In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are bringing you yet another edition of beginner backpacking mistakes. Today’s panel includes the debut of Jess Stone, 2024 AT and LT thru-hiker, and The Trek’s Community and Marketing Manager. We bring you 9 brand new thru-hiking pitfalls to avoid, including tips on sending mail drops, how to avoid letting small problems turn into big problems, dealing with toxic off-trail relationships before departing, hydration tips, why you shouldn’t invite friends and family on your trip, and much more.

We wrap the show with a call out to some Trek bloggers, the definitively correct orientation for silverware in the dishwasher, the triple crown of good horse names, and what not to eat before mailing important letters.

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. 

Burgeon Outdoors: Use code “BACKPACKER15” for 15% off at burgeonoutdoor.com.

Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 35% off at shadyrays.com.

[divider]

Panel with Zach, Chaunce, and Jess

• Jess's Instagram
• Referenced episodes
  • BPR #112 | Beginner Backpacking Mistakes
  • BPR #160 | Beginner Backpacking Mistakes 2.0
  • BPR #97 | Ben Lawhon of Leave No Trace

Time stamps & Questions

00:06:20 - Reminders: Say hi to us at Trail Days, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, apply to blog for the Trek!

00:14:03 - Introducing Jess

00:17:32 - Zach’s Mistake #1: Overplanning, especially maildrops and daily mileage

00:24:00 - Chaunce’s Mistake #1: Not looking up LNT principles before your hike

00:29:00 - Jess’s Mistake #1: Not drinking enough water

00:32:20 - Zach’s Mistake #2: Letting small problems become big problems 

00:41:15 - Chaunce’s Mistake #2: If you don’t like who you’re dating at home, consider dumping them

00:47:20 - Jess’s Mistake #2: Inviting your friends/family to hike with you when you’ve been out for months

00:54:40 - Zach’s Mistake #3: Not considering the weight/space of everything

01:00:40 - Chaunce’s Mistake #3: Not taking photos of your stuff

01:08:45 - Jess’s Mistake #3: Marrying your trail family

01:23:15 - Stay Salty Question: What’s your hottest take in the world of backpacking?

01:28:20 - How was the AT?

Segments

Trek Propaganda: 20 Trek Bloggers You Should Be Following in 2025 by Jess

QOTD:  Silverware up or down in the dishwasher?

Hiker Trash Thing of the Week

Triple Crown of good horse names

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, Jason “The Snail” Snailer, 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.