Podcasts about Colorado Trail

Welcome to Trail TMZ, the spicy trail running news breakdown you didn't know you needed. I'm Jeff Garmire, and this week I dive into the carnage at Western States—Jim Walmsley and Hayden Hawks are out, and so is the “Unbreakable 2” film project (yes, really). I give my unfiltered take on why that matters, how storytelling in our sport is being fumbled, and why it's time for trail films to embrace the chaos instead of bailing when stars drop.Then, things heat up with Camille Herron's cryptic Instagram post—where she dubs herself a sports whistleblower. What's the truth? What's hearsay? I break it down and talk about the real harm of social media call-outs in a sport that needs clarity more than confusion.Next up, we've got controversy at Black Canyon 100K involving Aravaipa Running, unauthorized aid, course-cutting, and a 20-minute penalty that turned into a full DQ. Is it a conflict of interest if a team athlete breaks the rules? I was there filming and have thoughts.And finally, we talk about how college athletics might implode thanks to SEC Football drama—and what that means for the future of running programs and the next generation of trail and ultra athletes.This episode has drama, nuance, hot takes, and just enough sarcasm to get me in trouble again.Chapters00:00 Western States Controversies and Unbreakable 204:16 Camille Herron: The Sports Whistleblower10:01 Aravaipa Running: Cheating Allegations and Controversy15:24 The Future of College Sports and Its Impact on RunningSubscribe 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

Fr. John Nepil, priest and mountaineer, joins the podcast to discuss his book To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail. Topics discussed include: The modern view of "nature" vs. God's creation A morally responsible approach to risk-taking The modern origins of hiking as a secular activity "Wilderness" vs. "garden" - Catholic attitudes toward the wild places To Heights and Unto Depths https://ignatius.com/to-heights-and-unto-depths-thudp/ DONATE to make this show possible! http://catholicculture.org/donate/audio SIGN UP for Catholic Culture's newsletter: https://www.catholicculture.org/newsletters

5/27/25 - We're joined by Fr. John Nepil, priest, theologian, and mountaineer, as he reflects on his new book To Heights and unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail. Written during a 486-mile pilgrimage through the Colorado Rockies with fellow priests and Catholic young adults, the book offers a profound spiritual meditation on nature, suffering, and divine encounter. Fr. Nepil draws deeply from the Catholic intellectual tradition, especially the insights of Luigi Giussani, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and Hans Urs von Balthasar, to explore how the wilderness becomes a school of the Incarnation where God speaks through the silence of creation. Purchase the book at https://ignatius.com/to-heights-and-unto-depths-thudp/

I sit down with Coree Woltering—pro athlete for Merrell, Janji, and Smartwool—for a raw and hilarious conversation about his redemption at the Cocodona 250. From being the very first person to drop out of the inaugural race to finishing it five years later, Coree shares the highs, lows, and muddy middle miles of his journey.We talk about impromptu race entries (Venmoed Southern States 200), wild hallucinations, ankle weirdness, and what happens when your crew gets stranded with a flat tire halfway through a 250-mile race. Coree also opens up about finding joy in ultra-distance running, managing a team for Merrell, and his ambitious upcoming plans—including an Appalachian Trail FKT attempt and maybe even Moab 240.Follow Coree online: https://www.instagram.com/coreewolteringChapters00:00 Corey Woltering's Journey Begins02:45 Redemption at Cocodona06:01 Lessons from Southern States08:52 The Start of Cocodona 202312:07 Navigating Challenges and Embracing Adventure15:05 The Pacer Experience18:01 Unexpected Setbacks21:08 The Descent into Jerome24:09 The Hangover Trail Experience34:40 The Journey of Social Media in Ultra Running37:37 Experiencing the Highs and Lows of Endurance Racing39:29 The Breakdown: Mental and Physical Challenges42:44 Crew Dynamics and Support in Ultra Events45:37 Navigating the Final Stretch: The Last Marathon49:41 The Finish Line Experience: Quiet Triumphs53:47 Reflections on Future Races and Goals56:38 The Evolution of an Ultra Runner: From Triathlons to Ultra Events01:00:36 Athlete Management: Bridging Experience and Brand NeedsShop at our sponsors: Janji.com, garagegrowngear.com, and csinstant.coffeeSubscribe 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

Today's episode starts off with something I might just turn into a regular segment: Trail TMZ. We dig into the controversy surrounding William Goodge's run across Australia and the data that has people wondering—from heart rate anomalies to 55 mph GPS spikes. Then we take a brief detour into the Camille Herron Wikipedia saga and my lingering sadness that she never came on the show.But the real highlight is a deep conversation with Aaron Fleisher, a fellow five-time Cocodona 250 finisher. We talk about his journey from stage racing and thru-hiking into the world of 200s, and how he found success (and beer) on trail. We get into hallucination stories, racing strategies, sleep theories, and the evolution of Cocodona over the past five years. Plus, Aaron breaks down his experience at Tour de Géants and what it's like to compete in a race that makes U.S. ultras look like casual jogs.We wrap up with some trail name lore (“Food Boobs,” and "Loophole") and ponder how Cocodona became the most community-embraced ultra in the U.S. Oh, and yes—there might be a bumper sticker involved that says "Cocodona sucks, tell your friends."Follow Aaron online: https://www.instagram.com/mittenmadness/Follow and shop at out sponsors: Janji.com, Garagegrowngear.com, and Csinstant.coffeeChapters00:00 – Trail TMZ: Goodge, Cockrell & the Controversy03:30 – Camille Herron, Wikipedia & Podcast Rejections06:00 – Introducing Aaron Fleisher & Cocodona Beginnings10:00 – Beer, Sandals & Surviving the Inaugural Year14:00 – Sleep, Strategy & Hallucinations at 200 Milers19:00 – Through-Hiking Mentality in Ultras23:00 – Tour des Géants: Europe's Wildest Ultra28:00 – Cultural Clash & Why Tour Felt Life-Changing32:00 – Cocodona's Future & Becoming a Community Race36:00 – Trail Names, Reflections & Last Person StandingSubscribe 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/freeoutsideKeywordsCocodona 250, ultrarunning, trail running, 200 mile race, Jeff Garmire, Aaron Fleisher, Free Outside Podcast, thru hiking, Tour des Geants, Tour de Glaciers, ultramarathon, trail TMZ, William Gooch, running across Australia, watchmuling, heart rate zone, hallucinations ultrarunning, beer mile, food boobs, trail names, Aravaipa Running, Cocodona recap, trail race strategy, sleep in ultras, ultra running controversy, elite trail running, long distance running, through hiker mindset, adventure racing, Grand to Grand, 200 milers, ultra endurance, running gossip

I sit down with Kevin Russ—board game designer, iPhone photography legend, thru hiker, and freshly minted Cocodona 250 finisher. We dive into Kevin's wild journey from shooting landscapes with just his phone to creating successful board games, and now, tackling 200+ mile races. He opens up about the physical and mental toll of Cocodona, the moments that tested him most, and the role his crew played in getting him to the finish. We also explore how creativity overlaps with endurance and what's next for Kevin in both ultra running and game design.Check out Kevin on the internet: Website: https://www.kevinruss.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinruss/Check out his board Game: https://amzn.to/3ZpJ0HTSupport our sponsors:Janji.comGaragegrowngear.comCsinstant.coffee00:00 The Rise of an iPhone Photographer04:03 From Photography to Through Hiking06:26 Transitioning to Ultra Running09:19 Preparing for Cocodona 25012:05 Training Challenges and the Chipotle Challenge14:45 Cocodona 250: The Race Begins17:26 Weather Challenges and Mindset Shifts20:23 The Role of Crew and Support22:53 Capturing the Journey on Camera24:14 Navigating Sleep Deprivation26:57 Injuries and Mental Resilience29:18 The Role of Pacers and Crew Support30:27 Facing Challenges in the Final Stretch35:18 Reflections on the Race Experience37:14 Future Plans and Training Insights39:46 Hallucinations and the Nature of Endurance41:09 Underrated Natural Beauty in the U.S.43:04 The Journey into Board Game Design45:48 Launching a Board Game48:28 The Board Game Convention ExperienceSubscribe 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

Today we have one of the most inspiring runners I know—Jennie Chisholm. She's a mom of four boys, a Triple Crowner, and a two-time Cocodona 250 finisher. But she didn't find ultrarunning the usual way. She stumbled into it—literally—on a whim while thru-hiking the Arizona Trail.She tells the incredible story of how her family went from watching Cocodona as curious hikers to toeing the start line with hand-me-down running vests and brand-new shoes. We talk about how her sons became ultrarunners, what it's like racing 250 miles while constantly worrying about your kids (who are also racing), and the chaos of coordinating multiple crews and pacers as a full-on family affair.She shares the highs and heartbreaking lows from this year's Cocodona—dealing with sickness, hypothermia, and emotional breakdowns on the trail, all while pushing through to the finish herself. We also dive into training, nutrition (or the lack thereof), trail names, and how thru-hiking helped shape her kids into some of the toughest young runners in the sport.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jenny Chisholm's Journey03:10 The Accidental Entry into Cocodona05:59 Family Dynamics in Ultra Running09:06 Logistics of Racing as a Family11:52 Challenges Faced During the Race15:05 The Emotional Toll of DNFing17:56 Finding Focus Amidst Chaos21:00 The Role of Family Support23:52 Reflections on the Race Experience39:33 The Emotional Roller Coaster of Racing48:12 Navigating Nutrition and Training Challenges55:02 Building Confidence Through Thru-Hiking01:01:08 The Future of Family Adventures01:09:31 Embracing the Journey and Lessons LearnedSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

