Backpacker Radio

We interrupt your normally scheduled Backpacker Radio content to bring you a sneak peak of a brand new podcast launched by The Trek in partnership with BadCat Media, called, The Attempt.     The Attempt follows Benjamin Drachman during his *attempted* SOBO thru-hike of the PCT in 2019.  The show is produced by Julia Drachman- and no that last name is not a coincidence, Julia is Ben's older sister....

We are joined by legendary PCT trail angel, Donna, L-Rod Saufley of Hiker Heaven.  Donna comes by her trail name, L-Rod, short for lightning rod, very honestly. She's exceptionally outspoken, a ball of energy, and has a deep passion for the Pacific Crest Trail and its community.  We hear all about her time serving as a trail angel to PCT hikers for more than two decades.  This conversation is fun,...

We are joined by "Crazy Jack" Northam.  Crazy Jack has earned his name by summiting Mt. Whitney (the highest peak in the United States' lower 48) nearly 200 times, an endeavor he didn't begin until the ripe age of 50 years.  Today, jack now 72 years old and still going strong. He regales us with tales of his many ascents up his favorite mountain, why he chooses to summit the same peak, his yo-yo h...

Today the Cinnamon Connection is joined by Scott Turner.  Scott is *the* go-to resource for all things hiking in Southern California.  He's the co-author of the latest version of " Afoot and Afield: San Diego County ", known as San Diego's hiking bible.  Scott shares his favorite hikes in San Diego county, including the best short trails, long trails, the best ecological diversity, the best histor...

Today we are joined by comedy legend, Kevin Nealon.  In case you've been living under a rock for for the last 30 years, Kevin Nealon is famous for his years on Saturday Night Live, his character on Weeds, he's a popular standup comedian, he's been in a slew of movies, and he's now the host of his own YouTube show, Hiking with Kevin .  Kevin insisted that we do the interview in the back of our camp...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, the Cinnamon Connection talk all things Trans Catalina Trail (TCT), which Chaunce and Badger thru-hiked a month(ish) ago.  We give a day-by-day rundown of the hike, including that time Chaunce hid in a bear locker when a bison stampeded through our camp, how we pirated our way onto a sailboat, and give some non-obvious tips on hiking t...

With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Giveback Tuesday, Where's Waldo Wednesday, Thumbwar Thursday, and all the rest on the horizon, there is no better time to score your 2020 gear purchases than the present.  But with a never ending fire-hose of gear roundups coming your way during this holiday season, how do you decide on which items are best suited for you long distance goals? We got you. We reached...

Today we are joined by Anitra Kass, aka Nitro, who's a triple crowner and the PCTA's Southern California Regional Representative.  Anitra is a wealth of information on all things PCT and conservation.  We talk about the new permitting changes for the Sierra and for southbounders, some of the biggest threats to the trail, how to best get involved as a volunteer for the PCT, CrossFit, and more.  Cha...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by legendary PCT trail angels, Joe and Terrie Anderson of Casa De Luna.  Much like the PCT itself, this conversation is fun, winding, long, and you'll still be left wanting more when it's all over.  We talk about how they got into trail angeling, some of their favorite stories over the many decades of their running Casa de...

Today, we dissect Badger's recent thru-hike on the Long Trail. We run the gamut on this little bruiser of a trail, including its terrain, the towns, how it changes after splitting with the AT, resupply strategies, Badger's gear (and what he'd change if he were to do it again), favorite shelters, and more. We also go into the results of a survey we ran on amongst Long Trail finisher which highlight...

Matt "Pretzel" Mason is a triple crowner, trail runner, sober hiker, former Mountain Crossings employee, wildland firefighter, gear snob, and bona fide character. His beard game is strong, and his opinions are stronger. This is our longest episode to date, and it promises to entertain throughout. Use code " ATDrink15 " at GossamerGear.com to save 15% Gossamer Gear The One Gossamer Gear Gorilla Gos...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are once again joined by our pal, Jeff Garmire, aka Legend. We catch up on all of his trail feats since he was last on the show including his ridiculous sub 6 day unsupported FKT on the Long Trail, how he messed around and set the Pinhoti FKT, his new book, Free Outside: A Trek Against Time and Distance , and much more. We have some...

Today's guest is Peter Bakwin, co-creator at fastestknowntime.com. We dive deep on all things FKT related, including his take on some of the more controversial FKTs, the proper way to document a speed record, and how he spearheaded this community. We also talk about Peter's long and impressive background in backpacking and ultra running, including his unmatched Rock-hard Hard Rock run. We also hav...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we sit down to chat with, record holder, trail legend, author, and Backpacker Radio repeat offender, Heather "Anish" Anderson. We go into depth on her new book, Thirst, which chronicles her 2013 Fastest Known Time on the Pacific Crest Trail, including her lowest moments from the hike, mountain lion encounters, and dealing with extreme...

The Cinnamon is Connected for good. Or for bad. But undoubtedly, for the foreseeable future. Chaunce and Badger go deep on the rest of Chaunce's Appalachian Trail thru-hike, including untold poo stories, her take on New Hampshire and Maine, her legendary chafing, how she gained weight while thru-hiking, suggestions for the ATC, and how she plans to combat post thru-hike depression now that she's b...

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 he...

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...

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 s...

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...

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...

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...

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 Arizo...

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 Sc...

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 be...

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-hi...