

Papa Bear Hikes
Papa Bear Hikes
Papa Bear Hikes is a Podcast for Nature Lovers & Outdoor Enthusiasts. Network/Artist: Martin Armitage is the author of Switching Gears: Rediscovering the Meaning of Life, Love, and Happiness While Backpacking Vermont’s Long Trail, and recipient of the WHITNEY YOUNG, JR. AWARD. *Presented By: Buzzsprout* Producer: Wendy A. Lawrence *Host: Martin Armitage *Edited By: Big Bear Studios *Show Notes: Wendy A. Lawrence *For Media Inquiries email: wendy@avalonbusiness.org *The Papa Bear Hikes podcast is a GLOBAL iTunes fan favorite in multiple categories and has a Global Ranking in the top 1%!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2023 • 49min
Wondering Vibes
In this episode, Martin chats with Chris of the Wandering Vibes podcast. Get ready to explore the ideas of resilience and leaving yourself open to the possibilities life offers when you allow yourself to step off the beaten path of life. Follow Chris and his adventures on IG: Wandering Vibes Podcast (@wandering_vibes_podcast) • Instagram photos and videosAbout the Wandering Vibes podcast: For those that have a Wandering attitude towards life or naturally someone who gravitates towards unique places, ideas, and understanding of the world around them, we offer up “Wandering Vibes” podcast for your entertainment and learning experience. When harmony is found and we become intrinsically aligned with our journey we are “on vibe”. Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Aug 16, 2023 • 25min
The Definition of a "Good" Hiker
Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Aug 14, 2023 • 47min
To Walk It Is To See It
In this episode, Martin speaks with author Kathy Elkind about her newly releasedmemoir, To Walk It Is To See It: 1 Couple, 98 Days, 1400 Miles on Europe’s GR5.About the author: Kathy Elkind is a long-distance walker, writer, and speaker. Along with her husband she has walked the GR5, the Andalusian Coast to Coast Walk in Southern Spain, and parts of the Cammino Materano in Italy. She can be reached at www.kathyelkind.com. Kathy lives in the Mad River Valley of Vermont. TO WALK IT IS TO SEE IT is her first book.DESCRIPTION:In 2018, Kathy Elkind and her husband decided to take a grown-up “gap year” in Europe and walk the 1,400-mile Grande Randonnée Cinq (GR5) across The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.At fifty-seven, Kathy has chosen comfort over hardship: Unlike the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Coast Trail, the GR5 winds from village to village instead of campsite to campsite. She and Jim get to indulge in warm beds and delicious regional food every night and croissants in the mornings. The GR5 is not all comfort. Walking day after day for ninety-eight days bring sickness, accommodation struggles, language barriers, and storm-shrouded mountains in the Alps. Meanwhile, Kathy finds herself reflecting on difficult topics; primarily, her struggles with dyslexia, overeating, and shame. She discovers her own wise strength; and as the days unfold, she comes to the gratifying realization that a long marriage is like a long trail: there are ups and downs and it takes hard work to keep going, but the beauty along the way is staggering.Written with raw honesty and compassion, and rich with dazzling scenery, To Walk It Is To See It will inspire you to lace up your walking shoes and discover your own path. Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Aug 10, 2023 • 15min
Water Toxicity
Episode Sources: How Much Water Can Kill You? Water Intoxication Symptoms & Causes (healthline.com)Indiana mom dies of water toxicity after drinking too much water, family says – NBC ChicagoEpisode Sponsor: Avalon Publicity/Web Development & Social Media Services (avalonbusiness.org)Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Aug 7, 2023 • 26min
How to Properly Fit a Backpack
In this episode, Martin is joined by Tayson Whitaker the CEO of Outdoor Vitals. Tayson walks us through the steps to properly get fit for a backpack. Check out Outdoor Vitals gear and more: Outdoor Vitals - Live Ultralight – OutdoorVitalsOUTDOOR VITALS CORE VALUESOutdoor Vitals creates high-performance ultralight gear so that you can better connect with the outdoors.As a direct-to-consumer brand we are able to focus on developing the most performance-focused products possible without price points changing our design processes.We believe strongly that connecting more with nature will benefit a person mentally, physically, and emotionally - whether you are an experienced outdoorsman or a beginner. Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Aug 3, 2023 • 47min
