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I'm joined by Katie “Wildy” Brown—former Arizona Trail self-supported record holder and fresh off the Millwood 100, a 102-mile Wasatch linkup with ~37,000 feet of vert designed by Jared Campbell. We break down what Millwood actually is (route, not race), why she started at night, when the wheels got wobbly on night two, and how crew and pacers changed the game. Katie talks RUFA, Salt Lake's inversion (and why you literally run through it), and lessons from the mostly self-supported Plains 100—moon dust, SAR checkpoints, and an asthma scare at mile 100. We get into toughness vs. speed, route finding with cliff-band consequences, French-fry aid, ER-nurse night shifts, trail names (Wildy!), and why the Wasatch keeps calling her back. Check out Millwood 100: https://runuphill.wordpress.com/2017/07/15/millwood-100-official-page/Follow Katie Brown: https://www.instagram.com/kaytebrownChapters00:00 Exploring the Millwood 100 Adventure08:18 The Journey of Preparation and Planning13:56 The Role of Support and Pacers19:54 Mental Resilience and Overcoming Challenges25:56 Reflections on Toughness and Personal Growth31:42 The Joy of Companionship in Racing37:05 Innovative Race Concepts45:53 Running Up for Air: A Unique Initiative50:56 Life Beyond Mormonism: A Personal Journey
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by thru-hiking power couple who've hiked more than 11,000 miles together Chris and Sara, known on trail as Endless and QB. “What haven't they hiked?” is a fair question, because it's been a lot, including the AT, the PCT (twice), CDT, CT (twice), Arizona Trail, Manaslu Circuit, Hayduke, Long Trail, Cohos Trail, Loowit Trail, Wonderland Trail, Ruby Crest Trail, Why-wash, (ahl-pah-MY-oh) / Santa Cruz Trek, the GR20, and more, believe it or not. They share the story of how they met, offer tips for making a marriage work both on trail and off, discuss how they befriended Mac from Halfway Anywhere and Viking during their many trail adventures, and explain why rafting the Grand Canyon stands out as the most epic adventure of them all. We wrap the show with news of the asshat who vandalized the Katahdin sign, the triple crown of seafoods, and definitively answer the age old question of window vs. aisle. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Chris & Sara aka Endless & QB Chris's Instagram Chris's Website Sara's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:05:00 - Apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:09:10 - Introducing Endless & QB 00:15:55 - We Love Love: Where did you meet? 00:21:20 - Tell us about getting together on the CDT 00:23:55 - What's it like to be a firefighter? 00:29:11 - What are some standout firefighter stories? 00:32:15 - Would you recommend being a firefighter to others? 00:35:35 - Is it difficult to align both of your schedules? 00:36:30 - When did you know you wanted to hike more trails together? 00:37:50 - When did you meet Jabba? 00:39:50 - How did you meet Twinkle and Grace? 00:43:36 - Any stories from the AZT? 00:45:40 - Tell us about Nepal 00:51:36 - Tell us about getting married at a pool party 00:56:10 - Tell us about your road trip in 2018 00:58:00 - Discussion about their speed of hiking 01:02:15 - How many miles have each of you hiked? 01:03:40 - What do you disagree about on trail? 01:05:15 - Was it hard to transition to an off-trail relationship? 01:10:50 - Discussion about knee surgery 01:11:56 - Tell us about your honeymoon roadtrip 01:14:55 - Tell us about hiking in the Sawtooths 01:16:50 - Tell us about the Loowit Trail 01:19:20 - Discussion about trail running and transitioning from thru-hiking 01:24:15 - Tell us about backpacking in the Wallowa Mountains 01:25:40 - How do you divvy up tasks in the backcountry? 01:28:30 - Tell us about the rest of the 2020 road trip 01:32:50 - How did you decide to hike the PCT a second time? 01:34:20 - Tell us about rafting the Grand Canyon 01:43:45 - Tell us about your hikes in Peru 01:46:40 - Why'd you get off the Oregon Desert Trail? 01:48:40 - Tell us about your hiking in Europe 01:59:15 - Did you dirtbag the whole time in Europe? 02:01:10 - Are you looking to do more international hiking? 02:01:45 - What's your top 5 travel bucket list? 02:04:00 - Are you thinking about having kids? 02:05:30 - How was your recent hike of the CT? 02:06:45 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors? Segments Trek Propaganda: Someone Vandalized the Katahdin Sign — Rangers Are Asking for Your Help by Kelly Floro QOTD: Window or aisle? Triple Crown of seafoods Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
While I'm out chasing a self-supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail, we're throwing it back to one of the weirdest solo episodes yet.This one's all about hallucinations—those sleep-deprived visions that show up when the miles get long and the sleep gets short. I break down my top five all-time hallucinations from FKTs and multi-day races like Nolan's 14, Cocodona, the Arizona Trail, and the Colorado Trail.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Context of the Podcast02:11 Hallucinations from Sleep Deprivation07:22 First Hallucination: The Safari Guy11:59 Second Hallucination: Witches in the Woods19:32 Third Hallucination: The Robot in the Cliff23:13 Fourth Hallucination: Black Bears and Stumps27:17 Conclusion and Future PlansYou'll meet:The Safari Man who's been following me for yearsWitches in the forest waiting to sweep me upA three-story robot stuck in a rock wallA pirate ship in the desert for some reasonAnd chicken feet sprouting from the EarthWe also touch on why hallucinations happen, what triggers them, and how I'm turning them into AI-generated images—because if I have to see these things, so do you.Sponsors:Janji • Garage Grown Gear • CS Coffee • Mount to CoastSupport the Appalachian Trail FKT attempt + the show: Patreon.com/freeoutsideSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you!My final featured state this month is one that sparks extreme reactions -- fitting for a state that can be icy cold and boiling hot on the same day. We'll discuss the most famous feature of Arizona and what it tells us about how the world came to be; the most famous gunfight in history and the lawlessness that lawmen can create; the reason most people avoid Arizona and why the locals don't seem to care; and the beauty of God's creation, all of it, and how you will miss it if you don't open your eyes and your mind.For more on Dr. Andrew Snelling's research on the Grand Canyon, go to https://answersingenesis.org/geology/grand-canyon/fight-53-rocks/.Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We believe the Bible is God's word, that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that heaven is our home, and that we have work to do here while we wait. Regular topics of discussion and conversation include: Christians, Jesus, obedience, faith, grace, baptism, New Testament, Old Testament, authority, gospel, fellowship, justice, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, Twenty Pages a Week, Bible reading, heaven, hell, virtues, character, denominations, submission, service, character, COVID-19, assembly, Lord's Supper, online, social media, YouTube, Facebook.
Send us a textIn previous episodes, we've chatted with some young runners who have taken on ultramarathons like the Leadville Trail 100, something that was unheard of in the ancient days when I began in the sport. While it's become less rare to see this, it's now been taken up a notch. Meet the Chisholm family of Salem, NH. Brothers Ben, Brody, Elliott, and Asher all play hockey, with the three eldest at one time playing on the same line together on their high school team. Led by their parents, the boys started off climbing in New Hampshire's White Mountains, eventually summitting all of its 48 4000-foot peaks, which is no joke in difficulty. This evolved to the family next through-hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, then the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail, each of which are thousands of miles long and take months to complete, and definitely at times challenged the limits of family togetherness. While later hiking the Arizona Trail, they learned about this thing called ultramarathoning and on a whim entered the Elden Crest 38-miler, in which second-oldest son Brody led the family to the finish line in fifth-place overall. So the next logical step of course was to return to Arizona to run the 2024 Cocodona 250. Of course. Since races like this include large swaths of hiking, the family leaned heavily on their strong through-hiking skills, a theory that bore fruit. Brody, 17 at the time, boldly had his sights on setting a course record despite having had no prior ultra experience longer than 38 miles, but has 4:30 mile speed on the track, so he could add that running ability to the mix. He learned a lot of ultramarathoning lessons, especially regarding fueling, but still astoundingly finished 12th in 75:42:42, a pace of 18:11 per mile for more than 250 miles. Meanwhile, 18-year-old brother Ben finished 34th in 87:01:50 despite battling lack of sleep and hallucinations, and mom Jennie finished as well in 103:58:03 while overcoming tibial stress fractures. Round two for the family was this year as 16-year-old Elliott attempted to usurp Brody's record as the youngest-ever Cocodona finisher, but a sickness felled his chance, and Brody also DNF'd. However, Jennie chopped more than 14 hours off of her previous time and placed as the 7th female finisher. So Elliott took on a new challenge the day before we recorded this and ran the Back Cove Backyard Ultra in Portland, ME, where he impressively ran 121 miles, running another 4.16-mile loop at the start of every hour for 29 hours, the third-most in the last-man-standing event. With Jennie and the three oldest boys of this super nice family all crammed onto a couch together for this really fun chat, we cover how they logistically pull all of this off with schoolwork and teen life in general, as well as dealing with those who have this idea that teenage boys shouldn't take on epic challenges like they have. I think anyone who has doubts will walk away with other ideas after listening to them.The familyInstagram @thefieldtrip_5Jennie ChisholmInstagram @_jenniechisholmBen ChisholmInstagram @benchisholm_7Brody ChisholmInstagram @brody.chisholmElliott ChisholmInstagram @elliott.chisholmBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastSubscribe to the We Are Superman Newsletter!https://mailchi.mp/dab62cfc01f8/newsletter-signupSubscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I f
