Hiker Trash Radio

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews Miller 'Mander' Hollstein, an author and thru hiker of the Appalachian Trail. Miller shares his transformative journey of self-discovery, dealing with struggles, and seeking solitude on the trail. He discusses the struggles that led him to undertake this journey, the challenges and surprises he encountered, and how he moved from feeling los...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc speaks with Miller 'Mander' Hollstein, a thru hiker and author who completed the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2023. Mander discusses his transition from college athletics to hiking, dealing with identity shifts, post-trail depression, and his most hiker trash moments. He also shares insights from his book and upcoming coaching business, aimed at helping...

On this week's edition of The Logbook, Doc dives into Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart by Carrot Quinn! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Host Doc welcomes Jared “Fisherman” Lampal to Hiker Trash Radio as the show’s 2026 Continental Divide Trail correspondent. Jared, 27, is working a full-time desk job in Washington, DC while preparing for an extended leave to thru-hike the CDT northbound, starting April 20 from Lordsburg, New Mexico, with a goal of finishing by mid-to-late September and returning to work by October 1. Hosted by Sim...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc speaks with photojournalist and conflict zone photographer Jacob Zocherman. Jacob shares his riveting journey from wanting to be a doctor to becoming a photojournalist who documents conflict zones and humanitarian crises worldwide. He recounts his experiences in places such as Haiti, South Sudan, and Ukraine, highlighting the challenges and motivation...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews internationally acclaimed photojournalist and war photographer, Jacob Zocherman. Jacob discusses the intersection of his professional work in conflict zones with his personal passion for ultrarunning, particularly his experiences documenting the brutal Barkley Marathons. They delve into Jacob's journey through PTSD, his approach to both pho...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc sits down with Brian 'Buck-30' Tanzman, a prolific thru hiker who has hiked over 56,000 miles. Known for completing all 11 National Scenic Trails and being a double Triple Crowner, Brian shares captivating stories from his many adventures, discusses the evolution of hiking culture and gear, and reveals his unique approach to balancing professional lif...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews Brian 'Buck-30' Tanzman, a prolific thru hiker with over 56,000 miles under his belt and titles of double triple crowner. Brian shares stories from his extensive hiking experience, including a hilarious anecdote about a mix-up with his partner in the Diamond Range and a memorable hitchhiking encounter. Along the way, Brian recalls his worst...

Doc hosts a Barkley bonus episode with returning guest Damian Hall. Hall recounts his Barkley attempts in 2023 and 2024 where he reached loop five both times, then 2026’s earliest start, freezing rain, and dense fog, where he completed two loops before turning back on loop three due to cold, wet, navigation time loss, and safety concerns. He discusses course changes since 2025, race math and margi...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews Dana 'Sniper' Wolf, a Triple Crowner preparing for a formidable 2026 Appalachian Trail yo-yo hike. Dana recounts her noteworthy hiking journey starting in 2007, discusses the rookie mistakes she made, and reveals how her trail name came to be. She also shares insights into her extensive preparations for the upcoming adventure, reflecting on...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews Alexandra 'Sunshine' Kenin, the founder of Urban Hikers SF, and author of three urban hiking books. Sunshine shares her journey from working at Google to exploring San Francisco's urban trails. She talks about her tour company, her books, and her unique projects like the 1,000+ Stairways map of San Francisco. Sunshine also discusses her int...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc welcomes Alexandra 'Sunshine' Kenin, founder of Urban Hiker SF and author of three Urban Trails Guidebooks. Alexandra shares her experiences of exploring and mapping over 1,000 public stairways in San Francisco, including memorable adventures and the challenges of urban hiking. She discusses the differences between urban and wilderness hikes, her favo...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews adventurer Justin Banmen about his global travels. Justin shares his concept of 'side quests' compared to traditional vacations and highlights his journeys to destinations like Kurdistan, Kazakhstan, Iraq, and India. He recounts unique experiences like hitchhiking in dump trucks and solo camping in remote locations. Justin discusses his thr...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews Justin Banmen, the mastermind behind the Side Quest project. Justin shares his unconventional approach to adventure, from running a marathon around a Denny's to hiking with a laptop. Tune in to hear about his travels across five continents, his philosophy of minimal planning, and the intriguing challenges that make his side quests unique. W...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews Nick Gagnon, also known as Chezwick, who recently set the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the calendar year Triple Crown in 2025. Nick passionately discusses the integrity of thru-hiking, emphasizing the difference between purist thru-hikers and those who skip challenging sections of the trail. He shares his personal experiences, encounters, a...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, Doc welcomes back Nick 'Chezwick' Gagnon, who recently set a self-supported fastest known time (FKT) for the Calendar Year Triple Crown. Gagnon shares his experiences and challenges, from his rigorous daily 40-mile goals and battling the elements, to planning logistics for such an ambitious hike. Gagnon also reflects on his 2024 setback and his triumphant retu...

