Backpacker Radio

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 Foundat

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

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 ch

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 Vi

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,

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

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

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 I

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 ep

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

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

Reoccurring guest The Real Hiking Viking joins the Turmeric Team to chat about his recent attempt at an FKT (fastest known time) on the Colorado Trail.  The interview kicks off with a short discussion we had before he left for his yo-yo hike- to get a feel for his nerves going into this ambitious undertaking.  We chat about what ultimately went wrong (spoiler alert), what he would do differently in his future attempt, and FKT culture and requirements.  The show ends with the unveiling of a new series, "The Triple Crown of...", where we showcase the things that can most fuck up a hiker's day on trail. Subjects discussed in today's episode include:  Sawyer 30 SPF Sunscreen 1 oz. tubes What food Jabba carried on his attempt Jabba's overloaded pack (below) What gear was carried Mountain Smith Jabba (official name TBD) What improvements would be made for next time Trans Adirondack Route The Barkley Marathons GPS Trackers for FKTs The FKT governing website Triple Crown of things that fuck up your day Have

Before leaving for a long distance trek, it's common for people to envision worst case scenario. For Piers Ellison, on his 2016 PCT hike, this fear became a reality when he was bitten by a brown recluse spider.  In episode 19, we talk in depth about this nightmare, how he hiked the entire PCT while carrying his guitar, the challenges an international hiker must confront in order to trek one of the United States' long trails, and finally, Piers delights us by playing a pair of songs from his new EP "Distance".  Also, Chaunce is drunk.  Subjects discussed include: Sawyer Picaridin Packets Jabba Demolishes a Z-Packs Carbon Fiber Staff [Video] Piers Soundcloud Song Piers wonderful album "Distance" available on Spotify (free) and iTunes Atom Packs in the UK UL Outdoor Gear Online Outfitter B1/B2 Visa for thru-hiking Additional Considerations for International Hikers As It Happens Documentary This is Not a Beautiful Thru-Hike Video Do More with Less Piers on Instagram Have any praise, questions, praise, commen

  Technology on a thru-hike.  Combining these words tends to rouse some heated debate.  Some people abstain entirely from technology during their hikes, opting only to keep in touch with loved ones while in town.  Some are nearly constantly plugged in, listening to music and/or podcasts all day, posting Instagram updates every time they get service, constantly checking Guthook's app, even watching movies in their tents at night.  Most thru-hikers fall somewhere in the middle. We check in with our hikers to get their take.  Specifically how they interact with technology on trail, how they witness their fellow hikers using it, and whether it's ultimately good or bad for the hiking community at large.  Their answers shine good insight on this seemingly paradoxical relationship with devices in the backcountry. 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 suppor

What's in store for the future of the Appalachian Trail?  This is one of the primary topics in today's episode of Backpacker Radio, as the Cinnamon Connection are joined by Andrew Downs, the Central and Southwest Virginia Regional Director at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.  We also talk about the unintended negative consequences of trail magic, thru-hiker entitlement, Leave No Trace, bear canister regulations on the Appalachian Trail, how people can most effectively give back to the AT, and embarrassing chaffing and poop stories. Subjects discussed include: The man who fatally fell off McAfee Knob A woman who got mauled by a bear in the Greyson Highlands How to manage chafing and ass hair (don't light it on fire) The pros and cons of more people hitting the trail Thru-hiker entitlement Trail angels and responsible trail magic Giving back with trail maintenance work What the ATC is and what it does Local clubs that maintain the trails Ridgerunners on the AT The biggest challenges the AT faces today Po