Erin Gifford shares some of her favorite Virginia hikes for families with Hike listeners. We chat about leave no trace, hiking with kids, tips for making hikes enjoyable (like snacks, good shoes and more snacks!) and teachable moments on trail.

Here are some of the trails mentioned and links to Erin's hikes on Go Hike Virginia:

Devil’s Bathtub

Crescent Rock

Big Cedar Creek Falls

First Landing State Park (Bald Cypress Trail)

Manassas National Battlefield Park

Belle Isle

Buzzard Rocks

Rose River Falls

Connect with Erin:
Web: Go Hike Virginia
Facebook: Go Hike Virginia
Instagram: @gohikevirginia
Buy the Book: Hiking with Kids Virginia: 52 Great Hikes for Families

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast

Email Lori at [email protected] 

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Misti from Orange Blaze catches listeners up on what's been happening with her Florida Trail podcast. We talk about her 2020 trip to Billy Goat Day on the FT and how COVID impacted the trail community.

She gives a glimpse into the expansion her show has had as she integrates topics such as  land management, cultural history and the land projects that have impacted the trail. 

We also cover her hikes on the Lone Star Trail and Wichita Mountains.

Check out her bonus episode on the Charon's Wilderness Trail in the Wichita Mountains.
Listen here to my Season 1 episode featuring Misti and the Florida Trail.

Connect with Misti:
Blog/Podcast: Orange Blaze podcast
Instagram: @orangeblazepodcast

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast

Email Lori at [email protected] 

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Will MacKinnon of Trek Virginia Outdoors shares the origin of the Trek Virginia Outdoors hiking community and it's focus on connecting others to Virginia's outdoors while promoting responsible stewardship.

We also talk about foraging for mushrooms, hiking responsibly and some of the partnerships he's created with other like minded folks.

Here are some of Will's favorite local trails near Floyd, VA and the Blue Ridge Parkway  (links below)
Smart View Overlook
Black Ridge
Rock Castle Gorge Loop
Stiles Falls
Dragons Tooth, Tinkers Cliff and McAfee Knob
Audie Murphy Monument

Connect with Trek Virginia Outdoors:
Instagram: @trekvirginiaoutdoors

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

A special shout out to my patrons who support the show and keep this podcast independent and hosted! And a special shout out to my newest patrons Julie and Christine! 

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Miller and Debbie (MAD) share their thru hike of the Colorado Trail and what it is like to backpack and thru hike as a couple in their 50s. After 40 years together, these high school sweethearts have shown that they are still mad as ever for each other and have taken their love for the hippie lifestyle to the trail.

Get to know Miller and Debbie's approach to hiking as a couple, the road to the Colorado Trail, selecting gear, considerations when hiking with their chihuahuas, and how both of them find their trail time to be therapeutic.

Connect with MAD (Miller and Debbie)
Web site: MAD Hippies Life
Instagram: @mad_hippies
YouTube: MAD Hippies Life
Twitter: @MAD_Hippies

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

A special shout out to my patrons who support the show and keep this podcast independent and hosted!

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Victoria shares how she went from solely hiking to incorporating rock climbing into her outdoor (and indoor) adventures. We cover ways to transition to climbing as a beginner including:

• Key differences between hiking and climbing
• Guided climbs
• Building skills at your local gym
• Finding climbing partners
• Communication essentials
• Basic gear needed 
• Ice climbing 

Learn about Victoria's memoir and other writing which we touch on briefly in this episode by visiting her social media links here.

For more information and to connect with Victoria Buitron and Latinas Who Hike:
Instagram: @vic_toriawrites, @latinaswhohike
Facebook: Latinas Who Hike group
Blog: A Traveling Translator
Email: [email protected]

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Base Camp Chat is back this month with an episode dedicated to how we can better plan and prepare for hikes and also doing so in a way that helps us be responsible stewards on the trail.

This unscripted conversation covers:

• hiker education
• safety resources
• permits
• international travel
• trashy trail magic
• using social media to advocate 
• personal hygiene on trail 

and much more!