Jeff Garmire is a professional ultramarathon athlete, coach, author, podcast host, and one of a very few to have participated in all Cocodona 250 events. Long ultras are not even long for Jeff, as he has also completed some monster through hikes like John Muir Trail, Arizona Trail, Continental Divide and more. He is currently gearing up for an unsupported attempt on the Appalachian Trail in August. Endurance Training Simplified Series Zach's Low Carb Endurance Approach Series LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO (free sample pack with purchase) deltaG: deltagketones.com Code: BITTER20 (20% Off) Maui Nui Venison: mauinuivenison.com/bitter CurraNZ: curranzusa.com Code: Bitter20deal (20% Off) Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Newsletter: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com - IG: @zachbitter - X/Tw: @zbitter - FB: @zbitterendurance - Strava: Zach Bitter Jeff: freeoutside.com | IG: @thefreeoutside | YouTube: @JeffGarmire | Podcast: Free Outside Podcast
In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with thru-hiker and author Julia Sheehan to unpack her transformative 2,190-mile journey along the Appalachian Trail. Julia opens up about the emotional and physical challenges of the hike, the experience of documenting it on social media, and the unexpected impact of going viral. She shares insights from her new book, Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail, and gets candid about the pressure to stay authentic online, navigate community expectations, and filter through the noise of constant feedback.Julia has stepped foot on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Arizona Trail, but shares about the unique charm and magic of the Appalachian Trail. Julia also reflects on how yoga and writing her memoir became a key part of her healing—and why vulnerability is essential to meaningful storytelling. This conversation goes beyond the trail. It's about resilience, self-discovery, and learning to navigate the highs and lows—on and off the path.Follow Julia on Instagram - @juliasheehanHer book - Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian TrailHer documentary - Into the Wild: My Journey on the Appalachian TrailBackpacker article - Her Thru-Hike Went Viral. Then She Quit.NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:2:32 Welcome, Julia Sheehan!7:07 What life looked like for Julia when she left for the Appalachian Trail10:32 Julia's reasons on filming her AT thru-hike16:01 The impacts of social media + thru-hiking and how to handle online criticism30:45 Julia's memoir - Hiking is the Easy Part: My Journey on the Appalachian Trail56:12 Julia's yoga journey + the benefits of practicing yoga1:09:04 Why do first-time thru-hikers keep going back1:15:00 The unique magic of the Appalachian TrailSend us a textWhere to find and support Bush & Banter: Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman
Today we have one of the most inspiring runners I know—Jennie Chisholm. She's a mom of four boys, a Triple Crowner, and a two-time Cocodona 250 finisher. But she didn't find ultrarunning the usual way. She stumbled into it—literally—on a whim while thru-hiking the Arizona Trail.She tells the incredible story of how her family went from watching Cocodona as curious hikers to toeing the start line with hand-me-down running vests and brand-new shoes. We talk about how her sons became ultrarunners, what it's like racing 250 miles while constantly worrying about your kids (who are also racing), and the chaos of coordinating multiple crews and pacers as a full-on family affair.She shares the highs and heartbreaking lows from this year's Cocodona—dealing with sickness, hypothermia, and emotional breakdowns on the trail, all while pushing through to the finish herself. We also dive into training, nutrition (or the lack thereof), trail names, and how thru-hiking helped shape her kids into some of the toughest young runners in the sport.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jenny Chisholm's Journey03:10 The Accidental Entry into Cocodona05:59 Family Dynamics in Ultra Running09:06 Logistics of Racing as a Family11:52 Challenges Faced During the Race15:05 The Emotional Toll of DNFing17:56 Finding Focus Amidst Chaos21:00 The Role of Family Support23:52 Reflections on the Race Experience39:33 The Emotional Roller Coaster of Racing48:12 Navigating Nutrition and Training Challenges55:02 Building Confidence Through Thru-Hiking01:01:08 The Future of Family Adventures01:09:31 Embracing the Journey and Lessons LearnedSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside
Cjell Moné just did the unthinkable by riding his custom Moné La Roca with coaster brakes on the Arizona Trail 800. The AZT 800, which is actually 840 miles, traverses the length of Arizona from the USA/Mexico border to the border of Utah. It's infamous for being one of the most challenging bikepacking routes in the world. Riders will face extreme temperatures, brutal desert terrain, long stretches without resupply, all on a trail that was designed for hikers, not cyclists. While the route is riddled with challenges it is equally beautiful and awe-inspiring, which only adds to it's mystique and it's growing popularity among those with a sense of adventure and maybe a slight penchant for abuse. For the uninitiated a Coaster Brake bike is like the one you probably road as a kid. When you pedal backwards it engages the rear brake. And that's it. No hydraulic disc brakes to control your speed to keep you from flying off the trail and into the abyss. Coaster bikes can only work on Singlespeed bikes, so on top of taking on the AZT 800 with a coaster bike, he was also only had one gear. Crazy? Maybe. Wild? Yes! But if you know Cjell Moné you wouldn't be even a little bit surprised. Cjell is known for his style, flair, and fondness for individuality. Which is represented in everything he does, from how he rides his bike to the bikes he builds at his custom bike factory (which is a truthfully a 1990 Wonderbread Truck). Learn more about Cjell and the beautiful bikes he builds over at MoneBikes.com. EPISODE SPONSORS Farther Bag Co. – Use code “bagsordeath” at checkout to get 15% off your order! Central Texas Showdown – Registration open now! Use code “bikesordeath” to get $20 off registration. New Patrons None this week. Join us won't you at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath
Backpacking & thru-hiking legend Chris Townsend joins us on the podcast to talk about his best tips for trail photography and for writing in the outdoor space. He's hiked 30,000+ miles around the world on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Arizona Trail, and more. You can learn more about Chris in Episode #180 and Episode #195 of this podcast.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 new and experienced hikers alike, as well as aspiring authors and outdoor photographers.In this episode, you'll learn about:1. His best tips for on-trail photography2. The top lightweight and effective equipment he uses3. Tips on writing in the outdoor space, thoughts for first time authors, and much more!Connect & follow along with Chris Townsend:Chris Townsend Outdoors WebsiteAmazon ShopGreat Outdoors MagazineInstagramFacebookThreadsFollow along with Cheer on the Trans Catalina Trail:@carollcoyne@thru_rIf you love what we're doing here on the podcast and over at THRU-r, you can become a Virtual Trail Angel via our PayPal Donation Page. As a grassroots thru-hiker run organization, we really appreciate the support!Did you love this episode? Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Connect With Us:Join The Trail FamilyTHRU-r WebsiteTHRU-r InstagramTHRU-r TikTokTHRU-r FacebookTHRU-r YoutubeTHRU-r ThreadsCheer's YouTubeCheer's InstagramEpisode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Want to support us? Use code DISTANCE at Janji.com and be sure to select 'podcast' > 'Distance to Empty' on the post purchase "How did you hear about Janji" page. Thank you!Welcome to our Flagstaff Bound series! We'll be hosting this series along with Aravaipa Running in the lead up to the 2025 Cocodona 250.In this episode of Flagstaff Bound, host Kevin Goldberg and co-host Peter Noyes interview ultra runner Georgia Porter, who recently set the women's supported FKT on the Arizona Trail. Georgia shares their experiences and insights from their journey, including their transition from the Arizona Trail to their upcoming participation in the Cocodona 250. The conversation delves into themes of pain, fear, joy, and the allure of multi-day racing, as well as the challenges and unknowns that come with such endurance events. Georgia emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and managing expectations while embracing the adventure of ultra running.
