Podcasts about Backpacking

Join Carrie and Molly as they awake at Colchuck Lake after a chilly night. Their group makes the trip up Asgaard pass, using a team oriented approach to tackling the grueling ascent. After a few false summits, they arrive at the top of the pass and are welcomed by one of the ambassadors of the enchantments core. They reflect on how different the core looks covered in snow, and the group must come to a decision on their day's itinerary. Carrie and Molly discuss which is worse on Asgaard: ascending or descending.

Not all tents are built for the same adventure. In this episode, Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn break down tents they've trusted over years of hunting, backpacking, camping, and backcountry travel. They cover different models, styles, material compositions, and best applications for each. Bombproof four-season freestanding tents to ultralight trekking-pole-erected single-wall shelters, get the info you need for your next stay in the great outdoors.  As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on Instagram @vortexnationpodcast

What does it really take to hike one of America's most legendary long-distance trails?This week we're joined by our longtime friend Candi Skehan (@ChicksDoIt2), fresh off completing the iconic John Muir Trail. As an experienced overlander, outdoor educator, and Overland Expo instructor, Candi shares what it's really like to spend weeks hiking through the Sierra Nevada carrying everything you need on your back.We dive into the mental and physical challenges of long-distance backpacking, trail logistics, nutrition, recovery, daily routines, sleep, shelters, emergency communication, and the unique considerations women face on the trail.One of the highlights of the episode is Candi's unforgettable stories about multiple bear encounters—including footage from the trail that made this one of our most exciting conversations yet.Whether you're planning to hike the John Muir Trail, curious about backpacking, or simply enjoy hearing incredible adventure stories from experienced outdoorsmen and women, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world experience.In this episode:• What the John Muir Trail is really like• Mental vs. physical endurance• Planning and trail logistics• Women's experiences on the trail• Security and emergency communication• Hygiene and nutrition• Pack weight and gear philosophy• Recovery and daily routines• Tent and sleep systems• Incredible bear encounters• Why Candi chose the John Muir Trail• Traveling by vehicle vs. traveling on foot• Trail knife philosophy and what she actually carriedIf you've ever wondered whether you could complete a thru-hike—or simply want to hear an incredible wilderness adventure—this is an episode you won't want to miss. #RandomWaypointsPodcast #JohnMuirTrail #JMT #Backpacking #ThruHiking #Hiking #LongDistanceHiking #SierraNevada #OutdoorAdventure #Wilderness #Camping #BearSafety #BackpackingGear #TrailLife #WomensBackpacking #OutdoorEducation #Overland #OverlandExpo #AdventureTravel #ChicksDoIt2 

The first night at Colchuck lake brings wild thunderstorms and the group wakes to find the mountains socked in. They take their time in the morning, enjoying Aeropress coffee and weighing their options. In the end, a statement from one member causes them to pivot to their backup hike for the day. The Stuart Lake trail brings them new trail characters and a new way to describe fallen trees via the “pilate ball theory.” Rachel experiments with Vienna sausages and creates a new rating system, the group becomes separated, and discovers that eating “garden fresh” food is not always as good as it sounds. Tune in to hear this and much more!

This is High Adventure Rob from High Adventure Scouting.As a part of our series highlighting council high adventure programs, we will be featuring Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan High Adventure in this edition. Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan High Adventure is a part of the Northeast Illinois Council.The Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan High Adventure offers some awesome backcountry experiences.• The base has three high adventure options for Canoeing, Backpacking, and Kayaking.o Canoeing Treks Boundary Waters/Quetico• Travel to the boundary waters area near the Gunflint Trail along the US-Canada border• Moose, black bears, otters, pine martens, and loons are some of the animals in the area Flambeau Flowage• Area filled with islands and coves• Famous area for walleye fishing but northern pike, muskies, bass sturgeon, catfish, bluegill, and many other fish are in the area• Camping at primitive sites• Eagles, ospreys, beavers and sand cranes are some of the animals in the area Wisconsin Headwaters• Trips can be modified to your groups needs• Fishing is excellent from native trout to a range of panfish and gamefish• Eagles, wolves, black bears, seer herons, and hawks roam in this area.o Backpacking Trek Porcupine Mountains• Treks range from 20-50 miles long dependent on crew preference• Permits, equipment, food and an experienced guide are provided.• The area offers a mixed terrain from mountains to lakes Isle Royale• The area is only accessible by boat to the least visited national park crossing Lake Superior's northwest section• Thousands of acres of backcountry camping• Great scenery paired with moose and wolves on the island. Ice Age Trail• Trail winds through the lakes and bogs formed by the last glacier's melting• Set among a forest of spruce, fir, maple, and birch• Excellent introduction to backcountry camping and is a good prep hike for a Philmont treko Kayaking Apostle Island Kayak Trek• Trek led by an experienced guide through the collection of islands in Lake Superior• Stunning geological formations including caverns, arches and pillars only accessible to other kayakers• Camping will be done on the sandy beaches in the area.If this sounds like a cool opportunity, head over to makajawan.com for more information. There is a lot more info on their site.If you want more information on all kinds of high adventure options, head over to HighAdventureScouting.com.

After hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc and racing the Zugspitz 100K, I flew to Corsica for one final adventure: the GR20, often called the hardest long-distance trail in Europe.I expected another scenic alpine trek. Instead, I found endless scrambling, brutal climbs, snowfields, technical descents, and some of the most rewarding mountain scenery I've ever experienced. Along the way I hitchhiked across Corsica, swam in alpine pools during a European heat wave, got sick halfway through the hike, learned why everyone fears this trail, and discovered that sometimes the biggest challenge isn't the terrain—it's stepping into the unknown.In this episode I share what makes the GR20 so difficult, what surprised me most about Corsica, how I completed the route in 4½ days, and why this month of solo travel has been about much more than backpacking.Topics include:* What makes the GR20 so infamous* Backpacking through Corsica's mountains* Refugios, bivouacs, and trail logistics* Hiking northbound instead of southbound* Technical terrain, snowfields, and massive climbs* Hitchhiking, language barriers, and travel lessons* Why doing uncomfortable things builds confidenceIf you've ever wondered whether the GR20 deserves its reputation—or you've been looking for your next big adventure—this episode is for you.Support our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe 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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Two unforgettable encounters from the Pacific Northwest take center stage in this episode of Bigfoot Society.A hiker exploring the rugged mountains of Washington's Olympic Peninsula describes a series of powerful four-part grunts that followed his group deeper into remote terrain before erupting from just beyond a wall of boulders. Years later, the experience still stands as one of the most unsettling moments of his life.Then travel back to Oregon in 1989, where two teenage backpackers stopped for the night at a quiet campground north of Crater Lake. Heavy bipedal footsteps entered their campsite, an unseen presence paused only feet away, and multiple eerie howls sent them racing into the night.These firsthand accounts are shared exactly as the witnesses remember them, offering another compelling look into the growing collection of experiences documented by Bigfoot Society.

Carrie and Molly set off for Colchuck Lake with their group, navigating the elevation while offering grapes to all they meet. They notice something many day hikers need. Upon arriving at the lake, Molly learns why she doesn't prefer to hike with two packs. The group rushes to find a suitable camp site as large rain drops fall.

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Mordida, culture mexique, traditions, interculturel : pourquoi les Mexicains mettent la tête des gens dans leur gâteau d'anniversaire ?Dans ce dernier épisode de la saison 3 de Surprises Interculturelles, je vous emmène au Mexique à la découverte de la « mordida », une tradition d'anniversaire aussi surprenante que révélatrice. Après avoir soufflé ses bougies, la personne célébrée doit mordre dans son gâteau… au risque de voir ses proches lui enfoncer le visage dans la crème sous les cris de « Mordida ! ».À travers cette anecdote vécue lors d'un projet éducatif de mon ONG Konstelacio en Basse-Californie du Sud, cet épisode explore les différences culturelles liées à la nourriture, à l'hygiène, au gaspillage, à l'humiliation et aux rituels festifs.Pourquoi certaines pratiques nous semblent-elles choquantes alors qu'elles sont perçues ailleurs comme des moments de partage et de convivialité ? Comment distinguer les faits de nos interprétations culturelles ?Un épisode gourmand et drôle pour réfléchir à nos filtres culturels et découvrir comment les traditions façonnent notre regard sur le monde.Au programme :

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For more, visit www.BishalSarkar.com.In this adventurous episode of the "I Love Public Speaking" podcast, Bishal Sarkar explores how backpacking can enhance your communication skills.Join Bishal Sarkar as he shares the experiences and challenges of backpacking that contribute to improved listening, storytelling, and adaptability.Learn how the diverse interactions and unexpected situations encountered while backpacking can make you a more effective and engaging communicator.Tune in to the "I Love Public Speaking" podcast with Bishal Sarkar to discover how the journey of backpacking can translate into powerful communication skills that benefit you in all areas of life.

