Episode 84: The Shikoku Pilgrimage

January 16, 2021 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 84, Paul Barach tells us about his 750 mile and 42 day backpacking trip on the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Japan.  In the show, Paul shares the history of this religious Buddhist route, talks about hiking in traditional pilgrim clothing, and shares some of the challenges that he faced - including heat, hunger, injuries, and infections. You can check out Paul's book "Fighting Monks & Burning Mountains" for all the details, or listen to this interesting discussion about a little … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Backpacking Adventures, Backpacking Discussions, Books, Hiking, International Hikes, Long Distance Backpacking, Podcasts, Shikoku Trail

Episode 83: The Longest Straw

December 19, 2020 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 83, Samantha Bode joins the show to talk about her 338 mile and 65 day hike along the Los Angeles aqueduct in California.  In the show, we talk about this unique and rarely attempted route, some of the challenges that Samantha faced, and how the ranchers, native Americans, and Los Angeles water personnel viewed her hike. Since the 1950's, Southern California has been growing at an explosive rate and this podcast is about L.A.'s ever expanding need for water as much as it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Backpacking Discussions, Backpacking Documentaries, Desert Backpacking, Hiking Documentaries, Long Distance Backpacking, Podcasts, Trail Politics, Videos

Episode 82: Backcountry Thanksgiving

November 19, 2020 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 82, we offer up a "Backcountry Thanksgiving" - just in time for the Holidays, and cooked fresh and right outside our studio this evening.  In the show, we deliver not 1 but 2 four course Thanksgiving meals that are lightweight, inexpensive, and ready for you to take into the wilderness.  And we pack the studio with a record six people to taste each of them - sampling hot drinks, appetizers, a main course, and desserts. This is a family feast tonight - with two members of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Backpacking Food, Backpacking Tips, Humor, Podcasts, Trail Talk

Episode 81: Tahoe Rim Trail

October 30, 2020 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 81, Jennifer “Sprinkles” Kelley is back on the show to share some great information on how to hike the Tahoe Rim Trail - which runs nearly 170 miles along the border of Nevada and California.  If you work full time and dream of a thru-hike, then this is the show for you. In the podcast, we discuss logistics, permits, wildlife, resupply, and why a 10 day hike on the TRT is the ultimate first thru-hike.  We also catch up her life since we spoke on the podcast five years … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking, How To Hike & Backpack, Long Distance Backpacking, Podcasts

Episode 80: Hiking With Kids

September 30, 2020 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 80, Dan Kreesberg joins the show to talk about raising an outdoor kid.  Dan is a naturalist, teacher, and a writer with numerous books, articles, and newspaper columns to his credit - many focused on teaching children how to appreciate the wilderness.  So in the podcast tonight, we discuss camping, hiking, and backpacking with kids - whether they are a toddler, child, or teenager. Dan and I cover topics including taking kids on their first wilderness trip, what … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking With Kids, Camping With Kids, Hiking With Kids, Podcasts, With Kids, With Scouts

Episode 79: Summer In Spain

August 22, 2020 By 1 Comment

In Episode 79, Phillip (aka 3 Dub) joins us again to talk about his summer backpacking ~2400 miles in Spain and Portugal via multiple routes on the Camino de Santiago in 2019.  We last spoke with Phillip two years ago in Episode 56 when he talked in detail about his first hike on the Camino.  There's great information on how to hike the trail in that podcast, but he returns to the show tonight to talk again about the historic routes and why he did multiple thru-hikes of the trail … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking, Backpacking Discussions, Backpacking Trails, Camino de Santiago, International Hikes, Long Distance Backpacking, Pacific Crest Trail, Podcasts, Tour du Mont Blanc

Episode 78: Brooks Range

July 31, 2020 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 78, Sarah Histand tells us about her three week traverse of the Brooks Range in Northern Alaska.  She is a native Alaskan who has done multiple packrafting and backpacking trips across the Brooks Range and throughout the State.  So Sarah talks about the logistics of the summer trip - including trailheads, resupply, the wildlife, and how to maintain communications across this vast wilderness that stretches ~700 miles across northern Alaska into Canada's Yukon … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Bugs, Long Distance Backpacking, National Forest, Podcasts, Water Hikes, Wilderness Area, Wildlife

Episode 77: Scottish Highlands

June 30, 2020 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 77, Philip Werner shares his experiences with the TGO Challenge which is a ~200 mile sea to sea crossing of the Scottish Highlands in the United Kingdom.  The event draws close to 400 people each year and requires a pre-approved route across the mountain ranges and bogs of Scotland.  Philip has completed two TGO backpacking trips and tells us the basics about the 15 day event. In the show, we also discuss his his popular website SectionHiker.com, Phillip's guidebook on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking in Europe, Hiking in Europe, International Hikes, Long Distance Backpacking, Podcasts

Episode 76: Backcountry Eats

May 14, 2020 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 76, Aaron Owens Mayhew joins the podcast.  She is a registered dietary nutritionist, long distance hiker, and entrepreneur that offers some tips on eating healthy and feasting like a King or Queen as you explore the backcountry. In the show, Aaron provides some tips on meal planning and offers some suggestions for inexpensive, tasty, and lightweight meals. She also tells us some common misconceptions and mistakes that backpackers make on the Trail. Aaron has spent the last two … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking, Backpacking Food, Backpacking Tips, Hiking, Long Distance Backpacking, Pacific Crest Trail, Podcasts, Thru-Hiker, Trail Talk

Episode 75: Harrison’s Pierce Pond Camps

April 15, 2020 By 1 Comment
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...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking, Hiking, Long Distance Backpacking, Long Distance Hiking, Podcasts, Thru-Hiker, Trail Talk
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