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

Strangely, this is the first time Derek and Carl have had a formal debate episode. Five "hot" topics were chosen for the guys to debate. Derek comes prepared, Carl doesn't think he needs to. Also, does name dropping a much-discussed ranger win Derek a point? And can it be cold when the sun's out? GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to...

Can you shave pounds without spending any money? Yes! A number of options discussed by Derek and Carl are free! Are all of them 'easy' as the title suggests (and Carl intended)? You be the judge. Also, Carl gets ahold of a customer service rep from a company that he's been trying to reach for about a year. And did a successful trail prank get thwarted by one of the B&B crew after all? GET MORE CON...

This is not your typical record of mistakes. Whether you're a beginner or a trail veteran, you're probably making one or eight from Derek and Carl's lists. It's time to fix these problems! Derek offers up some surprisingly legit solutions. Also, Carl discusses podcast review drama. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" I...

Derek and Carl explore some details about gear that you just may not know...and may actually help you. Carl attempts to lay some ground rules for the episode and challenges Derek on the "fun" portion of his gear facts. Each of the guys share what they are nerds about. Derek is somehow a water nerd (whatever that means).  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos,...

Derek and Carl discuss trends related to backpacking and the outdoors that they will predict will soon die out. They, of course, completely disagree with each item on their counterpart's list. Carl challenges Derek about how trendy his ideas are in the first place. Derek doesn't believe half of Carl's ideas even exist as an issue. Also, why is Derek listening to another podcast about horoscopes? ...

Derek and Carl address some information passed on by outdoor sales clerks that might not be completely true. Some of them are funny and absurd while others are things you might still believe. The guys do their best to explain these falsehoods and Carl attempts to bring science into one of his explanations. Also, is Derek a liar? Carl challenges Derek with some old stories that haven't been shared...

Derek and Carl field a variety of questions and comments from fellow adventurers. Just a few questions/topics that came up: how do you handle a creepy group member, do other people (besides Derek) use old episodes as "research", and what does Derek have nightmares about? GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe...

What does it take to hike monster miles? Sam Bonnecroy made an attempt at the Fastest Known Time record on the Centennial Trail last summer. He shares some interesting strategies, interesting circumstances and an unexpected trail dessert. Also, could Carl hang with the likes of Sam on the Centennial Trail? GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority i...

Author Nathan Pettijohn joins the show to share his story Travels With Hafa. Billed for adventurers, vagabonds, and dog lovers there's a little something for everyone in this travel memoir. Also discussed are controversial dog topics and a show Nathan pitched to a producer called Pet Bucket List.  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to...

In this awkwardly named, Derek-themed episode, the guys discuss each of their top 3 pieces of advice to their younger selves. Carl then brings up the top 3 critical reactions from the Canyonlands episode. And they are pretty critical. The third part of this episode allows Derek to react to the "Who Dunnit" movie. He was fooled for months but says he has no reason to be embarrassed. Also: Time Trav...

The World's Toughest Race (The Eco Challenge) is currently the best running adventure-based series on Amazon Prime. Sonja Wieck, from team Iron Cowboy, joins the show to discuss all things adventure. Dubbed the race "that eats Iron Men for breakfast" Sonja discusses all aspects of adventure and what it's like to have Bear Grylls give you some encouragement...from a helicopter. Also, how would Dere...

Jesse from the famous Backcountry Forward Youtube channel joins the show as a guest host. He brings helpful tips and comedic genius to an episode that features uncommon and unexpected ways to improve your backpacking meals. Derek chimes in at the end with his ridiculous and embarrassing Thanksgiving Day story. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priori...

Derek and Carl recount a series of bad decisions from preparation to execution that led to another backcountry debacle. Fellow adventurer, Nate from the July crew, joins the show to give his perspective on the decision-making. Derek plays referee.  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to suppo...

Derek and Carl discuss "minor" adjustments that they've tried over the years that improved their outdoor adventures. The word "small" is in quotations because Carl's list involves items that are on the costly side while Derek's list involves two items that Carl challenges. In fact Carl claims that one of Derek's items is the worst answer he's ever given on the podcast while ano...

We all have gear that's been collecting dust for years. What do we do with it? And are any of us at risk of becoming a gear hoarder? (Derek certainly thinks Carl has already crossed that threshold.) This episode discusses the various options we have for the gear we rarely use and how to evaluate its value. Derek and Carl dig through their own random gear boxes to basically judge each other based o...

Season 4 is underway! Derek and Carl kick things off by discussing some outdoor trends that simply are not very good. And, regarding Derek's list, "trends" is a term that should be used loosely. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content provi...

What happens when you invite 10 strangers to attend a backpacking trip in a remote part of Wyoming? The trip includes a high mileage day, a multiple mountain pass day, off trail scrambling, and elevations around 12,000'. Is this a recipe for disaster or an opportunity for a new adventure? Derek and Carl recap a unique trip filled with unique characters. Also, a new bad place to store bear spray (a...

Derek and Carl recount the narrative of the disastrous FKT attempt in Yosemite last summer. Carl thought pulling out of the event prior to the trip would help avoid a catastrophe. But did he actually cause one? Also, is the greatest National Parks SAR operation slightly inefficient? You be the judge. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites...

Back from Ansel Adams Wilderness, Derek and Carl review a number of items not commonly referenced by most critics (including some that really have no business being on the trail). Carl challenges Derek about his contributions to the trip and insinuates that he might be the culprit of the "rock-in-the-pack" prank. In response to an odd trivia question, does Derek believe Mary and Joseph m...

Derek and Carl are out with the crew in Ansel Adams Wilderness. Each member offers up opinions and tips from their own experiences. Carl accuses Derek of putting a rock in his pack. Knowlton crafts a backcountry sailboat. And Rocky sings a song about maps. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe a...

In the first summer episode, Derek and Carl are joined by Rowan from Summit Strength to address some common physical problems people experience on the trail. Rowan gives some options for how to better train and improve balance and strength to avoid these problems. Derek claims he rarely gets hurt and is challenged during trivia to identify some common and uncommon ailments. GET MORE CONTENT! Pleas...

Derek and Carl cover a lot of ground in this episode. Derek challenges Carl to a What's that sound? game with backpacking related noises. Everyone listening can play along of course. A Farm to Feet sock review, Season 3 agreements, summer predictions and a big time announcement make up the rest of the episode...along with some mp3 tidbits and the Ham radio reaction. GET MORE CONTENT! Please suppor...

The pioneers of the backpacking podcast join the show to reflect upon the ups and downs of their trail experiences. Heather and Josh from the First 40 Miles podcast share about their biggest trail fears, their most controversial statements, and how to determine Jelly Belly flavors when blindly putting them into your mouth.  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, vide...

What is the junk drawer of backpacking? And why do we put so many different items there? Derek and Carl each suggest tips for organizing a particular area of your pack better -- what you should be putting there and what you should not. Derek, of course, suggests something that he doesn't do himself and violates backcountry rules. Also, Carl got ahold of an interesting item that Derek had previousl...

The concept of Shark Tank revolves around entrepreneurs pitching their inventions to potential investors. Derek and Carl have come up with their own backpacking creations that they pitch to their own version of a shark, Tayson from Outdoor Vitals. Are any of these "products" viable? Also, Tayson challenges everyone to come up with names for upcoming OV products for some free gear.  GET MORE CONTEN...