Backpacker Radio

Today's episode is our most uplifting to date.  That's because our thru-hikers have been tasked with describing the highs of their journey.  Specifically, we learn what keeps them going- what they most look forward to each day- and what they think they'll miss most once their journey is over. So hop on your unicorn and get ready to ride the rainbow because you're about to get filled with a healthy...

In Episode 16 the Paprika Pals sit down with Nadia "Furball" Westenburg to talk about the pros and cons of thru-hiking with a dog. She also regales with tales from the West Highland Way and Tour du Mont Blanc, both European trails which Furball has trekked. Also, Chaunce catches us up on her Colorado Trail section hike while Zach sulks about his upcoming knee surgery, and what that means for his f...

Today's episode hits on some subjects that are often top of mind for thru-hikers and those curious about the undertaking. They are: food, how hikers' bodies change over the course of their hike, and gear. We learn more about the infamous hiker hunger, the "eat anything and everything and still lose weight diet", how their getup has evolved over the course of their hike, and what gear they've sent...

In today's edition of Backpacker Radio, Badger and Chaunce are joined by trail legend, the former supported Appalachian Trail FKT record holder, author, and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Jennifer Pharr Davis .  We go way down the rabbit hole about the subjects discussed in her new book, The Pursuit for Endurance . We also find out which is more painful between setting a FKT and beari...

Maybe don't listen to this podcast during your lunch because Chaunce has an all-timer poop story. Also on episode 14 of Backpacker Radio, the Cinnamon Connection is joined by 2016 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker and 2017 Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker John "Data" Harvey.  Data discusses the differences between hiking SOBO and NOBO on the two trails, how his love for thru-hiking has transitioned into...

This is a fun episode, as our hikers were tasked only to report on whatever subject was at the forefront of their minds.  The instructions were loose and the results are broad, in the most entertaining way possible.  Topics discussed include the simultaneous love and disdain for ukuleles, the selflessness of the hiking community, the 24 x 24 x 24 challenge , why hikers complain, a comparison of th...

" Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is just section hiking the earth. " - The Real Hiking Viking If Comic Con and Burning Man had a baby- and that baby was raised on the Appalachian Trail- this festival baby would be none other than Trail Days.  And that's precisely the recording location of Episode 13 of Backpacker Radio.  Badger is joined by The Real Hiking Viking as well as the dynamic duo of S...

Niki "Bionic Woman" Rellon is the first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail on a prosthetic leg.  This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of her accomplishments and life story.  Tune in for the AT talk, stay to learn more about her life as a trained chef, paramedic, cross country cyclist, and champion kick boxer. Also, Badger and Chaunce engage in a heated battle of Iron Chef: Trail Food...

When backpacking through the backcountry for months on end, there's one thing that can be relied upon: expect the unexpected.  Today's episode focuses in on exactly that- the biggest surprises from the trail.  Specifically, what caught our hikers most off guard?   This is the 2nd part of this episode where we check in with our PCT and CDT hikers. We hear from our AT hikers in the previous episode....

When backpacking through the backcountry for months on end, there's one thing that can be relied upon: expect the unexpected.  Today's episode focuses in on exactly that- the biggest surprises from the trail.  Specifically, what caught our hikers most off guard?  Today we hear from: Gwen Nitya (AT) IBTAT (AT) Fainting Goat (AT) Jake Beaver (AT)  Sassafras (AT) Emily Dutton (AT)  You can support th...

Today's episode is all about how to eat right on and off trail.  We are joined by thru-hiker and soon-to-be certified holistic nutritionist, Katie "Salty" Gerber, to go way down the rabbit hole about how hikers can improve their on-trail nutrition game.  We also touch upon some of the best sleeping bags and quilts for thru-hiking, learn a bit about the Wind River High Route, and are unexpectedly j...

Today we hear from the 2nd batch of our thru-hikers about a week into their journey.  You can find the first part of this here .  2018 SOBOs : Learn how to apply HERE . Today we hear from: Jake Beaver (AT) Gwen Nitya (AT) Lukas Isaacson (PCT) Madeline (PCT) Rabbit (CDT) You can support the show through  our Patreon page , which helps us to publish episodes more frequently. Have any praise, questio...

Backpacker Radio celebrates reaching its double digit episode birthday (?) with a bonus interview from Pacific Crest Trail super trail angel, Frodo, of Scout and Frodo fame.  But first, the crew sits down with Chaunce's PCT buddy, Ballflap, as he is mere hours away from beginning his migration to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Topics include:  Bedrock Sandals Dickflap aka Filipe D...

