Kyle Hates Hiking on His Rise to YouTube Fame, Solving Trail Mysteries, and Getting EXPOSED

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by the very highly requested Kyle O'Grady, known in the world of YouTube as Kyle Hates Hiking. Kyle is an experienced backpacker, having hiked the Long Trail, Appalachian Trail, Northville Placid Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Ouachita Trail, amongst many others. In addition to learning about his many trail tales, we dive deep into his passion for video creation especially on the subjects of true crime and trail mysteries. From humble beginnings as a Writer for AppalachianTrials.com to having more than 300,000 subscribers on YouTube, this is an entertaining detailing of Kyle's rise in the world of backpacking media. We wrap the show with some details about the impending sale of Backpacker Radio's famous hair wall, what we would do with an elephant, and the triple crown of social media hiking stereotypes. Ka’Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. Appalachian Gear Company: Use code “BPRADIO20” for 20% off at appalachiangearcompany.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “TAKELESSTREKMORE” for 15% off at gossamergear.com.  Feathered Friends: Use code “BACKPACKER” for 10% off at featheredfriends.com. Badger + Chaunce Signed Book Package: Use code “LITTLEDONKEYGIRL” for $5 off and get a BPR sticker at store.thetrek.co. [divider] Interview with Kyle O’Grady Kyle's Instagram Kyle's Youtube Trail Tales Podcast Time stamps & Questions 00:05:14 - Reminders: Support our editor, Pauly, and his coffee roastery, subscribe to the Trek’s newsletter, and apply to be a Trek blogger! 00:08:50 - Introducing Kyle 00:11:10 - Discussion about Kyle writing for Appalachian Trials 00:14:20 - Do people know you more from podcasting or Youtube? 00:15:15 - Give us a rundown on your Youtube 00:18:00 - What’s the process of writing and recording a trail mystery? 00:22:35 - How did you decide to pursue trail mystery stories? 00:26:00 - Give us the overview of the Scott Lilly story 00:27:51 - Give us the overview of the Bismarck story 00:32:00 - Discussion about the perception of the trail as dangerous 00:35:35 - Fuck Marry Kill: True crime, gear breakdowns, general thru-hiking advice 00:37:57 - Discussion about clickbait 00:40:02 - How do you decide how to portray your videos? 00:41:30 - Are you a gear nerd? 00:44:11 - Where do you get your footage? 00:45:45 - What sort of marketing education do you have? 00:49:48 - How do you maintain motivation despite negative comments? 00:52:37 - How did you transition to full time? 00:56:40 - Do you get anxious when a video doesn’t do as well as you expected? 00:59:08 - How much of a video’s success is due to the content versus the algorithm? 01:03:40 - Tell us about your podcast titles 01:06:45 - Discussion about asking AI questions about thru-hiking 01:08:50 - What’s the origin of the name Kyle Hates Hiking? 01:15:40 - What’s the latest thru-hiking social media gossip? 01:19:52 - Are you doing a lot of hiking in Hawaii? 01:23:57 - What’s your hot take about tramilies? 01:26:04 - Why should someone hike the Northville Placid Trail? 01:30:00 - Discussion about the Lone Star Trail 01:33:38 - Tell us about your podcast 01:36:07 - What are the primary differences between making a good video versus a good podcast? 01:41:26 - Story about Zach and Kyle’s near miss interaction 01:50:55 - Story about a bad fan interaction 01:55:25 - What’s the hiker scene like in Burlington? 01:58:00 - Is there an underrated Long Trail mystery? 02:06:20 - Discussion about Kyle writing for the Trek 02:08:30 - What’s next for you? Segments Trek Propaganda: The Best Thru-Hiking Tents of 2024 by the Editors QOTD: You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant? Triple Crown of social media hiking stereotypes 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. 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 & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Hailey Buckingham, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Peter, and Ruth S.