Marie-Charlotte Danchin est la créatrice du podcast Crush qui raconte les premiers jours des histoires d'amour. Avec elle, nous avons parlé d'amour interculturel, de voyage en famille en Amérique Latine et de son Crush Tour au sein du réseaux des Alliances Françaises.MC explore depuis quatre ans les mystères du sentiment amoureux, comment ne pas avoir envie de parler avec elle d'amour interculturel.Son rapport à l'autre s'est forgé dès l'enfance à Saint-Denis, où elle était la seule blonde nommée Marie-Charlotte au milieu d'une mixité totale, avant de vivre un véritable choc culturel lors de son arrivée dans un lycée parisien,. Elle nous raconte comment le "virus du voyage" l'a saisie, de ses premières observations ornithologiques en Islande à son coup de foudre pour la langue espagnole et l'Andalousie.Son lien viscéral avec le monde hispanophone est au cœur de notre échange. Elle nous transporte de son année Erasmus en Extremadura à sa vie à Buenos Aires, où elle s'est immergée dans le cinéma militant argentin.Elle nous raconte aussi son « Crush Tour » : 6 mois en famille à travers l'Amérique centrale où elle a interviewé des couples binationaux. Cet épisode traite de la rencontre comme un voyage vers l'autre, exigeant trois compétences clés : la vulnérabilité, la curiosité et la décentration. Elle livre également un témoignage touchant sur l'aventure humaine du voyage avec des enfants. Une discussion passionnante qui démontre que l'interculturel est souvent la plus belle des excuses pour parler d'interpersonnel.Les liens promis dans l'interview:Son épisode avec Julien: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqb-Vw570NICelui avec mes parents: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6uALlY9OeEjjBtCVNDm4pqLe podcast Autochtone, des portraits-interviews sonores en Amérique Latine: https://smartlink.ausha.co/autochtone-podcast-voyage-documentaireQue vous soyez expatrié ou expatriée, voyageur ou voyageuse ou juste curieux de cultures et de la diversité, ce podcast est pour vous!Bonne écoute!---Surprises interculturelles est LE podcast qui vous fait voyager et mieux comprendre les cultures du monde.

This episode is a comprehensive nutrition Q&A designed to help hikers, hunters, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts optimize their fuel and achieve their fitness goals. In the first half of the episode, we address specific listener struggles and do a deep-dive into the logistics of DIY trail food dehydration, navigating weight loss within family-style dinners, and smart workarounds for tight meal-prep spaces. The second half introduces the "Non-Tracking Framework"—a set of practical "bumpers" for busy days, vacations, or high-stress periods when logging food into an app isn't feasible, ensuring listeners can still maintain boundaries and progress toward their fitness goals without burning out. Key Topics Covered Deep Dive: The DIY Dehydration Guide for Backpacking Round vs. Square Dehydrators:The pros, cons, fan placement, price points, and space considerations for each. Trail Logistics:How to package, break up, and rehydrate your meals (the golden 1:1 water ratio). Safe Cooking:Choosing between mylar bags, boil-safe Ziplocs, or just cooking straight in your Jetboil. Pescatarian on the Trail:Creative ideas using canned tuna, shrimp, and high-recovery vegetarian grain/legume combos. Weight Loss & Cultural Family-Style Meals Why you don'tneed to isolate yourself or quit eating traditional family meals to lose weight. How to create a caloric deficit by auditing your day, managing portions, and making micro-adjustments to cooking fats (oil, butter, coconut milk). Using tracking as a tool for awareness, not restriction. Meal Prepping with Minimal Freezer Space 4 practical workarounds for tiny kitchens: shorter 2-3 day prep cycles, component-only shopping, non-frozen convenience foods (rotisserie chicken + salad bags), and creating a healthy local restaurant "hybrid" rotation. The Non-Tracking Framework: Nutritional "Bumpers" What to do when life gets too busy to log your food. The Plate Compartment Rule:Balancing your macros visually (Protein, Fiber/Veggies, and Carbs) to protect your training energy. Time Blocking:Setting intentional eating windows to eliminate mindless snacking, fancy coffee drinks, and liquid calories. Managing Highly Palatable Foods:The science of why it's easy to overeat Oreos or trail mix, but hard to overeat chicken and rice. The "No Doubling Up" Rule:Avoiding overlapping macros in a single meal (e.g., picking one starch, not three). Final Takeaways: Intentionality vs. Autopilot Matching your nutrition Strategy to your current bandwidth (The 1-to-5 Motivation Scale) so you never default to the drive-thru. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Valley to Peak DIY Dehydration Guide  Valley to Peak Non-Tracking Cheat Sheet Connect with Us! Got a question for the next Q&A? Reach out here! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with your hiking crew! See you in two weeks.

Molly and Carrie agree they'll join a friend backpacking the enchantments if she wins a permit—but when their friend ACTUALLY wins they must kick it into gear to experience their earliest season backpacking trip ever.

Vous m'en parlez souvent, alors je vous repartage cet épisode sur le bonheur (si si!) du marchandage dans les souks.Et si c'était plus que "Ils veulent m'arnaquer"?

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: Balancing Bonfires and Backpacking at Midsommeraften Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2026-06-14-22-34-01-no Story Transcript:No: Solen skinte varmt over den frodige dalen utenfor Mårbu Turisthytte.En: The sun shone warmly over the lush valley outside Mårbu Turisthytte.No: Det var midt på sommeren, og luften var fylt med lyden av glade stemmer og duften av nybakt brød fra det lokale markedet.En: It was the middle of summer, and the air was filled with the sound of joyful voices and the scent of freshly baked bread from the local market.No: Folkemengden beveget seg mellom bodene, som bugnet av håndlagde gjenstander og ferske råvarer, klare til Midsommeraften-feiringen.En: The crowd moved between the stalls, which were brimming with handmade items and fresh produce, ready for the Midsommeraften celebration.No: Sindre sto midt i vrimmelen.En: Sindre stood in the middle of the hustle and bustle.No: Han hadde planlagt en flere dagers fottur i fjellene og trengte sårt nye forsyninger.En: He had planned a multi-day hike in the mountains and was in dire need of new supplies.No: Men den lokale festivalstemningen var fristende, og han visste at forsyningene kunne bli utsolgt.En: But the local festival atmosphere was tempting, and he knew the supplies could sell out.No: “Jeg må finne ut av dette,” mumlet Sindre for seg selv.En: “I need to figure this out,” Sindre murmured to himself.No: Først bestemte han seg for å spørre Kari, en kjent lokal håndverker.En: First, he decided to ask Kari, a well-known local artisan.No: Hun sto ved boden sin, omgitt av vakre, tradisjonelle gjenstander.En: She was at her stall, surrounded by beautiful, traditional items.No: “Du må jo delta på Midsommerfesten, Sindre!” sa Kari oppmuntrende.En: “You have to join the Midsommerfesten, Sindre!” Kari said encouragingly.No: “Det er sjeldent vi får en slik anledning til å feire vårt kulturarv.En: “It's rare we get such an opportunity to celebrate our cultural heritage.No: Det er viktig å leve i øyeblikket!”En: It's important to live in the moment!”No: Sindre nikket, men var fortsatt usikker.En: Sindre nodded but remained unsure.No: Han så rundt og fikk øye på Håkon, en nysgjerrig reisende som han hadde møtt tidligere.En: He looked around and noticed Håkon, a curious traveler he had met earlier.No: Håkon var fascinert av de norske tradisjonene og hadde planlagt å delta på alt han kunne.En: Håkon was fascinated by Norwegian traditions and had planned to participate in everything he could.No: “Vi kan vel gjøre begge deler?” foreslo Håkon med et smil.En: “Can't we do both?” suggested Håkon with a smile.No: “Delta litt i kveld, handle i morgen tidlig og så dra.”En: “Join in a bit tonight, shop tomorrow morning, and then set off.”No: Sindre tenkte over det.En: Sindre thought it over.No: Det han egentlig trengte, var en balanse.En: What he really needed was balance.No: Han kunne jo oppleve både festivalen og turen.En: He could experience both the festival and the hike.No: En plan begynte å ta form i hodet hans.En: A plan began to form in his mind.No: Da kvelden kom, deltok Sindre sammen med Kari og Håkon i festlighetene.En: When evening came, Sindre joined Kari and Håkon in the festivities.No: De gjorde seg klare for St. Hansbål, danset til musikk og spiste gode, hjemmelagde måltider under den lyse nattehimmelen.En: They got ready for the St. Hans bonfire, danced to music, and enjoyed delicious homemade meals under the bright night sky.No: Det var en opplevelse han aldri ville glemme.En: It was an experience he would never forget.No: Tidlig neste morgen, mens solen sakte steg over horisonten, var Sindre allerede på markedet.En: Early the next morning, as the sun slowly rose over the horizon, Sindre was already at the market.No: Han samlet raskt sammen det han trengte for turen.En: He quickly gathered what he needed for the hike.No: Takket være kvelden før følte han seg oppfrisket og inspirert.En: Thanks to the previous evening, he felt refreshed and inspired.No: For Sindre var det en verdifull læring.En: For Sindre, it was a valuable lesson.No: Han forsto nå viktigheten av å ta del i kultur og fellesskap, samtidig som han også fulgte sine lidenskaper for eventyr og natur.En: He now understood the importance of participating in culture and community, while also pursuing his passions for adventure and nature.No: Med nye minner i hjertet og ryggsekken fylt, var han klar for sitt neste kapittel i fjellenes stillhet.En: With new memories in his heart and his backpack filled, he was ready for his next chapter in the silence of the mountains. Vocabulary Words:lush: frodigevalley: dalenturisthytte: Turisthyttehustle: vrimmelenbustle: vrimmelenmulti-day: flere dagerssupplies: forsyningertempting: fristendeartisan: håndverkerencouragingly: oppmuntrendeopportunity: anledningheritage: kulturarvparticipate: deltaplan: planform: formfestivities: festlighetenebonfire: St. Hansbåldelicious: godemeals: måltiderhorizon: horisontengathered: samletrefreshed: oppfrisketunderstood: forstoimportance: viktighetencommunity: fellesskappassions: lidenskaperadventure: eventyrchapter: kapittelsilence: stillhetmountains: fjellene