Today we check in with the other half of our trail correspondents during a excitement and/or diarrhea-filled period of their journey- the night before starting their thru-hikes. Today we hear from Jake Beaver (AT) Gwen Nitya (AT) Miles to Go (PCT) Kate Emmons (PCT) Lukas Isaacson (PCT) Madeline (PCT) Rabbit (CDT) You can hear part one here . You can support the show through  our Patreon page , whi...

If you've listened to Sounds of the Trail, you already know today's guest.  Backpacker Radio is joined by Laura "Hey Girl" Johnston- an AT and PCT thru-hiker, conservationist, conversationalist, and an all-around smart and congenial gal.  Topics from this show include:  Curcumin Sounds of the Trail podcast Hey Girl's love of Patagonia Baggies Highlights from the North Carolina / Tennessee section...

Episode number 4 of our Trail Correspondents series comes directly from the trail!  Our hikers were tasked with interviewing a fellow thru-hiker about their first impressions of their journey. Today we hear from Jeff "IBTAT" Oliver (AT) Kate Mueller (AT) Emily (AT) Fainting Goat (AT) Miles Bisher (PCT) Kate Emmons (PCT) Sarah Mowery (PCT)   You can support the show through  our Patreon page , whic...

In today's episode, we sit down with 2017 PCT thru-hiker, Dirt Squirrel.  Dirt Squirrel will destroy any notions you have about the Millennial generation.  She is 23-years-old, well-spoken, doesn't like social media, journals in her notebook daily, and above all, loves hiking and the outdoors.  In this episode, topics include: - Mesa Arch in Arches National Park - The Narrows in Zion National Park...

Today we check in with half of our trail correspondents during quite possibly the most nerve-wracking moment from the journey- the night before starting the thru-hike. Today we hear from: Sassafras, Jeff "IBTAT" Oliver, Fainting Goat, Emily Dutton, and Sarah Mowery   You can support the show through  our Patreon page , which helps us to publish episodes more frequently. Have any praise, questions,...

In the first episode of our new Trail Correspondents series, you met our Appalachian Trail hikers. Now it's time to meet our Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail hikers. They are: Rachael "Rabbit" DeLano, Miles Bisher (aka "Miles To Go"), Kate Emmons, Sarah Mowery, Lukas Isaacson, and Madeline Newel. Read their bios and photos on thetrek.co. Support the show at patreon.com/backpackerra...

Many a'hiker trash dream of completing the triple crown of backpacking, to hike the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trail. To do so over the course of one's life is a notable feat. Doing this in a single year is bananas, which is exactly what episode 7's guest, Jeffrey "Legend" Garmire, accomplished. In this episode, we go down the rabbit hole learning everything that went into...

We are thrilled to introduce the first episode of our new Trail Correspondents series.  In a nutshell, a small group of thru-hikers from the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail will be submitting audio recordings during their hikes.  Episodes will be published every other week, if not more frequently.  This first episode introduces us to our Appalachian Trail hiker...

For most, disappearing to the trail for a month or two is a dream vacation.  Serial thru-hiker and peak bagger Steven "Twinkle" Shattuck and his wife Grace are about to travel the world, while living out of their backpacks for the next year.  We snagged Twinkle during his last night in town to learn how he saved for this epic adventure, what gear he'll be taking, and advice to those who want to fo...

Curious what it's like to go from someone who never hikes to summiting Mt. Everest?  Enter Shailee Basnet.   After growing up with " the secret dream to go out and play " in the face of a culture that discourages women from doing so, Basnet was presented with the opportunity to summit Everest.  She took it, and has never looked back.  Since conquering the tallest mountain on earth, Basnet spearhea...

For Episode #4, we are again joined by our buddy, The Real Hiking Viking .  This time, instead of an interview, Jabba joins us as the third co-host of the show.  It does not disappoint.  Or maybe it does.  Who can be sure. Subjects discussed in Episode 4 include: The Real Hiking Viking and Badger's PCT Diet Nutrition hack: GREEN POWDERS!  Amazing Grass and Navitas The Danger of Relying on Faux Foo...

Episode #3 of Backpacker Radio is a tip of the cap to Valentine's Day. We are joined by Reptar, the creator of the popular Appalachian Trail documentary, "The AT Experience", to talk love, the lack thereof, and romance.   Subjects discussed in episode 3 include: - Comparing the Sawyer Squeeze to the Katadyn BeFree, - Reptar falling in love on the AT, breaking up with his love on the PCT, how this...