Episode 75: Harrison’s Pierce Pond Camps

Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps

In Episode 75, Tim Harrison snowmobiles to the top of Bates Ridge in northern Maine to catch up after our visit to Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps last fall.  The camp is 1/10th of a mile off the Appalachian Trail and is coveted by thru-hikers for the hearty 7am breakfast - served to backpackers in the scenic backdrop off Pierce Pond Lean-To and 16 miles from the nearest township. In the show, Tim tells us about running the camp since 1986, his experience with hikers over the years, shares … [Read more...]

Episode 74: The Pandemic Podcast

In Episode 74, we record at a historic time.  Coronavirus has caused a worldwide pandemic.  The governor of Georgia just cancelled school for the year and ordered a "shelter in place" mandate across the State.  So tonight we skip the studio interview, record with a combo of Skype, Join Me, and Zoom, and embrace the social distancing guidelines of the CDC. In the show, we discuss our time on the Trail this month, talk about how hiking has changed over the last two weeks, … [Read more...]

Episode 73: Tunes For The Trail?

In Episode 73, we discuss the most appropriate hiking & backpacking songs for the trail.  The assignment was to come to the studio with 3 songs that relate to hiking/backpacking - in either the lyrics or song title.  In the show, we listen and debate each song and give honorable mention to some others that didn't make our list. This is a very subjective topic with many options and opinions and it is likely to stir up some controversy.  We rarely reach agreement since there … [Read more...]

Episode 70: Backpacker Christmas

In Episode 70, we talk about some great hiking and backpacking gift ideas for the Holidays.  Cardiac and Drone Boy are back on the show to talk about outdoor gear for beginners, weekend warriors, long-distance hikers, and kids - and just in time for the Holiday shopping season.  We also offer up some backpacking gifts for $50 or less, and review some not so wonderful gift ideas from Christmas past. You can see the live video recording of this podcast on Drone Boy's YouTube channel, … [Read more...]

Episode 69: A Dozen Ways To Die

In Episode 69, Cardiac and Drone Boy are back after a nearly two year hiatus to discuss a "Dozen Ways To Die In the Backcountry" - an article that first appeared in Backpacker Magazine in 2008 and was recently published online. The topic tonight is timely since we record Halloween eve and take a "stab" at the Top 12 reasons hikers and backpackers get killed in the wilderness.  We also discuss what was left off the list (and merits inclusion) plus offer up some lessons to assure you are … [Read more...]

Episode 66: Motor City Ramblers

In Episode 66, the Motor City Ramblers tell us about their 1994 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. This is the third release in a special series to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our hike, and it was recorded at Trail Days on May 13, 1995 in Damascus, Virginia. In this episode, we flashback 25 years to Damascus to sit by the river and talk about the Motor City Rambler's Appalachian Trail thru-hike. The interview was done in a field, with a small handheld mic and cassette tape recorder. So … [Read more...]

Episode 62B: Backpacker Feud

In Episode 62, we discuss a dozen ways to die in the backcountry - based on an article published in Backpacker magazine and recently updated on their online website. In the show, Beer Run and Therm Rider join me for a "Backpacker Feud" (patterned after the TV game show) to name the top ten killers in the backcountry. Not to make light of the top dangers in the wilderness ... but they are worth knowing and you'll most certainly be surprised by what is NOT on the list. This podcast was … [Read more...]

Episode 61: The Hayduke

In Episode 61, Alex "Money $hot" Maier returns to the show to talk with us about his recent film and adventure on the 812 mile Hayduke Trail which starts in Arches National Park and finishes in Zion National Park - traversing the slot canyons, desert washes, and mountain ranges that make the deserts lands of Southern Utah and North Arizona some of the most scenic landscapes in North America. In the podcast, Alex tells us about the remote wilderness and true solitude that awaits you on the … [Read more...]

Episode 59: The Man Who Hiked It All

In Episode 59, I speak with Bart Smith (aka Infinite Dust) who was recently featured in Backpacker Magazine as "The Man Who Hiked It All".  Since 1992, Bart has hiked nearly 35,000 miles on 30 of America's National Scenic and Historic Trails - completing the last of the Trails by October 2nd, 2018 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the National Trails Act. In the show, Bart tells us about his backcountry photography, the coffee table book he completed with Earl Shaffer on the … [Read more...]

Episode 52: Cascade Hiker

In Episode 52, it's a first on the N2Backpacking podcast because I speak with a fellow podcaster - Rudy from the Cascade Hiker.  He approached me for an interview, but we end up trading questions and discussing a range of hiking and backpacking topics.  On the show, we talk about how we got in to backpacking, why we started podcasting, how we integrate our families in to our backcountry adventures, and the drastically different climates of the Pacific Northwest and Southern … [Read more...]