Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show

One of the most experienced, adventurous, death-defying backcountry experts, Marty Morissette, joins the show to discuss some of the tactics he’s employed that one might consider ‘death wish skills’. And, strangely, they might actually be helpful for your future adventures. Follow Marty on Instagram! Check out Magnet Designs, our latest partnership: https://www.magnetdsigns.com/ Some of the Topics...

What is the worst reviewed backpacking gear? And does that mean that reviews are terrible or that the gear is terrible? Maybe both. And how does a 20 minute task take 15 hours? One of the guys finds a way. Check out Magnet Designs , our latest partnership! And follow Magnet on Instagram! Some of the Topics Covered: -Terrible backpacking gear -The best backpacking gear -Solutions to terribly review...

Lloyd Vogel, CEO of Garage Grown Gear, joins the show to discuss 2025’s best backpacking gear and trends. He also shares items that are losing steam. And Carl, of course, has a couple of “innovative” gear ideas he’s willing to share. Check out Garage Grown Gear’s newest arrivals! Some of the Topics Covered: -Best Backpacking Gear from 2025 -Backpacking Gear Trends -Gear People Have Stopped Using E...

What are the 10 things that only advanced backpackers do? Huck Outdoors joins the show to discuss skills, gear and knowledge that only advanced backpackers have. Rocky also chimes in with a list of his top 5. Follow Huck on Youtube! Check out Huck’s awesome photography! Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking trip planning tips and tricks -Backpacking gear -Backpacking skills Enlightened Equipmen...

There were 5 Backpacking Crises on the Timberline Trail Patreon trip this year! Five might be a stretch but you be the judge? How would you handle them? How would Derek have handled them (if had the courage to attend)? Veteran backpacker Christine Marsh joins the show to discuss the color she added to the trip. And this is probably not something you’ve seen or heard before. Some of the Topics Cove...

What are the 8 deadliest creatures known to mankind? And how can you avoid them on a backpacking trip? Derek and Carl discuss the method these creatures attack humans as well as simple ways to avoid and survive these attacks. Maybe it’s time to micromanage your friends and make sure their tent zipper is closed. Some of the Topics Covered: -The deadliest creatures on Earth -Backpacking tips and tri...

On this Throwback Thursday episode, Justin Outdoors joins the show. He is our #1 seed for gear expertise on YouTube. Check out what he has to say regarding the game-changing gear that’s the best he’s ever used. Find the best gear reviews on Justin’s YouTube Channel! Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON : There are...

Veteran Search and Rescue Yosemite team member Moose Mutlow joins the show to evaluate 6 famous movie scenes. He brings his expertise to rate the plausibility of the outdoor stunts pulled off by Rambo, Indiana Jones and others. He also shares some crazy SAR stories of his own. Moose is one of the top B&B guests over the years. This is one you won’t want to miss! Some of the Topics Covered: -Cr...

Derek and Carl discuss the lies that you, fellow backpackers, believe. Some of them have been told to you. Some of you have convinced yourselves to believe these deceptive backpacking details. But don’t panic! Derek and Carl will clear things up and give you alternative courses of action to live a trail life independent of the backpacking matrix. Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking gear -Back...

TV Star, homesteader, Denali guide…Marty Raney joins Derek and Carl to discuss a story he’s never shared before: a fateful trip to the highest peak in America and the unfortunate disaster that ensued. What happened on the mountain? Why did the rangers target Marty? And how did a small fortune go missing in the process? Also discussed is a crazy story from Marty’s adventure series ‘Ultimate Surviva...

The trusted authority on going ultralight over long distances, Jeff Pelletier, joins the show to discuss how you might be cutting corners to go ‘stupid light’. Or how Carl continues to take calculated risks that are unwise in Jeff’s opinion. Also, gear suggestions, hiking efficiencies, and pro tips are shared. Subscribe to Jeff Pelletier’s awesome YouTube channel! Some of the Topics Covered: -Ultr...

Derek and Carl are joined by the most recent National Park Service Director, Chuck Sams. Topics include everything from getting blacklisted to Bigfoot to 3 suggestions Carl makes to improve the NPS system for backpackers and visitors. And, of course, there’s National Parks trivia. Some of the Topics Covered: -Getting rid of Recreation.gov -How to become the next NPS director -National Parks trivia...

Comedian, Inspirer Greg Sakowicz (AKA Fat Man Little Trail) joins the show to discuss everything from new trail snacks to hiking tips to intense trail encounters. Follow Greg on Instagram! Get some amazing resources from the Fat Man Little Trail website! Some of the Topics Covered: -Hiking and Backpacking Snacks -Life or Death Trail Situations -Hiking Tips Enlightened Equipment : Check out the bes...

Derek and Carl discuss what it takes to hike faster and farther with significantly more daily elevation gain for a broken-down guy who’s trying to thru hike the Collegiate Loop in Colorado. And, of course, there’s always the weird stuff that happens along the way. How would you handle the strange scenarios on this epic 10 day journey? Some of the Topics Covered: -3 ways to hike faster and farther...

What are the 3 most dangerous countries to visit for a backpacking trip? And how can you get in? Former CIA Counter-Terrorism Analyst Brent Giannotta joins the show to share his expertise. Carl and Ben also pepper him with every CIA movie reference and conspiracy theory they can muster. Please follow Brent and subscribe to his Substack! Some of the Topics Covered: -Most Dangerous Places to Backpac...

Derek and Carl discuss 8 life or death situations you will encounter if you go backpacking or hiking long enough. How would you handle them? How would Derek handle them? Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking mistakes -Life or Death Backpacking Situations -Backpacking Gear Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON : T...

It took a while but Derek and Carl finally convinced a Bigfoot expert to the join the show. Owner of the Sasquatch Outpost in Bailey, Colorado and cohost of the podcast "You Don't Know Squatch," Jim Myers discusses his personal experiences and fields all the questions Derek has ever wanted to ask. Derek also responds to some challenges of his own...particularly about the Osprey being a b...

Ever wonder what big mistakes have been made by backpacking experts? Brad Felton from the ‘As the Crow Flies’ YouTube channel joins the show to discuss some common and horrific mistakes made by backpacking experts. Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking mistakes -Strange Backpacking Stories -Backpacking Gear Follow Brad on his awesome YouTube Channel As the Crow Flies Hiking! Enlightened Equipme...

Are you in the top 1% of backpackers? If you can reasonably answer the 10 questions posed by Derek and Carl you just might be! Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking Skills -Strange Backpacking Tips -Backpacking Gear Check out the App We Mentioned: Knot IQ Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so...

Swamp Tarzan joins the show to discuss all of the crazy animal encounters he has. How do you kiss an alligator on the mouth? How do you grab snakes? How do you move a rattler off the trail? All this and much more! Some of the Topics Covered: -Wild Animal Encounters -Getting Your Hands on Wild Animals -Animal skills and knowledge Follow Swamp Tarzan on Instagram! Enlightened Equipment : Check out t...

Gordon Crum (AKA Grim Granite) joins the show and faces off with Carl in attempt to throw out the most offensive comments for ultralight backpacker and bush crafters. Who will win the faceoff for this good-natured verbal assault? Some of the Topics Covered: -Ultralight Backpacking -Bushcraft skills and gear -Making Fun of Everything We Do Gordon Crum’s YouTube Channel The Grim Granite YouTube Chan...

Derek and Carl discuss 7 ultralight backpacking strategies that will really lighten your load. But they are controversial. When is it okay to take calculated risks? And just how far are you willing to go in order to shave some ounces and grams? Are these good suggestions or dangerous nonsense? Some of the Topics Covered: -Ultralight Backpacking -Backpacking Gear -Backpacking tips Cotopaxi Cielo Ra...

On this Throwback Thursday episode, Derek and Carl discuss how to actually deal with trail villains. Don’t let them run, ride or plow right over you. Who are these villains and how do you stand up for yourself…B&B style? Some of the Topics Covered: -Trail Villains -Trail Social Skills -Backpacking tips Check out the Nomad Unknown YouTube Channel for the full stories: https://www.youtube.com/@n...

Christine from Nomad Unknown joins the show to discuss the crazy encounters she’s had while out on her adventures. How do you handle a grizzly that gets 6 feet from you? What strange things are found on a remote, misty mountain road? Do you ever feel like you’re being watched only to discover you actually are? Some of the Topics Covered: -Aggressive grizzly bears -How to avoid creepy people while...

Did Baby Boomers lie to you? Derek and Carl discuss all of the ‘old wisdom’ that’s been shared, re-shared, and often times accepted…without question from the Boomers. Derek and Carl bet that there are some things you still believe! Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking Lies by the Baby Boomers -Backpacking tips, hacks and clothing choices -Backpacking Gear Enlightened Equipment : Check out the...