spent time in North America running sled dogs in Alaska Stories that have stood out to her Man with bread on horse at Christmas Family giving them coffee and took off their socks to dry in Patagonia Long distance journeys and having / letting go of plans Being a white woman in South America and the privilege that comes with it Advice: Trust your instincts and listening to your gut Scary stories and their “rules” to not look vulnerable Reasoning to bike Mexico Highlights thus far Ratio trail to road to route finding Stealth camping Coca leaves leaves in Columbia Dealing with concerned family members Financials and funding Big 3: Hyperlite Southwest Pack Hyperlite shelter (prototype) Feathered Friends crossover sleeping bag quilt Prior backpacking experience South America growing up with her dad taking her into mountains Guided for Boy Scouts PCT How the outdoors helped her mental health and replaced medications How she got her trail name Trek Propaganda: The Top Footwear on the Appalachian Trail Top brands: Altra Salomon Brooks Top Models: Lone Peak Merrell Moabs  Brooks Cascadia Mt Rushmore of under-appreciated gear items Leukotape Gossamer Gear shoulder strap pocket Asian street market spoons Plastic Vargo Bot Ziplock bags Nail clippers Caffeine supplements Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pods Honorable mentions: Extra socks Zpacks stuff sack with fleece lining "Pillow Bag" 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 and Tama Lama Ding Dong. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Andre Oosthuizen, Randy Harter, and Peter Leven Follow Her Odyssey, 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.

Starting a thru-hike without any prior backpacking experience, although not entirely rare, is a brave endeavor.  To string three consecutive thru-hikes back-to-back-to-back is a whole other level of insanity.  Today’s guest accomplished just that.  Without any prior backpacking experience, Mike “Kickstand” Papadatos decided that instead of starting with the AT, PCT, or CDT, that he’d string them all together in a calendar year.  The Paprika Pals sat down to learn what inspired him to jump headfirst into the world of extreme long distance backpacking, the challenges he faced along the way, and the evolution of his gear throughout the journey.  We then touch on some thru-hiker transformations in The Trek Propaganda segment and learn about the trio’s Triple Crown Of hangover remedies. Subjects discussed in today’s show include: New Sponsor: Gossamer Gear. Use coupon code TREK15 at checkout to save 15% at GossamgerGear.com Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter Sawyer Micro Squeeze vs Sawyer Squeeze Filter Comparison Video Animal Years (the awesome band behind Walking Slow) 2019 Trail Correspondents Application Kickstand poop pose Gear changes depending on trail Started on AT on Jan 31st The logistics: AT Jan 31 start date, bailed from snow, flew to New Mexico Started CDT April 14, got off in Creede (1300ish miles) Started PCT May 14, finished PCT in 80 days + 7 days off (August 11 end date) Finished 520 miles of AT, 92 days total SOBO’d remainder of CDT, finished October 26 Spent $15k total Four Calendar Triple Crowners in 2018 Biggest mile day (57), 11 total zeros Fire closures and snow and road walks Gear: Pack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest Tent: Big Agnes Flycreek 1 Quilt: Katabatic Flex 22 Footwear: Altra Lone Peak 3.5s Follow Kickstand on Instagram Thru-Hiker Transformations Triple crown of hangover remedies Thrive Hangover Pills 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 and Tama Lama Ding Dong. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Andre Oosthuizen, Randy Harter, and Peter Leven Follow Mike Papadatos, 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.

This is it. The end. Our final episode of the season. A thru-hike is- typically speaking- a half year adventure. In the midst of this journey, that feels like a very long time. Certainly long enough to adapt to an entirely different way of life. In the spectrum of one's life, however, it's just a blink of an eye (God willing). Which is why I think today's episode might be my favorite yet. Today we hear from our hikers a couple weeks (or more) removed from their treks. We learn how the lessons and habits of their former lives have bled over into "the real world". Of course soaking up the adventure for what it is, while it's happening, is of utmost importance- but in my perspective, it's how these hikes alter someone's world long after they've left the trail that's of most interest. Our correspondents reflects back on their hikes and the chasm between this former world and their current. And lastly- we'll hear from Jeffrey Garmire aka Legend, who recently completed The Great Western Loop. His update is brief, but the emotion is strong, you can hear it especially in his sign-off. In today's show, we hear from: Jacob Beaver Kate Mueller aka Sassafras  IBTAT Madeline Newel Miles to Go Kate Emmons Lukas Isaacson Sarah Mowery Rachael “Rabbit” DeLano Jeffrey "Legend" Garmire APPLICATION FOR 2019 TRAIL CORRESPONDENTS You can support the show through our Patreon page, which helps us to publish episodes more frequently. 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. Follow 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. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Sawyer Products and Tama Lama Ding Dong. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Andre Oosthuizen, Randy Harter, and Peter Leven Episode produced by Pauly Boy Shallcross. Check out his coffee roaster, Old Man Murph's.   Music via.

Today's guest is very fitting for our 23rd episode, since she is arguably the Michael Jordan of backpacking.  In a world where setting just one FKT (fastest known time) is a lifetime achievement, Heather "Anish" Anderson has set the self-supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Arizona Trail.  She is also in a small, exclusive club of triple triple crowners- those who've hiked each of the triple crown trails three times each.  And most recently, she became the newest member of the Calendar Triple club, to hike all three triple crown trails in a single calendar year.  And this is just the tip of her backpacking resume iceberg.  In other words, Anish is the GOAT, and we were blessed to borrow a few minutes of her time to talk about her current 8,000 mile journey.  Additionally, we get into a bit of Trek propaganda, get into the 2nd edition of Patent Pending, and we hear from friend of the show Steven "Twinkle" Shattuck, as he dirtbags across the globe with his wife. Subjects discussed in today's show include: New Sponsor: Gossamer Gear. Use coupon code TREK15 at checkout to save 15% at GossamgerGear.com Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter Sawyer Micro Squeeze vs Sawyer Squeeze Filter Comparison Video Michael Jordan Episode The Grayson Highland's Wild Ponies aren't so "Wild" 21 Fascinating Appalachian Trail Facts Heather "Anish" Anderson FKT = fastest known time- jargon for speed record Calendar Triple Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite vs. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Patent Pending Steven Twinkle Shattuck on Episode 6 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. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Sawyer Products and Tama Lama Ding Dong. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Randy Harter, Clint "DuctTape" Sherbet, and Peter Leven Intro music via.

If this episode doesn't give you goosebumps, seek medical attention.  Today we hear from our hikers at the end of their journeys.  More specifically, they give us two different check ins- the night before their last day on trail, and from the summit itself.  As you can imagine, this is an emotional moment for any thru-hiker.  Although the journey is the destination, the destination is the goal, to succeed at this near half-year pursuit toward a single, tangible end is good reason for a heart-felt outpour. In today's show, we hear from: Jacob Beaver Kate Mueller aka Sassafras  IBTAT Madeline Newel Kate Emmons Lukas Isaacson Sarah Mowery Rachael “Rabbit” DeLano You can support the show through our Patreon page, which helps us to publish episodes more frequently. 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. Follow 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. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Sawyer Products and Tama Lama Ding Dong. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Randy Harter, Clint "DuctTape" Sherbet, and Peter Leven Episode produced by Pauly Boy Shallcross. Check out his coffee roaster, Old Man Murph's.   Music via.