Hiking Thru

Airborne, known off trail as Jon Schwarze, started his thru hiking career with a yo-yo of the PCT.  For 2020 he’s set his sights on the Greatest Western Loop.  Yep, you heard that correctly. He’s adding a few extra miles to the Great Western Loop in order to complete 4 out of the 5 trails in the same year.  In this episode we talk about severe calorie deficits, being the first through the Sierras, pushing your limits and resilience.

Brazilnut, known off trail as Elaine Bissonho, is starting her Triple Triple in 2020.  Add to that the TA, Arizona Trail, Oregon Coast Trail as well as a yo-yo and FKT on the Great Divide Trail…to say she’s got some stories is an extreme understatement.  In this episode we talk about resupply problems, umbrellas, the PCT in 66 days and the fear and doubt that kept her off the GDT for 5 years.

Survivor, known off trail as John Floyd, kicked off his thru hiking career in 2019 by selling his possessions to finance hiking the AT.  He then jumped almost immediately to the TA.  And has now come back to the states to start the PCT in April.  He's fully embraced the thru hiking life.  In this episode, we talk about building your own quilt, dig into the Te Araroa and discuss stove versus cold soaking.

Gilmore, though you might also have known her as Back Seat Driver, on the AT, is known off trail as Leisel Bailey.
She had completed the AT, JMT and Colorado Trail prior to starting the PCT this past year.
However that doesn’t mean she was totally prepared for what the trail threw at her. But a little luck, creative
thinking and staying present in the moment went a long way toward making it a successful hike.
In this episode we talk about flip flopping, pastries, poodle dog bush and how Oregon marked her.

Sketch, known off trail as Tricia Case, SOBO’d the Long Trail in 2019 to test whether the thru hiking life was for her. Apparently it was a success as she’s now planning to start the Appalachian Trail in February. In this episode we talk about lessons learned. Food preferences, sleeping around people, gear, being wet…and a little hiker lore.

Nomad & Rattles, known off trail as Tyler & Becca Goodman, completed their Triple Crown this summer as a couple. But it was not a straight path. Injury knocked them off the Appalachian Trail in 2018 and snow changed their NOBO into a SOBO on the Continental Divide Trail this summer... But also gave them the opportunity to finish their Appalachian Trail miles and take a Southwest road-trip. In this episode we talk about being flexible with your plans, hiking as a couple, how small the hiking community truly is and why its all about the people.

Nurse Betty, known off trail as Jaime Siebold, was part of the PCT class of 2013.  To stay connected she section hikes, revisiting the Campo to Tehachapi section this past summer.  In this episode we talk keeping your feet clean, how Northern Washington should never be underestimated in fall, why splitting up on the trail to hike your own hike is important and the business she started making reusable wipes to help give back to the trail.  

IB TAT, known off trail as Jeff Oliver, found his sobriety in the mountains. His instagram handle SavedByMtns is quite literal and thru hiking has become his new drug of choice. This episode was recorded shortly after he came off the PCT in late October. So we of course talk about the conditions in the north Cascades that late in the year. And coffee is a must... if you've watched his vlog you'll understand.

Peanut, known off trail as Andrew Glenn, was fresh off the trail when we spoke and still processing his experience from this summer. He went big, connecting the CDT and Canada’s Great Divide Trail. A total of over 3,700 miles with the final 10 days hiked without seeing another person. So sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful hike. That started as a project and ended up capturing his heart.

Karma, known off trail as Nichole Young, thru hike of the AT in 2016 and attempt at the Mini Triple Crown in 2017 had to be coordinated around A LOT of life events. A very relatable problem. In this episode, we talk about being flexible & realistic about how those things inter-relate, how being a planned solo hiker mixes with finding a tramily on the first day, expectations vs reality and how she hopes her adventures will inspire her new daughter as she grows up.