This week, I scrapped the pre-recorded episode I had ready to go and decided to hit record and talk live—from the post-Cocodona haze. After five finishes at Cocodona 250, I figured it was time to finally answer the question: Should you sign up for Cocodona? I break down what it really takes to toe that start line, what happens in the mid-pack where most of us live for days on end, and why finishing should always mean more than your pace chart or Instagram recap.This year, things went sideways. COVID showed up early (for me and, unfortunately, my whole crew), and I had to go deep into my why just to keep moving. I talk about that, how my mindset has shifted, the myth of “self-supported” Cocodona, and how this race is more about soul-searching than splits.There's also some advice on how to register, a behind-the-scenes look at Golden Hour, a possibly meth-themed aid station (yep), and what keeps me coming back year after year. I also rant (gently) about influencer culture, read some of your reviews, and shout out my amazing crew, my favorite Janji gear, and the community that makes this wild desert dream possible.If you're on the fence about Cocodona, this is the episode for you. It's raw, it's real, and it's my fifth year of running straight into the unknown.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Cocodona 25002:53 The Mindset Behind Endurance Racing06:11 Strategies for Signing Up and Preparing08:52 The Reality of Support in Ultra Running12:09 The Adventure of Cocodona 25014:57 Golden Hour and the Emotional Finish17:47 Reflections on the Experience21:02 Closing Thoughts and EncouragementSubscribe 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

In today's episode, I'm joined by Ms. Ellie Penner, an art historian whose work has taken her across the globe—from studying Himalayan art forms in Nepal and Ladakh to exploring ancient sculptures at Ajanta and Ellora, and observing masterpieces in the museums of the U.S. But beyond her deep love for centuries-old art, Ellie is an adventurer at heart. Raised in Colorado, she's an outdoors enthusiast who jumps at any chance to head into the mountains.And that's exactly what she did—on a 32-day, 483-milethru-hike on the breathtaking Colorado Trail, accompanied by two of her best friends. What followed was a trail full of stories: hitchhiking into nearby towns, camping under the stars, weathering hailstorms, naming each other with quirky trail nicknames, dodging wildlife, and pushing through sore,blistered feet—all while laughing nonstop.This episode is full of warmth, adventure, and some seriously hilarious moments. I don't consider myself a hiker, but after talking to Ellie, I found myself itching to plan a trip like this with my best friends. Come along for the ride—you'll laugh as much as I did.Tune in and get inspired—whether you're an art lover, anaspiring hiker, or just here for the wild stories.---------------------------------------------Follow Ellie on Instagram ---------------------------------------------To buy yourself a copy of the travel journal, click here: Travel Journal (currently shipping within India only)---------------------------------------------To support our team and donate generously, please click ⁠⁠⁠⁠SUPPORT ⁠⁠⁠⁠.Like our work? Follow, Like & Subscribe to our podcast from wherever you are listening in. We would also love to hear from you, so do write to us at:Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠misadventuresofasneaker@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@misadventuresofasneaker⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog: misadventuresofasneaker.substack.com-------------------------------------------------Episodes referred to in the episode:Episode on Spain: S02 Ep12

The crazy story of my fifth finish at Cocodona 250. This year was full of surprises — I ran with a sickness, hallucinated witches and aliens, battled rain, hail, and mud, and somehow kept going with the help of an incredible crew.I break down the highs and lows, from brain fog and rolled ankles to a bobcat sighting, and even the odd gear fix that saved the day (hint: Vagisil).If you're into ultrarunning, trail running, or just want to hear about pushing through 250 miles of chaos, this episode is full of stories, lessons, and plenty of humor.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Cocodona 250 Experience03:00 Race Day Preparations and Crew Dynamics05:51 The Struggles Begin: Weather and Physical Challenges09:10 Hallucinations and Mental Battles12:10 Navigating Through Adversity: The Role of Crew14:52 The Mid-Race Shift: Coping with Illness17:49 Finding Momentum: The Power of Music21:02 Celebrating Small Victories24:03 The Final Push: Overcoming the Last Hurdles26:56 The Finish Line: Reflections and RevelationsSubscribe 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

Tim Mason (out of Arkansas) lost his right eye in High School. But that hasn't kept him from pursuing his goals and dreams in life. He has backpacked part of the JMT and peaked 14'ers in Colorado, but his last big excursion was thru-hiking the Colorado Trail. He has documented many of these adventures in his new book, Losing Sight, Gaining Vision and we visit with Tim to get to get to know him better and gain background into his life and book.For more visit www.the-overland-podcast.comThank you for listening!

Join Fr. Edward as he interviews Fr. John Nepil from the Archdiocese of Denver about his new book To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail. In this powerful conversation, they explore the deep spiritual lessons Fr. Nepil learned while hiking the 500-mile Colorado Trail—from mountain beauty and solitude to failure, fatherhood, and faith.

In this solo episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I break down my full race plan for the 2025 Cocodona 250, the massive 250-mile ultra across Arizona. I walk you through how I'm approaching the unusually cold weather, the new technical course changes, and the long stretches without pacers. I explain why I'm planning to go out more aggressively this year, how I'm dialing in my carbs, salt, and hydration, and where I'll rely on my crew and pacers the most. I share my split predictions, the key sections I'm watching for, and some honest reflections on how far I've come as a runner and a podcaster. Whether you're following Cocodona or just curious about what it takes to line up for something this big, this episode gives you an inside look at my mindset and strategy heading into race week.Chapters00:00 Cocadona 250 Race Strategy03:09 Course Navigation and Aid Stations05:55 Pacing and Nutrition Strategy09:07 Self-Sufficiency and Crew Dynamics11:57 Reflections on Podcasting and GrowthSubscribe 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

On today's episode of the Free Outside Show, I'm joined by runner, ultimate frisbee enthusiast, and Cocodona crewing expert Allison Mercer. We relive wild stories from the inaugural Cocodona 250 — from cactus naps and glass-covered descents to heckling runners mid-race. We talk predictions for this year's showdown, the “Courtney effect,” and whether European pros will shift the ultra scene. We debate mind games, pacing strategies, why volunteering matters, and why Cocodona is basically ultrarunning's March Madness. Follow Allison online: https://www.instagram.com/onewomandancepartyFollow our sponsors: Janji, Garage Grown Gear Chapters00:00 Introduction to Allison Mercer and Cocodona02:50 The Inaugural Cocodona Experience06:08 Crew Dynamics and Race Strategy08:46 The Evolution of Cocodona and Its Popularity11:59 The Role of Volunteers in Ultra Running14:58 Pacing and the Emotional Journey17:58 The Impact of Weather on Race Performance20:56 The Influence of Social Media and Celebrity Runners23:50 The Future of Cocodona and Its Competitors27:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts46:08 The Evolving Landscape of Ultra Running52:39 Courtney's Dominance and the Competitive Field56:58 Mindset and Strategy in Ultra Racing01:01:55 The Future of Cocodona and Race DynamicsSubscribe 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

On this wild episode of the Free Outside Podcast, we talk with filmmaker Derrick Lytle and into everything Cocodona 250 — from race predictions and course changes to the strength-versus-speed debate heating up in the ultra scene. But first? We take on the internet's most absurd hypothetical: could 100 men beat a silverback gorilla? (Spoiler: probably not.) We trade predictions on Courtney Dauwalter, Ryan Sandes, Mike McKnight, and more while roasting obstacle racers, dissecting mud strategies, and dreaming up the ultimate post-race media blitz. Expect hot takes, cold-weather prep, and plenty of laughs in this pre-race breakdown of one of the most exciting 200-milers of the year.Check out Derrick's Youtube Channel: @TheJuniperLab Chapters00:00 Introduction and Light Banter03:00 The Gorilla Debate: Humans vs. Nature06:01 Cocodona 250: Anticipation and Excitement08:53 The Impact of the Courtney Effect12:03 Women in Ultra Running: Breaking Barriers15:07 Course Changes and Challenges in Cocodona18:01 Weather and Its Influence on Performance21:01 The Evolution of Ultra Running Competitors23:57 CrossFit vs. High Rocks: A Lighthearted Comparison25:25 Transitioning from CrossFit to Endurance Sports26:26 Mike McKnight's Preparation for Cocodona29:11 The Debate on Strength Training for Runners30:25 DJ Fox: The Obstacle Course Racer's Edge31:47 Predictions for Cocodona 25033:27 Weather and Logistics Impacting Race Performance35:51 The Competitive Landscape of Cocodona 25038:10 Emerging Athletes and Dark Horses40:06 Nutrition Strategies for Ultra Runners42:23 Broadcasting Challenges at Cocodona 250Subscribe 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