Founder's Sale by Outdoor Vitals (Early-Bird List): https://bit.ly/4v2qWkYJeremiah and John sit down with Ben McMillen, owner of Hilltop Packs, to talk about the world of cottage gear, building a backpacking business, and what sets small outdoor brands apart from the big manufacturers. Ben shares the story behind Hilltop Packs, the importance of customer connection, company culture, American-made gear, tariffs, product innovation, and the surprising item that became one of Hilltop's biggest sellers.Whether you're a gear nerd, small business supporter, or backpacker looking for insight into the outdoor industry, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most recognizable cottage brands in backpacking.#Backpacking #HilltopPacks #CottageGear #BackpackingPodcast #HikingGear #ThruHiking #OutdoorIndustry

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today's guest episode, we're joined by Nicole Glenn an agronomist, content creator, and founder of the Farm Company, who's earned a dedicated following by speaking honestly about agriculture, soil health, and her experiences as a young woman in the industry. Nicole grew up on her family's Kentucky farm, traveled all the way to Australia to farm and explore new perspectives, and has since transitioned from working with big ag companies to independent consulting focused on building soil health and farm resiliency. In this wide-ranging conversation, Nicole opens up about her journey from tobacco fields to driving brand-new combines Down Under, why soil biology should matter to every farmer, and the practical steps toward more profitable and sustainable farming. We dig deep into the future of American agriculture, the role of women in the field, the rise of content creation in ag, and Nicole's entrepreneurial vision for rural workwear and community. Get ready for a real, optimistic, and sometimes disruptive discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture today full of firsthand perspective, practical advice, and a passion for keeping small farms healthy and thriving. Let's get into it! JOIN THE BARN TALK NEWSLETTER & GET LIVE EVENT ACCESS: We're on a mission to get 10,000 subscribers, and once we do, we're hosting a live event at the barn! Sign up to get exclusive access to tickets and details.

In this reposted episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness welcomes a trio of fun guests to talk about going backpacking with kids and some of the best places to visit. In thie episode first recorded in 2022, Urness is joined by Bonnie Henderson, his co-author of the guidebook "Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon," along with 11-year-old backpackers Nate and Mary Evans, who share their thoughts from a kids' perspective. The group picks out 12 great backpacking trips that land on the easier side and are good fits for younger backpackers (or just someone looking for an easier trip).

Carrie and Molly invite you to join this throwback episode, bringing you stories from their fifth day in Wyomong's Wind River Range! You'll hear a ballad which Carrie deems an instant classic, inspiring your very own theme song for the Winds. Revel in the incredible granite peaks for a phenomenal alpineglow while camping at Shadow Lake. Then—of course—the rain is back! Bringing lightning, thunder, and hail!

Wie fängt man eigentlich mit dem Reisen an? Genau darüber sprechen wir in dieser Folge mit Patrick Bockisch – einem Reisenden, der mittlerweile über 60 Länder bereist hat und heute auf nahezu jedem Kontinent unterwegs war: von Backpacking in Südostasien über Work & Travel in Australien bis hin zu Trekkingtouren in Nepal und Peru.

What is the best tent, backpack, sleeping bag, and more on this episode of the Backpacking Podcast.If you want to check out two of our favorite backpacks, go over to Outdoor Vitals: https://alnk.to/aARVPc7

Segments Ways to Die Trek Propaganda: Hikers Discover Human Remains Near Vermont Appalachian Trail by Kelly Floro QOTD:  What celebrity names can you never remember?  Triple Crown of the worst gifts to give young kids Parenting Thing of the Week Sun Hoodie Review 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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, 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, Dakota J, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

What's the difference between a backpacking water filter and a purifier? Why do we keep coming back to the Platypus QuickDraw? And how do you make shorter backpacking trips more comfortable without overpacking? In this Ask OV episode of the Live Ultralight Podcast, we answer listener questions about backpacking water filters, carbon fiber framed backpacks, comfort camping, and why Outdoor Vitals often prioritizes hooded jackets first. We cover practical trail-tested tips for keeping filters flowing fast, choosing the right backpack frame stiffness, and adding small luxuries like chairs, hammocks, games, tarps, and better camp food without losing the benefits of an ultralight setup. Have questions for us? Send us a voice message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/LiveUltraLight Or write in to support@outdoorvitals.com! Great Backpacking Gear (Support the Podcast): https://bit.ly/3PswpQi Carbon Evo 50 Backpack: https://outdoorvitals.com/products/cs40-ultralight-backpack?_pos=1&_psq=cs40&_ss=e&_v=1.0&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=link Platypus Quickdraw (Live Ultralight Membership required): https://outdoorvitals.com/products/platypus-quickdraw-1l-microfilter-system?_pos=2&_psq=platypus&_ss=e&_v=1.0&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=link #outdoorvitals #entrepreneur #backpacking #backpackinggear

Wie fängt man eigentlich mit dem Reisen an? Genau darüber sprechen wir in dieser Folge mit Patrick Bockisch – einem Reisenden, der mittlerweile über 60 Länder bereist hat und heute auf nahezu jedem Kontinent unterwegs war: von Backpacking in Südostasien über Work & Travel in Australien bis hin zu Trekkingtouren in Nepal und Peru.

It's an explosion of flavours this week, as Adam takes part in a Thai cooking class in Bangkok. Touring a local market with the chef and his classmates: a curious Californian couple, it quickly became clear this was going to be no ordinary cooking class. Tune in to hear the embarrassment. It's about to get spicy!We also discuss the decline of backpacker hostels. Is it too much to ask for a plug socket next to your bed? If the breakfast is free, does it mean you should eat it?Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastSubmit your travel stories here: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Discord: https://discord.gg/mc2TY2FYdInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastX: https://x.com/tripologypod