We're back! After a few weeks off, the crew returns, and they take on the Monster in the process. This is the first part of three episodes dedicated to the Arizona Monster 300. The first two parts are a very detailed course overview and recap with Andrew, and the third will be an interview with another runner who ran the race MUCH quicker. So we hope we have the back and front of the pack covered with this one! For part one, co-host Andrew talks all things Arizona Monster 300 - the newest and biggest trail race around. This was the inaugural year of the event, so the stoke level for all involved was high. This is a 300 mile trail race that traverses the Sonoran desert in Arizona, heading south from Superior, through Tucson, and down near the border in Patagonia. The course mainly takes place on the rugged and completely exposed Arizona Trail, and goes over the incredibly steep and rugged Catalina mountains, including Mt. Lemmon, before dancing in the shadows of Mt. Wrightson near the finish.In this episode, Andrew provides a very detailed course overview, as well as his own personal experience. This episode covers the first half of the race, from the start in Superior all the way to the incredibly difficult Mt. Lemmon - a section that Andrew says was the most difficult he has done yet in a 200+ mile race. Andrew goes over the logistics, the course difficulty, and yes, some of the issues and concerns that others have been asking about. We hope this episode offers some insight for those interested in doing the race in the future. It is an incredible event and an opportunity that many shouldn't pass up if they're looking for their distance PR. So strap in and enjoy our trek through the desert for the next few episodes as we talk all things Arizona Monster 300!Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org
In this episode of Ultra Uncovered, Georgia Porter joins Corinne and Russell to discuss their leap from Olympic Trials marathoner to multi-day ultrarunner — and why the 2025 Cocodona 250 is their next big adventure. After completing and setting the Fastest Known Time on the 800+ mile Arizona Trail with less than four hours of sleep a night, Georgia shares their evolved relationship with pain, their spiritual approach to endurance, and how community and crew are at the heart of their racing.From redefining courage to embracing emotional breakdowns on trail, Georgia opens up about their mindset heading into Cocodona, what they've learned from moving through discomfort, and why they believe presence > control. The episode also touches on the role of pacing, their thoughts on the women's field (including Courtney Dauwalter), and the beauty of running “home” to Flagstaff.Follow Corinne - https://www.instagram.com/corinne_shalvoyage/Follow Russ - https://www.instagram.com/russellditsworth/Follow Cocodona - https://www.instagram.com/cocodona250/
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we're joined by Maytal Agasi, known on trail as Carrot Top. In this episode, we learn how a road trip in a mid-size SUV with her two brothers sparked Carrot Top's entry into the world of thru-hiking. She shares how she benefitted massively from both solo and group thru-hikes. We chat about her time on the JMT, Colorado Trail, and PCT, and we take a deeper dive into her most recent trek on the Camino de Costa Rica, covering standout cultural elements, landscape highlights, the incredibly muggy weather, rich wildlife (including venomous snakes and sloths), managing language barriers, unique logistical challenges, and more. A quick note: I made a big time dumb guy mistake. About 30 minutes into the interview, I realized our audio recorder wasn't rolling. The first 36 minutes of the interview have lower audio quality than usual. That portion still offers important context about Maytal's journey into the outdoors, but if it's too distracting, the audio quality improves at the 36-minute mark of the interview. Trigger warning: This interview includes discussion of suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, we recommend skipping ahead to the point where the audio improves—again 36 minutes into the interview. We wrap the show with another clue about our super secret special guest for the upcoming live podcast in Austin, what ridiculous outfit we'd hike in forever, the Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes, and a disturbing story of an international hiker who was detained, deported, and banned from the U.S. on her way to hike the Arizona Trail. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKWINTER15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com. Vaer Watches: Check out Vaer Watches at vaerwatches.com. AG1: Get your free $79 gift at drinkag1.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Maytal “Carrottop” Agasi Maytal's Instagram Camino de Costa Rica Time stamps & Questions 00:06:10 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, join us for our live show in Austin, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek! 00:10:00 - Audio note 00:12:10 - Introducing Maytal 00:15:30 - How did you get your trail name? 00:16:05 - What does a garden educator do? 00:17:24 - What is the best plant? 00:19:40 - How did you get into hiking? 00:21:23 - Why don't you fight with your siblings? 00:24:00 - Discussion about Maytal's roadtrip 00:25:23 - Are your parents hippie-adjacent? 00:27:08 - What's your favorite on-trail meal to make? 00:30:50 - Do you taste the meals before dehydrating them? 00:32:44 - How did you decide to hike the JMT? 00:34:10 - What happened to your dad? 00:38:30 - How do you process things as well as enjoy the trail while hiking? 00:40:50 - Was it intimidating to hike mostly solo on your first hike? 00:46:17 - Are there any fats that are safe to dehydrate? 00:46:55 - Did you know right away you wanted to do more hikes? 00:49:45 - Have you butt heads with anyone on trail? 00:52:00 - How did you get your gear dialed in for the JMT? 00:55:00 - Discussion about stool sample tests 00:57:45 - Were you happy to hike the CT with a friend or did you ever want space? 01:00:50 - What did you like about Salida? 01:03:03 - When did you decide to hike the PCT? 01:05:30 - Tell us about almost falling off a mountain 01:10:35 - What was it like to go through the Sierra twice? 01:12:45 - How did you learn about the Camino de Costa Rica? 01:15:57 - Are guides required? 01:16:50 - How long is the trail and what is the mileage like each day? 01:20:30 - Do you pay the host families? 01:23:40 - How did you communicate that you were vegetarian? 01:24:50 - Did you have cell service? 01:26:00 - Do you know how many people have hiked this trail? 01:28:30 - What was the weather like? 01:30:25 - What were the landscape highlights of the trail? 01:38:00 - Discussion about wildlife 01:41:05 - Were there other opportunities to eat in town? 01:42:12 - What are the biggest cultural differences? 01:45:55 - What would you like to relay to the listeners of Backpacker Radio? 01:47:38 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda 20 Trek Bloggers You Should Be Following in 2025 by Jess A German Thru-Hiker Has Been Detained, Deported, and Banned From the US Without a Hearing: Here's What You Need To Know by Caitlin Hardee QOTD: If you could only hike in one ridiculous outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be? Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes Thing of the Week Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Eathan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Alsop, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.
Backpacking & thru-hiking legend Chris Townsend joins us on the podcast to talk about his best tips for long-distance hikers, trail food, and what to know about gear and shakedown hikes. Some trails he's tackled include the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Arizona Trail, and so much more. You can learn more about Chris in Episode #180 of this podcast.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 new and experienced hikers alike.In this episode, he'll give you intel on:1. The best tips for new hikers preparing for trail2. Backpacker food strategy and when hiker hunger hits3. Shakedown hikes and how they set him up for success - and so much more!Connect & follow along with Chris Townsend:Chris Townsend Outdoors WebsiteAmazon ShopGreat Outdoors MagazineInstagramFacebookThreadsIf you love what we're doing here on the podcast and over at THRU-r, you can become a Virtual Trail Angel via our PayPal Donation Page. As a grassroots thru-hiker run organization, we really appreciate the support!Did you love this episode? Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Connect With Us:Join The Trail FamilyTHRU-r WebsiteTHRU-r InstagramTHRU-r TikTokTHRU-r FacebookTHRU-r YoutubeTHRU-r ThreadsCheer's YouTubeCheer's InstagramEpisode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
We have a German hiker on the podcast this week. Annika Ananias recently flew into the US to hike the Arizona Trail with her American boyfriend, when she was pulled out of line, harshly interrogated, deported, and banned from re-entering the country for five years. This, despite having a ten-year visa. She has a compelling story. I wanted to hear from Annika in her own words. The Trek wrote a great article about her that left me with a few questions I wanted to clear up with her. As you'll hear, she is articulate and tells her alarming story with clarity. These links will tell you more of the story and, if you're able to read German or you can get it translated, at the end of the list is an article she wrote to warn fellow European hikers of the situation they may face in the US. Annika Ananias / "Ravenclaw", Author at The Trek Statement English German Thru-Hiker Detained, Deported, and Banned From US - The Trek Einreise in die USA: Warum ein Visum keine Garantie ist und wie ihr euch vorbereiten solltet - Weltwanderin Both of our Mighty Blue Class of 2025 are now on trail. Beth saet out this past week, and we catch up with her and her stepson, Andrew, at Woody Gap, with their first impressions. Dave is now into Hot Springs, some 275 miles ahead of Beth, and he is zeroing there to give back to the local community by spending in local businesses. I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. I hope you want to support this critical mission. Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out. I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, “I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell.” You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. Come on the show! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at Hiking Radio Network . If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received. Additionally, you can “Zelle” me a donation to steve@hikingradionetwork.com. Or “Venmo“ me at @Steve-Adams-105. They both work! If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.
In the newest episode of the Arizona Highways podcast, host Steve Goldstein and Arizona Highways editor Robert Stieve talk with Sunny Stroeer, an extreme athlete who traded her MBA from Harvard and a successful career for a Chevy Astro van — “I have a strong desire for uncertainty, discovery and exploration,” she says.
This week on a special edition of the HappyCast, we have our Arizona Monster 300 race and course preview episode! This race is the newest, biggest, and baddest race in the ultra (ultra) distance running world. This is Destination Trail's first 300+ mile race, and the hype surrounding this event has been palpable. Selling out in a matter of days a year ago can do that. With race day (April 4) fast approaching, we talk all things Arizona Monster. The crew is joined by four special guests who all chime in about the race and some of their biggest questions going into it. Rachel Bambrick returns to the podcast to talk about her mindset entering the race. Three-time podcast guest Garren Hill joins us again along with his daughter Emily Hill as they talk about training together and running the race together, with some competition mixed in. And finally, Carol Northrup, who is no stranger to the Arizona Trail, talks about her experience doing recon of the course. She has hiked the Arizona Trail before as well, so she sheds some light on what to expect during our course preview. She has probably done more recon of the course recently than anyone around! With less than a month to go until race day, the anticipation is reaching an all-time high. Join us as well all share our nervous excitement together and talk about the upcoming experience and what to expect.Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org
What would you do if failure was a real possibility? If suffering was inevitable, but you had the option to walk away? Would you still go for it? My guest today, Kimberly Brookshire, knows this challenge well. She's a long-distance hiker, a women's adventure guide, and a passionate fly fisher—always choosing the hard path, the uncertain path, because that's where she finds the most growth. In this episode, Kimberly shares her journey from fashion and city life to hiking thousands of miles on some of the toughest trails in the U.S. and beyond. She opens up about why she keeps pushing her limits, how she finds meaning in suffering, and the lessons she's learned from guiding women through their own adventurous pursuits. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or simply looking for inspiration to take a bold step in your own life, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humor, and a fresh perspective on what it means to live fully. Episode Highlights: [2:15] How a childhood filled with adventure led Kimberly to long-distance hiking [6:40] The pivotal decision to hike the Mountain-to-Sea Trail—and why no one thought she'd finish [15:20] Why guiding women's adventure trips is about more than just the outdoors [25:00] Handling adversity on the trail: lessons from near disaster [37:45] The mental toughness strategies that keep Kimberly pushing forward [45:10] Finding the balance between solo adventures and guiding others [54:30] The Arizona Trail: what's next on Kimberly's adventure list Links & Resources: Follow Kimberly on Instagram: @kimberlybrookshire Learn more about the WHOA Travel for women-powered Adventures: WHOA Travel Check out the Mountain-to-Sea Trail: www.mountainstoseatrail.org If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review! It helps others find the show and keeps the adventure going.