On today's episode of the Free Outside Podcast, I'm joined by outdoor filmmaker Drew Darby, and we cover everything from his unexpected start filming inside prisons to becoming one of the most exciting filmmakers in ultrarunning. We dive into how working in sensitive environments shaped his storytelling, the chaos (and comedy) of filming 100-mile races, and why long-form content is making a comeback. Drew shares his thoughts on building a career in the outdoor film industry, what it's like to turn passion into a full-time job, and the importance of telling deeper stories beyond the race results. Plus, we brainstorm a "Media Mile" race, swapping cameras instead of trophies. It's an episode packed with filmmaking mishaps, creative advice, and a whole lot of laughs.Follow Drew Darby online: https://www.instagram.com/drewbdarbyChapters00:00 From Prisons to Filmmaking: Drew's Unique Journey04:35 The Intersection of Politics and Filmmaking09:06 Short Form vs Long Form: The Filmmaker's Dilemma17:27 The Pressure of Timely Storytelling21:53 Navigating Brand Relationships in Filmmaking28:58 Transitioning to Ultra Sports Filmmaking38:35 Overcoming Physical Limitations39:30 Transitioning to Freelance Filmmaking42:12 Navigating Brand Collaborations44:09 Life Beyond Filmmaking47:18 The Challenges of Travel49:26 Filmmaker Nightmare Stories53:39 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers01:01:25 The Importance of Storytelling in FilmmakingSubscribe 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

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Tate Dobson, known on trail as Pyro. Tate is a certified wildcard. It's not just that he's hiked the PCT, AT, Long Trail, and Te Araroa, but how he's done it, including hiking the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail spending $1,000 (alongside Quadzilla), hiking long stretches with carrying a Jansport pack, another stretch using tote bag, hiking the R2R2R eating only Motts Fruit snacks and the 100-Mile Wilderness consuming only maple syrup and a jar of peanut butter. He's run a pair of ultramarathons around a roundabout, he's run a beer mile with his mom, and has accomplished another mile consuming four shots of tequila and a tube of toothpaste. In other words, strap in.  We wrap the show with some bucket list hikes you can do over a long weekend, the triple crown of stuipd word spellings, a listener poop story, and more. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  Vaer Watches: Check out Vaer Watches at vaerwatches.com. Bear Mattress: Use code “BACKPACKER” for 40% off at bearmattress.com. Burgeon Outdoors: Use code “BACKPACKER15” for 15% off at burgeonoutdoor.com. [divider] Interview with Tate “Pyro” Dobson Tate's Instagram Tate's Trek page Time stamps & Questions 00:06:34 - Reminders: Check out The Trek and Backpacker Radio on Youtube, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek! 00:9:40 - Introducing Tate 00:11:40 - How do Chaunce and Tate know each other? 00:14:20 - How did you get into the outdoors? 00:15:11 - What trajectory led to dropping out of high school and college and how did you start thru-hiking? 00:18:25 - Tell us about your 2019 PCT hike? 00:20:55 - What's your perspective on continuous footpaths? 00:22:53 - Where was your head at when you got off the PCT? 00:24:03 - When did you next get on trail? 00:25:37 - Are you a known figure in Durango? 00:28:00 - How did you get on the Colorado Trail? 00:31:22 - Any standout stories from the Colorado Trail? 00:31:51 - Do you have any poop stories? 00:35:40 - How was the Sierra High Route? 00:42:00 - Tell us about the PCT in 2022 00:44:45 - When did things start to get weird? 00:53:15 - Did you hike the whole trail in sandals? 00:54:20 - What other weird things did you do on the PCT? 00:56:10 - Where did you get your marathon idea? 00:59:40 - Did you feel any asymmetric pain afterwards? 01:01:07 - Tell us about your beer mile 01:02:50 - What is the toothpaste and tequila mile? 01:05:45 - Did you see any interesting people during the roundabout run? 01:07:45 - Tell us about your other impractical backpacks 01:11:40 - Tell us about your TA hike 01:18:07 - What's your favorite mom story? 01:19:27 - How'd you clean off the mud? 01:22:50 - How do you keep losing toothbrushes? 01:24:36 - Tell us about starting the AT last year 01:26:35 - What was the budget challenge you did? 01:28:30 - What tips do you have for hiking on a budget? 01:33:24 - What'd you do while Quadzilla was in the hospital? 01:34:30 - What's the craziest story from the AT? 01:39:30 - When did you stop carrying the tote bag? 01:42:05 - Any fun stories from the Long Trail? 01:48:20 - Tell us about the Rim to Rim to Rim 01:51:40 - What plans do you have for the CDT? 01:53:20 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking? 01:54:55 - What's your dream sponsor? Segments Trek Propaganda: 33 Bucket-List Hikes You Can Do in a Long Weekend by Katie Jackson QOTD:  Would you rather never get blisters again but have to hike in Crocs, or always have the best gear but get a new blister every day? Triple Crown of stupid word spellings Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Eathan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Alsop, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we're joined by Maytal Agasi, known on trail as Carrot Top. In this episode, we learn how a road trip in a mid-size SUV with her two brothers sparked Carrot Top's entry into the world of thru-hiking. She shares how she benefitted massively from both solo and group thru-hikes.  We chat about her time on the JMT, Colorado Trail, and PCT, and we take a deeper dive into her most recent trek on the Camino de Costa Rica, covering standout cultural elements, landscape highlights, the incredibly muggy weather, rich wildlife (including venomous snakes and sloths), managing language barriers, unique logistical challenges, and more. A quick note: I made a big time dumb guy mistake. About 30 minutes into the interview, I realized our audio recorder wasn't rolling. The first 36 minutes of the interview have lower audio quality than usual. That portion still offers important context about Maytal's journey into the outdoors, but if it's too distracting, the audio quality improves at the 36-minute mark of the interview. Trigger warning: This interview includes discussion of suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, we recommend skipping ahead to the point where the audio improves—again 36 minutes into the interview. We wrap the show with another clue about our super secret special guest for the upcoming live podcast in Austin, what ridiculous outfit we'd hike in forever, the Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes, and a disturbing story of an international hiker who was detained, deported, and banned from the U.S. on her way to hike the Arizona Trail. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKWINTER15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  Vaer Watches: Check out Vaer Watches at vaerwatches.com. AG1: Get your free $79 gift at drinkag1.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Maytal “Carrottop” Agasi Maytal's Instagram Camino de Costa Rica Time stamps & Questions 00:06:10 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, join us for our live show in Austin, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek! 00:10:00 - Audio note 00:12:10 - Introducing Maytal 00:15:30 - How did you get your trail name? 00:16:05 - What does a garden educator do? 00:17:24 - What is the best plant? 00:19:40 - How did you get into hiking? 00:21:23 - Why don't you fight with your siblings? 00:24:00 - Discussion about Maytal's roadtrip 00:25:23 - Are your parents hippie-adjacent? 00:27:08 - What's your favorite on-trail meal to make? 00:30:50 - Do you taste the meals before dehydrating them? 00:32:44 - How did you decide to hike the JMT? 00:34:10 - What happened to your dad? 00:38:30 - How do you process things as well as enjoy the trail while hiking? 00:40:50 - Was it intimidating to hike mostly solo on your first hike? 00:46:17 - Are there any fats that are safe to dehydrate? 00:46:55 - Did you know right away you wanted to do more hikes? 00:49:45 - Have you butt heads with anyone on trail? 00:52:00 - How did you get your gear dialed in for the JMT? 00:55:00 - Discussion about stool sample tests 00:57:45 - Were you happy to hike the CT with a friend or did you ever want space? 01:00:50 - What did you like about Salida? 01:03:03 - When did you decide to hike the PCT? 01:05:30 - Tell us about almost falling off a mountain 01:10:35 - What was it like to go through the Sierra twice? 01:12:45 - How did you learn about the Camino de Costa Rica? 01:15:57 - Are guides required? 01:16:50 - How long is the trail and what is the mileage like each day? 01:20:30 - Do you pay the host families? 01:23:40 - How did you communicate that you were vegetarian? 01:24:50 - Did you have cell service? 01:26:00 - Do you know how many people have hiked this trail? 01:28:30 - What was the weather like? 01:30:25 - What were the landscape highlights of the trail? 01:38:00 - Discussion about wildlife 01:41:05 - Were there other opportunities to eat in town? 01:42:12 - What are the biggest cultural differences? 01:45:55 - What would you like to relay to the listeners of Backpacker Radio? 01:47:38 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda 20 Trek Bloggers You Should Be Following in 2025 by Jess A German Thru-Hiker Has Been Detained, Deported, and Banned From the US Without a Hearing: Here's What You Need To Know by Caitlin Hardee QOTD:  If you could only hike in one ridiculous outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be? Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes Thing of the Week Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Eathan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Alsop, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

Today on the Free Outside Podcast, I talk with Connor “Jackrabbit” Chapdelaine, who's attempting the Calendar Year Triple Crown—thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail all in a single year. We break down how the idea got planted during a hike on the AT, what it takes to train for 8,000 miles, and why he's bringing a pillow, a stove, and maybe even a thermos.Follow Connor/Jackrabbit online: https://www.instagram.com/JackrabbitHikes/Connor shares his strategy for navigating snow in the Sierra, reroutes on the PCT, and fires on the CDT—plus his plan to survive town stops without spending his entire budget. We also get into ultralight gear hacks, and his favorite trail meals. Connor breaks down his food tier list (spoiler: mushroom Knorr = trail exile) and how his dad is helping run the back-end logistics with a label maker and full “dad command center.”Support us by supporting our sponsors: CS Coffee: https://www.csinstant.coffee/Janji: https://janji.com/Garage Grown Gear: https://www.garagegrowngear.com/If you've ever been curious about the logistics, gear, food, and mindset needed to thru-hike the PCT, CDT, and AT in one year, this episode is packed with real insight and ridiculous stories—including tuna and peanut butter wraps, dry-scooped coffee, and a thru-hiker potluck that no one asked for.Chapters04:00 The Aspiration of the Calendar Year Triple Crown10:30 Overcoming Obstacles in the Journey13:51 Planning and Timing for Success19:25 Budgeting for the Adventure24:20 Family Support and Logistics25:12 Training for High Mileage31:29 Food Choices on the Trail37:58 The Quirks of Trail Humor38:51 Trail Food Favorites and Disasters40:56 Resupply Strategies and Bargain Finds41:59 The Art of Coffee on the Trail43:46 The Triple Crown Experience45:38 Friendships Formed on the Trail47:59 The Emotional Connection to Hiking50:04 Gear Essentials for Long Trails56:14 The Importance of Comfort Items59:34 Post-Hike Plans and Future Goals01:05:15 Memorable Trail Names and Their StoriesSubscribe 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

Many feel God's presence while spending time outdoors, and Father Dave welcomes Father John Nepil to discuss his faith connection to hiking the Colorado Trail. Father John is an avid hiker and mountaineer, and he has celebrated Mass atop all 54 of Colorado's highest peaks. His new book is called “To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail.”