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we meet Chloe Stead — 42 years old and currently living in a rustic tiny shack in the bush in Tasmania with her husband — but her journey to this simple life has been anything but ordinary. Since 2008, Chloe has been living a travelling, nomadic lifestyle. After leaving school at 18 to join the Navy and later working in health and safety in Perth, Australia, she reached a quiet breaking point while staying at the Whim Creek Hotel in 2006. A simple but powerful thought surfaced: There has to be more to life than this. Within a week, she sold her house, packed up a shipping container, took her dog, and began driving solo around Australia with just $500 AUD — despite being petrified of sleeping in a tent. That leap of faith set the course for the next chapter of her life. But Chloe's story is not just about adventure — it's about grief, reinvention, and learning to live on her own terms. After the sudden death of her partner Willy in 2013, everything stopped. In the depths of grief, Chloe stepped away from social media, let go of her old life, and slowly began again. Meditation, yoga retreats, and eventually walking the Camino de Santiago in 2014 became turning points. Carrying everything on her back, she discovered a deep love for minimalism, simplicity, and self-reliance. Over the years, Chloe has: Walked multiple Caminos including the Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo and Via de la Plata Hitchhiked and walked along the beaches of Uruguay Taken a 10,000km road trip with her dog Dexter Lived off less than $100 AUD per week Worked seasonally to fund months of adventure Cycled from Alaska to San Francisco (86 nights in a tent!) Walked the Wales Coast Path and the Portuguese Camino Chosen to stay off social media to be fully present on trail Now married, Chloe continues to design a life built around freedom, movement, and intentional simplicity. With big adventures planned for 2026 — including walking the South West Coast Path and the GR10 — she shares honestly about navigating partnership on trail, managing knee issues, strength training gains, and why getting to the start line is often the hardest part. This conversation is about: Letting go of possessions and expectations Living with uncertainty Processing grief through movement Creating "trail life" off-trail Why you don't need technology to experience adventure Trusting that the universe conspires to keep you going And why you should "give it a crack and get to the start line." Chloe's message is simple but powerful: Life is uncertain. Don't put things off. If there's something you want to do — take the plunge. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Chloe 42 years old, currently living in Tasmania in a rustic tiny shack in the bush with her husband  Living a travelling lifestyle since 2008 What was the lead up to making changes in her life Leaving school at 18 and joining the Navy 2006 living in Perth, Australia  and having a job in health and safety Starting to feel different when staying at the Whim Creek Hotel Thinking that there has to be more to life 100 things to see and do in Australia before you die  Selling her house within a week, filling up a shipping container Taking her dog and starting to drive solo around Australia  Being encouraged by a friend - to just do it!  Not being in tune with herself  Highlights from spending time on the road, driving around Australia  Starting off with $500 AUD and getting a job  Spending the trip just driving around  Being petrified of staying in a tent Pitching her tent and staying in it for the first time Meeting a boy, Willy (which wasn't part of the plan!)  Deciding to move to New Zealand (2009 - 2010) Backpacking around Europe for 3 months Planning every day and having a very tight schedule  Feeling disheartened with her experience  Needing to do something spontaneous  Backpacking around Cambodia for 3 weeks with no plan  Seeing a flyer about yoga and meditation Struggling with mental health and things in life  Doing a yoga retreat in Australia and doing a deep dive into meditation  Starting to work in farming around Australia  2013 and the year of her 30th birthday Deciding to go to South America to visit Machu Picchu  Willys death and how it stopped everything  Not knowing how to cope The funeral and not wanting to live where she was living or work where she was working  Getting rid of her phone and getting off social media Starting again and wanting to forget  Needing to deal with the grief  Going back to mediation and doing a workshop which helped  Learning about the Caminos in Spain  Walking the camino in April 2014 (The way of st James) Not knowing what she was doing and carrying far too much stuff Learning a lot on the way  Not being very open on the French Camino  Learning a lot from Willys death and making a promise to him  Doing what she wanted to do with her life - no excuses  Falling in love with a minimalistic, simple way of life Waling with everything on her back and how it agreed with her Finding her passion and purpose  Living this simple life Needing to create trail life, while off trail  2016 - waling the Camino del Norte and the Camino Primitivo 2017 - hitchhiked and walked along the beaches in Uruguay Feeling safe and not feeling alone  2018 - ten years since starting her nomadic journey and taking a 10,000km road trip with her dog - Dexter Needing to sort out her stuff in the shipping container  Feeling so much lighter without all of her possessions  Losing Dexter in 2019  Doing a silent retreat in Bali  Wanting to do a 5 year walk around the world Not having any more responsibility and having ultimate freedom  Working in Tasmania in 2020 and dealing with Covid and why it was so difficult  Buying a block of land and a 1976 Volkswagen Kombi Van Self reliance and simplicity  2022 and the world starting to open up again  Starting to work again to make money and giving up on the idea of the 5 yr walk around the world Her 40th birthday and wanting to walk 2,000km to celebrate it  Meeting Will  2023 - Walking the Wales Coast Path and the Portuguese Camino Discovery the Tough Girl Youtube Channel!  Buying the Cicerone - Wales Coast Path Guidebook Trying to plan the first few days Wild camping on her first night  How things just kept working out  Heading to Bali in 2024 Doing some backpacking in 2025, throughout Vietnam, Laos and Thailand Needing to thru hike these caminos by herself  Finishing the Camino Via de la Plata. Getting married!  Being the planner in the relationship  Deciding to do a bike trip in America - cycling from Alaska to San Fransisco (86 nights in the tent) The challenges of adventures with a partner and navigating them together  Needing to focus more on recovery and needing to put more effort into training before adventures  Adventures booked for 2026 - Walking the SWCP and the GR10! Starting 1st June! Thinking this is crazy and how am I going to do this!  Why you just need to start and the rest will unfold  Why getting to the start line is always tricky - mentally  Noticing her improvements in running at park run after strength training Having some knee problems  Starting on the creatine and having more energy during the summer The South West Coast Path  Not being on social media and being in the moment. Final words of advice for other women who want to live life differently and live life on their own terms  Life is pretty uncertain, and definitely our time here is uncertain.  Don't put things off to the future. If there's something that you want to do, take the plunge. The universe conspires to keep you going  Learning to live with less over the years and how money has become more abundant  Working for 6/7 months of the year, and 1 month of earnings goes towards her future  Living off less than $100 AUD a week  Stopping working after earning $20,000 dollars and coming back to a $3,000 dollar tax cheque Give it a crack - get to the start line. Keep that dream at the front of your mind  Don't be afraid NOT to use technology on trails - walking the trails with just a guidebook or map    Social Media None.

This has been an absolute whirlwind of a week. The title really captures is all so give this episode a listen to learn more about what crashing a car in France resulted in!

Five listener accounts. Five different parts of the country. Five different decades. And in every one of them, something out there showed an ordinary person, in no uncertain terms, that they were not at the top of the food chain. This episode isn't about quick glimpses through the trees. It's about the slow encounters. The ones where something took its time, where it watched, where it made a deliberate decision about whether or not to let the witness walk away.The first account comes from Dale, a lifelong hunter from Sequim, Washington, who was twenty-three years old in October of 1978 when he climbed into a drainage off the Dosewallips before first light and saw something standing in the fog at the base of the slope. Sixty yards away. Gray-skinned, slope-browed, motionless in a way that no living thing should be able to manage.Dale walked out of those woods that morning and didn't return to any forest for twenty-six years.From there we move to Karen, a young woman from Elkins, West Virginia, who was twenty-four years old in September of 1993 and out for a solo overnight on a loop she'd hiked many times before. At two in the morning, every insect in the Monongahela went silent, something pressed a hand the size of a dinner plate against the wall of her tent, and the heat of a living body radiated through the nylon inches from her face. The next morning she saw what had been standing over her.Brent rides next, a heavy equipment operator out of Athens, Ohio, who was on the OHV trails in the Wayne National Forest with his buddy Cody on a clear October afternoon in 2019. They heard whoops trade across the saddle of a ridge. They turned around to leave. And on the way back down the trail they'd just ridden, they found a fourteen-inch oak laid across the two-track that had not been there forty minutes earlier, with no root ball, drag marks in the dirt, and something watching them from behind a white oak thirty yards uphill.The fourth account is told secondhand by Katelyn, the granddaughter of a northern Wisconsin trapper named Cal, who walked his line on a state forest tract north of the Bois Brule River in October of 1972 and found his sets methodically disabled. A foothold trap hung ten feet up in a hemlock. A marten cubby pried off a maple, turned a hundred and eighty degrees, and re-nailed backwards. A young whitetail arranged on the moss above an otter set, legs folded, head balanced upright, like a chess piece placed for him to find. Then three wood knocks from three different directions.Then a tall, lean, gray-haired figure standing between two pines in the dawn light, watching him with an expression Cal could only describe as tired.The episode closes with Marisol, a freelance photographer who in late August of 2015 hiked into a small alpine lake in the Trinity Alps Wilderness of northern California to shoot the milky way. The wind shifted across the cirque, the smell of a wet animal carried over the water, and through her two-hundred-millimeter zoom she watched something kneel at the far shore, cup water in its palm, drink, and then turn its head and look directly into her lens. A face with a heavy brow, a square jaw, and a small but distinct chin. Eight feet tall when it stood. She broke camp in the fading light and hiked six miles back to the trailhead in the dark, and she has never reviewed the photographs she took that afternoon.What links these five accounts isn't the description of the creature. The descriptions vary. Reddish brown. Gray. Nearly black. Heavy jaw, no chin. Narrower jaw, slight chin. Lean and starved-looking. Massive and barrel-chested. What links them is the aftermath.Every one of these people rearranged their lives around what happened. Hunting careers ended. Backpacking ended. Photography careers pivoted indoors. Decades of silence followed by a single attempt to put it down somewhere, with someone, before the memory had to go to the grave with them.If you've been carrying something of your own, the inbox is open.Have you experienced a Bigfoot sighting, Sasquatch encounter, Dogman experience, UFO sighting, or any unexplained cryptid or paranormal event deep in the woods? We want to hear your story.Email your encounter to brian@paranormalworldproductions.com for a chance to be featured on a future episode of Backwoods Bigfoot Stories.Backwoods Bigfoot Stories is a paranormal storytelling podcast featuring real Bigfoot encounters, Sasquatch sightings, Dogman reports, cryptid experiences, and true scary stories from the backwoods.Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss a chilling encounter from the forest. Listen with the lights off… if you dare.

Join Carrie and Molly on this replay from their Tahoe Rim Trail series! During their third day on the Tahoe Rim Trail, the sisters experience beautiful views, springs, water caches, a zipper malfunction, and an arachnoid encounter! Join along for stories, laughs, and some very important considerations for your next backpacking trip! Enjoyed this episode? Check out our “Tahoe Rim Trail” series to listen to all nine episodes!

Is it too late to travel in your 30s? After a listener submitted this simple yet thought-provoking question into the show, we decided to dedicate an episode to it. We discuss the societal pressures faced by travellers in their 30s, as well as the risks and the downsides. If you're in your 30s or fast-approaching and you're contemplating a backpacking trip or a change of career, don't miss this one!Support the show and access the Lost & Found section, as Adam shares his feelings towards living away from family and friends, and Alun reviews a recent trip to the cinema.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tripologypodcastSubmit your travel stories: https://www.tripologypodcast.com/talesofatripNeed travel insurance? We recommend SafetyWing! Click here to get started: ⁠⁠⁠https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=26035801&utm_source=26035801&utm_medium=AmbassadorRequire an onward flight? Please use this fantastic flight rental service: ⁠⁠⁠https://onwardticket.com/tripologypodcast⁠⁠⁠Discord: https://discord.gg/9nUjH8ns3Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tripologypodcast/Website: https://www.tripologypodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tripologypodcastX: https://x.com/tripologypod

Joe Polo has lived a life that few in the Arabian horse world can match. From his early days in Pennsylvania to working across Australia, Europe, South America, and the United States, Joe's journey has been shaped by horses, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. Along the way, he's worked with legendary breeders, top programs, and some of the most influential horses in modern Arabian history.Today, as the owner of C&C Arabians and an internationally respected judge, Joe brings a unique perspective to the conversation. In this episode, we talk about:His personal journey into Arabian horsesDifferences in judging in the U.S. vs. abroadEvolving market, including halter vs. performanceWhat defines quality in breeding todayGCAT & it's importance in the communityWhat separates a good horse from a great oneJoe also shares a powerful reflection on rediscovering passion in the industry after years of balancing business and horses.This is a conversation about experience, perspective, and a lifelong connection to the Arabian horse.