In this bonus episode of Hiker Trash Radio, Doc interviews future PCT trail correspondent Austin Goehring. Austin shares his unique journey from growing up in Bakersfield, California, to working at Disney for eight years, transitioning to a career in human resources, and finally his decision to thru-hike the PCT in 2026. They discuss Austin's passion for the outdoors, the challenges of balancing a...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews Kyle Matthews, also known as 'The Milky Runner'. Kyle shares the experiences of his recent run around the perimeter of Britain, detailing how he embarked on this adventurous journey without extensive training. Despite numerous challenges, including inclement weather, physical injuries, and the logistical difficulties of carrying a heavy bac...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc welcomes Kyle Matthews, also known as 'The Milky Runner,' who recently became the youngest runner to complete a solo self-supported 3000+ mile run around the entire mainland coastline of the United Kingdom. Kyle discusses his background, the inspiration behind his monumental journey, and the physical and mental challenges he faced. From battling a spr...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc chats with outdoor adventurer Aleks Radic about his incredible hiking and travel experiences. Aleks recounts his spontaneous 18-day trek in Nepal, herding sheep in Patagonia, a thrilling but aborted volcanic hike in Guatemala, and his exploration of waterfalls. He offers valuable hiking hacks, emphasizing the joy of discovering hidden waterfalls, and...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc chats with Alex Radic, an international adventurer who left for a vacation and never returned to traditional life. Alex shares his experiences traveling through multiple continents, including a risky hike in Nepal and navigating the jungles of Australia. They discuss the essentials of trail gear, the concept of hiker trash, and Alex's nomadic lifestyl...

In this episode of The Logbook, host Doc dives into 'The Weight I Carried' by Steven C. Wright. The memoir details Steven's 2200-mile journey on the Appalachian Trail following the death of his wife, Sandy. As a lifelong outdoorsman, Steven confronts both physical and emotional challenges, including wild animals, broken bones, and deep grief. This raw and unsparing narrative explores themes of los...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews Heather Lee McCoy, a JMT veteran living at 6,400 feet on the slopes of Mount Baldy. Known by her trail name 'Mermaid,' Heather is preparing for her first Triple Crown trail—the Pacific Crest Trail—in March 2026 to celebrate turning 50. The episode delves into Heather's past hiking experiences, her gear choices, and her thoughts on tackling...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc speaks with thru-hiker and wild camper Elli Schneider. They discuss the concept and legalities of wild camping in the UK, the tradition of the Right to Roam, and Elli's adventures on notable hiking journeys such as the Great Outdoors Challenge (TGO) and her end-to-end hike across the UK known as the JoGLE. Elli shares her transition from a traditional...

In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc interviews Elli Schneider, a long-distance hiker, wild camper, and popular YouTube creator. Elli shares her experiences hiking with her rescue dog Otto, discussing the challenges and joys of hiking across various terrains, including the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Elli also touches on her gear preferences, her background in hiking, and how she balances...