We're live with Deacon Frank, permanent deacon in the US and involved in the Eucharistic Revival dives into the truth about Mary's Perpetual Virginity, Jaclyn Warren and Joseph Ruli, Catholic author and illustrator, talk about the book "Giovanni and the Fava Beans: The Story of the St. Joseph's Altar" and Fr. John Nepil, priest in the Archdiocese of Denver, talks about the book "To Height and Unto Depths Letters from the Colorado Trail".

In this episode of the Gotta Be Saints podcast, I sit down with Fr. John Nepil to explore the profound spiritual lessons that come from journeying through the wilderness—literally and figuratively. A priest of the Archdiocese of Denver and member of the Companions of Christ, Fr. John shares stories from his 486-mile trek along the Colorado Trail and the reflections that led to his new book, To the Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail.We talk about how pilgrimage shapes our understanding of faith, the beauty of silence and solitude, and how adventure in the outdoors can act as a powerful metaphor for the interior life. Fr. John explains why the wilderness is a privileged space for Catholic formation and how community, challenge, and even suffering are vital to encountering Christ in a deeper way.Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, someone feeling spiritually restless, or just curious about the intersection of nature, faith, and discipline, this conversation will inspire you to consider the road less traveled—especially during this Lenten season.Topics Covered:How pilgrimage cultivates hope and detachmentWhy the mountains offer a unique setting for formationThe spiritual importance of silence, stillness, and solitudeNavigating the tension between comfort and sacrificeBuilding authentic community on the journey to holiness

Send us a textIn this episode we talk with Tara Dower about:Nutrition before, during and post FKTs vs UltramarathonsHow working with a nutritionist can take the guesswork out of race prepTara Dower is a professional ultrarunner, who you probably also know for crushing the overall FKT on the Appalachian Trail in late 2024. Next up for Tara in 2025 is the iconic Western States 100 as a result of her Golden Ticket 2nd place performance at Black Canyon 100k. Tara also recently signed a record-breaking deal with Altra, a stunning example of her incredible rise in the sport. Tara has an incredible list of results and accolades, and says her favorite distance to tackle is the 100 miler, because it presents so many possibilities for adventure, but she's no stranger to setting FKTs, with records on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail and the Colorado Trail. Please note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis and treatment.Connect w/ Tara: IG: instagram.com/tara.dowerYouTube: youtube.com/@taratreksDNF Diaries: audacy.com/podcast/dnf-diaries-06c3a/episodesMentioned:First Endurance Ultragen: amzn.to/3DSSmV9Injinji Socks: amzn.to/420h6CKSaltStick: amzn.to/3Fyi55GPH Salt Capsules: amzn.to/42103ACSIS Gels: amzn.to/42d1ihnSIS BetaFuel Chews: amzn.to/42edvCvMaurten BiCarb: Shop The Feed Tara's Favorite Gear from the AT FKT: youtube.com/watch?v=cX_67jICdfkMore about caffeine:Episode 101 w/ Dr. Bryan Saunders: Caffeine, Genetics & Athletic Performance: nutritional-revolution.com/podcasts/caffeine-supplementation-exercise-performance-genetics/Can Caffeine Help Sleep Deprived Runners? nutritional-revolution.com/can-caffeine-help-sleep-deprived-runners/Does Caffeine Improve Performance? nutritional-revolution.com/does-caffeine-really-improve-performance/MORE NR New customers save 10% off all products on our website with the code NEWPOD10 If you would like to work with our practitioners, click here: https://nutritional-revolution.com/work-with-us/ Save 20% on all supplements at our trusted online source: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannell Join Nutritional Revolution's The Feed Club to get $20 off right away with an additional $20 Feed credit drop every 90 days.: https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolution If you're interested in sponsoring Nutritional Revolution Podcast, shoot us an email at nutritionalrev@gmail.com.

In this episode of Ultra Buds Unleashed from the Trail Life podcast, guest host Izzy B interviews Chris Raupp, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of the Warrior Trail Foundation. Chris shares his inspiring journey from discovering ultra running in his early 50s to completing some of the toughest 200-mile races. Chris discusses the mission of the Warrior Trail Foundation, which provides recreational therapy, coaching, and mental health services for veterans and their families. The conversation covers how trail running has been transformative for Chris and others dealing with PTSD, MST, and physical disabilities, offering a new sense of purpose and community. Chris also recounts the experience of supporting elite runner Jeff Browning's FKT on the Colorado Trail as a fundraiser for the foundation and outlines upcoming events and ways people can support the cause.Instragram: @warriortrailfoundationWebsite: Warrior Trail Foundation00:00 Introduction to Ultra Buds Unleashed01:29 Chris Raupp's Journey into Ultra Running08:46 The Birth of the Warrior Trail Foundation15:48 Challenges and Growth of the Foundation20:04 Jeff Browning's Colorado Trail FKT25:42 Reflecting on an Unforgettable Week26:08 Behind the Scenes: Social Media and Teamwork26:46 Scott Jurek's Surprising Snack27:47 The Power of Community Support28:41 Announcing the Foundation's Mission30:02 Expanding Coaching Programs32:25 Challenges Faced by Veterans34:52 The Wander Project Partnership36:34 Upcoming Fundraising Events43:45 Race Schedule and Veteran Participation47:24 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. is back for his weekly segment with Teresa, “Cultural Connection.” Fr. John Nepil is the author of “To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail.”

This episode is pure storytelling chaos. I sat down with Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy, and we covered everything from FKTs gone wrong to ultra running hallucinations and how his dog literally ate his golden ticket. We relive our worst gear failures, talk about what it really takes to push through a 200-miler, and debate whether burping is the key to ultra success (yes, seriously). Joe shares his journey from setting the Pacific Crest Trail record to coaching and racing at the highest level, and we swap war stories about the Arizona Trail, John Muir Trail, and why we both seem to choose the absolute worst conditions for FKTs. If you're into absurd ultra running tales, bad decisions, and lessons learned the hard way, this one's for you.This episode is brought to you by: https://www.garagegrowngear.com/https://janji.com/So tell them I sent you! Follow Joe online: https://www.instagram.com/thestring.bean/And my sister's knitting account: https://www.instagram.com/knitted.with.grace/TakeawaysJoe is not a vegan athlete, despite misconceptions.He emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded diet.His first FKT experience was filled with overconfidence.Trusting technology can lead to unexpected challenges.Hallucinations can occur during extreme endurance events.Mental challenges are as significant as physical ones.The John Muir Trail inspired Joe to pursue FKTs.Caffeine and sleep management are crucial for performance.Hallucinations can lead to dangerous situations.The psychological aspect of running is multifaceted. Survival situations often involve extreme conditions and mental challenges.Gear failures can significantly impact performance in ultra running.It's important to invest in reliable gear for long-distance events.Coaching requires continuous learning and adaptation to athletes' needs.Sleep strategies are crucial for endurance races, but they vary by individual.Being selfish in races can enhance performance and personal experience.Self-supported racing fosters independence and self-reliance.The journey into coaching can be both rewarding and challenging.Understanding one's body and its responses is key to successful racing.The golden ticket symbolizes achievement but comes with its own challenges.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Veganism and Misconceptions03:05 First FKT Experiences and Overcoming Fears05:54 Challenges on the Arizona Trail08:58 The John Muir Trail: Inspiration and Aspirations11:55 Experiences on Mount Whitney14:56 Hallucinations and Mental Challenges in Ultra Running18:10 The Psychological Aspects of Endurance Running23:49 Survival and Extreme Conditions25:37 Lessons from Gear Failures28:32 The Burping Dilemma31:57 The Journey into Coaching36:27 Navigating Sleep Strategies39:30 The Importance of Selfishness in Racing43:25 Golden Ticket TalesSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Join Fr. John and Fr. Sean for the final episode of their podcast series on Fr. John's new book, To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail. In this episode, they delve into several chapters of the book, touching on manhood and Mary's fiat.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J. is back for his weekly segment with Teresa, “Cultural Connection.” Fr. John Nepil is the author of “To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail.”

In this episode, Fr. John and Fr. Sean revisit Fr. John's transformative experience along the Colorado Trail. Fr. John shares how his encounter with creation opened a deeper connection to God, allowing him to more fully participate in God's being.