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In this episode, we have the honor of spending an hour with a true treasure in the backpacking world, Jessica Mills, AKA "Dixie". We'll be talking about everything from her new podcast to the challenges of Backpacking as a new mom.Looking for a new backpack? Check out the new Showdowlight Carbon 60 from Outdoor Vitals: https://alnk.to/cHQRrZL

On a recent wintry afternoon in Manhattan, Stephan Crump was doing what he has done countless times in the city—toting his upright bass, clad in a heavy black bag, along the sidewalk, as if he had a baby that was also a bear.  Finding his car, Crump shimmied the instrument through the minivan's side, climbed into the front seat, exhaled, and then grinned. In less than 24 hours, he would fly to Portland to teach “On Magnetism,” a long-accreting class on connecting more deeply with yourself and others through your instrument, and to play solo at the city's jazz festival. But he knew he first needed to make the 40-minute trek from Brooklyn to Finlay + Gage, the legendary bass shop in Tribeca, to have his bass adjusted, so that he could make that connection himself. The sound post—that stout wooden dowel inside the bass that keeps it from collapsing on itself, and that the French call l'âme, or the soul—wasn't sitting quite right. “It's so personal, elusive, and mysterious. Yes, it's a mechanical thing, but it has so much mojo to it. That's why it's called ‘the soul,'” Crump explained several days later from Portland, noting that the hassle of the errand had been worth it. The bass felt good in his hands again. “It's this combination of sound and feel.” For a quarter-century now, pairing sound and feel have become Crump's ambit and expertise. A bassist and composer, collaborator and bandleader, Crump has become one of New York's most steadfast and experienced instrumentalists. He was the anchor of Vijay Iyer's foundational trio for 20 years, even as he developed a slew of imaginative ensembles of his own—the two-guitar Rosetta Trio, the Borderlands Trio alongside Kris Davis and Eric McPherson, the Secret Keeper duo with Mary Halvorson, just to sample. In all of these contexts, the act of bringing the rest of his life to the bass—the trauma and hope, the frustration and delight—remains Crump's primary motivation. It is, if you will, the soul of his playing. “All art is an expression of the artist's presence in that moment. Musicians need our evolving physical capabilities on the instrument and technical knowledge—how notes interact harmonically and melodically, transcribing our heroes, learning all that,” Crump said. “But in the act of making music, we need to allow that stuff to fall away, to not impose it on the music, to relinquish our defenses. We are sculpting energy as we make music, shaping magnetism.” In some ways, Crump's career is the fulfillment of his father's own youthful ambition. His dad toyed with turning pro as a jazz drummer, but he pursued architecture instead. (That's also how he met Crump's mother, who comes from a long line of French architects.) His devotion to jazz, though, didn't waver, and he would constantly play jazz classics—Monk, Miles, Coltrane, MJQ—in the family's Memphis home. Crump thinks that's where he fell for the bass, especially when the low-end would creep through old wooden walls at night. At his mother's behest, though, Crump's training started with piano, the Suzuki Method leading him through the classics and eventually to his all-time musical hero, Stevie Wonder. But at 13, Crump finally got his first bass, a MapleGlo Rickenbacker 4001 like that of another hero, Yes' Chris Squire. He joined a crackling power trio with his brother, later enlisted in a larger band, and then started his own group; they all gigged hard. Backpacking through Spain by himself after high school, however, he encountered an epiphany by the name of Dave Holland, playing in his mighty and future-facing quartet. The upright bass: That was Crump's future. His first was a dilapidated plywood model, collecting dust in a corner of Amherst College, where he'd in part gone to escape family turmoil down south. He'd intended to study physics and music, but he soon realized that his energy and enthusiasm belonged with the latter. That was helped along by a guitarist pal Crump met during his first few weeks at Amherst. He had connections in the West Village. Crump had the car. (“The bassist,” he half-joked, “always has the car.”) Most every week, they would drive the four hours south, link with high-caliber New York pros they'd hired, play until 2 a.m. or so, and head back to school. “That was really powerful and clarifying. It was thrilling to be 18 and gigging in New York. I got a taste for that level of musicianship, and I was doing more than just cutting it,” he said, smiling. “By the end of my first semester, I knew I was moving to New York as soon as I graduated.” That is precisely what Crump did. He used his paycheck from a month-long, fresh-out-of-college stint with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra to rent his first Brooklyn apartment in 1994. He dove right in, roving the West Village with his bass, listening, and joining late-night jams that ended with the sun's arrival. He'd seal his shades with tape, sleep, and repeat.  Crump, though, bristled at the scene's pervasive machismo, how some of the city's most vaunted players would put up walls to prevent revealing too much of themselves through their music. That's actually what he craved. Crump found others who shared his ardor, earnestness, and a belief in what jazz could show of and to a person. Those people, like saxophonists Chris Cheek and Miguel Zenón, helped shape his first albums. There was film score work and sessions and stages alongside singer-songwriters. In these concentric creative circles, he met a young singer, Jen Chapin, and fell in love. They got married in September 1999.  After five years, the existence Crump had imagined for himself as a New York musician was happening. “My goal from the start was to come to New York and make a life in music—to make music that I loved, to learn and grow with amazing musicians,” said Crump. “I never set out to be a rock star, a jazz star. I just wanted to make music—real, deep, honest shit, you know?” Actually, Crump flirted with something at least like “jazz stardom” during a 20-year stint in Vijay Iyer's trio. Iyer cold-called Crump soon after moving to New York in 1999, on a friend's recommendation. They spent the next 20 years building the band into one of modern jazz's most successful units. It was a tremendous trip, of course, but it was again clarifying for Crump, revealing the sorts of bands he wanted to build outside of the Iyer orbit. He steadily realized that traditional jazz ensembles were not his preferred vehicle. The bass could get lost, its role restricted. And the power dynamics with such a clear and visible leader created an environment of dominance (again, often masculine) that he hoped to avoid. “Control and bravado keep you from deeper layers of experience and expression,” he said. “When you find yourself with a group of people who are willing to at least attempt ego dissolution and real communion, you have the opportunity for transcendence. You open a portal for each other and the audience—that's a service to society.” Crump has found those connections in so many contexts, emptying his feelings into his diverse ensembles. Rosetta Trio's bittersweet groove, for instance, emerged from little Fender Rhodes fragments he compiled in the months after watching 9/11 unfold with Jen from their Brooklyn roof. Open Wide, his 2002 set of duets with her, are intimate and entangled portraits of marriage's first few difficult, delightful years.  The music of Rhombal—his celebrated quartet with Tyshawn Sorey, Adam O'Farrill, Ellery Eskelin—unfolded after the death of his brother, Patrick, the one who first brought him into a band back in Memphis. And Slow Water, his latest project built with a drum-less sextet of fascinating New York artists, hinges on the Memphis native's experiences with bodies of water around the world, his lifelong love of nature, and his worry about and hope for our collective future.    “The acoustic bass is almost infinite as an instrument, sonically and expressively, but so much of that can get covered up in a traditional ensemble,” he said, turning toward his duos with saxophonist Steve Lehman and guitarist Mary Halvorson. “Those experiences gave me so much more room to explore the terrain of the instrument, its possibilities. That pushes you. It's the kind of scary environment you want to put yourself in.” When Crump talks about and teaches music, he doesn't discuss notes. Or rather, they are only the beginning, the technical basis for something that can and should be something much richer. Notes are vessels that the player then fills with their experiences, their ideas, their emotions, their essence.  These are gestures, at least as he has put it for many years now, the basis of the music he wants to put into and get out of the world. In some significant ways, this echoes his childhood in Memphis, where his Southern grandmother instilled the value of a story well told, and where he worked alongside his uncle building furniture—really, sculptures of wood—that they would sand until the material seemed somehow to shimmer. (Crump's music stand was made by his uncle, Stephen.) It wasn't just an object or a story; it was a piece of work you invested yourself in until it became art. “A note is an abstract notion, meaningless without all of the human, spiritual stuff you can channel into it,” Crump said. “A gesture has the physical element, a sense of offering, a reflection of our presence through each unfolding moment.” 