This episode is pure storytelling chaos. I sat down with Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy, and we covered everything from FKTs gone wrong to ultra running hallucinations and how his dog literally ate his golden ticket. We relive our worst gear failures, talk about what it really takes to push through a 200-miler, and debate whether burping is the key to ultra success (yes, seriously). Joe shares his journey from setting the Pacific Crest Trail record to coaching and racing at the highest level, and we swap war stories about the Arizona Trail, John Muir Trail, and why we both seem to choose the absolute worst conditions for FKTs. If you're into absurd ultra running tales, bad decisions, and lessons learned the hard way, this one's for you.This episode is brought to you by: https://www.garagegrowngear.com/https://janji.com/So tell them I sent you! Follow Joe online: https://www.instagram.com/thestring.bean/And my sister's knitting account: https://www.instagram.com/knitted.with.grace/TakeawaysJoe is not a vegan athlete, despite misconceptions.He emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded diet.His first FKT experience was filled with overconfidence.Trusting technology can lead to unexpected challenges.Hallucinations can occur during extreme endurance events.Mental challenges are as significant as physical ones.The John Muir Trail inspired Joe to pursue FKTs.Caffeine and sleep management are crucial for performance.Hallucinations can lead to dangerous situations.The psychological aspect of running is multifaceted. Survival situations often involve extreme conditions and mental challenges.Gear failures can significantly impact performance in ultra running.It's important to invest in reliable gear for long-distance events.Coaching requires continuous learning and adaptation to athletes' needs.Sleep strategies are crucial for endurance races, but they vary by individual.Being selfish in races can enhance performance and personal experience.Self-supported racing fosters independence and self-reliance.The journey into coaching can be both rewarding and challenging.Understanding one's body and its responses is key to successful racing.The golden ticket symbolizes achievement but comes with its own challenges.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Veganism and Misconceptions03:05 First FKT Experiences and Overcoming Fears05:54 Challenges on the Arizona Trail08:58 The John Muir Trail: Inspiration and Aspirations11:55 Experiences on Mount Whitney14:56 Hallucinations and Mental Challenges in Ultra Running18:10 The Psychological Aspects of Endurance Running23:49 Survival and Extreme Conditions25:37 Lessons from Gear Failures28:32 The Burping Dilemma31:57 The Journey into Coaching36:27 Navigating Sleep Strategies39:30 The Importance of Selfishness in Racing43:25 Golden Ticket TalesSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside
Calendar Year Triple Crowner Carl "Prof" Stanfield sits down with Doc in the Hiker Trash Radio catch up and talk some trail. Settle in and buckle up as the Professor takes us all to school, including segments on hitches gone wrong/right, Hot Springs, long-distance relationships, the Arizona Trail, making the adjustment from 11.5 months on the trail to "regular" life, a Hiking Hack you don't want to miss, and the allure of a particular pit toilet in California 100 miles from the Mexican border. Another instant classic from the Professor! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week's episode is a special one! We are sitting down and talking to the director of the AZT bikepacking race John Schilling!! The first half of the show is more of a normal Like a Bigfoot Podcast as we dive into John's history with bikepacking and designing amazing routes (like the Queen's Ransom ride). In the second half of the show, co-host Thomas Mullins picks John's brain for info about sections of the Arizona Trail that Thomas will be tackling on foot in April during Destination Trail's Arizona Monster 300!! ….yes that's right…300 miles of trail running through southern Arizona. It is the first year for the event and is looking to be beyond epic! Thomas and our friend Phil Pinti are both taking on this challenge, so there will be more episodes about this event coming up over the next few months. Enjoy!!
Bike Talk with Dave: Bicycle racing, cyclocross, gravel, mountain bike, road and tech
This weeks guest, Kurt Refsnider, is one of the greats when it comes to super long, difficult, mountainous and often cold and snowy bikepacking adventures. He's been to Nome Alaska on the Iditarod Trail, finished the Tour Divide in 15 days and has reached Master of the Universe status on the Arizona Trail! We also talk about his podium finish at the U.S. Cyclocross National Championships! In his years of bike packing, he figured out a way to combine his passion for teaching geology with cycling, leading students on a Geology Through Bikepacking course at Prescott College in Arizona. Since then he's been busy with, not only his coaching at UltraMTB but has now chosen to direct his energy toward co-founding the Bikepacking Roots organization to help grow and advocate for the bikepacking community. A recent success of Bikepacking Roots was helping develop and pass a new national law: the BOLT Act - which is part of the larger, very outdoor recreationally friendly EXPLORE Act, passed in early January of 2025. And if he hasn't been busy enough with all of that - he's also an athlete ambassador of POW - or the Protect Our Winters organization. Bikepacking Roots: https://bikepackingroots.org/UltraMTB Coaching: https://www.ultramtb.net/Protect Our Winters: https://protectourwinters.org/This episode is brought to you by Pogie Lites. Keep your hands warm and dry when riding this winter and spring! Available now at www.pogielites.com or on the online store at www.bikeiowa.comBIKEIOWA is your home for all things bike related: News, Events, Trails, Gear and more! Make it your homepage at www.bikeiowa.com.We would love it if you would consider supporting Bike Talk with Dave by rating, reviewing and sharing on your favorite podcast platform. We'd invite you to support the show financially at www.buymeacoffee.com or on Venmo @David-Mable.Follow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel!And if you need any digital media work: photography, videography and editing, podcast production and editing, look no further than Mable Media. Connect at www.mablemedia.net to help grow your brand and connect with your audience!
Thru hiker and author Nick "Desert Jesus" Fowler takes a well deserved break following his recent FKT on the Arizona Trail and joins Doc for some trail talk and parenting insights. Settle in and buckle up as DJ shares the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with covering 800 miles and 110,000 feet of elevation change in less than 13 days. DJ tells Doc about how he channeled his inner Tara Dower, multiple rainstorms throughout, sub freezing temperatures, not enough pain meds, ABC goals, parallels between thru hiking and parenting, and how he definitely did not hallucinate a white Cheshire cat on the trail for three consecutive nights. Epic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
While you were sipping egg nog and opening the presents that Santa Claus brought you, Matt Annabel was starting his AZT 300 Yo-Yo attempt. And while you were watching the ball drop or lighting fireworks to ring in the New Year, Matt was still out riding the AZT 300 Yo-Yo. I can't think of a more epic way to close out one year and ring in a new one than riding your damn bike on one of the most beautiful and challenging routes in bikepacking, the Arizona Trail 300. In true legend fashion, and in true Matt Annabel fashion, he did it on a singlespeed! Matt's ride was not an official time as he didn't stay on the official race course and he also stayed with a friend in Tucson, but that was never Matt's goal. He had other goals and intentions behind this ride that are just as valid as an official ITT, at least in my opinion. On today's episode Matt shares with us how this trip came together at the last minute, with literally zero training or planning, his personal reasons for being out there, and some really insightful background on some of the AZT trail history. He also reveals some big plans that he has on his bike for this year! Matt is a true wordsmith, who provided daily recaps during his ride. I strongly recommend you checking those out on his social media page for more context and perspective to this conversation. I also recommend you read, for a good laugh, his account of the Drive-by Dildo that impacted Indy Shultzs' face during the 2023 AZTR. He also has created and published a route called Rolling Horse in Colorado that sounds truly special. EPISODE SPONSORS Old Man Mountain - Introduced their Experimental Bikepacking Team on today's episode. To save 10% at OMM use code "mountainsordeath" at checkout East Texas Showdown – We've got 195 registered and 55 spots left, so if you'd like to see what all the hype is about we'd love to have you join us. New Patrons Pierre Reid May Matthew Hall Christopher T - Increased monthy contribution Mike Christensen - Increased monthy contribution Join them won't you at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath
