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I started to put out some Patreon episodes exclusive to people donating at least $1 a month. These episodes will not take anything away from the regular show. No interviews only me talking about my hiking, reading, podcasting, life, etc.

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After her First Grade teacher took her class out on a nature walk, Liz “Snorkel” Thomas started asking her parents to take her hiking on a local trail. Her passion grew until she was hiking every weekend in College.

Snorkel’s first Long Trail was just out of college along the Tahoe Rim Trail, a loop trail which shares some mileage with the Pacific Crest Trail. She found a love for the thru hiker lifestyle on this 165 mile trek.

I asked Liz how she funded hikes, “There were some crazy years… One year I was in a sleep study where I learned a lot about my sleep cycles and earned enough money to fund a thru hike!” Most of her hikes were funded by her contracting work through the trail organization itself.

Her favorite times on the trail usually include other hikers, but also the wild flowers, animals on a ridge or ripened berries.

With over 15,000 miles of trail miles under her feet, Snorkel has grown to love the trails. They each have a different history and she loved learning how the different land managers worked together to keep them going today.

Liz is an ambassador for the American Hiking Society so we talked about what they do. Celebrating their 40th year of championing trails where it counts. Letting legislature know the hot topic issues they support to better public lands and trails.

When I asked Snorkel about any fears she may have had while hiking. She answered this question in a reassuring way. Though she was afraid of many things, she overcame most of them and so now she doesn’t necessarily consider them a fear. Being able to prove to herself how to overcome things in the outdoors makes her fears dissapear.

“Fear can not only hold you back from doing something you want to do, but it can also hold you back from even thinking about the possibility of doing something,” Liz Thomas talking about fear.

On the topic of thru hiking as a female, Snorkel said not to let your gender be the reason not to be out on the trail alone. On a long distance hike, you will not be alone all the time. There are smart ways to hike so make sure you sharpen your skills.

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lizthomashiking/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LizThomasHiking/

Website- http://www.eathomas.com

Six Moons Design

Tents and more

https://www.sixmoondesigns.com

Waymark Gear Company

Heavy duty ultralight backpacks

https://www.waymarkgearco.com

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No intro to this episode except for my not professional a cappella rendition of Hallelujah inspired by Anastasia’s amazing violin at the start and ending of this episode.

I failed to release this episode, recorded back in March(?), but the violin is amazing! I had the chance to visit with Anastasia and her husband along with Stacey Arnold at the Allison home in Everett.

The Musical Mountaineers have gone on to do quite a bit more since this was recorded.

Follow the Musical Mountaineers

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/themusicalmountaineers/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/themusicalmountaineers/

I attended Pacific Crest Trail Days, volunteering for ALDHA West. I took some time to interview a few attendees while I was there. Listen in!

I close the episode with three songs recorded from my live show. Jack Mattingly and the Whiskey Fever.

I took my daughters on a three day backpacking trip in the Goats Rocks area near Mount Adams. We recap the trip mostly from the words of my five and nine year olds!

Snowgrass Flats Trail to the Pacific Crest Trail we turned south through Cispus Basin which ended up being the girls' favorite area. Our second night was at Sheep Lake where we all swam. The next morning we headed down Nannie Ridge Trail to our car at Walupt Lake.

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PCT Days August 17th-19th

Pacific Crest Trail Days is a 3-day summer festival that celebrates and promotes outdoor recreation, with a focus on hiking, camping, and backpacking. Attendees get to participate in activities, games, classes & presentations, win awesome gear at the raffle, watch a series of films, and get great deals on the latest outdoor products from exhibiting sponsors at the Gear Expo. Whether you’re into car camping, day hiking, or long distance hiking, the gear and info you are looking for will be here!

All raffle proceeds support the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West, the Pacific Crest Trail Association, and the volunteers working to restore trails damaged by the Eagle Creek Fire.

PCT DAYS is free to attend, with a fee for overnight camping on Thunder Island. Don’t miss out on being a part of a great time at the 12th annual PCT DAYS, located in Cascade Locks, Oregon, the heart of the Columbia River Gorge!

From http://www.pctdays.com

Waymark Gear Company

Heavy duty ultralight backpacks

https://www.waymarkgearco.com

Luxe Tents! Try a tarp teepee

and lighten your pack weight.

https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Join Me at Patreon -  https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583

The Kula Cloth is just what women hikers, backpackers and travelers have needed. Creator Anastasia Allison is on this week to talk all about her new product.

She jokes, "My target is women who pee!"

Anastasia started using a bandana to clean up with after peeing on hikes. She thought there had to be a better way.

Kula Cloth is the result! She found many things to improve on the standard bandana.

* Clips to your backpack

* Folds and clips to itself, keeping the unsanitary side unexposed

* Promote Leave No Trace

* Made from advanced silver-infused textiles that are purposely intended to be in contact with the human body

* Reflective detail added to the cloth so that if you are on a backpacking trip and you need to locate the cloth in the middle of the night

From Anastasia's website on how to use-

Simply pee, just like normal (note: in a wilderness setting, good practice is to choose a spot at least 70ft from a trail and 200ft from a water source... pro tip: if you are squatting down, it can be helpful to hold one trekking pole in front of you for stability). Use the plain black dimpled side of the Kula Cloth™ to absorb any residual moisture. Since the clean/printed side is waterproof, you don't need to worry about any liquid soaking through to your hand. Note: the Kula Cloth™ is NOT for wiping anything OTHER THAN pee. Do not wipe from front to back like you might with toilet paper - keep the Kula Cloth™ entirely in the pee-zone.

Website- https://kulacloth.com

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/thekulacloth/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/kulacloth/

Waymark Gear Company

Heavy duty ultralight backpacks

https://www.waymarkgearco.com

Luxe Tents! Try a tarp teepee

and lighten your pack weight.

https://luxe-hiking-gear.com