Just Up The Trail

Llyn Peninsula - Fireside Sounds

Last week we spent some time in a Celtic Roundhouse up on the Llyn Peninsula. Pretty much off grid, we spent time cooking outside and watching the campfire

One evening, while the kids were enjoying the delights of the river water shower, I sat down with the last embers of our campfire and listened to the birds. (occasionally overhearing the shenanigans from the shower block)

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REPOST FROM 2022: Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail with Chris Townsend

In the very first podcast from Just Up The Trail, I sat down with hiker, writer and outdoorsman, Chris Townsend.

Just Up The Trail is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Chris’ book “Rattlesnakes and Bald Eagles” inspired me to move on from single day hikes and mountain days to the bigger challenge of multi-day backpacking trips. I read it one Christmas and by Easter we were hiking the the West Highland Way.

Chris has hiked many miles over the years and written over 25 books about his trips and the outdoors but today he joins me to discuss his 1982 hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, the 2653 mile trail from Mexico to Canada, and the book that inspired me to got out further and longer.

During the conversation we touch on:

* How a young man from Lancashire finds out about a ribbon of trail halfway around the world, in 1980.

* Chris’ first encounter with the heat of desert hiking

* The importance of solitude in the outdoors

* How the PCT defined the next 40 years of his life.

A massive thank you to Chris for coming out to play and being the very first contributor to what promises to be a wonderful library of stories and adventure from the outdoors.

A little more about Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend writes regularly for TGO Magazine and has written 22 books on the outdoors, including the award winning The Backpacker's Handbook. His recent publications feature two long-distance walks he undertook in the USA. Grizzly Bears and Razor Clams documents his hike on the Pacific Northwest Trail and Rattlesnakes and Bald Eagles his 1982 hike on the Pacific Crest Trail as well as more recently, Along The Divide in which he walks 700 miles of the Scottish watershed.

You can find Chris’ writings and musings on his extensive blog www.christownsendoutdoors.com, on Substack Chris Townsend and his books on Sandstone Press here.

Keep in Touch

Keep up to to date with developments and guest announcements on our social media pages as well as loads of extra stuff on the website

Substack: www.justupthetrail.com

Instagram: @justupthetrail

Just Up The Trail is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

A little while ago I spent my lunch break sat by the lake on campus. Its was a wonderfully chilled time.

I find listening to my surroundings through my audio recorder/headphones adds a very mindful/locked in experience when initially I thought it would be a barrier to the kind of immersion I’m looking for. I guess everything is amplified and heightened.

The XY mic capsule gives a great stereo spread but I might try something with my Binaural Microphones next time and try for somewhat 360° feel

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JUST UP THE TRAIL: SOUNDS OF THE TRAIL #1b THE NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK (DAY 2)

Join me, Rob Jones, as I hike across The New Forest National Park.

In late April 2025 I hiked 18 miles across the New Forest from the park boundary near New Milton to the park boundary near Totton. As I passed through the woods and across the heaths I recorded the sounds and kept something of an audio trail journey in an attempt to bring you a representation of my experience over 2 days.

It's not perfect by any means but it is an idea of what I think this podcast could be... an immersive representation of my time on trail.

In this second episode, covering the second day of the hiking trip, I walk from Brockenhurst to Totton through Ancient Woodlands, scrubby pasture and under some of the biggest skies I've seen in a long time. Along the way I remember what I love about the New Forest National Park and pick up some distinct Lonesome Dove vibes

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🥾⛰️🎒Find out more and get involved on Substack. Find blog posts and updates direct from the trails and from the planning desk and get new audio episodes and notes from the trail journal directly to your inbox.

🏕️⛰️⛺️ Access extra content and help forward the project with a Free Membership on Patreon Notes from the planning stages of forthcoming hikes and updates from the editing desk as I put together the sounds I collect on trail

📸🏞️🌄 Keep up with the adventures on Instagram,  Audio AND Visuals direct from the trails while I’m hiking and collecting sounds

Just Up The Trail is written and produced by Rob Jones

www.justupthetrail.com

JUST UP THE TRAIL: SOUNDS OF THE TRAIL #1 THE NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK (DAY 1)

Join me, Rob Jones, as I hike across The New Forest National Park.