In this conversation, Katie Gunvalson shares her journey attempting the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Fastest Known Time (FKT) in 2024. She discusses her long-standing dream of hiking the PCT, her training and preparation, the challenges she faced including fire closures, and how she found motivation despite setbacks. Katie reflects on the intrinsic value of her experience, the highs and lows of the trail, and her determination to push through to the end, culminating in a remarkable final push to complete the trail. In this conversation, Katie shares her experiences and insights from her journey on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) while attempting a Fastest Known Time (FKT). She discusses her food strategies, the meticulous planning involved in her FKT attempt, and the emotional challenges she faced, including reflections on failure and the importance of perseverance. Katie also touches on her identity transformation through hiking, the significance of her trail name, and her passion for adventure and art. takeaways Katie had been dreaming about the PCT for over 10 years. The goal was to achieve the southbound record or hike as fast as possible. Katie transitioned from road running to trail running during the pandemic. Her first real thru-hike was the Arizona Trail, which helped her prepare for the PCT. She faced significant challenges with fire closures right at the start of her hike. Despite the setbacks, Katie remained committed to completing the trail. She learned to find joy in the journey, not just the destination. Katie's motivation shifted from achieving a record to personal fulfillment. The experience taught her the importance of intrinsic motivation in outdoor adventures. Katie completed the last 140 miles in a continuous push, demonstrating her resilience. I structured my day to have very limited breaks. I was cold soaking the good old Talenty jar. I had a spreadsheet and a lot of help from previous record holders. I had a very long time to think about failure. You don't have to be the person who gets the thing for it to matter. It's a puzzle and I want to figure it out. Can you turn around and do it again? It's okay to fail and you can find success in anything. I think more women just need to get out there and try it. Failure is not as scary as it sounds when you're starting something. Sound Bites "I was devastated. I didn't even get to try." "This means nothing, but it can matter to me." "I did a couple of 45s, a bunch of 40s." "I finished delirious. Yeah, losing my mind." "I tried to allow myself to sleep." "I was cold soaking the good old Talenty jar." "I had a spreadsheet and a lot of help." "It's a puzzle and I want to figure it out." "Can you turn around and do it again?" "It's okay to fail and you can find success." "Failure is not as scary as it sounds." Chapters 00:00 Setting the Stage for the PCT FKT Attempt 06:02 Training and Preparation for the Trail 12:09 Facing Challenges: Fires and Record Attempts 18:10 Finding Motivation Amidst Adversity 23:52 The Final Push: A Race Against Time 26:05 Fueling the Journey: Food Strategies on the Trail 36:04 Planning for Success: The FKT Strategy 41:15 Reflections on Failure: Lessons Learned from the Trail 45:43 Post-Trail Emotions: Coping with Disappointment 50:36 Identity and Transformation: The Meaning of Trail Names 52:29 The Art of Adventure: Balancing Passion and Reality
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we're joined by Alison Kondler, an Audubon Master Birder—or as we like to call it, a certified bird guru. Alison wows us with her eerily accurate bird calls and shares her immense birding knowledge. We chat about the rarest birds you can spot in Colorado, the best apps for bird identification, why the American Ornithological Society (AOS) is renaming North American birds that are named after people, how to squirrel-proof your bird feeder, tips for turning your yard into a borderline bird sanctuary, and she finally settles the debate on whether birds are in fact government drones. If you're a bird lover—or even bird curious—this episode is for you. We wrap the show with a lively debate about whether thru-hiking belongs in the Olympics, the triple crown of underrated wildlife, a former guest obliterating the Arizona Trail FKT, and a generous dose of shameless self-promotion. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. Holiday Book Bundle: Get Badger & Chaunce's signed book package here. Sierra Club Outings: Use code “BACKPACKER” for $100 off at outings.sierraclub.org. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Alison Kondler Alison's Instagram Alison's Facebook Alison's TikTok Alison's Youtube Alison's LinkedIn Time stamps & Questions 00:03:30 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and apply to be a 2025 blogger OR vlogger! 00:11:14 - Introducing Alison 00:11:50 - What is an Audubon Master Birder? 00:13:45 - What does someone do with this certification? 00:15:10 - Was your family very into birds? 00:16:07 - When did you first interact with birds? 00:17:10 - What's the outcome of interacting with birds? 00:20:30 - How long did it take you for your calls to be indistinguishable from birds? 00:22:20 - Can you make other animal sounds? 00:25:19 - What are the most common birds you'll hear in Colorado? 00:27:45 - What are the rarest birds you'll hear in Colorado? 00:29:40 - Discussion about the common ages of birders 00:30:37 - What's your take on the movie The Big Ear? 00:31:50 - How do you prove that you've seen all the birds you claim? 00:32:57 - What Colorado birds would people travel from out of state to see? 00:33:50 - What's your take on pet birds? 00:34:17 - Which birds are the asshole birds? 00:35:44 - What's the easiest bird call to teach to others? 00:37:40 - How do you pick the right bird feeder for your yard? 00:39:35 - On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you stand on squirrels? 00:41:45 - What is the prettiest bird call? 00:43:20 - Bird call trivia 00:45:35 - How do you get rid of woodpeckers on your house? 00:47:40 - What's your view on crows? 00:49:30 - Are you familiar with bird folklore? 00:51:05 - Bird call trivia round 2 00:53:05 - Why is the American Ornithological Society changing the names of many birds? 00:57:55 - What's some hot gossip in the bird world? 00:59:20 - What makes a good area to go birding? 01:00:45 - What are some fun facts about ducks? 01:02:10 - Fuck Marry Kill: Ducks, geese, swans 01:03:50 - Aside from Colorado, where else do you love to watch birds? 01:05:00 - What's your best bird story? 01:07:00 - Discussion about rescuing birds 01:08:55 - What's the best birding app? 01:10:30 - Are there any endangered birds in Colorado? 01:11:50 - Are there any organizations dedicated to preserving birds? 01:12:48 - Do you think there's more to owls than meets the eye? 01:13:40 - Do you think birds might be drones? 01:15:10 - What makes the best bird ecosystem in your backyard? 01:16:47 - Discussion about European starlings 01:19:16 - What bird product is a total scam? 01:21:45 - Any good tips for hummingbird feeders? 01:23:58 - If you could pick one bird to fill the world with, which one would you pick? 01:24:20 - Do you have a strong stance on wind turbines? 01:25:30 - How can people minimize harm to birds in their yard? 01:26:30 - Tell us about your social media following 01:27:53 - What are the best flowers for hummingbirds? 01:29:20 - What are the most common questions you get on social media? 01:31:01 - Kumo Question: What is the strangest dream you've ever had? 01:32:32 - What upcoming events are you hosting? Segments Trek Propaganda Nick Fowler Decimates Fastest Known Time on the Arizona Trail by Katie Jackson The Backpacker and Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50 by the Editors QOTD: Should thru-hiking be an Olympic sport? Triple Crown of underrated wildlife Mail Bag (Wade's Adventures) 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Mud Tom, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Chris Pyle, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.
Heather Anderson is a legend of the multi-day endurance scene. She has set FKTs on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Triple Crown, and many more. Most recently, Heather became the second known person to hike the Arizona Trail in an unsupported fashion, also setting the unsupported FKT. In this episode Xander and Will talk with her about this incredible effort.Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoeUse code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire orderpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/
The fall is FKT time for the Arizona Trail with new records set this year by Justinas Leveika by bike, Georgia Porter with a supported record on foot for the women, and Nick Fowler self supported and with the overall fastest time going north to south. After a failed first attempt Nick regrouped, refueled, and came back to set the record. A really inspiring and motivating run! Listen to the show here on YouTube or on Apple or Spotify. Please like, share, and subscribe. Thanks! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejuniperlab.substack.com
Send us a textWe're back with professional adventurer Sunny Stroeer, who recently made an attempt on the self-supported FKT of the Arizona Trail. Although Sunny decided to cut the feat short after over 200 miles and one week, while on record pace, the nutrition strategy she employed was successful in that time, and one that surprised her as we worked together. In today's podcast, we discuss how the miles went, what went right, what she might change for the future, and what her takeaways were.More about Sunny: Sunny Stroeer is a free spirit and adventurer and we had the pleasure of working with Sunny as she prepared for this massive feat of endurance. Her overarching passion is to be active and push her limits in the side- and backcountry, spanning a multitude of sports from big-wall climbs over multi-day paddling trips to 100 milers and everything in between. Her specialty is the high altitude endurance realm; she holds speed records on Aconcagua and on the Annapurna Circuit and has excelled on high trails in the Colorado Rockies. As a storyteller, Sunny draws on her experiences and adventures as a professional mountain athlete to connect with her audience through captivating visuals and engaging presentations, focusing on topics like transformation, goal setting, perseverance, women empowerment and systematic decision-making in high risk environments. Please note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis and treatment.***Connect w/ Sunny: Instagram: @sstroeerDonate to get more women in the outdoors: give.classy.org/sunnys-aztAWExpeditions: https://awexpeditions.org/Catch up on Sunny's Past NR Episodes:Sunny's Episode 119 (pre-AZT)Sunny's NR Episode 110 (Iditarod)Mentioned:Injini Toe Socks: https://amzn.to/3VdjrYKLowa Boots: https://amzn.to/4g65CDuRun Gum: https://amzn.to/3YYKQzQKatadyn Filters: https://amzn.to/4ilgKOPTrekker's Friend: https://trekkersfriend.com/Iodine Tablets: MORE NR New customers save 10% off all products on our website with the code NEWPOD10 If you would like to work with our practitioners, click here: https://nutritional-revolution.com/work-with-us/ Save 20% on all supplements at our trusted online source: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannell Join Nutritional Revolution's The Feed Club to get $20 off right away with an additional $20 Feed credit drop every 90 days.: https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolution Interested in blood testing? Use code NUTRITIONALREVOLUTION at InsideTracker for 10% off any test: store.insidetracker.com/nutritionalrevolution If you're interested in sponsoring Nutritional Revolution Podcast, shoot us an email at nutritionalrev@gmail.com.
