The Thru-Hiking Podcast

In this episode, we hear from thru-hiker founder, and soon to be triple-crowner, Cheer, as she continues her 2023 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail! Week 7 on the Appalachian Trail covers the miles 600 to 700 from Bland, to Catawba, Virginia. This stretch was filled with wildlife sightings including an eagle, owl, several snakes and Cheer's first black bear encounter on trail! It also saw Che...

In this episode, we welcome thru-hiker, Bonus Time (or Rick Posada) back to the 2023 THRU-r Trail Team! Rick Posada or “Bonus Time” is a long distance runner and Marine Corps veteran from Texas – who is returning to the Pacific Crest Trail this year after recovering from a serious injury! As he makes his way north, he will be updating us via Instagram and his podcast: If you loved this episode and...

In this episode, we hear from thru-hiker founder, and soon to be triple-crowner, Cheer, as she continues her 2023 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail! Week 6 on the Appalachian Trail covers the miles from Hampton to Bland, Virginia hitting a new milestone as Cheer crosses the 500 mile marker, a quarter of the trail! Cheer makes a planned scenic detour on the Virginia Creek trail with great views, a...

In this episode, we hear from thru-hiker founder, and soon to be triple-crowner, Cheer, as she continues her 2023 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail! Week 5 on the Appalachian Trail brought Cheer her first 'marathon day' (26+ mile day) while hiking from Hampton North Carolina, through Tennessee and into Damascus, Virginia to celebrate her birthday and the Appalachian Trail Days, the larges...

In this episode, we hear from thru-hiker founder, and soon to be triple-crowner, Cheer, as she continues her 2023 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail! Week 4 on the Appalachian Trail from Hot Springs to Hampton North Carolina hit the 300 and 400 mile markers! Cheer talks about experiencing a touch of the 'green tunnel' blues and a couple of fun days off recovery visiting a friend in Ashevil...

In this episode we are joined by Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Trail Angel Ed Manning or "Ghost." During this Q&A we talk about his adventures trail angeling which includes avoiding a mudslide (!!), his favorite memories, memorable hikers, why he calls himself "half lifeguard/half cheerleader," and much more. He trail angels year round but focuses on the Desert Section of the P...

In this episode, we hear from thru-hiker founder, and soon to be triple-crowner, Cheer, as she continues her 2023 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail! Week 3 on the Appalachian Trail brings cold and rain while hiking through the Smokies but broken up with some fun town breaks with comfy beds and tasty food! Cheer describes her experiences visiting the Standing Bear and Laughing Heart hostels and he...

In this episode we get an update from Appalachian Trail hiker, Alyssa Schafer (Stakes) as she crosses the 700 mile marker! Alyssa talks about her toughest day on trail so far, marathon hiking days and double zero rest days, some gear changes due to ankle challenges and changing weather conditions, an unexpected dog bite, Cinco de Mayo trail magic and ponies in the Grayson Highlands! Keep up with h...

In this episode, we hear from thru-hiker founder, and soon to be triple-crowner, Cheer, as she continues her 2023 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail! Cheer talks about her second week on the AT where she hits the 100 mile marker! She councils new hikers to the AT that 'Georgia is tough!' and to hang in there as it gets easier. Week 2 saw her first 20 mile plus days with good weather, good...

In this episode we hear from Appalachian Trail hiker, Alyssa Schafer (Stakes) during her first couple of weeks hiking through the Smokies. Alyssa talks about tough terrain, navigating storms, gear performance and getting her trail name! Keep up with her on this podcast and on her ⁠Instagram Profile⁠! For all of the hikers profiles, links to follow and support, and more - check out the ⁠⁠ ⁠2023 Tra...

In this episode, we hear from thru-hiker founder, and soon to be triple-crowner, Cheer, as she begins her 2023 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail! Cheer talks about her training before the hike, her average daily miles, wildlife, trail magic, tent vs. shelter camping, town stops and the overall differences she is experiencing compared to her PCT and CDT thru-hikes. If you loved this episode and ou...

In this episode, we welcome thru-hiker, Calzone (or Stephanie Setiz ) to the 2023 THRU-r Trail Team! Here, Calzone grew up in Indiana and now works in western Colorado as a Field Instructor for Seeds Wilderness Therapy. She fell in love with long distance hiking on the PCT in 2019 and is now taking on the wild PNT this summer! Besides hiking, Calzone loves jamming on the guitar, knitting, reading,...