In late April 2025 I hiked 18 miles across the New Forest from the park boundary near New Milton to the park boundary near Totton. As I passed through the woods and across the heaths I recorded the sounds and kept something of an audio trail journey in an attempt to bring you a representation of my experience over 2 days.

It's not perfect by any means but it is an idea of what I think this podcast could be... an immersive representation of my time on trail.

In this first episode, covering the first day of the hiking trip, I walk from New Milton to Brockenhurst before making camp at Hollands Wood campsite. Along the way I encounter wild ponies, wilder teenagers and start to fall in love with a place I used to take for granted.

________________________________________________

🥾⛰️🎒Find out more and get involved on Substack. Find blog posts and updates direct from the trails and from the planning desk and get new audio episodes and notes from the trail journal directly to your inbox.

🏕️⛰️⛺️ Access extra content and help forward the project with a Free Membership on Patreon Notes from the planning stages of forthcoming hikes and updates from the editing desk as I put together the sounds I collect on trail

📸🏞️🌄 Keep up with the adventures on Instagram,  Audio AND Visuals direct from the trails while I’m hiking and collecting sounds

Just Up The Trail is written and produced by Rob Jones

www.justupthetrail.com

In which our hero talks nonsense about making plans, buying tents and foraging in hedges

Welcome to Just Up The Trail

In this show I have a bit of a catch up and chat about plans for upcoming trips, a bimble on Bodmin Moor and buying even more tents!

LINKS

OFF THE BEATEN POT FORAGING COURSE (BETA)

And on Instagram & YouTube

JUST UP THE TRAIL LINKS

Follow the new blog on Substack

And follow the adventures on Instagram and check out Rob's profile on Foto: https://the.fotoapp.co/justupthetrail

Just Up The Trail is written and produced by Rob Jones

www.justupthetrail.com

In which our hero talks nonsense about not hiking.

Welcome back to Just Up The Trail

After a longer than expected hiatus I'm bringing the podcast back this year, just in a slightly different format.

In this little show I chat about where I've been and what I'm planning as well as leave you a little example of how I see future shows sounding

For more information on the show going forward, follow the new blog on Substack

And follow the adventure on Instagram

Just Up The Trail is written and produced by Rob Jones

www.justupthetrail.com

In this special edition of Just Up The Trail, I shere the recording that Hazel and the kids made as a birthday suprise.

A little insight into our family of hiker trash

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In today's Just Up The Trail I speak with Ben Haigh from Londoner Outdoors about his wild camping adventures.

Mentioned in the show:

Londoner Outdoors on Youtube

A Wild campers Diary Podcast

Trail Angels - Support the show over on our website.

Ask Us Anything - If you want to ask me a question to be answered on the podcast, drop me a line here

And don't forget to head over to Just Up The Trail for the website

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End to End with Dave Thomas

This week Dave joins me to discuss his hike from Lands End to John o Groats. We speak about hiking and camping, the trail community, imposter syndrome, the concept of hiker trash and hiking 500 miles of this trail with his 4 year old daughter. We also chat about how multiple Traumatic Brain Injuries have impacted his everyday life and how that also affects his time on trail.

You can find Dave on Instagram and donate to his Just Giving page for Headway Uk

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Support The Show

You can support the show at our Patreon Page. If you can spare £5 a month you will help keep the show free for those who can’t afford it and you’ll come away with a general feeling of soundness and kindness.

Keep in Touch

Keep up to to date with developments and guest announcements on our social media pages as well as loads of extra stuff on the website

Instagram @justupthetrail

Facebook @justupthetrailuk

Youtube Just Up The Trail

Website www.justupthetrail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.