Catch up on previous Base Camp Chat episodes
Introducing Base Camp Chat: Fear on the Trail
Base Camp Chat: First Night Solo on Trail
Base Camp Chat: Trail Etiquette
Base Camp Chat 2.0

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Connect with Julie "Jester" Gayheart:
Instagram: @jestersectionhiker and @hikersafety
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jestersectionhiker/
Podcast - https://www.hikingradionetwork.com/show/jester-section-hiker/

Connect with Benny Braden:
Instagram: @therealbennybraden and @responsiblestewardship
Website: responsiblestewardship.org
Facebook: Responsible Stewardship

Connect with Johnny:
Facebook: @johnnyonthetrail, Hiking the Smokies
Instagram: @johnnyonthetrail
YouTube: Johnny on the Trail 

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Brian Eschbach of Easy Wind Outfitters grew up spending summers right off the Appalachian Trail witnessing his grandmother providing some original trail magic to hikers passing through.  Brian shares how their love of the outdoors inspired him and his wife to found Easy Wind Outfitters and design merino wool hiking socks.

Use code Hike15 to receive a discount on your order today!

This episode covers this and so much more:

• Brian's background in hiking 
• How Easy Wind Outfitters got its start
• Merino wool sock sourcing, care and benefits
• Some of Brian's favorite Richmond, VA area hikes

Connect with Easy Wind Outfitters:
Web site: easywindoutfitters.com
Instagram: @easywindoutfitters

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

A special shout out to my patrons who support the show and keep this podcast independent and hosted!

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Nancy East shares her story of completing all of the Great Smoky Mountains designated trails as part of the fastest known time with her hiking partner Chris. In this interview we discuss:

• How tragic death of Susan Clements inspired her to do something
• Planning and logistics for the FKT
• Family support 
• Preventative Search & Rescue
• Hiker Safety
• Lessons Learned 
• Being a Backpacking Guide

Listen to our first interview from Season 1 - Great Smoky Mountain Adventures with Nancy East here

Connect with Nancy East:
Blog: nancyeast.com
Order the Book via this link

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 

A special shout out to my patrons who support the show and keep this podcast independent and hosted!

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Renee chats with Lori about her hike and ground truthing of Oregon's Blue Mountains Trail.
She is a triple crown hiker and also the Program Coordinator at Oregon Natural Desert Association. 

She is responsible for establishing the 750-mile Oregon Desert Trail, shaping its future, and inspiring others to get out and explore the high desert as much as possible. In addition, Renee leads ONDA’s independent stewardship program and is working to educate and inspire others to experience our desert landscapes responsibly.

In this episode that features the Blue Mountains Trail, listeners will learn about some of the history, geography and what to expect on this 500+ mile route through Northeast Oregon.

The Blue Mountains Trail is an immersive adventure through the diverse interconnected eco-regions that comprise the Greater Hells Canyon Region. The trail will take you deep into the mountains, forests, rivers, ecosystems, and communities of northeast Oregon. It shares the living history of why the Blue Mountains are ecologically unique and more parts of it deserve permanent protection.

For trail specifics, maps and news check out Greater Hells Canyon Council and their trail page for centralized resources (including trail town guides!)

Also read Renee Patrick's article she wrote on the history of the Blue Mountains Trail for Katabatic Gear here.

Connect with Renee Patrick:
Blog: She-ra Hikes

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 
Patreon: www.patreon.com/thehikepodcast

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]

Kris and Lori each provide some of their must have winter hiking gear and tips for having a great outdoors experience during the colder months. 

Kris is a 3 time completer of the National Scenic Ice Age Trail and has written a book about her section hiking experience. 

Topics Covered: 

• Keeping hands and feet warm
• Clothing Layers
• Microspikes
• Snow Baskets on Trekking Poles
• Snowshoes
• Protecting your lips and face
• Gloves vs Mittens
• Car Essentials for getting safely to the trail 

Bookmark this Winter 10 Essentials list by Green Mountain Club


Connect with Kris Van Handel:
Check out her book: Hiking with Hair Tie
Hike Episode: Section Hiking the Ice Age Trail
Instagram: @kris_vanhandel

Connect with Lori:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Blog: thehikepodcast.wordpress.com
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected] 
Patreon: www.patreon.com/thehikepodcast

Support the show

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast @shenandoahexplorer
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: [email protected]