In this episode we are joined by Michael Hess aka "Double Stack". Double Stack is from New Jersey and has hiked the AT, LT, CT and most recently, the PCT. Double Stack was part of our 2022 Trail Team and we loved following along with his adventures. In this Q&A we talk about his favorite and worst memories from trail, kindness from the trail community, favorite foods, gear, and so mu...

In this episode, we welcome thru-hiker, Cinnamon (or Ilse Praet ) to the 2023 THRU-r Trail Team! Here, Cinnamon gives us an intro about where she's from, her recent experience hiking the PCT, the Oregon Coast Trail, the Great Divide Trail and her plans this year for hiking the Northern Arctic Trail in Lapland. If you loved this episode and our thru-hiker spotlights, remember to subscribe, rate...

In this episode we are joined by an amazing family who just finished their Triple Crown on Mt. Katahdin: The Bennett Family aka "Kids Out Wild." They trekked the big 3 trails as a family with their dog, Muir (and some special guests!) in-tow. They were part of our 2022 Trail Team and we loved following along with their adventure. In this Q&A we talk about their favorite and worst mom...

Today we are joined by Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Trail Angel Laura Peterson or "Beacon." In this Q&A (with our first Trail Angel!!) we talk about her amazing story, her favorite moment from angeling (Cheer might have cried during this one), Mary's Place, the PCT Desert Section, the spirit of the trail, her advice for hikers and trail angels, and much more! You can connect with La...

In this episode we are joined by experienced Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hiker Donahue Holland or "Def Pos." He was part of our 2022 Trail Team and hiked a large section of the desert at about 352 miles. In this Q&A we talk about his best advice to stick with it out there, gear, favorite foods on and off trail, the people of long-distance hiking, highs and lows, and much more! This pod...

Listen in as Cheer introduces the all-new 2023 THRU-r Trail Team! Our group of trail correspondents will be reporting from trails all over the United States, and the world. We have hikers trekking on the PCT, CDT, AT, PNT, AZT, Camino De Santiago Primivito, Sardinia Crossing, Sentiero Italia, Arctic Trail, Corfu Trail, and the GR20 in Corsica. Also in this episode we get to know upcoming Appalachi...

Today, we are joined by experienced Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT) and Trans Catalina Trail (TCT) hiker Mike Aspiras or "Nomen" as he's known on trail. Nomen was part of our 2022 Trail Team and he has now been accepted as our Ambassador! In this Q&A we talk about gear, favorite and not-so-favorite memories from trail, his first backpacking trip, cowboy camping, the trail community, his lo...

Today we are joined by experienced Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers and Hotdog Hundred founders - Joe Pagac or "Big Spoon" and Danielle Levine or "Encore." Here we talk about what the Hotdog Hundred hike is in benefit for, where it's being held, when it's happening, the inspiration behind the movement, what's going to come of it (music video anyone?), and how we all can get involved!  Cryptic?...

In this episode we are joined by experienced Pacific Crest Trail hiker and Triple Crown hopeful - Mike McClure or "Just Mike" as he's known on trail. Just Mike was part of our 2022 Trail Team and in this Q&A we talk about a scary glissade, a winning and unexpected food pairing, his favorite town meal, and the perfect ending to his PCT journey (which he couldn't have planned better!). You can f...

Today we are joined by experienced Pacific Crest Trail hiker - Emily Hayes or "Dim Sum" as she's known on trail. Dim Sum was part of our 2022 Trail Team and in this Q&A we discuss her crazy Oregon storm experience, a militant style "Oregon Challenge," her favorite memories from trail, hiker food, and the charity she was hiking for: KOTO. You can follow Dim Sum's future adventures using the lin...

In this episode, THRU-r Founder Carol Coyne, or "Cheer" - wishes everyone a happy new year and announces some exciting things going on in the long-distance hiking community (hello new website and ways to connect!). She also goes into what's in store for Season 3 of the THRU-r Podcast! If you loved this episode, remember to subscribe, rate & review, and share this podcast For any feedback (or j...

In this episode we are joined by experienced Pacific Crest Trail hiker - Catherine Turgy or "Stitch" as she's known on trail. Stitch was part of our 2022 Trail Team and in this Q&A we discuss a beautiful and memorable night hike, facing an angry bull on trail, lessons learned, her best tips for new hikers, food, gear, and more! You can follow Stitch's future adventures using the link below: Re...

Today we are joined (again!) by experienced Pacific Crest Trail hiker and Triple Crown hopeful - J.C. Van Etten or "Catmando" as he's known on trail. He was part of our 2021 & 2022 Trail Team and in this Q&A we discuss his favorite gear, the term "Welcome To Paradise," notable moments from trail, great safety tips, on-trail pad thai, and so much more!  S1 E2: Catmando's Q&A Interv...