The Hiiker Podcast

Cal Dobbs is a trans-man athlete from America. Having already completed the coveted "Triple Crown" of thru-hiking (The Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail & Continental Divide Trail), Cal is now taking on a whole new challenge- running across the USA. Starting on the West coast in California and finishing up in Florida on the East coast, Cal is using this monumental challenge to shine a light for the Trans community in America - in particular the southern states, where Trans people face some of the harshest treatment. Cal dials in from Arizona after just completing his run across California in roughly 12 days. Thats over 300 mile in that time! Here are some links where you can support Cal and the charities he represents Patreon: patreon.com/CalDobbsWebsite: caldobbs.comLatest fundraiser: https://equalityarizona.org/transcontinentalInstagram: @cal_hikesYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdSdibSJIzMZf37Wa_zAidg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wesley Trimble previously joined us on the show discussing his work with the American Hiking society. But Wesley's own adventure story is quite interesting. Despite being born with Cerebral Palsy, Wesley was encouraged by his parents to live a life of adventure. From an early age, he was already hiking up the highest peaks in colorado (the 14ers - mountains that reach an elevation of over 14,000ft). This lead him to completing the goal of climbing all 54 of these peaks in Colorado. As well as this amazing feat he has thru-hiked the PCT and the Colorado trail. Now as a father, Wesley is adapting to family life and viewing and feeling the sense of adventure a different way. On the show, we discuss Wesley's life of adventure and defying the odds as well as the triumph and tragedy surrounding his completion of climbing all 54 14ers in Colorado. You can learn more about Wesley's life on his youtube channel - https://youtu.be/2_tNXjeKIaQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sonny Mazzullo is the Education Manager for Wild Montana - an organisation that works to protect the wild places in The state of Montana and inspire people to become stewards for the land they live on, off of, and use for recreation. You can learn more about the work that Wild Montana does at https://wildmontana.org/our-work/what-we-do/ You can also find thousands of amazing hiking trails in Montana over on HiiKER - https://hiiker.app/trails/montana?utm_source=acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get offline access to over 24,000 hiking trails from around the world on HiiKER: The essential app for hikers worldwide. Use Promo code HIIKERPOD to get 20% off premium packages at checkout. Kellie Flowers is the Senior Marketing and Communications Manager for Volunteer for Outdoors Colorado. The work of VOC includes trail management and development, as well as engaging the public to empower individuals to become stewards for the land that they cherish. You can find out more about the work that Kellie and VOC do over at www.voc.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After seeing a family member with a massive love for hiking and the outdoors go though a tough battle with health issues, Paul Clarke started a charity event to support those in need of vital health services. Thus the Lugmo challenge was born. 11 years later and over €240,000 raised for charity, Lugmo is becoming a key date in the Irish hiking calendar. Check out more about Lugmo over on the instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/lugmo_challenge/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On our 50th an Final episode for 2022, we are joined by one-half of the Blues Brothers that hiked the Appalachian Trail back in 1986, H Shindle. After hiking the trail, the self confessed couch exerciser is getting his trail mojo back by hiking a bunch of trails all over the US and internationally, including Ben Nevis, Kilimanjaro and his native Tuscarora Trail. The latter is the trail he currently sits as committee chair under the banner of the Potomac Appalachian trail club. The PATC is responsible for the maintenance of some 1200 miles of trail, including 200 miles of the Appalachian trail.Eoin shoots the breeze with H and talks about the changes in the AT over the past 30 years and the future of thru-hiking in the US. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The American Hiking Society is a national organization that works to support hiking and the nationwide network of trails around the United States of America. Organizing events such as National Trails Day® and Hike The Hill® as well as their regular programs to promote trail advocacy and maintenance, the AHS is truly committed to its mission to "empower all to enjoy, share and preserve the hiking experience". In this episode, Eoin speaks with Acting Executive Director and Senior Development Director, Heather Klein Olsen, Senior Director for Programs and Advocacy, Tyler Ray and Communications and Creative Director, Wesley Trimble. We dive into the various programs and events that AHS runs as well as a vision for the future of hiking in the US.Find out more about the American Hiking Society here - https://americanhiking.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Quinn is a hiker, hillwalker and content creator from the west of Ireland. He talks with Eoin about his own mental health struggles and the impact that hiking and hillwalking have had on his life. Check out Mike's content across his social media channels and Youtubehttps://www.instagram.com/mountain.mikes_adventures/https://www.youtube.com/@MountainMikesAdventures Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bryan Fennell is the Rural Recreation Officer for Leitrim Development Company, having previously held the post in Wicklow for a number of years. Bryan brings to the role extensive experience and qualifications in the recreational, mountaineering, watersports and trails sectors. Bryan holds qualifications in a range of adventure sports and is a qualified outdoor education facilitator, having graduated from GMIT in Castlebar with a degree in Outdoor Education and Leisure. He is an avid adventurer, an advocate for exciting activities in the countryside, having sat on the Board of Management of Canoeing Ireland, and speaker at the World Trails Conference. The Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) works closely with community groups, small business enterprises and tourism bodies to access advice, support and funding for the development and enhancement of recreational projects, activity tourism and related infrastructure. There are 21 RROs positions nationwide that are funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development with the support of Fáilte Ireland., The positions stem from the recognition of the important task of developing sustainable tourism in local communities. Managed by Leitrim Development Company, the position is considered to be an essential link to the continued growth of Leitrim's tourism sector. The Rural Recreation Officer also acts as a local connection with stakeholders that include Sport Ireland Outdoors, Coillte, Wicklow Co. Council, Fáilte Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Wicklow Uplands Council and private landowners who provide recreational users access to their lands. Naturally, the fostering of warm relationships between all interested parties is a key focus to the role. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amy Kuber is a mother of 3, Registered Nurse, & creator of the Wanderling Babywearing jacket. She lives with her husband, Chris, in view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The family loves hiking, backpacking, fishing, skiing, and general tomfoolery.“Not all who wander are lost, but you better stay where mama can see you!”Listeners can get 10% off their Wanderling purchase by using the code HIIKER10 at checkoutvisit https://wanderling.us for more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fiona had taken part in a number of DWMRT fundraising events over the years so was aware of their good work before she got involved. She joined the team in 2017 and loves being part of a team that gives back to the hillwalking and mountaineering community. Visit https://www.dwmrt.ie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hailing from the Cotswolds, and with a degree in Cartography & Geoinformation Science from the University of Glasgow, Adam joined HARVEY Maps in Scotland as a cartographer in 2010. Following the retirement of Susan Harvey, one of the company's founders, Adam was appointed CEO in 2020. Together with the rest of the team, his passion for maps is reflected in the continued success and popularity of the award-winning HARVEY maps and products.Check out all the available regions covered by Harvey maps over on HiiKER Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cal Dobbs is a Transmasculine Tripple crown hiker and the first-know Transperson to hike all three of the most popular trails in the US - The Pacific Crest trail, the Appalachian trail and the Continental Divide trail. He is also an advocate for Trans rights and uses his platform to highlight the atrocities that effect the Trans community in the US and globally. You can support Cal's Great Western loop campaign to collect $7000 for the Trevor Project here - https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/3515742 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1970, Chris Priest and Duncan Say walked the Pennine Way as two young college students. After 40 years of friendship, they revisited the trail and wrote a book about the journey of both hikes and all of life in between. If you want to pick up a copy of their book, you can do so here - https://bit.ly/3CRl3xnOther trails featured in this interview include The West Highland Way, The Cape Wrath Trail and The Coast to Coast Path, #hikingpodcast #pennine-way #coast-to-coast-walk #west-highland-way #cape-wrath-trail #hiking #hillwalking #longdistancehiking #thruhiking Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Syren Nagakyrie (they/them) is the founder of Disabled Hikers. Syren grew up with multiple disabilities and encounters numerous barriers to outdoor recreation, but has always found nature to be a place of belonging. As a long-time disabled activist and community builder, Syren is committed to an outdoors culture transformed by representation, accessibility, and justice for the disabled and all other marginalized outdoors people. They are the author of The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Western Washington and Oregon: outdoor adventures accessible by car, wheelchair, and foot, published by FalconGuides. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greg Morrissey is the founder of Mountain Goat Movement, an adventure organization based in the greater New York City area that uses the outdoors to foster project-based learning skills, stewardship practices, and fellowship. Greg is a human-powered adventurer and former high school teacher and coach. He has led thousands of young people on trips in the outdoors from national parks in the United States to places like the Andes in Peru, and most recently Kilimanjaro in Africa. As a member of the Explorers Club, Next Generation of Explorers, and the American Alpine Club, Greg uses his network and resources to provide meaningful, transformational adventures for all young people regardless of financial background. In 2017, Greg bikepacked from Canada to Mexico. He used this trip to raise over $40,000 to support financially-restricted students to participate in outdoor excursions, which has since funded 13 students on hiking and trekking trips all over the world. Upcoming personal projects include climbing Aconcagua in January. Upcoming trips with Mountain Goat Movement include an adult trip to Kilimanjaro in January with Emmy Winning Cinematographer, John Barnhardt, and a trek in the Himalaya to support the building of an orphanage with legendary Everest guide, Tendi Sherpa. To get involved please follow @mountain goat movement and @greg morrissey. https://hiiker.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amongst his long list of accolades, Galeo Saintz is a Mountain Leader, Hiker and is the Founding Chair of the world trails network. Eoin spoke with him ahead of the World Trails Conference to hear a bit about what the WTN does and what we should expect from this year's event. As well as this work, he co-founded a number of long-distance hiking trails in South Africa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teresa Baker is a hiker, activist, self-confessed outdoor junkie and certified troublemaker! She is the Founder of the Outdoor CEO Pledge which has influenced some of the biggest brands in the outdoors industry to be more diverse in their upper management, employment and their marketing. She also recently co-founded the Outdoorist oath along with an amazing group of fellow change-makers, which invites individuals to do better when visiting outdoor spaces. This includes being respectful for the land you are using and being more inviting to everyone to outdoor spaces, especially those from margiinalised groups.

