The Thru-Hiking Podcast

Triple Crowner and Coast-To-Coast Trail hiker Michael "Maxheap" Goshey talks all things backpacking and thru-hiking with Cheer in part 1 of his jam-packed interview. Stay tuned for part 2 in the coming weeks! In this episode, you'll learn: 1. What can happen if you get Giardia, and how to avoid it 2. How to eat well and be versatile without a stove 3. How thru-hiking can affect your career (for th...

Learn about backpacker snow safety with the founder of Mountain Education, Ned Tibbits ! Here, Ned gives a rundown of snow and how it forms and compacts. He also gives tips for hikers preparing for the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail , or for general backpacking and camping in snow . This recording is part of our free Safety Series still going on as live events via THRU-r. To join in, you can...

Continental Divide Trail backpacker and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ THRU-r Trail Team⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ member Annika aka "Ravenclaw" joins us for a fun conversation about embracing the brutality (and beauty) while thru hiking from Canada to Mexico. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. A lesser known but not-to-miss spot (next to the highest point on the trail) 2. Foam sleeping pads versus air sleeping pads - & which...

Hexatrek backpacker, thru-hiker, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Trail Team⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ member Sandra D. aka "MacGyver" gives us the rundown of her trek in France - filled with amazing food, type II fun, and beauty. In this episode, MacGyver goes into: 1. The pieces of gear that are essential for the trail 2. Food tips, France's specialties that you should pack along, & how to up-level your ramen...

Walker's Haute Route & Corfu Trail thru-hiker and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Trail Team⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ member Stevie Teran comes back on the podcast to talk about his treks for 2024 and his future Pacific Crest Trail hike! In this episode, he gives insight on: 1. The versatile piece of gear he can't live without, and his storm-worthy tent that was 10/10 2. Food tips when hiking abroad 3. Examples of how fl...

Decorated long-distance backpacker & author Liz "Snorkel" Thomas joins us on the podcast to talk about her latest book, the elite gear review company she co-founded (Treeline Review), & all of her backpacking experience! She's hiked 20,000+ miles and counting, including the coveted Triple Crown (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, & Continental Divide Trail). In this...

Pacific Crest Trail & Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Ray Reynoso or "Geared Up" talks worldwide FKT's, hiking 22,000 miles, & shares some helpful long-distance backpacking tips. As a wounded Army veteran, he was told he'd never be able to walk very far again - and look at how far he's come! In this episode, you'll learn: 1. How to budget effectively for a long hike 2. The keys to having a mo...

Continental Divide Trail thru-hiker & backpacker Katie Jackson or "Double Dip" (as she's known on trail) joins us to talk about her thru-hiking adventure. She was part of our 2024 Trail Team and gives so much great insight on the trail and long-distance hiking in general. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. The #1 characteristic needed to hike this 3,000 mile trail successfully 2. The advi...

Triple crowner and host Carol "Cheer" Coyne welcomes you to the new season of the podcast! If you're a long-distance thru-hiker, seasoned backpacker, new backpacker, or anything in between - this episode is for you. In this episode, she'll go over: 1. How you can get involved with the podcast 2. The story of how the podcast came to be 3. What's going on in the hiking community - & so much more...

Backpacking & thru-hiking legend Chris Townsend joins us on the podcast to talk about the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Yukon Territory, and hiking in his home country of Scotland. Chris has 30,000 miles of hiking experience, has written 30+ books on the subject, & is also an outdoor photographer (just take a look at his website!). This jam-packed episode is perfect for ou...

Walker's Haute Route thru-hiker and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Trail Team⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ member Stevie Teran checks in from Days 9 & 10 - and the finish - of his trek! In this episode, he gives insight on: 1. How powerful & supportive words can propel you forward on a long hike 2. The flood & landslide damage along the trail 3. The famous landmark he finally got to see - & more! Connect & follow alon...

In this episode we welcome Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker & all-around adventurer Cam Bostock . Here, he goes into his trek as an already experienced hiker and mountaineer. Cam includes so much insight into hiking long trails and gives his best tips on food, gear, starting out and more. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. His rarely used trail name (bestowed to him by his trail family) 2....

Walker's Haute Route thru-hiker and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Trail Team⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ member Stevie Teran checks in from Days 7 & 8 of his Pacific Crest Trail preparation trek (hello, shakedown hike!). In this episode, you'll: 1. Learn about the wilderness camping restrictions on the trail (different than in the US!) 2. Hear about the kindness of strangers & the "day of the cows" 3. Get some examples of how a h...