This week Mother Natalia reflects on her recent poustinia, where the Lord placed the idea of rest on her heart. She talks about the ways she can rest in her monastic life allowing God to take charge in her life. She talks about how we are all called to rest, despite labor also being important to the rest of our lives. Mother Natalia also talks about the importance of recognizing beauty in the world, and how that beauty reflects back to God.References:Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word: Meditations on the Gospel According to St. Matthew by Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis To Heights and unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail by Fr. John NepilPilgrimage:We're going on pilgrimage! You can find all the details including dates, itinerary, and cost at the 206tours website. Want to hear this directly from Fr. Michael and Mother Natalia? Check out our announcement video.Follow and Contact Us!Follow us on Instagram and FacebookWe're on YouTube!Join our Goodreads GroupFr. Michael's TwitterChrist the Bridegroom MonasteryOur WebsiteOur NonprofitSend us a textSupport the show

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Demetri Coupounas, aka Coup, the founder of GoLite and MyTrail Company. Coup might just be the most interesting man in the world. This conversation takes us through his incredible journey, from his work balancing the federal budget in the '80s and '90s to becoming the first person to complete unsupported hikes of the Colorado Trail and the Long Trail, and how he stumbled upon the once underground world of ultralight backpacking.  We also dive into the history of GoLite, from its role in popularizing Ray Jardine's ultralight designs to its meteoric rise with more than 20 retail stores nationwide—without taking any investor money—and its eventual downfall, leading to bankruptcy just a few years later. Coup shares the story of MyTrail Co, his follow-up venture, and how he applied the lessons learned from GoLite while stripping away what didn't work, and how that eventually failed to achieve launch.  This episode is an insightful history lesson on GoLite and the world of ultralight backpacking, as well as a fascinating case study on business successes and failures.  We wrap up the show with a new 2-ounce device that could replace your Garmin InReach, what we consider a satisfactory number of steps in a typical day, and the ultimate Triple Crown of best smells. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Demetri “Coup” Coupounas Coup's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:10:20 - Reminders: Join us for our live show in Austin, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to vlog for the Trek! 00:12:40 - Introducing Coup 00:15:15 - What are your favorite backpacking Youtube channels? 00:16:25 - How did you get into politics? 00:28:10 - How fucked are we currently and what's your take on DOGE? 00:34:44 - How did you get into backpacking? 00:42:00 - How would you walk a first time hiker through packing their backpack? 00:51:22 - Do you think fun correlates directly with the weight on your back? 00:53:40 - Why did you take on unsupported hikes? 00:56:35 - Are you pursuing novel experiences or challenging experiences? 00:59:30 - How do you decide what food to bring? 01:05:20 - Tell us about the early days of GoLite 01:10:30 - Did you ever make your own gear? 01:12:02 - Did you have a personal relationship with Ray Jardine? 01:14:55 - Was Ray an owner in the business? 01:17:17 - What were the biggest initial sellers? 01:21:15 - How much effort was involved in convincing people to go lighter? 01:27:02 - What were the first 12 products? 01:38:15 - What did your typical customer look like? 01:46:00 - What was the process of scaling GoLite? 01:55:00 - Why didn't selling direct work well? 02:01:20 - What happened in 2013 and 2014? 02:10:00 - Why didn't you seek investors when money was running out? 02:17:00 - Discussion about the transition to My Trail Co 02:20:24 - What do you keep from the business when going through bankruptcy? 02:26:12 - What is My Trail Co and did you raise as much money as you expected? 02:30:02 - How many products did you offer? 02:32:31 - When did My Trail Co go out of business? 02:38:16 - Why didn't My Trail work? 02:42:45 - Did My Trail investors earn dividends? 02:45:00 - How much of the growth of the cottage industry was to blame? 02:53:07 - What are your plans for the future? 03:01:50 - Stay Salty Question: What is your hottest take in the backpacking world? Segments Trek Propaganda: Could This 2-Ounce Device Replace Your Garmin inReach? By Katie Jackson QOTD:  What is a satisfactory number of steps for your average day? Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Mud Tom, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Chris Pyle, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Sarah “Mellow” Berkeley, founder of Symbiosis Gear, a pack-making company designed specifically for people with boobs. Sarah shares insights into her unique upbringing in a small log cabin in rural Colorado, her adventures on the Long Trail, PCT, Colorado Trail, and half of the CDT, and her journey to creating a backpack tailored for primarily women. We dive into the inspiration behind her patented S-shaped shoulder strap, the challenges of starting a business with no prior industry experience, the help she's received from fellow members of the cottage industry, her plans for future expansion, and much more.  We wrap the show with the announcement of the 2025 Badger Sponsorship, news of a hiker found dead near Mt. Whitney, a debate on when poop officially starts to smell like poop, and the Triple Crown of middle-aged happiness. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKWINTER15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  [divider] Interview with Sarah Berkeley New Symbiosis Gear Survey Symbiosis Gear on Instagram Symbiosis Gear Website Time stamps & Questions 00:05:15 - Reminders: Apply for the 2025 Badger Sponsorship, join us for our live show in Austin, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:09:07 - Introducing Sarah 00:10:33 - What's your trail name origin story? 00:11:32 - Tell us about building a log cabin with your family 00:16:27 - How did you end up on the Long Trail? 00:17:50 - Did you bring any simple recipes from the wood stove to backpacking? 00:18:30 - Are you happy your parents created that experience for you? 00:20:30 - Was it psychologically easy for you to adjust to backpacking? 00:22:30 - What was the motivation to move to Leadville? 00:26:20 - Walk us through the early stages of getting into backpacking 00:29:35 - How did you manage the Long Trail with a dog? 00:31:45 - What caused you to stick with thru-hiking? 00:34:35 - Did you solve any gear problems going from the Long Trail to the PCT? 00:37:06 - Were you crafty at that point? 00:40:15 - What do you customize for your packs? 00:43:55 - What does the S-strap do? 00:47:15 - Is chafing a common issue? 00:50:00 - Discussion about the pack design 00:52:27 - Are other brands making female-specific packs? 00:56:10 - What are some common sizing questions? 00:58:45 - Who is your ideal customer? 01:04:30 - What do you see as the next way to open up the product offering? 01:08:00 - Discussion about Chaunce's bags 01:12:00 - When did the lightbulb for this pack go off for you? 01:14:28 - What's been the most intimidating part of this effort to tackle? 01:17:05 - What is the fabric on the pack? 01:18:05 - What's it like to go from being new to having some reviews to support the product? 01:20:00 - Did you hike with Double Dip? 01:21:54 - Did you have other CDT hikers using your pack? 01:23:30 - Are the packs coming from a manufacturer? 01:26:05 - Have you connected with other manufacturers in the cottage industry? 01:27:30 - Do you have investors? 01:28:40 - What other frustrations do you have with female gear? 01:31:35 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance enhancing hack? Segments Trek Propaganda:  Missing Hiker Found Dead on Mount Whitney by Katie Jackson REI Announces Mass Layoffs and an End to a Beloved Program by Katie Jackson The Best Backpacking Tents for Thru-Hiking in 2025 by the Editors QOTD:  At what point does poop actually start smelling like shit? Triple Crown of middle aged happiness Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Mud Tom, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Chris Pyle, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

Send us a textJoin us as we welcome the legendary Dan Vega, a towering figure in the Colorado Springs running community, known for his enduring passion and iconic races such as the Pikes Peak Ascent and the Leadville 100. With anecdotes spanning from his early days in California to his significant influence in the Mountain West, Dan shares his rich tapestry of experiences. From his college years at Adams State to forging deep connections with fellow running greats like Matt Carpenter, Dan's journey offers fascinating insights into the camaraderie and competition that fuel the spirit of trail running.Dan's stories reveal the grit and determination required to tackle the tough terrains of ultra-marathons, including strategic insights from the Leadville Trail 100. The episode unfolds with humorous recollections and personal encounters that capture the essence of the ultra-running community, painting a vivid picture of the mental and physical fortitude required to succeed in these grueling races. We also celebrate the vibrant running culture in Colorado Springs, offering a glimpse into the playful challenges and community bonds strengthened through Strava segments.Discover the evolution of trail racing through Dan's eyes, as we navigate topics like training methodologies, the sponsorship landscape, and the changing dynamics of competitive running. Dan's reflections on personal milestones, including the birth of his son, underscore the profound impact of mental shifts on running performance. Whether recounting victories at events like the San Juan Solstice or discussing the balance of work and racing commitments, Dan's journey in trail running is one of resilience, growth, and unwavering passion.Dan Vega Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dan190301/

