Trailside Radio

Trail angels Andrea and Jerry Dinsmore have been hosting hikers for years at their Washington home, which is known as Hiker Haven. Ratatouille visits Hiker Haven and talks to the Dinsmores about the challenges of being full-time trail angels and how the forest fires in Washington have affected the PCT this year. He also chats with thru-hiker David “El Flaco” Lowe, who, at the age of 58, has already hiked the Appalachian Trail three times. (released October 2015)

PCT hiker “Properly Chill” talks about how she got involved with Hike the Pipe, a protest against a proposed natural gas pipeline that would cross southern Oregon. Ratatouille discusses PCT Days with event organizer Jason “Neighbor Jay” Waicunas. Interviews with other PCT hikers in northern Oregon. (released October 2015)

On September 24, 2015, Heather “Anish” Anderson set the new speed record for a self-supported thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, becoming the first person ever to simultaneously hold the record for both the AT and PCT. Less than 3 days later, she sat down with Trailside Radio to talk about her records and the obstacles she has overcome to achieve them. (released September 2015)

Interviews with people hiking southbound on the Pacific Crest Trail. While hiking north to Cascade Locks, Ratatouille bumps into Par 3 of the podcast Sounds of the Trail, and they simultaneously interview each other at PCT Days. An on-trail musical performance by hiker Gabriella “Ukulele” Smith. (released September 2015)

Ratatouille attempts the Oregon Challenge-- hiking 456 miles in 14 days-- but exhaustion and dehydration have other plans. Forest fires cause a trail closure near Crater Lake, but a familiar face comes to the rescue. Interviews with artistic and musical hikers at Shelter Cove. (released September 2015)

From a rave in Belden to a church in Chester, Ratatouille hikes and hitches his way through northern California to the Oregon border-- and defends his camp from a bear. Really, it was a bear this time! Bluegrass in Belden. A mysterious shoe appears. Poop talk in Sierra City. A conversation with another hiker about being behind schedule on a thru-hike. (released August 2015)

A return to the Sierra Mountains. Far behind schedule, still overcoming a sprained ankle, Ratatouille skips two beautiful sections of trail to catch up with other hikers. A rendezvous in Mammoth Lakes. Interviews with a group of trail maintenance workers and the owner of Sonora Pass Resupply.

Welcome to The Hostel California in Bishop, where dozens of hikers rendezvous, congregate, linger, and have their willpower tested as they attempt to return to the trail. 20 hikers take a U-Haul to San Francisco to attend the Pride Celebration and get stopped by police along the way. Thunderstorms. Fireworks. How not to make a jello pool. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. (released August 2015)

Ratatouille and Mr. Universe brave snakes, bears, cows, and giardia to reach Kennedy Meadows. A lingering injury forces Ratatouille to make a difficult decision. Featuring an interview with Shawn “Highwalker” Snyder, who has spent much of his life on the Pacific Crest Trail. (released July 2015)

The going gets rough. (released July 2015)

Ratatouille visits Casa de Luna and talks with Terrie Anderson, trail angel extraordinaire. A 10-mile drunken night hike tests Ratatouille's ukulele abilities. A podcast rivalry escalates. Hiker Haikus. (released July 2015)

For 18 years, Donna and Jeff Saufley hosted PCT hikers at their home in Agua Dulce, California. They meet with Ratatouille to talk about how 50 hikers per season grew to 50 hikers per night, and why they made the decision to close Hiker Heaven. (released June 2015)

Hikers make plans. The trail laughs. (released June 2015)

Ratatouille's journey on the PCT continues. We meet several other hikers and learn just how quickly the trail can become both wonderful-- and brutal. (released June 2015)

Part 3 of Ratatouille's interviews at the 2015 PCT Kick Off. Dedicated to Kick Off founder Greg "Strider" Hummel. (released May 2015)

Part 2 of Ratatouille's interviews at the 2015 PCT Kick Off. (released May 2015)

Ratatouille hikes into Lake Moreno for the 2015 PCT Kick Off event. (released May 2015)

Ratatouille's final episode before he leaves Portland to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. He talks with Whitney "Allgood" LaRuffa of ALDHA-West. Plus more conversation with Renee "She-ra" Patrick of Hikertrash dicussing the Continental Divide Trail. (released April 2015)

Why do so many hikers embrace the term Hikertrash? Erin and Carl Miller (Hummingbird and Bearclaw) discuss Erin's book, Hikertrash: Life on the Pacific Crest Trail. Renee "She-ra" Patrick talks about her clothing company, Hikertrash. Kolby "Condor" Kirk explains how there is more than one way to hike. (released March 2015)

Erin "Wired" Saver discusses her experiences thruhiking various trails while writing one of the web's most popular hiking blogs, Walking With Wired. Sage Clegg talks about earning her Triple Crown and blazing trails. (released March 2015)

Ratatouille introduces himself and explains his plans to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Interviews with PCT hikers. We also meet Ratatouille's mom. (released March 2015)