Nick Fowler is a multi-day athlete who is quickly solidifying himself as one of the best in the FKT scene. He has set FKTs on the Pacific Crest Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, and the Ozark Trail. Most recently, Nick set the overall FKT on the Arizona Trail while doing it self-supported. He covered the 800 miles in 12 days, 17 hours, 33 minutes. Xander and I talk to Nick about his monumental effort and so much more. Find Nick on Instagram @nick.fowler.says.hiCheck out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoeUse code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire orderpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/
Jeff Garmire interviews Nick Fowler, who shares his experience of Breaking the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Arizona Trail. The conversation covers Nick's recovery process after the trail, his nutrition strategies, the challenges he faced during the attempt, and the emotional moments he experienced along the way. Nick reflects on his training, the importance of mental toughness, and his future plans for more FKTs. Support the show on Patreon! Patreon.com/Freeoutside Find Nick on the internet! His book "Itch": https://www.amazon.com/Itch-Pacific-Northwest-Trail-Story-ebook/dp/B0CWMYRQXK Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nick.fowler.says.hi/?hl=en takeaways Nick lost 15 pounds during his trail attempt. He emphasizes the importance of trying new things to discover potential. Nick faced significant challenges, including dehydration and exhaustion. He had to adapt his nutrition strategy on the fly during the trail. Sleep deprivation played a major role in his performance. Nick's emotional moments were highlighted by the support of friends. He learned valuable lessons from each FKT attempt he has made. The mental aspect of endurance challenges is crucial for success. Nick plans to tackle the Watchtower Trail next. He believes in the power of belief to achieve great feats. Sound Bites "I was so tired, Jeff." "I was hiking naked." "I had zero training." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Recovery Post-Trail 04:54 The Arizona Trail FKT Attempt 07:47 Challenges on the Trail 10:27 Resupply Strategies and Nutrition 13:24 Caffeine and Energy Management 16:42 Sleep Deprivation and Its Effects 19:34 Navigating Obstacles and Mistakes 22:37 The Final Stretch and Emotional Moments 33:08 Navigating Challenges: The Journey to Micah 35:03 Mindset and Goals: The Final Days 36:39 Outsourcing Support: The Power of Teamwork 38:36 The Emotional Finish: Celebrating Success 40:41 Recovery and Reflection: The Aftermath 42:31 Gear and Preparation: Lessons Learned 48:08 Overcoming Obstacles: Chafing and Motivation 53:59 Humanizing the Journey: Personal Struggles 57:46 The Mindset of a Champion: Belief and Determination 01:01:28 Introduction to Nick Fowler and His Achievements
Welcome back to the FKT roundup! I don't know if you heard, but some crazy stuff has gone down on the Arizona Trail! New FKT Round-up co-host and FKT dictator Allison Mercer is here to talk about all things FKT. Hope you enjoy!Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoeUse code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire orderpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/
7 Days 19 Hours 48 Minutes. Mexico to Utah along the Arizona Trail. Justinas Leveika set a new trail record this year during the AZT 800 fueling with half and half, pickles, danishes, and more. This was a fun episode with Justinas about his week on the AZT full of sun, snow, and more. Listen to the show here on YouTube or on Apple or Spotify. Please like, share, and subscribe. Thanks!Thumbnail image courtesy of Rugile KaladyteSubscribe on SpotifyWatch our interview with Mika Thewes This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejuniperlab.substack.com
Send us a textIn this episode we talk with Sunny Stroeer about the lead-up to her 800-mile self-supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) attempt of the Arizona Trail (which she's on now!)More about Sunny: Sunny Stroeer is a free spirit and adventurer, and is embarking on an incredible adventure as of this recording November 2024,, attempting the self-supported FKT of the Arizona Trail. We've had the pleasure of working with Sunny as she prepared for this massive feat of endurance, and we spoke with her about how she prepared, from all aspects - from nutrition and gear to physical and mental prep.Sunny's overarching passion is to be active and push her limits in the side- and backcountry, spanning a multitude of sports from big-wall climbs over multi-day paddling trips to 100 milers and everything in between. Her specialty is the high altitude endurance realm; she holds speed records on Aconcagua and on the Annapurna Circuit and has excelled on high trails in the Colorado Rockies. As a storyteller, Sunny draws on her experiences and adventures as a professional mountain athlete to connect with her audience through captivating visuals and engaging presentations - focusing on topics such as transformation, goal setting, perseverance, women empowerment and systematic decision-making in high risk environments. Please note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis and treatment.***Connect w/ Sunny & Follow Her FKT Progress: Instagram: www.instagram.com/sstroeerSunny's GPS: https://www.sunnystroeer.com/gpsMentioned:Support The Cairn Project to get more women outdoors: https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/5857984NR Episode 110 with SunnyFKT: https://fastestknowntime.com/AWExpeditions: https://awexpeditions.org/Creatine sleep studies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39203908/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54249-9Run Gum: https://amzn.to/3YYKQzQSawyer Squeeze Water Filter: https://amzn.to/3Cq8qg8MORE NR New customers save 10% off all products on our website with the code NEWPOD10 If you would like to work with our practitioners, click here: https://nutritional-revolution.com/work-with-us/ Save 20% on all supplements at our trusted online source: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannell Join Nutritional Revolution's The Feed Club to get $20 off right away with an additional $20 Feed credit drop every 90 days.: https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolution Interested in blood testing? Use code NUTRITIONALREVOLUTION at InsideTracker for 20% off any test: store.insidetracker.com/nutritionalrevolution If you're interested in sponsoring Nutritional Revolution Podcast, shoot us an email at nutritionalrev@gmail.com.
Welcome to the FKT Roundup, a new segment where Xander and Will (or just Xander, in this case) bring you the latest news from the FKT scene. We plan to bring you these episodes in addition to the bi-weekly athlete interviews that you know and love. This week Xander talks about all of the ongoing efforts on the Arizona Trail, as well as other recent FKTs!Check out the Craft Pure Trail running shoe: https://www.craftsports.us/products/mens-pure-trail-running-shoeUse code fromthebackcountry at infinitnutrition.us and hyperlitemountaingear.com for 15% off your entire orderpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromthebackcountry/
In this episode, Jeff Garmire discusses the complexities and challenges of pursuing Fastest Known Times (FKTs) in ultra running, the current trends in the sport, and the upcoming award season. He delves into the intricacies of voting for awards, the importance of training philosophy, and the need for specificity in training for races. Jeff also shares insights on building speed and endurance, and looks ahead to future episodes with notable guests. takeaways FKTs require meticulous logistics and mental preparation. The Arizona Trail is seeing a surge in record attempts. Award season brings attention to various achievements in ultra running. Voting for awards can be biased and complex. Off-season is a time for athletes to focus on speed and recovery. Building speed is essential for improving overall performance. Specificity in training is crucial for race success. Nutrition plays a key role in recovery after long runs. Future episodes will feature top coaches and athletes. Engagement with the audience is encouraged for future questions. Sound Bites "It's interesting how it goes in waves." "Nick is doing the FKT. He knows what he's doing." "The more you eat, the more you recover." "I have some huge guests coming on." "Stay elite, my friends." Chapters 00:00 The Challenge of FKTs 02:53 Current Trends in Ultra Running 05:52 Award Season in Ultra Running 08:48 The Complexity of Voting in Awards 12:14 Training Philosophy and Off-Season Strategies 17:57 Building Speed and Endurance 23:55 Specificity in Training for Races 26:46 Looking Ahead: Future Guests and Questions
In this episode, Jeff Garmire shares his experiences from the Javelina race, reflecting on the community atmosphere and the challenges ultra runners face. He discusses his coaching role, race support dynamics, and the significance of the Arizona Trail for FKT attempts. Jeff also explores the planning for future races, the importance of motivation in endurance challenges, and the distinctions between unsupported and self-supported records. He wraps up with thoughts on upcoming events and personal reflections. takeaways Javelina is a unique event with a strong community vibe. Coaching athletes can be rewarding, especially in ultra races. The atmosphere at Javelina includes fun activities beyond racing. Planning for future races involves considering personal enjoyment over competition. The Arizona Trail offers two seasons for attempts at FKTs. Motivation is crucial for success in endurance challenges. Understanding the differences between unsupported and self-supported records is important. David Roach's performance at Javelina highlights his elite status in ultra running. The ultra running community is diverse and filled with inspiring stories. Future plans may include international races and new adventures. Sound Bites "It was really cool to reconnect with friends." "She actually came to me like seven or eight weeks ago." "It's really set up well to crew." Chapters 00:00Celebrating Birthdays and Javelina Adventures 02:54 The Atmosphere of Javelina and Race Dynamics 06:10 Planning for Future Races and Off-Season Training 09:02 Challenges of the Arizona Trail and FKT Attempts 11:57 Understanding Unsupported and Self-Supported Records 15:11 Ultra Running Awards and Notable Performances 18:06 Upcoming Plans and Halloween Reflections
How to Support the Rob Skinner Podcast. If you would like to help support my mission to multiply disciples, leaders and churches, click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/robskinner Nick Kaplan, Evan Snow, Jacob Krell and I backpacked Arizona Trail Passage 5 this weekend. It was a 15 mile hike and we did it over two days and one night. The Arizona Trail is 800 miles long and extends from the Mexican border north to the Utah border. Listen as we share our experience walking with Jesus and one another, getting closer to God and one another. Here is the passage we backpacked: https://aztrail.org/explore/passages/passage-5-santa-rita-mountains/
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by thru-hiker, gear maker, YouTuber, musician, and dare I say philosopher, John Z. John Z has hiked it all, including the triple crown trails, the Arizona Trail, Colorado Trail- in 10 days, setting the unsupported FKT on the way, which was a side trip during his PCT thru-hike- the Great Divide Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, the Death Valley Loop, amongst others. He gives us an overview of these trips, the inspiration behind starting Pa'Lante Packs and now Meadow Physics Gear, why he doesn't hike with a water filter or satellite communicator, his tendency toward being a "water princess," the time he barked at a cow and the cow fought back, his run-ins with an angry black bear and a mountain lion, and much more. We wrap the show by unveiling our adult film star names, the triple crown of campaign promises 2.0, and Chuance leaves us a mailbag. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. PATH Projects: Use code “THETREK10” for 10% off at pathprojects.com/thetrek. Katabatic Gear: Use code “BPR15” for 15% off at katabaticgear.com. [divider] Interview with John Z Meadow Physics John's Youtube John's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:02:40 - Reminders: Join us for a live show in Denver on December 7! Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content! 00:05:18 - Introducing John Z 00:06:22 - What's your background in the outdoors? 00:08:15 - If you had to pick only bikepacking or backpacking forever, which would it be? 00:09:50 - What led you to long distance backpacking? 00:11:29 - Did you start off ultralight? 00:14:15 - How did you transition from bikepacking? 00:16:04 - What was your biggest gear mistake early on? 00:18:20 - Tell us about making gear 00:21:54 - What were the vibes like in the desert on the PCT? 00:23:35 - How do you get trail beta? 00:25:07 - In what area do you think there's the most room for improvement in gear? 00:27:03 - Tell us about the shelter you designed 00:30:00 - Tell us about your recent engagement 00:34:45 - How do you juggle a relationship with hiking? 00:36:35 - What's the longest food carry you've done? 00:38:40 - Aside from light gear, what goes into long mileage days? 00:40:20 - What kind of food do you pack? 00:44:15 - Discussion about the Colorado Trail FKT 00:47:10 - What other FKTs have you attempted? 00:49:48 - Tell us the cow story 00:52:55 - Tell us the bear story 00:54:00 - Tell us the mountain lion story 00:56:40 - Tell us about your Alaska trip 00:58:50 - Why don't you like to use a water filter? 01:00:30 - Discussion about tea 01:02:10 - What's something you've gone on a deep dive on recently? 01:04:20 - What podcasts do you listen to while hiking? 01:06:04 - What don't you like about the AT? 01:08:20 - What's in your pack for a thru-hike? 01:11:35 - What do you do for bug protection? 01:14:00 - How do you pack your pack? 01:17:09 - Do you ever use a pack with a frame system? 01:17:55 - Tell us about the Death Valley Loop 01:20:20 - Are you more drawn to trails or routes? 01:21:20 - Do you think about your legacy? 01:22:17 - Is there any competition in route making? 01:23:00 - Tell us about the Great Divide Trail 01:25:00 - What trails do you keep repeating? 01:27:00 - Are you still making Youtube videos? 01:30:24 - What prompted you to take your channel down? 01:31:36 - What fabrics are you excited about right now? 01:33:55 - What's next for you? Segments Trek Propaganda 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers: Submit Your Completion Photos 272 Miles in Less Than 4 Days: William Peterson Sets New Long Trail FKT by Kimberly Fetherston QOTD: If you were an adult film star, what would your stage name be? Triple Crown of campaign promises 2.0 Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bonnie Ackerman, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.
