Episode 65: Dream Job

In Episode 65, Johnny Malloy tells us about his passion for hiking and backpacking and how it led to a 30+ year career as a guidebook author. Johnny graduated from the University of Tennessee in the 80's with an economics degree but decided to never work a 9-5 job. He is now an accomplished outdoor writer and columnist with over 70 camping, fishing, hiking, and padding guidebooks to his credit - covering 26 States in the U.S. with many in the heart of Dixie. We recently met at Trail Days … [Read more...]

Episode 64: Trail Days 2019

In Episode 64, Gary "Drone Boy" Vaughan returns to the show to discuss our May trip to Appalachian Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia. He recently chauffeured me to the annual event where I joined the Class of 1994 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our thru-hike. In the podcast, we talk about what it's like for a first timer at the event, what it’s like for a veteran of the festival (that hasn’t been for 20 years), and review our experiences at Tent City, in town, and on the parade … [Read more...]

Episode 63: Black Sunshine

In Episode 63, I speak with Black Sunshine about his 1994 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. This is the second release in a flashback series where we speak with 11 prospective thru-hikers about their attempt to complete the A.T. in a single year. It was recorded in Charlotte, N.C. on March 5th, 1995, and is part of a series to honor the 25th anniversary of our '94 thru-hike on the A.T. In the episode, Black Sunshine tells us about his winter start in Georgia, the Virginia blues, and his … [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...]

Pleasant Pond Lean-To Register – October 1994

Just scanned the Pleasant Pond Lean-To Register - October 1994. I walked out of the 100 Mile Wilderness 24 years ago today - brings back some great memories. Hope to see everyone at Trail Days for our 25th.   ~ BirdShooter   … [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...]

Episode 51: NOBO

In Episode 51, I speak with 3 Dub (aka the World Wide Wanderer) who spent 7 months hiking northbound or NOBO on the Appalachian Trail last summer.  On March 26th I had the opportunity to see him off at Springer Mountain, and in the podcast we speak about his preparations for the hike, experiences on the Trail, and what the vibe is like as a 50+ year old thru-hiker. With the long distance hiking season ramping up ... 3Dub and I talk right before he departed for Europe and his spring hike … [Read more...]

3W has officially made it to the halfway point

  Dropped him off on the #AppalachianTrail earlier this spring. 3W has officially made it to the halfway point. Congrats! #thruhiker #at2017       … [Read more...]