Renee Patrick, known on trail as She-ra is a triple crowner, designer, and all-around Renaissance Woman. In addition to hiking pretty much every trail in the United States and some abroad, she's also served in the Peace Corps, interned at the Smithsonian, and presently serves as the coordinator at the Oregon Desert Trail. She shares stories of being caught in a military coup in Africa, having her pack stolen by a bear, being bitten by a brown recluse on the Appalachian Trail, and building and se...
Aug 01, 2019•1 hr 31 min
Today we are joined by Clay Bonnyman Evans , aka Pony, who's an author, long time Trek Writer, AT and Colorado Trail thru-hiker, and someone with a deep passion for the trail and its culture. We touch on a wide array of subjects in this episode, including some controversial topics such as the Twelve Tribes and Yellow Deli, Inchworm's tragic death on the AT , bringing a gun on a thru-hike, YouTube scam artists, how privilege pertains to thru-hiking, barfing on poo and way more. Clay is a ball of ...
Jul 23, 2019•2 hr 21 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, I am joined by recent Western States 100 winner, Clare Gallagher. Not only is Clare a world-class ultra runner, she's also a very vocal and passionate environmental activist, Princeton graduate, Patagonia athlete, and all around powerhouse. She shares how she was able to pull off the most important victory in her young ultra running career, the two weeks she spent hanging out with Tommy Caldwell in the arctic leading up the race, all the while doing everyt...
Jul 11, 2019•1 hr 14 min
She's baaaaack. Sort of. Halfway. At this year's Trail Days, we caught up with Juliana Chauncey aka Chaunce, who was roughly half way into her AT thru-hike. She regales us with tales from the first 1,000 miles of her trek, including what has surprised her, how her gear system has held up, how it's differed from her PCT hike, and talks about that time she awoke to a stranger humming and dancing atop of her hammock. We do a Triple Crown of Highlights from the southern half of the Appalachian Trail...
Jul 04, 2019•1 hr 29 min
Jim Kern is a name you ought to you know. He's the founder of the Florida Trail Association, co-founder of the American Hiking Society, founder of Big City Mountaineers, founder of Hiking Trails for America, author, and passionate outdoorsman. He gives us his best pitch on why someone should hike the Florida Trail, how his organization has been getting at risk youth into the backcountry for three decades, how he's fighting to guarantee a continuous footpath on our national scenic trails for post...
Jun 19, 2019•1 hr 33 min
We are once again joined by Backpacker Radio's most invasive species, otherwise known as The Real Hiking Viking. We hear all about his two month long stint on the Jordan Trail. He tells us all about this trek, the region, its people, the food, and the experience altogether. We also chat about what went wrong on his Long Trail winter thru-hike attempt, and how he opted to swallow his pride instead of putting his life at risk. I briefly touch on thru-hiking with your dog as part of today's Trek Pr...
Jun 10, 2019•2 hr 12 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, myself plus a special guest co-host are joined by Jeff "Legend" Garmire. He's back, and oh boy does he have new stories to share, including the time he had to superglue his foot shut. We chat all about his previous year, which was arguably busier than anyone in the backpacking world, including his Great Western Loop, a 7,000 mile hike, and his recent Arizona Trail FKT. We go way deep on both of these hikes, when we're not filling the airwaves with laughter...
May 24, 2019•1 hr 44 min
In 2015, Scott Jurek was the most talked about person on the Appalachian Trail, even the trail community at large. As soon as the legendary ultrarunner announced that he was bringing his talents to Appalachia, a flurry of fanfare and press followed suit. Though his record has been broken a pair of times since, the swell of attention has yet to be matched. Today Jabba and Badger sit down with Scott Jurek and his wife and head crew member, Jenny Jurek, to learn about this FKT, what the undertaking...
May 10, 2019•2 hr 28 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, Badger is joined by Jon Schwarze, aka Airborne. Despite this being his first thru-hike, last year Airborne became just the fifth person to yo-yo the Pacific Crest Trail (which is to thru-hike the same trail in both directions in less than one year). We go balls deep on everything that went into this trek, including the differences between his NOBO and SOBO hike, his gear, his bizarre and demanding diet, what it was like meeting Scott...
May 03, 2019•2 hr 9 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, recorded at Wayfinder, Badger sits down with Weezer, a 2018 PCT hiker with one hell of a story. We talk about what it's like to thru-hike in the PCT's bubble as a sober person, an incredibly sad life event she had to endure while on trail, and how the trail has played a role in her metamorphosis to a better life. We get a new thru-hiker of the week and close out with a triple crown of PCT restaurants, joined by special guest Puma. Th...
