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

Andrew Skurka – one of the most famous backpackers of all time – joins the show to discuss some 3 or 4 things professional backpackers do that most of us don’t. Also, what characteristics make the best guides? And how can trekking poles stop a bear attack? How will Skurka handle the lightning round? Derek and Carl also share the top 3 things they are experts at – not related to backpacking. If you...

Derek and Carl 'break down' the data released by Garmin and share some of the interesting stories that involve pushing the red button. Also, somehow, Derek and Carl were able to get ahold of an actual SOS call made from a Sat phone. Some of the Topics Discussed: -Garmin inReach -Crazy Search and Rescue Stories -Weird Data Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the m...

Alex Hatlevig joins the show to discuss backpacking gadgets and trinkets that you might be buying that are useless (or mostly useless). Sure, you can come up with scenarios where they could potentially be useful. But are you really going to need them? Are they necessary? Check out Alex Hatlevig’s awesome YouTube channel! Some of the Topics Discussed -Backpacking Gear -Backpacking Gadgets from Gara...

What are the worst backpacking freeze dried meals? And are some of them really as bad as people say? Derek and Carl asked over 40,000 members of the backpacking community what their least favorite meals were. After compiling the results, they discuss, and even taste-test, the top (or bottom answers). There were some very surprising results…both ways. Also, Carl shares one of his best (or possibly...

What are 6 pieces of backpacking advice that are just plain bad? John Kelley joins the Backpacking & Blisters podcast to co-host and discuss a lot of information and mis-information you might be hearing. Check out John Kelley’s ‘Backpacking Podcast’ Some of the Topics Discussed -Backpacking Gear -Overkill Backpacking Gear -Testing out and prepping gear Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US...

If you’re looking to shave about a pound off of your pack weight without spending any money (potentially), Alisha McDarris from Terradrift will tell you how! Last year she was challenged by the B&B podcast to 3 video options. She is the first one to try and execute one of them. Some of the Topics Covered: -Ultralight backpacking strategies -Controversial ways to shave weight -What goes in cath...

Bizarre trail and camp experience stories are the backbone of the B&B community. Derek and Carl run down their top 10. Some you’ve heard, some you haven’t. Either way, they’re weird. Even more weird is the episode trivia. This includes the most bizarre stories you’ve ever heard. Some of the Topics Covered: -Odd backpacking encounters -Camp antics -Unsolved backpacking mysteries Check out Magne...

One of the most experienced, adventurous, death-defying backcountry experts, Marty Morissette, joins the show to discuss some of the tactics he’s employed that one might consider ‘death wish skills’. And, strangely, they might actually be helpful for your future adventures. Follow Marty on Instagram! Check out Magnet Designs, our latest partnership: https://www.magnetdsigns.com/ Some of the Topics...

What is the worst reviewed backpacking gear? And does that mean that reviews are terrible or that the gear is terrible? Maybe both. And how does a 20 minute task take 15 hours? One of the guys finds a way. Check out Magnet Designs , our latest partnership! And follow Magnet on Instagram! Some of the Topics Covered: -Terrible backpacking gear -The best backpacking gear -Solutions to terribly review...

Lloyd Vogel, CEO of Garage Grown Gear, joins the show to discuss 2025’s best backpacking gear and trends. He also shares items that are losing steam. And Carl, of course, has a couple of “innovative” gear ideas he’s willing to share. Check out Garage Grown Gear’s newest arrivals! Some of the Topics Covered: -Best Backpacking Gear from 2025 -Backpacking Gear Trends -Gear People Have Stopped Using E...

What are the 10 things that only advanced backpackers do? Huck Outdoors joins the show to discuss skills, gear and knowledge that only advanced backpackers have. Rocky also chimes in with a list of his top 5. Follow Huck on Youtube! Check out Huck’s awesome photography! Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking trip planning tips and tricks -Backpacking gear -Backpacking skills Enlightened Equipmen...

There were 5 Backpacking Crises on the Timberline Trail Patreon trip this year! Five might be a stretch but you be the judge? How would you handle them? How would Derek have handled them (if had the courage to attend)? Veteran backpacker Christine Marsh joins the show to discuss the color she added to the trip. And this is probably not something you’ve seen or heard before. Some of the Topics Cove...

