Scatman, known off trail as Craig Fowler, fulfilled a 30 year dream when he completed his Triple Crown in 2015. But that was just the beginning. Under the banner of his One of Seven Project, he then went on to complete the Bike Packing Triple Crown and is currently planning for a Calendar Year Triple Crown. In this episode we talk details... the planning, the mental, the miles. And how you have to be open to what the trail is telling you.
Read MoreIn a change from the usual, Oats & Legs spoke with me on a recent zero day on the AT. Known off trail as Katie Houston & Nick Pavlot, they teamed up at Harper's Ferry after Legs' original tramily all left the trail. In this episode, we talk about their experience of the trail and how things have changed since they teamed up. We dig into food with Oats' fascination with dry oats and Legs waxes poetic about Outdoor Pantry meals. And this rumor about bears and rain.
Mr Shoes & Kanalkanut, known off trail as Scott & Aidan Durkin, did some deep farther / son bonding during their 2017 thru hike of the AT. The perfect culmination of a multi-subject homeschooling project. Oh by the way, Aidan was 14 at the time! Logistical support provided by Moneypenny, aka Mom, back at home in England. During this episode everyone got to chime in with their perspective on the adventure.... and there's definitely some he said / he said / she said happening.
Slider, known off trail as Amy Hunsucker, traveled the Appalachian Trail in 2018 with the Northbound Horde... and a plastic trombone. In this episode she talks about thru hiking with the Horde and strategies they used to keep such a large group together. And why learning to "Embrace the Suck" is crucial!!!
Read MoreThis episode continues my conversation with Jen & Suds, known off trail as Jen Collins & Jake Russell. We dig into adventures with North American wildlife, big and small, while also hitting on some decisions that apparently still need to be made.
Read MoreSuds & Jen, known off trail as Jake Russell & Jen Collins, are approaching their SOBO hike of the PCT this summer from completely different perspectives. He's successfully hiked the Appalachian Trail, while this will be her first thru hike. In this episode, we highlight their differing concerns and preparation styles for the hike. Bet you can guess who the planner is.
Read MoreToby & Mcguire, known off trail as Toby, a chocolate lab mix, and Trisha Penrod, long ass section hiked 900 miles
of the AT, from New Jersey to Maine. In this episode, we talk about the joys and challenges of thru hiking with a dog.
And dive into what Toby's kit looked like and how she trained him to sleep in a hammock.
Cockblock Moses, known off trail as Clayton Barker, started his journey SOBO thru hiking the Appalachian Trail. And if it ain't broke...well you know the saying. He proceeded to SOBO the PCT and started the CDT SOBO, before deciding to come back another time…
Read MoreJukebox, known off trail as Devin Everett, started her thru hiking adventures on the Appalachian Trail in 2018. In this episode, she reminisces about hiking with lyme disease, crazy food cravings, which inadvertently started a black market in Honey Stingers and stokes a bit of gear anxiety as she prepares for the PCT, which she literally started this first week of May. Say "HI" if you stumble upon her.
Read MoreChardonnay, known off trail as Elsye Walker, completed her Triple Crown in 2018 becoming the first African American Woman to do so. In this episode we talk about how her time on the trail became the entry to adventures of many shapes and sizes. We also delve into the dangers of getting locked into your pre-trail plans to the detriment of the overall experience.
Read MoreIn part two of my conversation with Spur, known off trail as Jake Carr, we dig into a little psychology. The amazing gift when you give yourself permission to try, the importance of diversity and representation on the trail... and the difficulty of transitioning back to real life after being a superhero for five months.
Read MoreSpur, known off trail as Jake Carr, came to the AT with literally no previous thru hiking experience. Taking it one day at a time, he summited Katahdin five and a half months later. In this episode, we talk about the amazing adventure of it all, trail diversity and never forgetting the importance of practicing self love.
Read MoreSongbird, known off trail as Caroline Kellough, took to the PCT with her boyfriend in 2018.
This episode she digs into what she gave up to carry coffee, pondering the question “is it cold soaking or solar heating”... the age old trail question “Do dinosaurs have pancreases?”… And how the trail broke her open.
LL Cool Juniper or LL for short, known off trail as Caitlin Olson, jumped on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017 with her friend Indigo. Setting off with limited experience, they quickly got into the thru hiking routine... with daily coffee breaks. Almost getting renamed "too far away to help", she shares the story of how quickly things can change out there.
Read MoreSemper Fi, known off trail as Andrew Blubaugh, completed his Triple Crown in 2001. In this episode, he takes a walk down memory lane with me. Even though it was almost 20 years ago, I bet it’s going to sound strangely familiar... except for the walkman.
Read MoreMama Lion, known off trail as Olivia Miller Bakke, tackled the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016 with her 9 year old son, Boone. When we first met, her indulging of my many questions about food and packs and clothes and all of the things that are the crazy incredible experience of thru hiking inspired this podcast. If you see them on the AT this summer, definitely say "Hi".
Beans, known off trail as Meg Davis, started her golden thru hiking adventures on the Pacific Crest Trail. Moving to the Continental Divide Trail, the bloom fell off the adventure. Others have mentioned her exploits... 89 miles without stopping, leaving the trail in Colorado... here she tells the story behind the story.
In part 2 of my conversation with Puma Salad, known off trail as Alfred Smith, we dig into the origins of his trail name and the all joys of cowboy camping. In a little reality check, he talks about what it means to take months off to hike and the scariness when the journey comes to an end... and you have to answer the question "what comes next".
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