Apr 24, 2019•1 hr 28 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, Smiles and I sit down with author Ken Ilgunas. To put it simply, Ken is a guy who marches to the beat of his own drum. We talk at length about his time hiking the length of the Keystone XL Pipeline both where it was developed and supposed to be developed, where had to not only trespass for much of this hike, but knock on complete strangers doors for help on many occasions. He shares his take on public vs. private land, why we should have hiking access on p...
Apr 15, 2019•1 hr 43 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by adventuring legend, author, blogger and backcountry guide, Andrew Skurka. This is a very meaty show, we touch on a huge number of subjects including his ridiculous backpacking endeavors, his favorite backcountry routes, his bear bagging recommendations, the current state of rain gear, specific gear recommendations for an AT or PCT thru-hike, and so much more. Strap in, this is a fun interview filled with a ton of valu...
Mar 28, 2019•2 hr 1 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we're joined by Peter Downing, a modern day renaissance man. We chat about his history as an ultra runner (including his four wins at the Buena Vista 50), his time in the Peace Corps, his career as a lawyer, and now, his latest undertaking, Suffer Better, a community of ultra runners whose mission is to give back. It's a fun, freewheeling convo where Peter teaches us the ins and outs of the ultra world. We touch on what it's like to have cold feet before a...
Mar 20, 2019•1 hr 38 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we're joined by Justin Helmcamp, aka Two Taps, who was kind enough to extend his layover in Denver to record this show. We chat about his Flip Flop thru-hike of the AT, his hike on New Zealand's Te Araroa, and his work as a wilderness therapist. We do a patent pending. And we commence the #ChaunceDontChafe hashtag. [divider] Subjects discussed in today's show include: Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video Use code " TREK15 " at GossamerGear.com to save 15% Sawye...
Mar 10, 2019•1 hr 21 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we are joined by Gummy Bear, a 2018 PCT hiker and all around awesome dude. We do a deep dive on his experience of being a gay and plus size hiker in the trail community. We chat some about his upcoming Arizona Trail hike. Chaunce and I deliver the PCT class of 2019 a warning for what they can expect to see in the Sierra this year and why you might want to consider hiking southbound. We do a triple crown of things to freak out about before leaving for a thr...
Mar 01, 2019•2 hr
Today's show is a special edition, an experiment, and a community-sourced show, all rolled into one giant tortilla, hiker trash style. A few months ago, we put a call out to The Trek's bloggers and vloggers to share their top tips for someone who's about to embark on a thru-hike. Tis the season. As you will see, this advice runs the gamut, and can often even be contradictory to one another. The reason for this is simple, there is no one single approach to successfully thru-hiking. That said, I d...
Feb 22, 2019•34 min
In today's special Valentine's Day episode of Backpacker Radio, we sit down with Grizzly and Jenna, a couple due to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and Colorado Trail this year. We learn about how they plan to keep the love alive in the midst of 3,000 miles of backpacking. We also breakdown how to hike 30 miles in a day, and talk a whole lot about orgies on trail. It's a very sexy show, so grab the chocolate and the oysters, and pull up a seat. Subjects discussed in today's show include: Gossamer G...
Feb 14, 2019•1 hr 18 min
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we sit down with Teresa Martinez, the executive director at the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. We talk all things CDT, including the future of the trail, the biggest threats to its continued development, Teresa's favorite stretch of trail, and way more. We also talk through some layering strategies for the Appalachian Trail, and Chaunce gives us a primer on vlogging etiquette. We close out the show by featuring your questions via Instagram. Subjects d...
Feb 05, 2019•1 hr 37 min
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...
Jan 17, 2019•1 hr 9 min
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: Gossa...
Jan 07, 2019•1 hr 16 min
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 i...
Dec 20, 2018•1 hr 44 min
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 ...
Dec 06, 2018•1 hr 20 min
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 an...
Dec 03, 2018•1 hr 15 min
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 ...
Nov 21, 2018•57 min
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 ou...
Nov 18, 2018•1 hr 24 min
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...
Nov 01, 2018•1 hr 41 min
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 ...
Oct 26, 2018•1 hr 24 min
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 encountere...
Oct 19, 2018•1 hr 44 min
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 Madel...
Oct 10, 2018•1 hr 31 min
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 se...
Sep 29, 2018•1 hr 37 min