Recorded at 7,250 feet elevation atop Mount Hough near Quincy, California, in Episode 46 the boys talk to Emily Kachorek about her first summer as a fire lookout for the Plumas National Forest. Sitting in the three-story tower for 10 hours a day, 10 days in a row, Emily talks about spending time alone and the inspiration for creativity that comes from solitude. She also talks about her background in biology and conservation and her new gig spotting fires. Prior to being a lookout, Emily raced bikes professionally, was a co-founder of Squid Bikes and her love of cycling, art and creativity blended with a punk rock vibe fostered the vibrant cyclocross scene in Sacramento, along with some of the raddest paint jobs ever rattle-canned onto a bicycle. The boys also do a few listener shout outs and answer questions related to encountering bears on the trail and whether or not you should listen to music while riding.3:00 – Recording from Mountains to Meadows at Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds in Quincy.6:10 – Recording up on Mount Hough with Emily Kachorek as a fire lookout.7:10 – What are the biggest solo adventures Trail Whisperer and PowBot have ever done?10:10 – The importance of solitude and being introverted.11:10 – Listener shout outs. How do you handle a close bear encounter? Is it socially acceptable to listen to music with earbuds while riding?26:00 – Fires going off all around Tahoe over the last few weeks – Davis Fire, Bear Fire, Verdi Fire.28:30 – Emily Kachorek interview in the Mount Hough fire lookout at 7,250 feet elevation.31:50 – How did Emily end up becoming a fire lookout?37:30 – Mount Hough lookout – a three-story lookout with control room level, kitchen level, lookout level, complete with an Osborne Fire Finder41:03 – Living in a metal box on top of a mountain during a lightning storm and standing on the lightning stool.44:30 – Sunsets in the fire tower are much like sunsets on the ocean, you're watching it set over the horizon. The pod was recorded on the cardinal sunset day, September 21.48:00 – Emily's youth growing up in San Diego and finding bikes in Davis during college.53:10 – Emily's daily routine as a fire lookout – 8 hour day, 10 days on, 4 days off.1:00:30 – What do you do when you see smoke in the forest?1:08:45 – The history of fire lookout towers in the United States, the Lost Sierra is known as “the land of the lookouts”.1:12:15 – Emily's introduction to cycling while attending UC Davis as an undergrad studying Environmental Biology and Management, then later a Graduate degree from Sacramento State in Conservation Biology, then spent a summer in Guyana in the Amazon studying conservation and native populations.1:18:00 – Started racing road bikes right after grad school, then got a contract to race professionally, and was on the national team racing in Europe.1:23:30 – Transitioning from road racing to racing cyclocross, and fostering a culture of bikes in Sacramento with GHETO and Squid Bikes.1:29:50 – Tom sees a shooting star, and the angled glass panels of the Mount Hough tower.1:33:00 – Emily's creativity and artistry channeled through the birth of Squid Bikes.1:41:00 – Trail Whisperer's experience with spray painting his own Falconer bike using Spray.Bike paint.1:46:30 – Painting bikes as a blank canvas and a creative outlet, and finding a new outlet after leaving Squid, working on print making and carving.1:49:10 – The Southern Arizona landscape in Patagonia, Arizona and its inspiration for Emily's art and the process for creativity through working at it every day.1:58:00 – Hiking the Arizona Trail and stewarding for the Arizona Trail Association.2:04:30 – Is Emily going to be a fire lookout again next year?2:08:00 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?
Jeff Garmire is an endurance athlete, author and podcaster. He holds many FKTs (fastest known times) on many hiking trails. In this episode we discuss the Arizona Trail, the challenges and logistics of hiking, including the best times of year, the importance of water and food, and the psychological aspects of long-distance hiking. Jeff shares experiences with wildlife encounters, the impact of altitude, and the transition back to civilization. We also touch on the philosophy of pushing oneself, the benefits of discomfort, and the importance of planning and preparation. Jeff also mentions ongoing projects like coaching, a podcast, and a branded meal product.00:00 - Intro00:12 - Arizona Trail Record & Submission Process01:44 - Best Time to Hike the Arizona Trail03:47 - Average Hiking Time & Speeds05:59 - Gear & Sleep Deprivation 09:39 - Psychology & Motivation 14:46 - Thoughts & Reflections During Hikes24:34 - Movie "Wild" & Growth26:50 - Learning Skills from Hiking 28:35 - Transitioning Back to Civilization & Exercise 32:15 - Diet, Protein & Water Filtration 37:05 - Dangers of Hiking 44:25 - Future Plans & Sponsorship 46:43 - Outro Jeff Garmire link tree:https://linktr.ee/thefreeoutsideChuck Shute link tree:https://linktr.ee/chuck_shuteSupport the showThanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon!
Thru hiker, photographer, and outdoor apparel manufacturer James "Magnet" Parsons sits down to catch up with Doc. Magnet, who dropped out of the 9-5 rat race to pursue a life based on the outdoors, covers a lot of ground in his discussion with Doc, including his own personal research, the Alpha Fleece, auto shop teachers, concept trails, the West Highland Way, new verbs, the Arizona Trail, Peroni's, mashed potato snow, a new type of trail angel, and the difference between thru hikers and ultramarathoners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Helinox, we are joined by Mary "Badass" Anderson. Never has a trail name been more fitting, Mary is the most badass hiker you've likely never heard of. With nearly 19,000 miles under her feet spanning six decades, with her first thru-hike taking place in 1981, Mary has not slowed down with her adventurous ways, as she swung by the studio on her to the Pacific Northwest Trail. Some of the highlights from today's interview include a wild winter SOBO thru-hike of the AT in 1985, just a handful of months after a major back surgery where her doctor told her to give up hiking. She followed her AT SOBO winter hike by immediately hopping over to the PCT, where she battled even more snow, and killed and ate a rattlesnake. Other feats include hiking all of the 4,000 footers in New England with her young son in the 90s, completing the CDT after hitting a new low in 2020, and now she's on a quest to finish all of the National Scenic Trails, with only a couple remaining. In short, Mary's story is one of a kind, you will enjoy today's chat. We wrap the show with a last call for applications for The Trek's new full-time role, a pair of beloved trail angels close their doors after 17 years serving PCT hikers, what music we would listen to on the way to rescue our significant others from a hostage situation, the triple crown of onomatopoeias, and Chaunce is very afraid of grizzlies. Helinox: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off at helinox.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Sambob: Use code “BACKPACKER15” for 15% off at sambob.biz. [divider] Interview with Mary “Badass” Anderson Mary's Blog Time stamps & Questions 00:04:40 - Reminders: Apply for the Trek's full-time role! Support us on Patreon for exclusive content and send us your recommendations for a hiker meetup this fall in NYC. 00:10:34 - Introducing Mary 00:11:40 - How'd you get your trail name? 00:13:14 - How did you initially get started long distance backpacking? 00:15:22 - How did you prepare for backpacking in the 80s? 00:21:05 - What does your baseweight look like today? 00:23:47 - What was the AT like in the 80s? 00:26:56 - Did the AT feel easy compared to the Long Trail? 00:29:02 - What resources did you have for navigation? 00:32:38 - What were your resupplies like? 00:34:00 - Tell us about your back injury and being told never to hike again 00:38:10 - Where does your toughness come from? 00:39:00 - How much of a physical struggle was the AT southbound in winter? 00:40:46 - Where did you experience the worst weather? 00:41:50 - Did you think it might have been a bad idea? 00:45:30 - What did your winter pack and gear look like? 00:49:39 - How did you keep on the trail? 00:50:45 - What about backpacking do you enjoy? 00:52:20 - Did people know what you were doing? 00:54:08 - How did you afford hiking then and now? 00:56:12 - What trail recipes do you make? 00:57:18 - What did it feel like to get to Springer and then start the PCT? 01:02:09 - What was your experience on the PCT like? 01:04:23 - Tell us about your rattlesnake encounter 01:07:00 - Discussion about fear and wildlife encounters 01:10:30 - Did you encounter other thru-hikers on the PCT in 1986? 01:11:10 - How did you enjoy the PCT relative to the AT? 01:14:00 - What was the scariest moment of your backpacking career? 01:17:05 - Tell us about the hiking you did with your son 01:19:55 - Do you have advice for getting your kids outside? 01:21:15 - What was it like hiking the Long Trail with your 8 year old? 01:22:30 - How have you noticed the concept of gender changing in the backcountry? 01:24:08 - Tell us about a bear paying for your cross country road trip 01:26:36 - How did you get back into long distance thru-hiking? 01:29:22 - When did you switch from map and compass to apps? 01:31:32 - Do you long for hikes from decades ago? 01:35:55 - How was the southern half of the CDT in 2020? 01:37:42 - How was your mental state? 01:42:10 - Tell us about staying with people on the Ice Age Trail 01:44:28 - Tell us about the northern half of the CDT 01:49:55 - Tell us about your Vermont bike trip 01:54:16 - Discussion about the role of the internet 01:55:40 - Discussion about the Catamount Cross Country Ski Trail 01:58:50 - How was the Connecticut River Source to Sea Paddle? 02:06:05 - Tell us about the New England Trail 02:10:08 - Discussion about the Natchez Trace Trail 02:12:00 - Discussion about the Potomoc Heritage Trail 02:17:40 - Anything else to share about the Arizona Trail? 02:24:00 - What's next? Segments Trek Propaganda: 17 Years, 8,000 Hikers: Trail Angels Scout and Frodo Retire from PCT Hosting by Arielle Nardizzi Professor: The Strategy That's Helped Me Afford 6 Years, 15K Miles of Thru-Hiking (Jobs, Budgeting Tips, and More) by Carl Stanfield QOTD: Your wife has been kidnapped and is being held in a location 30 minutes away. You're driving to rescue her. It's a warm night and your windows are down. Do you listen to music on the drive there, yes or no? Triple Crown of onomatopoeias Power Ranking: Animals You Want to Encounter on Trail Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Bonnie Ackerman, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Keith Dobie Jr, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.