Andy Neal is the host of the Hiker Podcast (not the HiiKER Podcast) and content creator in the outdoors space. One of his instagram reels has cultivated over 37 million views and continues to grow. Listen to Eoin and Andy talk about life in the Outdoors industry, creating your own brand and using your platform to enable more diversity and free expression in outdoor spaces.

Amira Patel is a Hiker and founder of the Wanderlust Women - A group of women focused on diversifying the outdoors by creating a space for Muslim women to explore together. Amira is a fantastic interviewee and kindly gave up some time during Ramadan celebrations to speak to me.

This week on the show we are talking to Cara Byrne, founder of Hike Psych Ireland - Ireland's first hiking psychotherapy. Hiking, for many people, is a way to face mental health challenges. It is a common theme in the podcast and in the outdoors industry in general. Cara tells us how she harnesses the power of the outdoors to help her clients. ⁠

Eoin chats with Mike Brockhurst - Known to so many people worldwide as "The Walking Englishman". Mike has been walking and hiking around the UK for almost four decades. On this epic journey, he kept special notes and tales from the trails and developed a website to help people discover and prepare for hundreds of routes all over Britain. www.thewalkingenglishman.com was born in the late 90s and has been a hugely valuable resource for walkers and hikers of the UK since then. He also created several long-distance trails - most notably, The Great British Walk.