Wildfires in KY? Should horses have doggy bags for on trail? Hut to Hut Backpacking. Is this really a thing? All this and we find out who has the most rock and roll knowledge in this episode of the Backpacking Podcast.Get your hands on the Pursuit Hybrid Fleece over at Outdoor Vitals: https://alnk.to/cHQOQG7

Fluent Fiction - French: Provence Adventures: Friendship, Budgeting & Spontaneity Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2026-04-20-22-34-01-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Dans une petite chambre d'étudiant, baignée par la douce lumière du printemps, Amélie et Luc étaient entourés de cartes, de guides de voyage, et d'un ordinateur portable.En: In a small student room, bathed in the gentle light of spring, Amélie and Luc were surrounded by maps, travel guides, and a laptop.Fr: La fenêtre ouverte laissait entrer une brise légère.En: The open window let in a light breeze.Fr: Dehors, les cerisiers étaient en fleurs.En: Outside, the cherry trees were in bloom.Fr: « Provence cet été, ça va être incroyable, tu ne penses pas, Luc ?En: "Provence this summer, it's going to be incredible, don't you think, Luc?"Fr: » s'exclama Amélie, ses yeux brillants de l'excitation d'un voyage pour lequel elle rêvait depuis longtemps.En: exclaimed Amélie, her eyes gleaming with the excitement of a trip she had long dreamed of.Fr: Luc hocha lentement la tête.En: Luc nodded slowly.Fr: « Oui, mais ça me préoccupe, Amélie.En: "Yes, but it concerns me, Amélie.Fr: Notre budget est limité.En: Our budget is limited.Fr: Et les détails logistiques... transport, hébergement, nourriture... cela peut représenter une somme conséquente.En: And the logistical details... transportation, accommodation, food... that can represent a significant amount."Fr: » Amélie, toujours optimiste, ne se laissa pas abattre.En: Amélie, always optimistic, was not discouraged.Fr: Elle avait besoin de ce voyage, pas seulement pour satisfaire sa soif d'aventure, mais aussi pour échapper à la nostalgie qui la guettait de temps en temps.En: She needed this trip, not just to satisfy her thirst for adventure, but also to escape the nostalgia that occasionally got to her.Fr: « Écoute, Luc.En: "Listen, Luc.Fr: Et si nous faisions simple ?En: What if we kept it simple?Fr: On peut choisir quelques villes-clés.En: We can choose a few key cities.Fr: Nous n'avons pas besoin de tout voir, juste les endroits les plus marquants.En: We don't need to see everything, just the most remarkable places."Fr: » Luc réfléchit, étudiant les guides devant lui.En: Luc thought, studying the guides before him.Fr: « Qu'est-ce que tu proposes alors ?En: "What do you propose then?"Fr: » Amélie sourit, remplie d'une nouvelle détermination.En: Amélie smiled, filled with new determination.Fr: « On pourrait commencer par Avignon.En: "We could start in Avignon.Fr: La ville est riche en histoire, tu vas adorer.En: The city is rich in history, you're going to love it.Fr: Ensuite, Aix-en-Provence pour ses marchés animés.En: Then, Aix-en-Provence for its lively markets.Fr: On pourrait loger dans des auberges de jeunesse ou faire du couchsurfing pour réduire les frais.En: We could stay in youth hostels or do couchsurfing to cut costs.Fr: Qu'en penses-tu ?En: What do you think?"Fr: » Le scepticisme de Luc fit place à une lueur d'intérêt.En: Luc's skepticism gave way to a glimmer of interest.Fr: Mais une préoccupation persistait.En: But one concern persisted.Fr: « C'est une bonne idée, mais les transports ?En: "It's a good idea, but what about transportation?"Fr: » Amélie avait tout prévu.En: Amélie had everything planned.Fr: « On peut prendre le train entre les grandes villes, et pour les petites distances, louer des vélos.En: "We can take the train between the big cities, and for short distances, rent bicycles.Fr: C'est économique et écologique.En: It's economical and eco-friendly."Fr: » Le plan prenait forme, mais il restait un dernier point à discuter.En: The plan was taking shape, but there was one last point to discuss.Fr: Luc, un peu hésitant, l'adressa.En: Luc, a bit hesitant, addressed it.Fr: « Mais Amélie, es-tu prête à improviser ?En: "But Amélie, are you ready to improvise?Fr: Là-bas, tant de choses peuvent ne pas se passer comme prévu.En: Over there, so many things might not go as expected."Fr: » La discussion se réchauffa.En: The discussion heated up.Fr: Ils confrontèrent leurs peurs et leurs attentes.En: They confronted their fears and expectations.Fr: Amélie révéla son secret : « J'ai besoin de ce voyage pour me sentir chez moi, où que je sois.En: Amélie revealed her secret: "I need this trip to feel at home, wherever I am."Fr: » Luc comprit qu'un compromis était nécessaire.En: Luc understood that a compromise was necessary.Fr: Après un moment de silence, ils se sourirent.En: After a moment of silence, they smiled at each other.Fr: « On va le faire à notre façon.En: "We'll do it our way.Fr: Un mélange de planification et de spontanéité.En: A mix of planning and spontaneity."Fr: » Ils rassemblèrent les cartes, choisissant ensemble les itinéraires.En: They gathered the maps, choosing the routes together.Fr: Luc marqua des lieux historiques à visiter, tandis qu'Amélie inscrivait des activités originales, comme des pique-niques au bord de la Sorgue.En: Luc marked historical sites to visit, while Amélie wrote down original activities, like picnics by the Sorgue.Fr: Le pacte fut scellé.En: The pact was sealed.Fr: Leur amitié renforcée, prête à découvrir la Provence.En: Their friendship strengthened, ready to discover Provence.Fr: Dans cette petite chambre, entre éclats de rire et discussions intenses, ils avaient non seulement préparé un voyage, mais aussi appris à mieux se connaître elle-même et se comprendre l'un l'autre.En: In this small room, amid bursts of laughter and intense discussions, they had not only prepared a trip but also learned to better know themselves and understand each other.Fr: Amélie se sentait plus forte face à sa nostalgie, et Luc s'ouvrait à l'idée que l'inattendu pouvait apporter de belles surprises.En: Amélie felt stronger against her nostalgia, and Luc was opening up to the idea that the unexpected could bring beautiful surprises.Fr: Le printemps était là, et avec lui, la promesse d'un été inoubliable.En: Spring was here, and with it, the promise of an unforgettable summer. Vocabulary Words:the breeze: la brisethe cherry trees: les cerisiersto exclaim: s'exclamerto nod: hocher la têtethe budget: le budgetthe logistical details: les détails logistiquesthe transportation: le transportthe accommodation: l'hébergementthe food: la nourriturethe amount: la sommeto escape: échapperthe nostalgia: la nostalgiethe thirst: la soifto propose: proposerthe history: l'histoirethe youth hostels: les auberges de jeunesseto cut costs: réduire les fraisthe skepticism: le scepticismethe glimmer: la lueurto rent: louereconomical: économiqueeco-friendly: écologiqueto address: adresserto improvise: improviserto reveal: révélerthe compromise: le compromisthe silence: le silencethe laughter: les éclats de rirethe picnic: le pique-niquethe promise: la promesse

Sponsored By:→ Neuro | Go to https://getneuro.com and use code ONEDAY at checkout for 15% OFF your entire order.DescriptionEight years is a long time. People change. Priorities shift. Sometimes the guy who built the thing stops needing to be the guy who built the thing.Jon Bier sits down with an old friend — Tero Isokauppila, founder of Four Sigmatic, the brand that put functional mushrooms on the map for millions of Americans who had never heard of a chaga in their life. But this conversation isn't about that origin story. It's about what happens after. After the mission. After the identity. After you stop needing the win to feel like yourself.Tero built something real, stepped back from it, had three kids, and somewhere in the middle of all of it found out that fatherhood was the only hub that made everything else make sense. Jon gets it. He's living the same tension — the builder brain that never turns off, the family he actually wants to be present for, and the gap between those two things that most men never talk about honestly.This is that conversation.In this episode: • Why Tero walked away from the identity of being "the mushroom guy" — even as the industry he created exploded into the mainstream • The psychedelic experience that made fatherhood his north star, and how it completely reordered his priorities • What both of them are still figuring out about presence, ambition, and what it actually means to show up for the people who matter mostFind Tero:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamtero/Website: https://www.teroisokauppila.com/Four Sigmatic: https://us.foursigmatic.comTimestamps:0:00 - Intro1:36 - Health Trends That Were Radical Then Are Mainstream Now2:57 - Nail Beds, Nap Stacking & the Lo-Fi Wellness Revolution7:17 - Farming in Hawaii, Fly Fishing & Nature as Meditation8:49 - The Brick: Blocking Your Phone to Actually Live Your Life13:50 - How Mushrooms Became a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry21:53 - Kids as the Hub: Why His Focus Became Singular36:55 - Finnish Military, Backpacking the World & Finding Himself39:34 - Why He Built Four Sigmatic: Converting America Into Mushroom Drinkers46:45 - Why You Should Retire When Your Kids Are Young