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jared “Snackbox” Champion. Snackbox is s a hiker, father, and Youtuber who, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Colorado Trail, hiked it almost exclusively with 50 year old gear.  We talk about the process of sourcing this gear, the hardest items to acquire, the least backpacker-friendly items of the bunch, which gear hasn't advanced as much, and how his appreciation for gear has changed in light of this experience. Jared also shares the story of bonding with his now-wife over their shared love of the Colorado Trail, life as a professor, managing ADHD on trail, and much more.  We wrap the show with a last call for Trek Vlogger applications, Chaunce and I share our take on cowboy (and cowgirl) camping, how thin a pancake can be before it's a crepe, and the triple crown of things we've changed our minds on. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.  Timeline: Get 33% off your first order at timeline.com/backpacker33. [divider] Interview with Jared “Snackbox” Champion Jared's Instagram Jared's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:10 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon, get tickets to our live show in Austin on April 17, and apply to vlog for the Trek! 00:07:45 - Introducing Jared 00:08:15 - What's your trail name origin story? 00:09:50 - What's your favorite dad joke? 00:10:14 - Tell us about your hiking resume 00:11:45 - Tell us about meeting your wife on trail 00:16:34 - Tell us about hiking the Dodson Loop in Big Bend 00:18:33 - Sell Zach on the Collegiate Loop 00:21:50 - Where did this CT hike idea come from? 00:24:30 - Discussion about being a professor 00:27:00 - Discussion about finding sponsors 00:30:55 - Discussion about choosing the shoes 00:32:30 - What pack did you use? 00:35:40 - What tent did you use? 00:38:00 - How did you determine what gear you could cheat on a bit? 00:41:30 - What sleeping bag did you use? 00:44:37 - What did you bring for apparel? 00:45:50 - What was the weight of your pack and how did your mileage change? 00:48:50 - What's your overarching thesis about the hike? 00:52:45 - Do you appreciate ultralight gear more now? 00:55:12 - When does the documentary come out? 00:56:50 - How does ADHD interface with your backpacking experience? 01:03:07 - What fun Colorado Trail history facts do you have? 01:05:02 - Do you know what your next project will be? 01:07:30 - Do you think thru-hiking has curbed any negative symptoms of ADHD? 01:08:40 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking? Segments Trek Propaganda Be Honest. Do Any of You Actually Like Cowboy Camping? By Kelly Floro 12,000 Miles and Counting: Peg Leg's Backpacking Gear That Survived the Triple Crown and Beyond by Peg Leg QOTD: How thin can a pancake be before it becomes a crepe? Triple Crown of things you've changed your mind on Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Mud Tom, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Chris Pyle, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

A dynamic conversation with the legendary Jeff Browning on the Free Outside Podcast. With over 200 ultra marathons, 40 wins, and a record-breaking career spanning decades, Jeff shares invaluable insights on longevity in ultrarunning, mindset training, and his approach to coaching. We dive into the evolution of the sport, gear innovations, nutrition strategies, and some wild stories, including his adventures in 200-mile races and the Colorado Trail. This episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and actionable takeaways for runners of all levels. Don't miss this deep dive into the world of ultrarunning! Follow Jeff on the internet: https://www.instagram.com/gobroncobilly/ takeaways -Jeff Browning has completed nearly 200 ultra marathons and has over 40 wins. -The impact of pregnancy on athletic contracts is significant and groundbreaking. -Coaching plays a crucial role in ultra running, providing personalized training plans. -Nutrition and recovery are key components for success in ultra running. -The transition to 200-mile races presents unique challenges and requires a -different approach. -Mindset is essential for overcoming obstacles during long races. -Chafing management is a critical aspect of ultra running that can affect performance. -The future of trail running may see more specialization among athletes. -Individualized nutrition strategies are important for optimal performance. -Fast packing can be a viable alternative to racing for enjoying the experience. Sound Bites "I need to update them." "I want to appreciate it more." "Bronco Billy has superpowers." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jeff Browning's Achievements 11:54 The Role of Coaching in Ultra Running 17:55 The Evolution of Ultra Running and Training Methods 23:49 Influences and Resources in Training Philosophy 30:23 Training Insights from Elite Runners 36:42 Tracking Training: The Evolution of Technology 43:44 The Shift in Running Shoe Philosophy 49:08 Lessons from Multi-Day Races 54:29 Reflections on Endurance and Motivation 01:00:14 Chafing Challenges and Creative Solutions 01:07:37 Understanding Hydration and Nutrition in Ultra Running 01:17:01 Introduction to Contract Season in Trail Running 01:17:02 The Future of Trail Running and Athlete Negotiations keywords: ultra running, Jeff Browning, coaching, nutrition, trail running, 200-mile races, mindset, athletic contracts, recovery, training methods

Jeff Browning is one of the greatest ultrarunners of our generation. Winning over two dozen 100-mile races, being on the podium of some of the hardest ultras, and most recently, securing an FKT on the Colorado Trail, Jeff has immense experience in the sport of ultrarunning. Some of the biggest keys to his success comes from his mindset and how he mentally approaches ultras. And his approach isn't woo-woo; it's backed by neuroscience and psychology, which speaks to why Jeff is able to keep performing at a high level throughout his career. On top of that, logistics play a huge role in ultrarunning. When it comes to pacers, crew, and time at aid stations, optimizing those things also can be a difference between a longer finish time and a PR. And Jeff has fine-tuned his logistical strategy to be top-notch over the years. In this episode, Jeff shares practical tips on how to deploy proven and powerful mental strategies in an ultra, how to rewire your brain to not DNF in an ultra (even if you have before), and how to save tons of time in your ultras by mastering the logistics. Huge thank you to Jeff for coming on the show! SHOW LINKS: Want to be coached for your next ultramarathon by me and my team, and get 30% off your first month? ⁠⁠Learn more on this page⁠⁠ to book a free call with one of our coaches to see if we are a good fit! Follow Joe on IG:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/joecorcione/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Try PlayOn Pain Relief Spray and get 20% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA20 at playonrelief.com Try Näak nutrition and get 20% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA20 at naak.com Try Janji apparel and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at janji.com Follow Jeff on IG: https://www.instagram.com/gobroncobilly/Jeff's Website: https://www.giddyupultra.com/

Join Chadd and James Ward as they talk about their experience and lessons learned while riding the Colorado Trail Race in 2024. https://www.3of7project.com Apply for Rite of Passage at: https://www.3of7project.com/train Thank you for supporting Three of Seven Podcast on Patreon at: www.patreon.com/threeofseven Three of Seven Project Store https://3of7project.myshopify.com/pages/shop Apply for The Basic Course at: https://www.3of7project.com/train Check out the Three of Seven Project Youtube channel at: Three of Seven Project Youtube Nuff Said  

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by thru-hiker and Trek Writer, Katie Jackson, known on trail as Double Dip. Katie gives us an in depth breakdown of her recent thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, including why she advocates that hikers not take the Creede cutoff, her experience of a wild storm so intense that lightning struck and killed nearby cows, the challenge of losing her hiking partner early on, hiking on an injured foot for hundreds of miles- and how it was miraculously healed in some hot springs, waking up to grizzles in her camp, and much more. Katie also gives some of her backpacking hot takes, including how the Colorado Trail is superior to the JMT. We wrap the show with whether it'll be possible to thru-hike the AT in 2025, the incredible phenomenon that is Frito feet, my new depressing thing of the week, and the triple crown of places where a long trail should exist. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.  Trailbrush: Use code “TREK20” for 20% off trailbrush.com.  [divider] Interview with Katie “Double Dip” Jackson Katie's Trek author page Katie's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:02:46 - Reminders: Help us make Jabba shave his beard, support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, join us in Denver on December 7th and apply to be a 2025 blogger! 00:07:55 - Introducing Katie 00:08:40 - What's your outdoors origin story? 00:11:15 - What's your 9 to 5? 00:14:24 - Would you recommend consulting to people interested in thru-hiking? 00:16:05 - How does your engineering brain manifest while hiking? 00:18:37 - Did you plan anything on the Colorado Trail that you did not plan for the CDT? 00:19:30 - How many boxes did you send yourself on the CDT? 00:21:35 - What other regrets do you have from hiking the Colorado Trail? 00:27:07 - How did your eating strategy evolve over the CT? 00:31:00 - Discussion about the Cochetopa section of the CT 00:36:12 - What led you to the John Muir Trail in 2023? 00:38:02 - Which trail is better between the CT and JMT? 00:40:00 - Why didn't you love the Winds? 00:41:18 - Was your dad okay with you doing the CDT in 2024? 00:42:10 - Did you ever have any issues with satellite messages not going through? 00:43:35 - How was New Mexico? 00:44:40 - Tell us about losing your hiking partner early on 00:49:54 - Would you feel comfortable starting the CDT alone now? 00:52:45 - How was the water in New Mexico? 01:02:45 - How would you rate New Mexico 1 out of 10? 01:05:00 - How much snow did you encounter? 01:08:10 - When did you use your ice axe? 01:10:30 - Were most people getting beaten up? 01:14:30 - What advice do you have to avoid silly mistakes? 01:18:35 - What were your top 5 snacks? 01:21:20 - Discussion about Katie's backpack 01:23:25 - Tell us about the next stretch of trail and your foot injury 01:26:45 - What was the diagnosis from the doctor? 01:28:35 - Story about stopping in Granby 01:33:00 - How did your foot eventually heal? 01:35:40 - Tell us about taking the cutoff around Rocky Mountain National Park 01:36:50 - If you did the CDT again, would you do any different alternates? 01:38:45 - Did you experience judgment because you hadn't done another long trail before? 01:42:00 - Discussion about unsolicited advice 01:43:30 - How was the mental aspect of the trail compared to your expectations? 01:45:00 - Tell us about Wyoming and adding whimsy to the trail 01:48:25 - Why didn't you love the Winds? 01:49:27 - Tell us about the Idaho-Montana border 01:51:50 - Would you do the trail again SOBO? 01:53:05 - Tell us about almost getting hit by lightning 02:01:20 - What was the best trail magic of the CDT? 02:05:05 - Tell us about the Montana section 02:06:37 - How did you manage your long distance relationship? 02:08:10 - Did Montana meet your expectations? 02:11:50 - Did you see any grizzlies? 02:14:47 - What was it like to get to the terminus? 02:17:36 - Kumo Question: What is your favorite book and why? 02:20:17 - Where can people follow you? Segments Trek Propaganda Will It Even Be Possible To Thru-Hike the AT in 2025? by Kelly Floro Why I'm NEVER Hiking in a Dress Again by Kelly Floro QOTD:  Do you know about Frito feet? Depressing Thing of the Week Triple Crown of where a long trail should be Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Mud Tom, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Chris Pyle, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.

