Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Niki Choo. Niki, alongside her partner, recently completed an expedition across Canada from ocean to ocean (Pacific Ocean in Alaska to the Arctic circle) via canoe. We learn quite a bit about what goes into this style of adventure, as this is our first interview foray into extended paddle adventures, including the chall...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Leonard Adkins.  Leonard is a backpacking legend and author of more than twenty books, including several guide books, a book about the flora, fauna, and geology on the the Appalachian Trail, and his most title, "All About the Appalachian Trail" the first and only book for children grades 4-8.  We go in depth on Leonard'...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by our long lost former intern turned Production Assistant who ABANDONED the podcast to go for a silly little hike, called thru-hiking the CDT, Elise "SOS" Ott alongside her fiancé, Josh "Kid" Gribble.  This is a Sunday morning interview, which of course means mimosas are involved, setting the mood perfectly to learn all a...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by friend of the podcast, renaissance woman, and Executive Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, Teresa Martinez. Teresa feeds us prickly pear margaritas and shares some of the key achievements of the CDT since our last chat, including the recent National Monument designation of Camp Hale in which she got to...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Nick Van Buer. Nick is an associate professor specializing in hard-rock geology at Cal Poly Pomona and recently completed a 530-mile hike across the Mojave Desert on what he's dubbed as the Mojave Wilderness Route. We obviously nerd out on rocks, learn more about the history and science of geology at large, and talk in...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are answering your burning backpacking questions! Chaunce and I tackle a wide array of Backpacker Radio listener questions - everything from how we plan our nutrition for a backpacking trip, to how we deal with the fading of trail friends after a thru-hike, when and where we recommend using a bear canister and what our go-to bear pre...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Carl Stanfield aka "Professor". Professor is in the midst of attempting to hike the most known miles over the course of a single calendar year, including a calendar year triple crown. We of course dive deep into his journey including his Florida Trail hike in January, hiking through frigid temps on the AT, yet- how he's...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Minus33, we are joined by Sarah Dramis.  Sarah is a triple crowner turned ultrarunner, a fitness coach, former VIP travel family manager and nanny, and the survivor of a serious back injury resulting in several broken vertebrae.  We go deep on Sarah's backpacking career, including some of the standout highs and lows fr...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Mike Clelland. Mike is the author of one of the preeminent UL backpacking books, "Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips For Extremely Lightweight Camping". We go through some of his top tips for getting pack weight down, how he arrived to the world of UL backpacking, his work with NOLS, his Alaskan...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, guest co-host Steven Shattuck aka Twinkle and yours truly are joined by Kylie Yang. Kylie is a Field Programs Manager at the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, a thru-hiker, a former AT ridgerunner, and overall a wealth of knowledge regarding all things pertaining to the great outdoors. We chat about Kylie's foray into the world of thr...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are bringing you another panel episode. Today we are joined by Backpacker Radio regular, Clay Bonnyman Evans aka Pony to compare and contrast thru-hiking and section hiking. We go deep, focusing largely on the benefits of each of these styles of hiking, who they're for, what we have personally gained from them, and much more. If you'...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Minus33, we are joined by Kraig Adams. Kraig has accumulated more than 700,000 YouTube subscribers while showcasing his adventures from around the world, including Mae Hong Son Loop in Thailand, Adirondack High Peaks, Tour Du Mont Blanc Loop in France, Santa Cruz Trek in Peru, Torres del Paine in Chile, Kesugi Ridge Tr...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Robbie Balenger. Robbie is a plant-based ultra-endurance athlete, with achievements including a run across the United States and a feat he dubbed the Colorado Crush which involves hiking the 485-mile Colorado Trail, summiting all 58 of Colorado's 14,000-ft peaks, and running the Leadville Trail Series- the marathon, the...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Wyn Wiley, better known online as Pattie Gonia. Pattie is a "professional homosexual", environmentalist, and a drag queen. This conversation is fun and informative. We go deep learning all the fun nuances of the drag world, including what goes into a good tuck (who owns the title for the GOAT of tucking), the best drag...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by The Netteburg family. Danae and Olen Netteburg, alongside their 5 children- ages ranging from 13 to 1, are currently thru-hiking the CDT. This is their second thru-hike in three years, after the family completed the Appalachian Trail in 2020. The Netteburg's story is one of a kind- both Danae and Olen are missionary doc...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Quinn Brett. Quinn was a world-class climber prior to her 2017 fall in Yosemite left her paralyzed from the waist down. Since then, Quinn being the badass athlete that she is, has found new modes to adventure, having most recently completed the 2,500-mile Tour Divide on an adaptive handbike, which she did in just 25 day...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Arlette "Apple Pie" Laan. Apple Pie is the first woman to hike all eleven of the National Scenic Trails in the United States, which frankly only scratches the surface on her hiking and backpacking career. We chat about some of her favorite stories from her tens of thousands of miles on trail, her favorite and least favo...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Diane "Sticks" Harsha. Diane is an AT section hiker, the author of "Sticks and Stones: How to Hike the Appalachian Trail in 13 Years", and a retired FBI agent. We of course spend a lot of time talking about Diane's career in the bureau- including questions about the rigorous training and testing required to be accepted...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are bringing you another edition of Beginner Backpacking Mistakes. Today we're joined by our good pal and backpacking superstar, Steven "Twinkle" Shattuck, to give you a rundown of mistakes to avoid on your next backpacking trip.  If you listened to the first edition of this panel, rest assured that all of the tips in this episode are...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Shayla "Kiddo" Paradeis. Shayla is a very accomplished backpacker, with the triple crown just scratching the surface of her hiking resume, but it's her approach to backpacking that makes this conversation stand out. We chat about what it's like to backpack in today's age without a smartphone, including the differences o...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by RTIC, we are joined by Kathryn Miles. Kathryn is an award-winning journalist, science writer, and the author of five books, most recently "Trailed: One Woman's Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders", which is the focus of today's chat.  We go deep on everything to do with this case, including the gruesome details of th...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined by no one! Today's episode is all about the Tahoe Rim Trail and Badger's recent experience thru-hiking this trail. This one covers everything you'd want to know about hiking the TRT, including the trail's basics, my experience and advice for resupply, gear, pacing, permits, bear storage, the best time to hike this trail, bu...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by RTIC, we are joined by Mickey aka The Virtual Sherpa. The Virtual Sherpa runs a successful website and youtube channel dedicated to sharing tips, trail overviews, and more from some of his favorite trails around Colorado and the greater Southwest. We chat about what some of the most underrated 13,000 ft peaks are in C...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by RTIC, we are joined yet again by our pal, Clay Bonnyman Evans, known on trail as "Pony". Pony is fresh off the New Mexico stretch of the CDT and full of hot takes, including a renewed interest in all things dealing with sex on trail, why he thinks the "brutality" of the CDT is overstated- at least through New Mexico,...

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by RTIC, we are joined yet again by our pal, Clay Bonnyman Evans, known on trail as "Pony". Pony is fresh off the New Mexico stretch of the CDT and full of hot takes, including a renewed interest in all things dealing with sex on trail, why he thinks the "brutality" of the CDT is overstated- at least through New Mexico,...