Family Trip of a Lifetime
Martin is excited to welcome back Jen Loofbourrow Founder/Owner of Alpine Fit to the podcast. In this episode, Jen shares her family adventure exploring lakes and portage trails on remote Admiralty Island in Alaska. About Jen Loofbourrow • Founder/Owner:In my early twenties I fell in love with expeditions kayaking the outer islands of Alaska's southeast coastline. Inevitably, we experienced variable conditions, sun to rain, and everything from freezing water temps to natural hot springs.With no access to laundry for weeks at a time, and limited space, I could take only essential basics, and each piece of gear had to perform. I refined and honed my packing list and found substitute products for what I really wanted, which all too often weren't available. Since then, I have embarked on many extended traveling and backpacking trips, in addition to the activities I like to do regularly in my normal life - a quick hike after work, or biking around the block with the kids and our dog.My journey in apparel began as a materials developer at lululemon in Vancouver, then lingerie and swimwear retail store owner in Ireland, and later, a wholesale and operations manager at Swedish women's brand Skhoop in Anchorage, Alaska. These jobs formed building blocks for what I would realize is my passion: making outdoor gear basics for a multitude of adventures and activities, with fabrics I believe in, while being an excellent employer for my dedicated and creative team.More than that, I know that every person has unique body characteristics, and that the standard fit offered by most brands does not work for all. At Alpine Fit, we work tirelessly to design and refine products that are offered in twice the fit options, and therefore twice the number of size combinations for more people to be able to find their perfect fit with our clothes.I am excited to help outfit you for your outdoor experiences, and I look forward to seeing you on the trails!Alpine Fit | Alaska Odor Eliminating Apparel & Base LayersAlpine Fit (@alpinefitco) • Instagram photos and videosSupport the show Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Jul 31, 2023 • 37min
Summer Spartan Death Race
Martin welcomes back his friend Mostafa to discuss his recent participation in the Spartan Death Race.Contact Mostafa on LinkedIn:(99+) Mostafa M. | LinkedInSpartan Death Race - Peak Races Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Jul 26, 2023 • 24min
Am I Loving the Outdoors to Death?
Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Jul 24, 2023 • 33min
What You Need to Know About Hiking with Your Dog
Martin welcomes back Jay Morrisson @jaymorrisonoutdoors to share helpful tips for hiking with your dog.Jay Morrison is a father, husband, brother, and outdoor adventurer. Whether it's hiking, backpacking, camping, or paddling, Jay loves getting out into the woods, and sharing his adventures with folks. Growing up, Jay was always interested in the outdoors, but it never became a main focus in his life until he was invited to climb his first Adirondack High Peaks in November 2015. As he was standing on top of Cascade Mountain in awe of the amazing beauty, a feeling of gratitude and purpose stirred inside that has been driving Jay to inspire others to get outside and do something awesome!Follow Jay on IG: Jay Morrison (@jaymorrisonoutdoors) • Instagram photos and videos Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/

Jul 20, 2023 • 32min
Extreme Weather on the Trail
Jessica Lang Wright updates us on her AT thru-hike.Follow Jessica on Instagram and YouTube:Jessica W (@bluehairedhiker) • Instagram photos and videosBlue Haired Hiker - YouTube Avalon Publicity & Business Services Increasing the Digital Footprint of Content Creators via Modern Publicity and Social Media ServicesSupport the showGet outside, have fun and be safe!Martin Armitage, Host of the Papa Bear Hikes Podcasthttps://www.papabearhikes.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/papa-bear-hikes/id1541491746https://www.instagram.com/papabearhikes01/