shelter before fire Shelter Before Fire (Why You've Been Prioritizing It Wrong) | Episode 610 Quick Note Before We Start Before we get into this one—I want to apologize for the gap between episodes. I've been dealing with a pretty rough rhupus flare, and it's been kicking my ass. Energy has been low, pain has been high, and honestly just getting through the day has been the priority. But we're back. And I didn't want to skip another day. Everyone Wants to Do the Sexy Stuff If you ask 100 people what they'd do first in a survival situation, most of them are going to say: “Build a fire.” Because that's the sexy skill. It's the one you see on TV. It's the one that looks cool. It's the one everyone wants to do. Same way if you ask a prepper: “Do you want to build your bug out binder or go buy another gun?” You already know the answer. People gravitate toward the exciting thing… not the important thing. Shelter Is More Important Than Fire Fire is important. No doubt. But shelter is more important. If you're exposed to rain, wind, or cold, a fire alone is not going to save you. You're going to lose heat faster than that fire can replace it. Shelter fixes that. Shelter blocks wind.Shelter keeps you dry.Shelter helps you retain heat. Without it, you're just sitting next to a fire getting slowly wrecked by the elements. Fire Works Better With Shelter Anyway Here's the part people miss. Fire becomes WAY more effective once you have shelter. You can reflect heat.You can trap warmth.You can control airflow. Without shelter, your fire is just fighting the environment. With shelter, your fire actually works for you. Stop Splitting Effort—Build Shelter First You see this on survival shows all the time. One person starts the shelter.One person starts the fire. That sounds balanced. But in reality, it's often inefficient. It would make more sense in a lot of situations for both people to focus on the shelter first. Get it done. Then move on to fire and make it sustainable. Because once the shelter is up, everything else gets easier. Shelter Solves More Problems Shelter doesn't just keep you warm. It protects you from rain.It blocks wind.It gives you a place to rest.It even provides some protection from animals. Is it going to stop a charging rhino? No. But most of us aren't dealing with that. For realistic scenarios, a shelter gives you a massive advantage. This Is Where Skills Actually Matter I've always liked building shelters. Even as a kid, I was out in the backyard building little huts out of sticks and branches. Was it perfect? No. Was it functional? Also no. But it built the foundation. And that's the key. These skills don't just magically show up when you need them. You have to practice them. Preferably before you're cold, wet, and miserable. Use It as an Excuse to Train (and Bond) If you've got kids, this is an easy win. Tell them you're going outside to build a fort. They're in immediately. It gets them off screens. It gets them outside. And it builds real skills without it feeling like “training.” That's a win across the board. Prioritize What Actually Keeps You Alive At the end of the day, survival isn't about what looks cool. It's about what works. Fire is great. But shelter is what keeps you alive long enough to use that fire effectively. So next time you're thinking about survival priorities, flip the script. Shelter first. Then fire. This has been James from SurvivalPunk.com. DIY to Survive. Amazon Item OF The Day OneTigris Proteus Camping Tarp, Versatile Waterproof Lightweight Tarp Shelter with Doors, Extra Large 20.1ft x 9.2ft, Ideal for Camping, Hiking, Backpacking, Tent, Bushcraft Think this post was worth 20 cents? Consider joining The Survivalpunk Army and get access to exclusive content and discounts! Don't forget to join in on the road to 1k! Help James Survivalpunk Beat Couch Potato Mike to 1k subscribers on Youtube Want To help make sure there is a podcast Each and every week? Join us on Patreon Subscribe to the Survival Punk Survival Podcast. The most electrifying podcast on survival entertainment. Itunes Pandora RSS Spotify Like this post? Consider signing up for my email list here > Subscribe Join Our Exciting Facebook Group and get involved Survival Punk Punk's The post Shelter Before Fire (Why You've Been Prioritizing It Wrong) | Episode 610 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Join Carrie and Molly as they replay an episode from their “Summit Series” — all about their first mountaineering trip in Washington's North Cascades. The summit is only half way!! In this episode, the group must come down from the summit. They learn crevasse rescue skills and practice them on the Quien Sabè glacier. They return to camp, hike back to the car and discuss a framework for debriefing from adventures with your adventure partner. Check out the rest of the series by searching: “The Summit Series: Sahale Peak.”

Learn how altitude changes oxygen availability, hiking performance, sleep, recovery, appetite, and risk for acute mountain sickness. In this episode, we reframe altitude as cumulative hypoxic dose shaped by sleeping elevation, ascent rate, workload, and time. The episode translates altitude physiology into practical backpacking strategy: pace conservatively early, sleep lower when possible, protect fueling and recovery, watch symptoms closely, and plan routes around physiological cost, not just elevation over multiple days. To view the shownotes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

procrastination Prepping Is Mostly Procrastination | Episode 606 You're Not Prepping—You're Just Staying Busy Let's get straight into it. Most of what people call “prepping” is just procrastination. It feels productive. It looks productive. But a lot of the time, you're just fucking around. This isn't just a prepper problem either. I see it at work all the time. People running around doing things, looking busy, asking questions, but not actually accomplishing much. And the answer is usually simple. Work the pallets faster. That fixes everything. People don't like simple answers. They'd rather complicate things, add extra steps, or find something else to do so they can feel busy. Prepping is no different. Buying Gear Feels Like Progress Buying stuff feels good. There's a dopamine hit that comes with it. You buy some new gear, some MREs, maybe another piece of kit—and it feels like you made progress. And don't get me wrong, you do need to buy things. You can't build a deep pantry without spending money. But a lot of people lean way too hard into that side of prepping. Buying a pallet of MREs feels awesome. It's flashy. It's something you can brag about. “Yeah, I bought a pallet of MREs this weekend.” That sounds a lot cooler than “I stocked canned goods and rotated my pantry.” But guess which one is more practical? Even I fall into this. I like MREs. They're fun. Taking them on a hike with the family is a great time. But fun doesn't always equal effective. Guns Are Cool—Training Is Better Same thing with firearms. Buying another gun feels great. It's exciting. It's interesting. It's something you want to do. But if you haven't trained recently, buying another firearm is probably not what you need. And I'm calling myself out here too. It's been a while since I've taken a pistol class. I've never taken a rifle class. I've got gear I haven't even properly tested yet. That's a problem. Classes aren't flashy. They're not as fun as buying something new. But they are way more important. If you already have the basics covered, you should be investing in training before buying more gear. Watching Videos Isn't Doing the Work “I'm doing research.” We've all said it. And yeah, YouTube is great. I watch a ton of it. There's a lot you can learn from videos, books, and content. But at some point, you have to actually do the thing. Watching a video on planting perennials doesn't plant your garden. Watching a video on building a trap doesn't mean you can build one when it matters. You need to go outside and actually practice. Because knowledge without action is useless. Motion Isn't Progress This is the core problem. Activity does not equal progress. You can spend years prepping and still be no better off than when you started. Buying gear without building skills. Watching videos without practicing. Talking about scenarios without making real changes. It feels like progress. It looks like progress. But it's not. Do the Hard Stuff The things that actually matter aren't flashy. Fixing your finances.Getting in shape.Learning real skills.Changing your habits. That's the hard stuff. That's the stuff people avoid. It's way easier to buy gear, make lists, and talk about “what if” scenarios than it is to face your real weaknesses and fix them. People wait for the perfect time to start. That time doesn't exist. Start now. Even if it's small. Even if it's imperfect. Because doing something real beats pretending you're preparing. This has been James from SurvivalPunk.com. DIY to Survive. Amazon Item OF The Day ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply – 120 Servings Favorites Sample Bucket, Survival Food Kit, Freeze Dried Prepper Food & Dehydrated Meals for Camping Essentials & Backpacking, up to 25 Year Shelf Life Think this post was worth 20 cents? Consider joining The Survivalpunk Army and get access to exclusive content and discounts! Don't forget to join in on the road to 1k! Help James Survivalpunk Beat Couch Potato Mike to 1k subscribers on Youtube Want To help make sure there is a podcast Each and every week? Join us on Patreon Subscribe to the Survival Punk Survival Podcast. The most electrifying podcast on survival entertainment. Itunes Pandora RSS Spotify Like this post? Consider signing up for my email list here > Subscribe Join Our Exciting Facebook Group and get involved Survival Punk Punk's The post Prepping Is Mostly Procrastination | Episode 606 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