On this special episode, hiking trainer, Marcus Shapiro of Fit for Trips, joins Jeremy to talk about key principles for training for your next adventure, whether it's a high-altitude climb, a long thru hike, or anything in between.  Jeremy gives some thoughts on how Marcus' advice applied to Jeremy training for his Colorado Trail thru hike.Fit for Trips: https://fitfortrips.com/  Outdoor Herbivore Colorado Trail meal kit: https://outdoorherbivore.com/trails-worth-hiking-ct-combo/comments, questions, or suggestions:  trailsworthhiking@gmail.comInstagram:  @trailsworthhikingpodcast

Tara Dower recently broke the record for fastest traverse of the full Appalachian Trail (AT) outright. No man or women has covered the distance faster. The AT is 2,197.4 miles over unforgiving terrain. Tara covered it in 40 days 18 hours 05 minutes, which is the equivalent of approximately two marathons per day. Tara also holds the Women's supported FKT on the Colorado Trail (489 miles). Tara is also a highly competitive ultra runner with wins at Run Rabbit Run 100, Umstead 100, Hellbender 100 to name a few. Check out Tara's social, website and YouTube channel below. Endurance Training Simplified Series Zach's Low Carb Endurance Approach Series SFuels: sfuelsgolonger.com code: BITTER5 (FREE SAMPLE PACK LIMITED OFFER) Janji: janji.com code: Bitter10 LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/HPO deltaG: deltagketones.com - IG: @deltag.ketones Code: BITTER20 Support HPO: zachbitter.com/hposponsors HPO Website: zachbitter.com/hpo  Amazon Store: amazon.com/shop/zachbitter Zach's Coaching: zachbitter.com/coaching Zach's Newsletter: substack.com/@zachbitter Find Zach: zachbitter.com - IG: @zachbitter - X/Tw: @zbitter - FB: @zbitterendurance - Strava: Zach Bitter  Tara: tara-treks.com - IG: @tara.dower - Strava: Tara “candy Mama” Dower YouTube: youtube.com/c/TheDowerDuo  

 In this powerful episode of Airey Bros Radio, we sit down with Tara Dower, the extraordinary endurance athlete who recently set the fastest known time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail. Covering 2,190 miles in just 40 days, Tara shares her story of pushing through mental and physical barriers, balancing mental preparation, and how her tight-knit crew helped her overcome each day's challenges. From brutal trail days to creative trail fueling and unforgettable camaraderie, Tara gives a rare glimpse into the mindset of an FKT athlete.Alongside tales from her Appalachian adventure, Tara discusses her other FKTs on iconic trails like the Colorado Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail and victories in ultramarathons like the Hardrock 100, Run Rabbit Run, and Hellbender 100. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience, community, and unmatched trail dedication. Highlights Include:Tara's grueling 40-day journey on the AT and her crew's crucial roleTips for overcoming mental barriers in ultra-endurance eventsInsights into Tara's trail fueling strategy and training for an FKTAdvice for aspiring thru-hikers and anyone aiming for big goalsDon't miss this captivating episode filled with trail wisdom, motivation, and adventure!Show Notes:Intro and Background: Tara's start in endurance sports and transition into ultra-running.Appalachian Trail FKT: How Tara prepared, the support she received, and the highs and lows on the trail.Trail Tips: Tara's advice on mindset, overcoming mental obstacles, and the best way to approach long-distance hikes.Other FKTs and Wins: Tara's record-setting experiences on the Colorado Trail, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and her ultramarathon accomplishments.Future Goals: What's next for Tara in the world of ultrarunning and FKTs.Follow Tara InstagramYouTube 

In this episode, Jeff Garmire, known as 'Legend', shares his incredible journey through the world of endurance sports. With over 30,000 miles of backpacking experience, he discusses his transition from traditional thru-hiking to tackling ultra-marathons and setting Fastest Known Times (FKTs). Jeff elaborates on his experiences with the Great Western Loop, the Colorado Trail, and the Cocodona 250, highlighting the mental and physical challenges he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of having a toolkit of strategies to overcome obstacles and maintain motivation during long endurance events. In this conversation, Jeff Garmire shares his insights on endurance racing, training for long-distance events, the importance of recovery, and how to set and achieve personal goals. He discusses the mental and emotional aspects of endurance sports, the significance of rest days, and how to handle pushback from others when pursuing one's passion. Jeff also reflects on his experiences with failure and the lessons learned, as well as his approach to efficiency in long-distance hiking. The discussion wraps up with Jeff's plans for the winter and how he disconnects from metrics to enjoy running. Check out the PB and Mountains Podcast Takeaways Jeff's journey began with a simple encounter with a thru-hiker. He believes in having fun while pursuing difficult challenges. The Great Western Loop is a 7,000-mile trek around the West. Mental resilience is key in endurance sports. Every challenge faced adds tools to your toolkit. The Colorado Trail was a significant test of endurance. Aid stations in races provide crucial support and motivation. Jeff's humor and unique style set him apart in the endurance community. He emphasizes the importance of micro-goals during tough times. New goals and ideas keep Jeff motivated in his pursuits. The energy of the environment can greatly enhance performance. Long-distance races require a different training approach than shorter ones. Recovery is crucial for improvement and should be prioritized. It's important to manage external opinions when pursuing personal passions. Setting goals involves transforming dreams into actionable plans. Taking time off from metrics can help maintain the joy of running. Failures can provide valuable lessons and insights for future attempts. Efficiency in long-distance hiking can be achieved through structured planning. Creativity can help break the monotony of long hikes. Connecting with the audience is essential for sharing experiences. Sound Bites "I want something really hard." "I just enjoy in the moment when it's tough." "I just dove into this." "You just never want to run out of tools." "I didn't even know how drop bags worked." "I love interacting with the other runners." "The first 40 miles don't really matter." "You need to take rest days every so often." "Dreams, goals, plans." "Disconnecting from all the metrics." "Where can people catch up with you?" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jeff Garmire: The Legend 02:53 The Evolution of Endurance: From Thru-Hiking to Ultra Running 05:46 The Great Western Loop: A 7,000-Mile Challenge 12:06 Breaking Records: The Colorado Trail Experience 17:59 Mental Strategies for Endurance Challenges 20:50 Cocodona 250: A Unique Ultra Experience 29:27 The Energy of Endurance Racing 30:53 Training for Long-Distance Races 32:43 The Importance of Recovery 36:36 Overcoming Pushback and Pursuing Passion 40:52 Goal Setting: Dreams, Goals, and Plans 43:45 Winter Training and Disconnecting from Metrics 45:15 Learning from Failures 48:56 Efficiency in Long-Distance Hiking 57:04 Connecting with the Audience

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we're joined by Tara Dower, the new holder of overall Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail. Tara gives us the low down on every aspect of her recent record-breaking trek, including how she fell wildly behind pace after the first two states, her nutrition, her sleep habits (or lack thereof), how vital her crew was in her success, the criticism she's faced for "hiking too fast", running a 100-mile race just a few weeks prior to the attempt, and much more. Tara also goes into more depth on her backpacking and FKT background and we subject her to a pair of brutally awkward fornicate, marry, kill questions. Fun times all around.   We wrap the show with our triple crown of guilty pleasure songs, a stupid thing of the week (Zach hurts himself again), and the most unrealistic thing we thought we could be when we were kids. Raise $10,000 and the Real Hiking Viking Will Do the Unthinkable… Topo Athletic: Use code “THETREK15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.  LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Tara “Candy Mama” Dower Tara's Instagram Tara's Website Tara's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:55 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, join us in Denver on December 7th and apply to be a 2025 blogger! 00:07:55 - Introducing Tara 00:09:29 - Are you still recovering? 00:10:45 - What mantras did you have? 00:13:00 - What was your origin story in the outdoors? 00:17:12 - When did you decide to pursue the Mountains to Sea Trail FKT? 00:19:00 - Did you impress yourself at that moment? 00:21:30 - Tell us about getting off the AT because of anxiety 00:23:05 - How do you manage anxiety during an FKT attempt? 00:24:25 - Were you tough growing up? 00:26:45 - What inspired you to want to continue pursuing FKTs? 00:29:55 - Tell us about the John Muir Trail 00:31:20 - What part of running do you dislike the most? 00:32:30 - Tell us about the Benton MacKaye Trail FKT 00:34:40 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail FKT 00:36:20 - Discussion about support classifications 00:40:25 - How do you deal with critics? 00:44:30 - How did the Colorado Trail change your outlook on future FKTs? 00:46:00 - When did you decide to go after the AT FKT? 00:48:38 - Did you initially plan to beat the overall record? 00:50:08 - Were you intimidated by others who tried and failed to beat the record? 00:51:30 - Did you notice a transition in social media as you were running? 00:55:18 - Why did your anxiety influence which direction you went? 00:57:20 - How long before you started was the Hard Rock? 01:00:00 - What was it like going through Mahoosuc Notch at FKT pace? 01:01:44 - Tell us about being behind pace at first 01:05:27 - How did your crew chief motivate you? 01:07:03 - Did you ever disagree about decisions? 01:08:00 - How much of a trail was solo or with a pacer? 01:09:50 - What was your adjustment like after the FKT? 01:12:45 - How has your nutrition changed over the years? 01:18:55 - Did you have any near injuries? 01:19:40 - Can you pinpoint a low moment? 01:23:30 - Did you hallucinate? 01:26:45 - Tell us about your average mileage and sleep during the FKT 01:30:40 - Is Rascal's position a paid position? 01:31:34 - Did you have any paid sponsorship during this run? 01:32:26 - When did you know you had it? 01:35:02 - Did you conceptualize how big of a deal it was going to be? 01:36:35 - Tell us about raising money for Girls on the Run 01:38:20 - Fuck Marry Kill: thru-hiking, FKTs, ultraracing 01:39:31 - Fuck Marry Kill: Outside Magazine, Washington Post, The Trek 01:40:34 - Kumo Question: What's something you've always wanted to try but haven't had the courage to do yet? Segments Trek Propaganda: Tara Dower Sets Overall Fastest Known Time on Appalachian Trail by Kelly Floro QOTD:  What is the most unrealistic thing you thought you could be when you were a kid? Stupid Thing of the Week Triple Crown of guilty pleasure songs Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Old Man Murph's Coffee Roasters, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Chris Pyle, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.

