Backpacker Radio

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.

What's it like to build the most ubiquitous in the hiking community?  Today we learn that answer as we're joined by Ryan Linn, more commonly known as Guthook, one of the people behind the "Guthook App", the uber-popular navigation app, especially amongst thru-hikers.  He shares his background in backpacking and thru-hiking, the inspiration for the creation of the app, his coding background, and what lies in store for the future of the app. We also talk about Jennifer Pharr Davis' wonderful article on Health Insurance Options for Thru-Hikers, an illustration outlining five ways to poop in the woods, and the ranking of New Hampshire's 48 4,000 foot peaks. We close out the show with a heated Triple Crown of Thanksgiving Foods and some mailbag questions.   Subjects discussed in today's show include: Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter Let's talk about Treks, baby!  (also poo and pee) Chaunce stole my ice axe Chaunce is a segment short of finishing the CT Guthook's Apps AWOL's Guide Guthook or Guthooks? [VOTE] Health Insurance Options for Long Distance Backpackers APPLY to be a Trek Blogger or Vlogger 5 Ways to Poop in the Woods, an Illustration New Hampshire’s 48 4,000-Footers, Ranked Triple Crown of Thanksgiving Foods 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, Tama Lama Ding Dong A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Kate Hurley, Clint "DuctTape" Sherbet, Randy Harter and Peter Leven. Follow Guthook's Apps, 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.

Diversity on the trail is a heavy, but important subject. It's impossible to do this subject justice in the span of an hour long podcast, but it's a conversation worth having nonetheless. Our correspondents share their thoughts about the diversity -or lack thereof- that they've encountered on trail.  Our hikers also ponder ways the community can encourage under-represented groups to get onto the trail.  Admittedly- our correspondents largely follow the demographics of the thru-hiking community at large- which is to say young and white. Though one of our hikers is visiting from across the pond and another is gay- and we've got more female correspondents than male when the trail skews the other way. But in terms of racial diversity, there's none.  We were fortunate to get the input of Elsye "Chardonnay" Walker, who's one of the few (if not the only) black woman to hike the triple crown.   She shares her take on these same questions, which offers some interesting contrast to the other stances offered in this episode.   Lastly, we get an update from Jeffrey "Legend" Garmire, who's on the tail end of his Great Western Loop journey, a 6,875-mile footpath across the western half of the USA. The path, popularized by Andrew Skurka, links five existing trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, & Arizona Trail, as well as some route finding through the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts. 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)! 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. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Kate Hurley, Clint "DuctTape" Sherbet, Peter Leven Episode produced by Pauly Boy Shallcross. Check out his coffee roaster, Old Man Murph's.   Music via.

What does it take to turn a thru-hike turns into an 18-month adventure?  That's the central theme of today's show, as the Cinnamon Connection is joined by Nathan "Puma" Bauman- who, after hiking the Appalachian Trail, next hiked on the Continental Divide Trail, Long Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail within a year and a half span.  We talk about the differences between the three triple crown trails, what it's like to quit on a thru-hike, why the Long Trail is the most difficult trail Puma's encountered, and some tips for aspiring trail-photographers.  We chat briefly about the 2018 AT Hiker Survey, AT completion and PCT completion photos.  The show wraps up with the second edition of The Triple Crown Of, where we share our favorite trail magic items.  Subjects discussed in today's show include: Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter Intro to Puma His SOBO CDT hike How he finances hiking all the time Frugality on trail vs off trail Ultralight base weight Current Big 3 Palante Simple Pack V2 Enlightened Equipment Enigma 10 Degree SMD Deschutes Tarp Appalachian Trail Big 3 Osprey Exos 48 Nemo Hornet 1p Nemo Nocturne NeoAir Xlite Gossamer Gear The One Photography gear and why it’s different to bring a real camera over an iPhone Sony A7ii 85mm 1.8f 28mm f2 Rhode mic Editing photos on Trail - lightning sd to phone port - editing RAW photos on iPhones using that converter / Adobe Lightroom mobile & editing presets (filters) to make the process easier Twerk Instagram Click Instagram His failed PCT hike 2018 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey Send Completion photos to editors@thetrek.co Anonymous hiker poop stories Top Trail magic Guy proposes in The Whites video 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 A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Kate Hurley, Clint "DuctTape" Sherbet, and Peter Leven. Follow Puma, 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 show, our hikers discuss the evolution of their hiking groups over the course of their journeys.  Injuries occur, people grow apart, paces differ, life happens.  You get to learn the ins and outs of how and why this happens directly from the mouths of our hikers.  Also, we say farewell to another of our trail correspondents.  You'll get to hear who's getting off- and why- at the end of our hikers' updates. In today's show, we hear from: Jacob Beaver Kate Mueller aka Sassafras  IBTAT Madeline Newel Miles Bisher aka "Miles To Go" 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)! 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. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner, Kate Hurley, Clint "DuctTape" Sherbet, Peter Leven Episode produced by Pauly Boy Shallcross. Check out his coffee roaster, Old Man Murph's.  Music via.