Thru-hikers Cheer & the THRU-r Ambassadors talk about their animal encounters on trail! This is a great episode to listen to if you're planning on backpacking trails in the US - including the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, & the Appalachian Trail. In this episode, you'll: 1. Hear real stories about animal encounters on trail 2. Get an idea of what tactics worked well for ou...

Triple crowner and Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, & Continental Divide Trail thru-hiker & backpacker J.C. "Catmando" Van Etten joins us to talk all about his Triple Crown journey. In this episode, you'll: 1. Hear about what it's like being charged by four grizzly bears 2. Get a list of the best places to eat on the Triple Crown trails 3. Learn his best tips for hiking long trails...

Walker's Haute Route thru-hiker and ⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Trail Team⁠⁠⁠⁠ member Stevie Teran checks in from his drama-filled Days 5 & 6 of his Pacific Crest Trail preparation trek (hello, shakedown hike!). In this episode, you'll: 1. Get an example of what happens when a self-arrest attempt goes wrong 2. Hear about listening to your body in the face of injury 3. Learn about taking misfortunes in stride -...

In this episode, Triple Crowner & thru-hiker Liz "Chuckles" Archibald returns to the podcast to discuss her experiences on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Appalachian Trail - focusing on her unpopular opinions about hiking them. Here, she goes over: 1. The type of road walk you might enjoy (and the reasons why) 2. Why she didn't like finishing her Triple Crown on the ico...

Walker's Haute Route thru-hiker and ⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Trail Team⁠⁠⁠ member Stevie Teran checks in from Switzerland on Day 3 & 4 of his Pacific Crest Trail preparation trek (hello, shakedown hike!). In this episode, you'll: 1. Get detailed descriptions of the scenery (yes, it's stunning) 2. Hear about kindness from a stranger when it was needed the most 3. Learn about the real-deal with grocery prices,...

American Perimeter Trail creator & founder Rue McKenrick joins us on the podcast to talk about the creation of this amazing trail - & the community and conservation around it. Here, we pull from our community's questions and get insight on: 1. What life looks like post-trail after hiking for 5 years 2. The process of creating a trail, and the ups & downs along the way 3. His favorite (...

Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Erica "Rookie" Washkwich and host Carol "Cheer" Coyne talk about group hiking in "Trail Families" versus solo hiking on long-distance backpacking trips. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. The dynamics of trail families 2. The pros and cons of hiking solo versus hiking in groups  3. Tips on how to find a compatible trail family, and much more! Check out Episode 166...

Walker's Haute Route thru-hiker and ⁠⁠THRU-r Trail Team⁠⁠ member Stevie Teran checks in from France on Day 1 & 2 of his Pacific Crest Trail preparation trek (hello, shakedown hike!). In this episode, he: 1. Gives trail insight and describes the views in the first two days on trail 2. Tells us about the international trail family situation 3. Describes the fastest way to travel in snow (with sa...

In this episode, Triple Crowner & thru-hiker Liz "Chuckles" Archibald discusses her experiences on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Appalachian Trail. Here she tells us all about hiking 8,000 miles and the highs and lows that go along with it. She also gives her best tips to take on such a large endeavor! In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. The area on the Triple Crow...

In this episode we welcome veteran Sierra thru-hiker and author Ethan "Po" Gallogly . Here, he dives into his award winning book "The Trail" and talks about all things Sierra (we are here for it!). In this episode, you'll learn about: What it takes to hike the John Muir Trail, Theodore Solomons Trail, & High Sierra Trail Why he recommends hiking Southbound on the John Muir Trail Sierra trail h...

Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Erica "Rookie" Washkwich dives deep into her long-distance trek with us. She talks about the downpours, the beautiful sunrises, the highs and lows - and all of the emotions & challenges that come with taking on a thru-hike. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. The food item to NOT eat on trail 2. The mountain in the Whites you should be wary of  3. The great res...

As Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeast, its effects have rippled through the Appalachian region - particularly impacting several trail towns that serve as vital waypoints for Appalachian Trail hikers. Here, experienced thru-hiker & Triple Crowner Catmando gives information on the hurricane and its impact including: What exactly happened to make Hurricane Helene an unprecedented weather...