Twerk in the Dirt (otherwise known as Tommy Corey), is a PCT thru-hiker and creator of the #hikertrashvogue movement. His photography and videography bring a whole new style to backpacking. You can find him on Instagram and Tiktok (but mostly Instagram)

Shilletha is a thru-hiker, writer and influencer from New Jersey. Her article about her experience of the online community with the Appalachian trail went viral and was picked up by the Conservation in 2019. Since then, she has gone on to hike the trail and is now an aspiring Tripple crowner. You can support her on her journey here https://www.gofundme.com/f/thruhiking-the-cdt-a-odyssey-of-a-lifetime?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

Teresa Martinez (Executive Director) and Allie Ghaman (Head of Communications) of the Continental Divide trail Coalition join Eoin on a special episode of the podcast where we explore the inner workings of one of the most popular trails in the US, the CDT. We also look back at the past 10 years of the CDTC and what the plans are for the future of the organisation.

Andrew Terrill is a Hiker and Author of the book "The Earth beneath my feet". This is part 1 of a 2 part series documenting a 7000km+ hike from the tip of Italy's boot to the Arctic Circle in Norway. Eoin chats to Andrew about how he planned and navigated on such a journey, before the time of maps and apps like HiiKER.

Derek cullen is an Irish adventurer, hiker and storyteller. In this interview, Eoin chats to him about how he found the outdoors as a way to work through some of the harder times in his life and how it still helps him to this day.

Debra Howell aka "Chillybin" is a long-distance hiker from New Zealand. She is also the founder of UL hiking gear company Kiwi Ultralight https://www.kiwiultralight.co.nz/ Eoin chats all things hiking and tramping and how she found her one true love on trail.

Ryan Bunting aka "Constantine" is a long distance hiker from the US. In 2021 he nabbed the FKT on the North Country trail AND he became the first person to have thru-hiked all 11 National scenic trails in the US. Eoin chats to him about getting mentally and physically prepared for such a challenge.

Alice Milne is a tramper, adventure writer and photographer from New Zealand. She took some time to speak with Eoin about her adventures and the Tramping culture in New Zealand. You can check out her amazing blogs here - https://aliceadventuring.com/

Chris Howard is a long distance hiker and adventurer from the UK. He has always sought to push the limits of his physical and mental ability. Eoin catches up with Chris while he is walking the entire coastline of the UK, just as he is warming up from one of the most terrifying moments of his life.

Solal Hohn is on a "Tour du Mond". He left his home in Paris and headed east and will keep going, across all continents (except Antartica and the Arctic) until he gets home. He has traversed the Alps and is heading into unknown territory. He plans to cross the pacific by boat and complete the PCT as one part of his round the world trip. Eoin catches up with him as he is crossing the balkans with his Father.

Dexter Barnes is not one for the spotlight. His laid-back demeanor while hiking long distances earned him the name “easy dexter”. But while his attitude might seem “easy”, he has hiked over 2000 miles in 2021, including the end to end trail, the southwest coast path and an unsupported FKT on the Coast to Coast trail. Not without its challenges, both physical and mental, 2021 was a stellar year for Dexter and he shares some of the highlights (and lowlights) with me on the show.

Charlie MacRae-Tod is an Actor, Hiker and Type 1 Diabetic from the UK. He chats with Eoin about his recent discovery of long-distance hiking and dealing with Type 1 Diabetes as a thru-hiker.

Davina Farrer recently completed the South West coast path (and change) as a bit of a homecoming to the coast. As a mother who has spent most of her adult life working in an office and living for a couple of weeks annual leave per year, she grew tired of being inland and decided to walk some 700 miles of the english coastline. Now as a self confessed Hiker, she has big plans on the horizon.

On this episode of the podcast, Eoin speaks with Kristen Berkley - a Hiker, BIPOC Advocate and Founder of Amplify outdoors. Kristen discovered a deep passion for the outdoors when moving to the remote city of Yellowknife in the Northwest territories of Canada. She also discovered the massive lack of representation of the BIPOC community in outdoor recreation and brands.