Tell us about your Adventure!Since 1980, Jerry Lancing and his college friends have shared a unique bond forged on the rugged paths of the wilderness. Over 25 trips together, they have covered many different trails together. Their annual August backpacking tradition offers a glimpse into enduring friendship, tough trail conditions, and the simple joy of sleeping under the stars.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by LMNT, Jess and Chaunce are joined by Lyndsay "Wreckage" Monsen. Wreckage is a pastor in training and civil rights advocate and she reflects on what it means to bring spirituality into the backcountry in a way that resonates even with those wary of organized religion. We also touch on formative spiritual moments in Colorado, why the Superior Hiking Trail earned a spot on her hate list, and how her foot got fudged up real good on the Long Trail, complete with photographic evidence. We wrap the show with news of a climber who's accused of manslaughter after leaving his girlfriend near a mountain summit, we discuss whether my getting a carwash is diva behavior, the triple crown of pies, and an unhinged tangent into the subject of AI. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKWINTER15" at topoathletic.com. Mountainsmith: Use code "TAKEAHIKE" for 20% off at mountainsmith.com. [divider] Interview with Lyndsay "Wreckage" Monsen Lyndsay's Instagram Lyndsay's Sermons Lyndsay's sermon referencing her CT hike Lyndsay's sermon about getting arrested Time stamps & Questions 00:08:00 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:13:14 - Introducing Lyndsay 00:16:45 - Do your hikes help you in any way in your seminary work? 00:18:00 - Have any of your religious beliefs changed based on your hiking? 00:19:00 - Tell us about who you were when starting the AT 00:24:20 - What are your thoughts on body image as it relates to thru-hiking? 00:28:12 - What other standout moments did you have on the AT? 00:31:40 - What is seminary school? 00:39:30 - Tell us about doing the Long Trail 00:43:32 - Did you find that you were more spiritually challenged on the Long Trail? 00:45:10 - Tell us about the connection between the outdoors and spirituality 00:50:45 - What are your dates more shocked by? 00:52:00 - Discussion about the Lake City Hiker Center 01:00:06 - Did you find that your discussions on trail naturally veer towards spirituality? 01:04:44 - What was your confession at the Priest Shelter? 01:11:30 - What did you think about the Superior Hiking Trail? 01:21:40 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail 01:30:00 - Tell us your pee story 01:37:12 - Any standout stories from the Colorado Trail? 01:40:20 - Lyndsay's raccoon story 01:43:30 - Tell us about the relationship between nature access and church attendance 01:55:15 - What are your thoughts about the concept of sex? 01:57:35 - What are your future hiking plans? 02:00:00 - Tell us about getting arrested 02:11:30 - Stay Salty Question: What is your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors at large? Segments Trek Propaganda Climber Accused of Manslaughter After Leaving Girlfriend Near Summit of Austria's Highest Peak by Kelly Floro Hiker Rescued From Appalachian Trail in the Smokies After Emergency SOS by Katie Jackson QOTD: Is getting a car wash diva behavior? Triple Crown of pies 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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, Jason Kiser, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, 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 Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

Carrie and Molly welcome you to join them on this replay from their series about hiking the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood! Hop on trail, just an hour from Portland, and immerse yourself in the wild and rugged experience of circumnavigating this iconic PNW volcano. Molly and Carrie cover the second half of their first day on trail. The crew crosses Newton Creek, navigates through a tricky section, and searches for the perfect campsite... but their plans are derailed when Mt Hood turns their tents into kites. Tune in for more helpful tidbits on the trail and, as always, laughs! Find the other episodes from this series by searching “The Timberline Trail.”

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined once again by outdoor filmmaker and long-distance backpacker, Lauren "Longway" Roerick.  Lauren shares the highs and lows of a massive year of international backpacking and adventure, including dragging her "indoor cat" brother along on the 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Japan and her not in such great shape dad on the Camino del Norte in Spain, her less than stellar experience on the Via Dinarica and how one especially unfortunate stretch in Montenegro ultimately forced her off trail, quickly rinsing the palette with some gorgeous hiking on the Transcaucasian Trail in Georgia, and her experience hiking the Santa Fe to Taos Trail as part of our "get paid to thru-hike" sponsorship. We also learn more about Lauren's background, including a chaotic international divorce, learning calculus in Chinese, and how she once sang opera although refuses to do so for you- we forgive her and this is a fun, inspirational chat regardless. We wrap the show with a hidden gem thru-hike in New York, a Triple Crown of Pop (not SODA!), and what trail traditions should be celebrated on spring equinox. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Lauren Roerick Lauren's Instagram Lauren's Youtube Lauren's Website Time stamps & Questions 00:04:57 - Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek and apply for the Badger Sponsorship!  00:09:10 - Introducing Lauren Roerick. 00:10:10 - Discussion about Te Araroa 00:13:30 - Discussion about a near hypothermia experience in the Tararua Mountains 00:19:10 - Give us an overview of the Santa Fe to Taos Trail 00:26:45 - Any standout stories from the Tahoe Rim Trail? 00:27:55 - Tell us about the 88 Temple Pilgrimage in Japan 00:35:00 - Discussion about Lauren's tea ceremony experience 00:37:20 - What did you do during your three years living in Taiwan? 00:39:20 - Did you really move to California to study and sing opera? 00:43:30 - Discussion about Lauren moving frequently 00:47:35 - Tell us about your hometown 00:49:50 - Tell us about starting a sales agency 00:55:20 - Who is the 88 Temple Pilgrimage for? 00:58:20 - Tell us about bikepacking around Taiwan 01:05:50 - What's the least safe you felt during your international travels? 01:21:15 - Tell us the good parts of the Via Dinarica 01:28:35 - Tell us about hiking in Georgia 01:35:35 - How often do you get recognized? 01:37:00 - Was the Santa Fe to Taos Trail boring in comparison? 01:39:08 - Tell us about the trail you hiked with your dad 01:43:40 - How did the Camino rank against other trails you hiked last year? 01:46:24 - Discussion about  01:51:45 - Do you have general tips for international travel and hiking? 01:58:35 - What is next on your hiking schedule for 2026? 02:03:15 - Stay Salty Question: What is your hottest take in the world of backpacking? Segments Trek Propaganda: The Epic 358-Mile Thru-Hike in New York You've Never Heard Of by Alex McClain QOTD: Summer solstice is hike naked day. What should spring equinox be? Fear of the Week Triple Crown of pop/soda 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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Luke Netjes, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, 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 Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined yet again by our pal Andrew Skurka and wayyyyy back former guest and now co-director of Skurka Adventures, Katie Gerber aka "Salty". Today's episode covers a lot of ground.  Today's conversation is part backpacking advice, part gear nerd chat, part a glimpse inside the operation at Skurka Adventures.  We first dive into Katie's list of the five biggest mistakes she made as a beginner backpacker and her take on why she loves her alcohol stove- after a decade of use. Andrew gives us an overview of vapor barrier layers and moisture management for cold-weather backpacking, the Ursack versus bear canister debate, he gives a framework for deciding exactly when it's time to hit the SOS button on your satellite communicator, the ethics of publicizing GPS tracks in these high consequence and fragile regions, and he shares his two cents on one of the most detailed bear-safety questions we've ever received. The duo also give us some standout stories from their years of working together, including a nightmarish and somehow hilarious story of surviving a Mojave Desert traffic jam in triple-digit heat. We wrap the show with a call for Trail Correspondents, if setting up your tent in the airport makes you a genius or an A-hole, the triple crown of winter drinks, and some fun Ibex facts from a listener. Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKWINTER15" at topoathletic.com. [divider] Interview with Andrew Skurka & Katie Gerber Skurka's Website Skurka's Instagram Katie's Website Katie's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:05:05 - Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, apply to be a Trail Correspondent, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and subscribe to The Trek's Youtube! 00:10:00 - Introducing Andrew and Katie 00:13:10 - Are you still passionate about nutrition? 00:19:40 - Tell us about your recent Grand Canyon trip with Eric 00:22:45 - How did you get started on off trail routes? 00:24:10 - How did you two start working together? 00:30:50 - Describe your current role 00:33:25 - What are some things people don't know about Skurka? 00:36:40 - Discussion about beginner backpacking mistakes 00:53:20 - What are some new things you've been thinking about? 00:56:50 - What trip is in the highest demand, and what's the most underrated? 00:58:50 - How do you balance protecting sensitive environments with leading trips for your business? 01:08:35 - How do you pick who guides each route? 01:10:35 - Do you have any new guides you're really excited about? 01:12:40 - What are some tips for someone who wants to get into guiding? 01:20:45 - Grand Canyon or Escalante? 01:23:00 - Tell us your thoughts on vapor barrier layers 01:27:55 - Discussion about the backcountry bidet 01:30:30 - How many cats until you're a crazy cat dude? 01:33:14 - How do you like using an alcohol stove and how did you like the Great Basin Trail? 01:35:23 - What are the biggest differences between hiking with Dirtmonger and Andrew? 01:40:15 - Have you used AI in your business? 01:44:14 - How should a campsite be set up? 01:50:00 - What are the pros and cons of hard sided bear canisters and Ursacks? 01:52:20 - Is there a new piece of gear you're excited about? 01:56:00 - Discussion about phone technology in the backcountry 02:01:18 - What are your thoughts on plastic water bottles? 02:03:40 - How far do you need to pee from your campsite? 02:04:45 - How do you decide to press the SOS button? 02:08:20 - What are your thoughts on polartech? 02:09:50 - Are broth cubes a thing? 02:13:54 - What should people know about the upcoming guiding season? 02:20:20 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda:  Colorado Trail vs. John Muir Trail vs. Long Trail: Which Trail is the Best? By Katie Jackson 25 More Stunning Thru-Hiking–Inspired Tattoos by Anna McKinney Smith QOTD:  Is it cringe or genius to set up your tent in the airport? Triple Crown of winter drinks 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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Luke Netjes, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, 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 Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3877: Adam Baker's journey through Australia and New Zealand with his wife and 1-year-old daughter becomes a masterclass in unexpected wisdom. From embracing uncertainty to rediscovering imagination, his daughter's innocent perspective reshapes what it means to truly live. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://chrisguillebeau.com/life-lessons-my-1-year-old-taught-me-while-backpacking-abroad/ Quotes to ponder: "She's not worried about what society will think of her or how she is supposed to act." "I quickly learned that having a baby is a crash course in patience, whether you signed up for it or not." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices