Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Gossamer Gear founder Glen Van Peski.  We learn all about the origins of Gossamer Gear, including how the company would not be in existence today without the founder of Whole Foods.  We learn about some of Glen's proudest gear innovations, including the crotch pot.  We walk about how he's able to manage a three pound ba...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by my good bud, Nicole Antoinette.  Nicole is a thru-hiker, entrepreneur, podcast host, and all around magnetic personality.  We talk about overcoming imposture syndrome in the world of backpacking, why the stereotypical thru-hiking style of big miles, ramen, and cramped motel rooms isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, acce...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by legendary Appalachian Trail trail angel, Miss Janet.  We learn about how cute boys was her gateway back to the trail in the 70s, the history of how people learned about and communicated around the trail, and why she's dedicated so much of her life to helping AT hikers.  We also touch on some hot button issues surroundin...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we are joined by Ben Crawford of the Crawford Family.  In 2018, Ben Crawford, along with his wife Kami, and their six kids, ages between two and sixteen years old, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail.  We learn all about the unique challenges of this undertaking, including how to keep kids spirits high when hiking in snow for over a month...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Dr. Freeborn Mondello. Freeborn, who is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, explodes our brains with some non-conventional advice for hikers, backpackers, and really any endurance athlete. This includes why stretching might be a waste of time, the importance of heavy weight resistance training, and why the traditional 3 sets...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by OnX Backcountry, we are joined by Clara "Redfeather" Hughes.  Clara, in no uncertain terms, is a bonafide superstar.  In addition to a multitude of thru-hikes under her belt, Clara is a world-class speed skater and cyclist, being the only athlete in history to win multiple medals at both the summer and winter Olympic Ga...

In today's episode of backpacker radio presented by the trek, we are joined by Emily Ford.  Perhaps you've heard that name in the backpacking sphere of late, because Emily recently wrapped a thru-hike of Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail- in the dead of winter- becoming just the second person ever to do so, and the first woman.  We do a deep dive on Emily's journey, including what gear she used, the weath...

Today is our centennial show, and oh boy, is it a beast. For starters, as a thank you to you, our beautiful listeners- we are giving away some awesome prizes, including a Gossamer Gear tent, pack, and trekking poles- but really that just scratches the surface.  We're chatting with Jennifer Pharr Davis and Brew Davis about their current COVID Recovery Tour- a family road trip touring the national p...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Patricia Cameron. Patricia is a journalist, thru-hiker, and the Founder and Executive Director at Blackpackers, a non-profit whose mission is to eliminate economic disparities of people of color in outdoor recreation.  We chat in-depth about Patricia's Colorado Trail thru-hike last year, including what it was like to hi...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Eric Giuliani.  Eric, more or less on a whim, decided to trade his unfulfilling corporate job to circumnavigate the globe without taking a single flight. Yes, 70,000 miles by boat, train, and automobile, and- to make the story even more ridiculous- he relies largely on his very nascent photography skills to barter his w...

In today's episode of backpacker radio presented by The Trek we are joined by Ben Lawhon the Director of Education and Research at Leave No Trace.  Not that Leave No Trace needs any introduction, as this is a framework we've spoken about countless times on the show and I'm guessing you were familiar with it before Backpacker Radio entered your lives, but this interview is incredibly important and...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by THE Survivorman,  Les   Stroud .  This interview does not disappoint.  We talk about  Les ' entry into the world of reality tv- and why he hates the genre overall, he talks a little bit of shit on Bear Grylls, we chat about some of his most precarious moments in the bush, and  Les gives us a very compelling pitch on why...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are once again joined by Andy Downs of the ATC.  For those who might be unfamiliar, the ATC has been under a bit of heat of late for the news of their accepting a very large gift from the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a project they once opposed.  Andy gives us a thorough breakdown on the history of the project, why the ATC is no longer...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Philip Carcia.  Have you heard of New Hampshire?  Because Philip has hiked it.  All of it.  Many times, in all different directions.  In addition to a handful of thru-hikes, Philip has completed the New Hampshire 48 Single Year Grid, the White Mountain Direttisima (twice), and White Mountain Redline FKT.  If you don't k...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Bekah and Derrick Quirin.  In 2017, the Quirins thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail with their adorable baby, Ellie, alongside.  We learn how in the hell this is possible, including their diaper logistics, gear setup, nap schedule, and much more.  The very next year the Quirins cycled the 2,700 mile Great Divide Mountain B...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are once again joined by Andrew Skurka- and as you might've already guessed, it does not disappoint.  We touch on a range of different subjects in today's show ranging from how COVID effected his guiding business, to why wildfires have been so bad in the west over the past couple of decades (and the reason might surprise you), to And...

Today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, is 2020 personified. And by that, I mean it's a genuine shit show. Today's show runs the gamut, we drunk dial some fans, introduce a slew of new segments, play some trivia (grab a drink if you'd like to play along), and are given a play-by-play of some soiled denim courtesy of The Real Hiking Viking. As if that weren't enough the trio con...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we are joined by Cindy Ross.  Cindy is a bonafide renaissance woman.  She's published nine books, with two more on the way, she's a triple crowner, illustrator, and avid traveler. But, the bulk of our conversation today centers around Cindy's novel approach to raising children.  In a nutshell, Cindy and her husband believe that kids sh...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined by Dr. Kristina Kiefer (that's back to back doctor episodes for those keeping score at home).  Dr. Kiefer is a veterinarian with a PhD in Veterinary Regenerative Medicine from the University of Minnesota.  But, of greater interest to you, not only does Dr. Kiefer have the medical expertise to advise about hiking with your d...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we chat with Dr. Alan Carpenter.  Dr. Carpenter is the ultimate testament that age is just a number, as his entry into the long distance backpacking world didn't begin until the ripe age of 65.  Since then, he's accumulated somewhere in the vicinity of 20,000 miles on foot and another 10,000 miles on his bike.  His stories are gold, he'...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Paul Barach.  Paul is an avid adventurer, but today, we focus in on his trek along Japan's Shikoku Pilgrimage, a 750-mile route that visits nearly 90 temples.  This was Paul's first backpacking trip, as evidenced by everything that went wrong, including suffering from heat exhaustion, dehydration, being charged by a wil...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Nathan Hankes.  Nathan is an army veteran, having served a tour in Iraq as a drone operator for the United States Army in the aftermath of 9/11.  Upon returning from his tour, Nathan turned to the Appalachian Trail to sort out the residual anger and anxiety he was dealing with as a result of his time serving overseas. ...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Backcountry.com, we are joined by Neville Harris.  Neville is the owner and head honcho at Woods Hole Hostel, regarded as one of the top hostels (if not the top hostel) along the entire Appalachian Trail.  Neville shares a bit about her meditation practice and the impact it's had on her life, she walks us through a typ...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Backcountry.com, we are joined by Neville Harris.  Neville is the owner and head honcho at Woods Hole Hostel, regarded as one of the top hostels (if not the top hostel) along the entire Appalachian Trail.  Neville shares a bit about her meditation practice and the impact it's had on her life, she walks us through a typ...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by India Wood.  India, despite having no backpacking experience, decided to hike diagonally across the state of Colorado, from the southeast to the northwest corner of the state.  Along the way she had an encounter with a bear, had soft threats of being shot by rangers, and learned the importance of digging a cat hole the...