Season 3 is coming! With more interviews, laughs and tales from the trails. Join Eoin on his adventure through Zoom calls to talk to the hikers of the world.

Max and Tom are a British couple on a mission! A mission to hike all 16 National trails in the UK. Eoin chats to them (with a glass of wine) about their hiking adventures so far and what it's like to live in a van!

Becca is all about manifesting positivity and you can really tell that from the bright colours she chooses to wear on trail and her outlook on life. Eoin chats about her hiking adventure on the PCT, her plans for the CDT and being in a relationship with a non-hiker. PS he sounds like the dream boyfriend....

Marketing Guru, Hiker and the coolest dad on the planet, Matt Favero has a pretty interesting story. Not only has he hiked some amazing trails, but he also is involved in one of the most famous brands in Thru-hiking. Eoin chats with Matt about his hiking CV (and his daughters - which puts him to shame) and how he came to work with Zpacks.

Tyler Fox, otherwise known on-trail as Mac, is constantly on some sort of adventure. If it's not on the PCT or the CDT, he's bike packing the AZT or hiking in Tasmania. He's always got something cool on the go. I guess you have to live that life if you have a successful adventure travel blog! Eoin catches up with Tyler while he is planning his Thru-Bike of the AZT.

Eoin fangirls over Bruce Hopkins. A real life rider of Rohan (Lord of the rings nerdz). Bruce is an actor and long distance hiker. He shares his takes of Hiking the Te Areroa in New Zealand.

Tom Gale is the CEO and Founder of Atom Packs - an Ultra light backpack and gear company based in the UK. Tom is also a triple crown hiker and has some incredible trail stories to boot. Eoin managed to get a bit of time out of his hectic schedule as we enter (what we anticipate to be) a pretty busy 2021 for the outdoor industry.

Gail is an adventurer, educator, author and all-round good human. She has battled with chronic pain to not only become a seasoned hiker, but a complete outdoor badass! There is no stopping her. Gails first book "Unlost" will be hitting the shelves on the 7th of September 2021.

Russell Hepton is the creator behind the Youtube channel "The Trail Hunter", having discovered a passion for hiking in recent years, Russell has enveloped this passion into his life. He has a very successful youtube channel as well as his business - Thrunotes. In this episode, Eoin chats with Rus about his PCT adventure in 2020 that unfortunately came to an abrupt end due to COVID-19.

Julia Sheehan (Trail name: Rocket), is a long distance hiker from USA. Coming from the North East, and having served overseas in the US Airforce, she always had an interest in the outdoors. But how did she come to decide to walk the Appalachian trail? And then to devote the following years to living for the trail? Eoin talks with Julia about her life in the outdoors so far and what her plans are for 2021.

Rue McKenrick is a professional backpacker from the USA and is the founder of the American Perimeter Trail - a trail-in-progress that circumnavigates the USA. The project is much more than a hiking trail as it is an effort to create a conservation corridor around the country. While it currently takes in existing footbeds from other trails such as the AT and the PCT, this is very much a new trail. Eoin speaks to Rue as he is taking a much needed break from actually walking the 12k+ miles to talk about his hiking career and his plans for the APT.

Season 2 trailer of the Hiiker podcast. Coming up on this season will be more amazing stories from hikers all over the globe. Including Trail developers Backpack manufacturers Thru-hikersMen of Rohan

Ellie and Carl are two Irish adventurers that have hiked all of Ireland's National way marked trails. The 3 year project has taken them over 4000km around the Island. Eoin asks what motivated this challenge and talks all things hiking with the couple.

Eoin chats trails and nut butters with the New Zealand storyteller, Elina Osborne. We explore what drove her to hike over 2500 miles from Mexico to Canada via the Pacific Crest trail. We also talk about her upcoming trip on the Te Araraoa.

Eoin chats to Impala (trail name) about his very impressive repertoire of thru-hikes from around the world. From starting his adventures on the Te Araroa to a wholw host of US hikes and back home for a stroll to Scotland.