The Backpacking Experience

The Backpacking Experience unpacks the experiences we have in the backcountry with interviews from fellow hikers, education and trip reports. We're here to share our passion for backpacking and create a platform for others to share the experiences they have had on the trail. We'll talk with business owners about the gear that helps facilitate these experiences and provide education about backcountry travel through real experience on the trail. The Backpacking Experience is hosted by Devin Ashby, a Utah native, and is supported by the Backcountry Exposure YouTube Channel.

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Episodes

Making Smart Decisions In The Backcountry

What is risk management and why is it important? This is a question that may not get asked enough, but is incredibly important in all aspects of backcountry travel and adventure. This episode takes a deep dive into how to make better decisions in the backcountry, that ultimately enhance your ability to have a successful backpacking trip. I bring in my friend, Christian Paul, to help unpack this often over looked element of trip planning and decision making for backcountry travel. Christian bring...

Jan 20, 2020•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 8

Custom Printed Gear With Hilltop Packs

Cottage companies in backpacking are popping up all over the place, creating amazing gear items that solve problems for backpackers in about every way you can imagine. Hilltop Packs is a new cottage backpacking company that specializes in printing photos and art directly to ultralight fabrics for bear bags, gadget bags and even custom frameless backpacks. Ben McMillen, who is also a professional photographer started Hilltop Packs in 2019 after seeking a better solution for a bag to carry camera ...

Jan 13, 2020•41 min•Ep. 7

Gear Backpackers Should Ditch!

Do you really need to bring all that stuff when you go backpacking?! This episode is meant to have a discussion about certain gear items that can be changed or left behind completely that will simplify your backpacking gear and make your backpack weight more manageable. This isn't an exhaustive list of things to change or consider, but are some simple things to do that will make an immediate impact on your experience in the backcountry with your gear. The Backpacking Experience Podcast is suppor...

Jan 06, 2020•23 min•Ep. 6

Tips To Lighten Your Backpack

It goes without saying that the lighter your backpack, the more comfortable on the trail you can be. In this episode I cover some basic tips on how you can save some weight in your backpacking system without going to the extreme. These tips don't all require money to be invested to save those pounds from your pack weight. They are things that can make a quick and simple difference in the weight, but also simplify your backpacking gear system. The Backpacking Experience Podcast is supported by th...

Dec 30, 2019•21 min•Ep. 5

FKT Record Setting On The Sheltowee Trace With Jason Wish

Jason Wish completed his self supported, fastest known time attempt of the 333 mile Sheltowee trace trail on November 11, 2019 at 11:30am after 9 days, 6 hours and 57 minutes. FKT's are becoming more popular with hiking and I had a great time talking with Jason about his self supported attempt of the Sheltowee Trace Trail. We talk about off leash dogs, preparing for the hike, the mental game and everything in between. It truly is amazing what Jason was able to accomplish given the injuries and p...

Dec 23, 2019•1 hr 3 min

Confused?! Trip Planning, Water, and Sleeping Pads

For this episode I take the entire conversation to address questions and comments I asked on the community tab of my YouTube channel, Backcountry Exposure. I asked about things that have been confusing for you about backpacking. The responses were well thought out, and made for a great discussion about how to find locations to go backpacking, how to find people to go with, and also finding water sources. Then we discuss r values of sleeping pads and sleeping bag temperature ratings. Backcountry ...

Dec 16, 2019•37 min•Ep. 3

You're New To Thru Hiking... with Jeremiah Stringer

Long distance hiking or thru hiking isn't for everyone, or at least isn't the choice of experience for every backpacker. But in this episode I spend time with Jeremiah Stringer who is fairly new to backpacking, just over a year in fact, and talk about his experience doing his first long distance hike. We cover preparation for a long distance trail, the Vermont Long Trail and more. Jeremiah runs a youtube channel called, Jeremiah Stringer Hikes and his channel can be found here: https://www.youtu...

Dec 10, 2019•52 min•Ep. 2

Seeking Type 2 Fun In Backpacking

Backpacking isn't always this flowery, amazing experience that we often see an illusion of on social media. Waking up to beautiful scenes, and posed images surrounded by inspiring landscapes. Often, backpacking more often than not involves feeling worn out, pain, and mental fatigue. Making us question whether being out there was a good choice or not. But very often these moments of feeling like giving up, and exhaustion result in the best memories on trail we have. Type 2 Fun is a state that I h...

Dec 01, 2019•28 min•Ep. 1

Introduction

Welcome to The Backpacking Experience Podcast. Backpacking is our passion and the experiences we have out in the backcountry can be some of the best, or potentially the worst experiences we have. This podcast is focused on sharing these experiences, how outdoor adventures can happen for everyone, and discussions around the gear that helps facilitate having a quality time in the outdoors. You'll find personal trip reports, gear reviews, outdoor education, and interviews with fellow hikers here, s...

Nov 28, 2019•3 min

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