Episode 54B: Hiking & Backpacking Movies

In Episode 54, we discuss Backpacker Magazine's list of 35 Awesome (and Awesomely Bad) Outdoor Movies while sitting fireside on the Chattooga River.  In the show, I review the hiking and backpacking movies on Backpacker's list with 3Dub, BeerRun, Brownie, The Camel, Napster, The Ox, and Wagonhammer after we sit out a rainstorm on the river.  We discuss the movie, the plot, and the major actors of each film.  Then after a brief debate, the group gives a thumbs-up or down on the … [Read more...]

Episode 53: Backpacker Diaries

In Episode 53, I speak with Amos Prudhon about his YouTube channel titled Backpacker Diaries - which documents his numerous ventures into the backcountry of the U.S and Canada.  Amos does an excellent job at capturing the experience on the Trail - and focuses on multi-day and multi-week backpacking trips that are well within the reach of most backpackers.  On the show, we discuss his recent hike on the Sawback Trail in Banff National Park and we talk specifics about securing a permit, … [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...]

Episode 50: Winter Backpacking

In Episode 50, Rich, Mark, and Aaron join us from the ADK Winter Mountaineering School to discuss winter backpacking and how it is one of the best kept secrets of the wilderness - no crowds, no bugs, no humidity ... no problem. In the show, we talk about the gear you need, the tricks you can employ, and the ADK training that will make you a bad ass winter backpacker. So listen in and get pumped to hike in the cold.  And while you are at it - check out the FREE PDF's the school offers to … [Read more...]

Episode 49B: Hiking News 2017 (Coleman Ridge)

In Episode 49, the Camel, Pixie, and I review a few of the major U.S. hiking news events of 2017.  Some of the topics we discuss include nails on trails, backcountry treasures, girls joining the Boy Scouts, and the hardest partiers on the A.T. And in the spirit of giving you reasons to hike more in the New Year, we offer up the 52 hikes in 52 weeks challenge.  We also find inspiration in the youngest person to complete the triple crown (at age 9) and the oldest person to hike the … [Read more...]

Episode 48: The Inca Trail

In Episode 48, Cardiac and Drone Boy discuss their summer backpacking trip on the Inca Trail in Peru.  Their four day hike took them over ~14,000 feet peaks in the legendary Andes Mountains and culminated at the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu - which is one of the most photographed tourist destinations in South America. In the show, we talk about what it costs to hike the Inca Trail, the logistics of getting to the trailhead, and we discuss the history of this ancient city. Cardiac … [Read more...]

Episode 47B: Your Screwed Dude! (B301)

In Episode 47, Beer Run and Therm Rider join me from the mountains surrounding Lake Burton to sit fireside and discuss more rookie mistakes.  In this special "Your Screwed Dude" episode we talk about overconfidence, getting your friends lost in the backcountry, inadvertently smuggling banned items on airplanes, editables, dork moves, and backcountry crimes of fashion. “Backcountry 301” is the third installment in this series, and in the show we debate some of the "52 Common Mistakes" … [Read more...]

Episode 46: Renegade Camping

In Episode 46, we continue the conversation with author Bryan Snyder who talks about Renegade Car Camping in North America.  In the podcast, we discuss how to find free campsites while you are on the road.  Bryan also tells us how to leverage some public and Internet resources to maximize the experience and save some money in the process. Bryan is an educator, hiker, backpacker, climber, car camper and all-around adventurer, and he has logged over 350K miles in his Jeep Cherokee, … [Read more...]

Episode 45: Off The Map

In Episode 45, I speak with author Bryan Snyder about his latest book "Falling Off The Map: Fifty-Four Explorations into the Wildest Reaches of the American West".  Bryan is an educator, hiker, backpacker, climber, car camper and all-around adventurer, and in the show we hear about his 20+ summers traveling throughout North America. He also shares with us some tales from a recent trip to Burning Man in the Nevada desert. Bryan has logged over 350K miles in his Jeep Cherokee, code named … [Read more...]