In the last few years, Alexandera Houchin has become a force in the world of ultra endurance mountain bike racing. As a Native kid growing up in northern Minnesota, she never could have predicted the ways that racing her single speed would prove healing to both her mind and her body. In 2023, she set out to complete the Triple Crown Challenge– racing the Tour Divide, the Colorado Trail, and the Arizona Trail– all on a single gear. Support comes from Kuat Racks AeroPress Use code DIARIES to save 20% Incogni Learn more at https://incogni.com/dirtbagdiaries Pre-Order States Of Adventure– 30 stories adapted from The Diaries into a book! http://geni.us/StatesofAdventure Want more episodes? Join Dirtbag Diaries+ today
Last year Ulrich Bartholmoes, who goes by Uba, won the Tour Divide in his first attempt with a time of 14d 2h 23m. This year he's back to defend his title at the Tour Divide, but he's got bigger goals than that. This year he will be attempting to complete the Triple Crown of Bikepacking (Tour Divide, Colorado Trail Race, and Arizona Trail race) and he's gunning to beat the current record time of 27d 18h 33m set by Jay Petervary in 2015. Uba's approach to ultra bikepack racing is different from most. He's incorporated advanced training methods inspired by pro tour riders and driven by his passion for optimization of himself, his equipment, and his training. And he seemingly attacks his training and preparation with the same detail and veracity that he applies to his racing. I caught up with him days before the start of the race at his hotel in Calgary. We dived into his plans for this year, his goals, and his unique training protocols. It seems that he's left no stone unturned, no bolt un-torqued, and no bearing un-greased. But as he says in the episode, it's a long race, and training and preparation can only take you so far. EPISODE SPONSORS Old Man Mountain ~ You will see OMM racks and axle packs adorning many of the bikes on the Tour Divide this year. Check out what all the hype is about at OldManMountain.com and use code "mountainsordeath" at checkout to get 10% off your order. Use our BoD Affiliate link and we get a little commission :) Arkansas Graveler ~ A 6 day bike festival in the Ozark Mountains that offers not only amazing riding, but also activities, live music, food, and so much more. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone out there. Don't be shy come up and say hi if you see me! New Patrons Chase Bauduin Garret Hall Join them won't you? Find out more at www.Patreon.com/BikesorDeath
Candice Burt is the Founder of Destination Trail, a trail running events company that puts on popular races like the Moab 240, Tahoe 200, and Bigfoot 200.Timestamps:1:37 - Arizona Trail, interest in long trail FKT scene, remarking on Heather Anderson's recent unsupported FKT23:15 - athlete sponsorship discussion, working with brands, content angles on the social platforms, spring energy comments45:30 - being a female business owner in the ultra community, evolution of the 200 mile scene, recruiting influencers to eventsSponsors:Naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (https://www.naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.Rabbit - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.runinrabbit.com/) to get 20% off your next order.deltaG Ketones - use code Singletrack20 at checkout on their website (https://www.deltagketones.com/SINGLETRACK20) to get 20% off your next order.Links:Follow Candice on Instagram, Destination Trail Follow Singletrack on Instagram, Strava, Youtube"The Last American Man" by Elizabeth GilbertSupport the Show.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Sawyer Products, we are joined by Brandon “Horsepower” Weis. With minimal prior backpacking experience, in 2021, Brandon successfully completed the calendar year triple crown plus a thru-hike of the Arizona Trail. The next two years were not any more laid back, as he accrued more than 15,000 miles worth of backpacking over a three year span, including treks of the Benton MacKay Trail, Pinhoti, Oregon Desert Trail, Bigfoot Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Colorado Trail, Hayduke, and the Sheltowee Trace Trail. In addition to giving us an overview of these treks, Horsepower delights us with fun stories, including a terrifying encounter with a grizzly, sleeping in countless pit toilets, being asked to leave a restaurant due to his odor, accidentally drinking deet, and more. We wrap the show with an overview of the first half of trail days, including how Badger is the world's biggest moron, the triple crown of our short section hike on the AT, and how many drinks constitute drinking. Sawyer Products: Check out Sawyer's Permethrin Pump at REI. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 50% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com. [divider] Interview with Brandon “Horsepower” Weis Brandon's Instagram Brandon's Book Time stamps & Questions 00:07:30 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and suggest a guest for us to interview at PCT Days! 00:08:54 - Introducing Horsepower 00:09:40 - What's your trail name origin story? 00:11:11 - What was your background in weight lifting prior to backpacking? 00:12:45 - Where did your interest in thru-hiking come from? 00:14:37 - How long were your section hikes prior to the CYTC? 00:14:55 - Tell us about being a big Lil Wayne fan 00:16:34 - Tell us about being a partier 00:18:26 - Tell us about deciding to hike the Calendar Year Triple Crown 00:20:29 - In what other ways have you gone all in on something you're interested in? 00:22:21 - Tell us about starting the Calendar Year Triple Crown 00:24:30 - How much did your pack weigh when you started? 00:26:35 - Did you keep to a regular hiking schedule? 00:28:11 - At any point did you think it might not have been a good idea? 00:30:27 - Did you factor in zero days or town vortexes? 00:36:00 - What were your lowest points on the AT? 00:40:42 - What was your low point on the first CDT section? 00:43:47 - What drew you to The One tent? 00:44:28 - Discussion about switching over to the PCT 00:46:30 - Were you too tired to talk to other hikers? 00:47:08 - What were the high and low points on the PCT? 00:48:54 - How did you mitigate injuries? 00:50:52 - Tell us about your back injury 00:55:00 - Are you glad you have already done the Calendar Year Triple Crown? 00:56:02 - McDonalds bathroom story 00:57:44 - Too smelly to be in a restaurant story 00:58:36 - Was the AZT always the plan? 01:00:12 - Discussion about getting off the Buckeye Trail 01:01:00 - Burnt shoes story 01:03:10 - Pit toilet connoisseur 01:05:48 - Savage mice and rats 01:07:30 - Kind of maybe saved a guy's life 01:09:10 - Held at nonthreatening knifepoint in a car 01:10:22 - Accidentally drinking DEET 01:10:53 - Accidentally holding a lovely couple hostage 01:12:26 - Hearing the song Roxanne 200 times in a night 01:15:30 - Tell us about going back to smaller trails after the CYTC 01:19:09 - Tell us about the Oregon Desert Trail 01:24:30 - Tell us about the Bigfoot Trail 01:30:48 - What's your rationale for doing so many miles? 01:31:56 - Are you frugal when out on trail? 01:33:44 - What was your biggest pigout moment? 01:35:05 - What's your favorite meal on trail? 01:36:37 - Eating so much peanut butter he became allergic 01:39:10 - Did you supplement at all on trail? 01:39:35 - Tell us about the Pacific Northwest Trail 01:48:15 - Plug your book! Segments Trek Propaganda: Authorities Investigating Fish Hooks Stuffed In Dog Treats Along Appalachian Trail by Ariella Nardizzi QOTD: How many drinks constitutes “drinking”? Triple Crown of moments from AT hiking One Minute Gear Reviews Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Bonnie Ackerman, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Keith Dobie Jr, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.