What are the 8 deadliest creatures known to mankind? And how can you avoid them on a backpacking trip? Derek and Carl discuss the method these creatures attack humans as well as simple ways to avoid and survive these attacks. Maybe it’s time to micromanage your friends and make sure their tent zipper is closed. Some of the Topics Covered: -The deadliest creatures on Earth -Backpacking tips and tri...

On this Throwback Thursday episode, Justin Outdoors joins the show. He is our #1 seed for gear expertise on YouTube. Check out what he has to say regarding the game-changing gear that’s the best he’s ever used. Find the best gear reviews on Justin’s YouTube Channel! Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON : There are...

Veteran Search and Rescue Yosemite team member Moose Mutlow joins the show to evaluate 6 famous movie scenes. He brings his expertise to rate the plausibility of the outdoor stunts pulled off by Rambo, Indiana Jones and others. He also shares some crazy SAR stories of his own. Moose is one of the top B&B guests over the years. This is one you won’t want to miss! Some of the Topics Covered: -Cr...

Derek and Carl discuss the lies that you, fellow backpackers, believe. Some of them have been told to you. Some of you have convinced yourselves to believe these deceptive backpacking details. But don’t panic! Derek and Carl will clear things up and give you alternative courses of action to live a trail life independent of the backpacking matrix. Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking gear -Back...

TV Star, homesteader, Denali guide…Marty Raney joins Derek and Carl to discuss a story he’s never shared before: a fateful trip to the highest peak in America and the unfortunate disaster that ensued. What happened on the mountain? Why did the rangers target Marty? And how did a small fortune go missing in the process? Also discussed is a crazy story from Marty’s adventure series ‘Ultimate Surviva...

The trusted authority on going ultralight over long distances, Jeff Pelletier, joins the show to discuss how you might be cutting corners to go ‘stupid light’. Or how Carl continues to take calculated risks that are unwise in Jeff’s opinion. Also, gear suggestions, hiking efficiencies, and pro tips are shared. Subscribe to Jeff Pelletier’s awesome YouTube channel! Some of the Topics Covered: -Ultr...

Derek and Carl are joined by the most recent National Park Service Director, Chuck Sams. Topics include everything from getting blacklisted to Bigfoot to 3 suggestions Carl makes to improve the NPS system for backpackers and visitors. And, of course, there’s National Parks trivia. Some of the Topics Covered: -Getting rid of Recreation.gov -How to become the next NPS director -National Parks trivia...

Comedian, Inspirer Greg Sakowicz (AKA Fat Man Little Trail) joins the show to discuss everything from new trail snacks to hiking tips to intense trail encounters. Follow Greg on Instagram! Get some amazing resources from the Fat Man Little Trail website! Some of the Topics Covered: -Hiking and Backpacking Snacks -Life or Death Trail Situations -Hiking Tips Enlightened Equipment : Check out the bes...

Derek and Carl discuss what it takes to hike faster and farther with significantly more daily elevation gain for a broken-down guy who’s trying to thru hike the Collegiate Loop in Colorado. And, of course, there’s always the weird stuff that happens along the way. How would you handle the strange scenarios on this epic 10 day journey? Some of the Topics Covered: -3 ways to hike faster and farther...

What are the 3 most dangerous countries to visit for a backpacking trip? And how can you get in? Former CIA Counter-Terrorism Analyst Brent Giannotta joins the show to share his expertise. Carl and Ben also pepper him with every CIA movie reference and conspiracy theory they can muster. Please follow Brent and subscribe to his Substack! Some of the Topics Covered: -Most Dangerous Places to Backpac...

Derek and Carl discuss 8 life or death situations you will encounter if you go backpacking or hiking long enough. How would you handle them? How would Derek handle them? Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking mistakes -Life or Death Backpacking Situations -Backpacking Gear Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON : T...

It took a while but Derek and Carl finally convinced a Bigfoot expert to the join the show. Owner of the Sasquatch Outpost in Bailey, Colorado and cohost of the podcast "You Don't Know Squatch," Jim Myers discusses his personal experiences and fields all the questions Derek has ever wanted to ask. Derek also responds to some challenges of his own...particularly about the Osprey being a b...

Ever wonder what big mistakes have been made by backpacking experts? Brad Felton from the ‘As the Crow Flies’ YouTube channel joins the show to discuss some common and horrific mistakes made by backpacking experts. Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking mistakes -Strange Backpacking Stories -Backpacking Gear Follow Brad on his awesome YouTube Channel As the Crow Flies Hiking! Enlightened Equipme...