In this livestream, we're hanging out with Jared Champion, who just hiked the Colorado Trail using gear that would've been used the year the trail was established. What were the struggles and highlights of this trip? Find out in the next hour.Get your hands on some sweet BPP swag today! https://the-backpacking-podcast-shop.myspreadshop.com/Be sure to check out our title sponsor, Outdoor Vitals to pick up some amazing backpacking gear at www.outdoorvitals.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backpackingpodcast/support

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by thru-hiker, gear maker, YouTuber, musician, and dare I say philosopher, John Z. John Z has hiked it all, including the triple crown trails, the Arizona Trail, Colorado Trail- in 10 days, setting the unsupported FKT on the way, which was a side trip during his PCT thru-hike- the Great Divide Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, the Death Valley Loop, amongst others. He gives us an overview of these trips, the inspiration behind starting Pa'Lante Packs and now Meadow Physics Gear, why he doesn't hike with a water filter or satellite communicator, his tendency toward being a "water princess," the time he barked at a cow and the cow fought back, his run-ins with an angry black bear and a mountain lion, and much more. We wrap the show by unveiling our adult film star names, the triple crown of campaign promises 2.0, and Chuance leaves us a mailbag. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.  PATH Projects: Use code “THETREK10”  for 10% off at pathprojects.com/thetrek. Katabatic Gear: Use code “BPR15” for 15% off at katabaticgear.com. [divider] Interview with John Z Meadow Physics John's Youtube John's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:02:40 - Reminders: Join us for a live show in Denver on December 7! Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content! 00:05:18 - Introducing John Z 00:06:22 - What's your background in the outdoors? 00:08:15 - If you had to pick only bikepacking or backpacking forever, which would it be? 00:09:50 - What led you to long distance backpacking? 00:11:29 - Did you start off ultralight? 00:14:15 - How did you transition from bikepacking? 00:16:04 - What was your biggest gear mistake early on? 00:18:20 - Tell us about making gear 00:21:54 - What were the vibes like in the desert on the PCT? 00:23:35 - How do you get trail beta? 00:25:07 - In what area do you think there's the most room for improvement in gear? 00:27:03 - Tell us about the shelter you designed 00:30:00 - Tell us about your recent engagement 00:34:45 - How do you juggle a relationship with hiking? 00:36:35 - What's the longest food carry you've done? 00:38:40 - Aside from light gear, what goes into long mileage days? 00:40:20 - What kind of food do you pack? 00:44:15 - Discussion about the Colorado Trail FKT 00:47:10 - What other FKTs have you attempted? 00:49:48 - Tell us the cow story 00:52:55 - Tell us the bear story 00:54:00 - Tell us the mountain lion story 00:56:40 - Tell us about your Alaska trip 00:58:50 - Why don't you like to use a water filter? 01:00:30 - Discussion about tea 01:02:10 - What's something you've gone on a deep dive on recently? 01:04:20 - What podcasts do you listen to while hiking? 01:06:04 - What don't you like about the AT? 01:08:20 - What's in your pack for a thru-hike? 01:11:35 - What do you do for bug protection? 01:14:00 - How do you pack your pack? 01:17:09 - Do you ever use a pack with a frame system? 01:17:55 - Tell us about the Death Valley Loop 01:20:20 - Are you more drawn to trails or routes? 01:21:20 - Do you think about your legacy? 01:22:17 - Is there any competition in route making? 01:23:00 - Tell us about the Great Divide Trail 01:25:00 - What trails do you keep repeating? 01:27:00 - Are you still making Youtube videos? 01:30:24 - What prompted you to take your channel down? 01:31:36 - What fabrics are you excited about right now? 01:33:55 - What's next for you? Segments Trek Propaganda 2024 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers: Submit Your Completion Photos 272 Miles in Less Than 4 Days: William Peterson Sets New Long Trail FKT by Kimberly Fetherston QOTD:  If you were an adult film star, what would your stage name be? Triple Crown of campaign promises 2.0 Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/. Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bonnie Ackerman, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.

Nicolette Jones just won the 2024 Colorado Trail Race on her first attempt. Not only was this her first time racing the Colorado Trail, it was her first bikepacking race ever! Which makes her finish time of 5d 12h 21m even more impressive. Although this was her first bikepacking race, she is no stranger to adventurous pursuits or the Colorado Trail. She is the only person in the world to have thru-hiked, skied, and biked the Colorado Trail. So she is no stranger to this trail and, in fact, probably has a higher familiarity with it than most people. In 2023 she toured the trail in 11 days with thoughts of racing it one day on her mind. This year, those thoughts turned to reality and she rolled out at 4am with about 75 other racer at this years CTR. She was able to get a lead on her competitors early on and then maintain it for the entirety of the race. On today's episode we talk about a host of interesting topics. From her jobs as an adventure guide and coach, to making your own bikepacking bags, her love for tandems, and a 7.5 month bike tour she did with her Husband, Mark, from Arizona to Argentina. And, of course, we talk about her impressive win at the Colorado Trail Race. At only 25 Nicolette has a huge adventure resume and it was a lot of fun getting to know her and hear about some of her adventures. If you'd like to learn more about Nicolette after you listen to today's episode you can take a deeper dive on her blog, WalkSkiCycle.com. EPISODE SPONSORS LIVSN – Use code “BOD10” at checkout to receive 10% off your order for being a loyal listener! Red Granite Grinder - Epic gravel race in Wisconsin on Oct. 12th, 2024. Smash the link for more information and registration. New Patrons  None this week, this is a great time to sign up to support the show :) Join them won't you? Now is a great time to sign up at Patreon.com/bikesordeath!

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Justinas Leveika is fresh off an impressive Colorado Trail Race finish. This was his first time at CTR and he finished in 4d 7h 17m, which was over 8 hours faster than the next rider. However, due to a rule violation, which was unknown to him at the time, he was not the official first place finisher. That honor goes to Xavier Chiriboga with a time of 4d 15h 55m. Going into Leadville Justinas destroyed his rear wheel on a gnarly decent which shattered the wheel, rendering it unrideable. To get it fixed he hiked to a trailhead, hitched a ride into town, replaced the rear wheel, and hitched a ride back to where we left the trail and continued on. Unlike other solo self supported bikepacking races like the Tour Divide, you are not allowed to get in a vehicle at anytime during the Colorado Trail Race. Justinas was unaware of this rule at the time, but it didn't stop him from putting on an impressive performance. After returning to the trail with his shiny new wheel he quickly started packmaning his way through the field and finished ahead all the other riders. The broken wheel wasn't the only challenge he had to overcome on the race this year, but you'll have to listen to the episode to hear the whole story. Regardless of an unfortunate rules oversight, what Justinas did was undeniably impressive. Even more so considering that he broke the long standing FKT on Tour Divide less than 2 months ago. Now, he sets his sights on the Arizona Trail Race in an attempt to complete the Bikepacking Triple Crown. EPISODE SPONSORS LIVSN - Use code “BOD10” at checkout to receive 10% off your order for being a loyal listener! New Patrons  Alliy G Julian Strait Join them won't you? Now is a great time to sign up at Patreon!

Jeff Browning is an ultrarunning legend living in Flagstaff, AZ. He is one of the all-time winningest 100 mile racers and, at 53 years old, still competes at the highest level in the sport. This coming Sunday, Jeff will begin what he characterizes as the project of a lifetime -- an FKT attempt on the Colorado Trail. We talk about the preparation for the attempt and Jeff's motivation for the project. We also talk about Jeff's races at Cocodona 250 and High Lonesome 100.  Donate to Warrior Trail Foundation in Jeff's Honor Colorado Trail FKT Kyle Curtin's Strava File Sponsors: Join our Nutrition Club with The Feed and get $80 to spend on nutrition Use code freetrail10 for 10% off Speedland Footwear Grab a trail running pack from Osprey Use code FT15 for 15% off Gnarly Nutrition Go to ketone.com/freetrail30 for 30% off a subscription of Ketone IQ Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts   Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava   ________________________   Other Freetrail podcast episodes you might enjoy: Courtney Dauwalter | Hardrock 100 Post-Race Interview Jasmin Paris | Barkley Marathon Finisher Jim Walmsley | UTMB Post-Race Interview Also, please check out our other podcast, Second Nature: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-nature/id1737242598