n2backpacking

In Episode 94, Brian Anderson (aka "The Tick Terminator") joins the show to educate us on your biggest danger in the backcountry - TICKS!!!  In the podcast, we discuss the tick lifecycle, when and where they are most likely to find you, how to prevent ticks, and what to do if one embeds in your skin.

This discussion hit home for me personally since I was infected by and recovered from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  After two days in the hospital, a home healthcare nurse came to my house for a week to administer steroids via IV.  After 3 months, I fully recovered - and was actually lucky to have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and not Lyme disease!  Tune in to find out why.  And if you live East of the Mississippi and hike frequently - you can't afford to miss this show...

Subject: Ticks!!!Interviewees: Brian AndersonInterview Date: March 31, 2022Runtime: 1:04:13

Download Now: Ticks!!! (WMA format 31.3 MB); Ticks!!! (MP3 format (61.6 MB)

In Episode 93, John Phillips joins the show to talk about the Ocean To Lake Trail in Central Florida. This 61.4 mile spur of the Florida Trail starts at Lake Okeechobee and heads due east to Hobe Sound Beach where it ends at the Atlantic Ocean. In the show, John tells us what it’s like hiking all day in ankle deep water, about finding rest areas and campsites in the swamp, and how he frequently encountered wildlife on his hike – including poisonous snakes, stealthy alligators, and over 50 wild hogs.

John is originally from Florida and started hiking in the State after discovering backpacking in a BSA leadership class. He has hiked the Ocean To Lake Trail multiple times – and was met by the police at the conclusion of his most recent hike. Find out why in Episode 93 and learn everything you need to know for an exciting winter trip on the Ocean To Lake Trail.

Subject: Ocean To Lake Trail Interviewees: John PhillipsInterview Date: March 21, 2022Runtime: 49:14

Download Now: Ocean To Lake Trail (WMA format 23.4 MB); Ocean To Lake Trail (MP3 format (46.1 MB)

In Episode 92, the Camel joins me in the studio to discuss the Suwannee River section of the Florida Trail which we hiked this winter. If you are not familiar with the Suwannee, it is a 246 mile river that begins in the Okefenokee Swamp in South Georgia and ends at the Gulf of Mexico in the northern panhandle of Florida.

On our trip, we backpacked ~34 miles moving downstream and east to west on the Suwannee - from the town of White Springs to Gibson County Park. This section of the Florida Trail is frequently mentioned as a favorite among backpackers, and during the winter months is one of the drier areas on the Florida Trail.

In the show, we discuss the dark tannin waters and white sand beaches of the river. We review some native American history in the area, and talk about the springs and sink holes along the Florida Trail. This section is surprisingly challenging - despite the biggest climb being only 80 feet at Devil's Mountain. Find out why and much more in Episode 92!

Subject: Florida Trail (Suwannee River)Interviewees: The CamelInterview Date: January 27, 2022Runtime: 48:29

Download Now: Florida Trail (Suwannee River) (WMA format 23.6 MB); Florida Trail (Suwannee River) (MP3 format (69.8 MB)

In Episode 91B, Matt from the "Boyz In The Wood" tells us about his 1994 northbound thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail in a limited N2Backpacking bonus edition. This is the fifth release in a special series to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our hike, and it was recorded at Trail Days on May 13, 1995 in Damascus, Virginia.

Matt hiked with partner Derek as the "Boyz In Wood" in '94, and in this bonus episode we flashback to the mid-90's to speak with Matt about the trip. The interview was done in a car and with a small handheld mic and cassette tape recorder. So don’t expect high fidelity in this recording – but I’m grateful to have this and a total of 11 recordings of my thru-hiking buddies from 1994. For access to this recording and for downloads of the entire 90+ podcast series - click here.

Subject: Boyz In The Wood Interviewees: MattInterview Date: May 13, 1995Runtime: 32:40 (Full Version)

Download Now: Boyz In The Wood (WMA format 15.9MB); Boyz In The Wood (MP3 format 47.0MB)

In Episode 90, we are in the mountains near Hays, North Carolina to discuss "party fouls" or bad hiker etiquette on the trail. In the show, we discuss some of the bad behavior that was frequently mentioned in online articles, posts, and videos. We comment if we've been guilty of it, witnessed it, or agree that it IS indeed bad hiking etiquette. We also suggest what you SHOULD do on the trail and close the podcast with some gear fails that can ruin your day.

This is a special interview, because we get together to hike in the Jefferson National Forest for two days. AND we hang out in a mountain cabin as a tribute to The Camel's milestone birthday year. We also have a chance to discuss the weekend impacts of gas station sandwiches, wild horses, and aggressive cows. Plus we get The Kidd excited about the N2Backpacking bidet and the Camel stirred up about the She-Wee!!! So check-out Episode 90 and drop The Camel a birthday wish here.

Subject: Party Foul!Interviewees: The Camel, The Operator, The KiddInterview Date: August 21, 2021Runtime: 1:20:49

Download Now: Party Foul! (WMA format 38.4 MB); Party Foul! (MP3 format (75.7 MB)

In Episode 89, we flashback to 1995 for an interview with StuffSack about his thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail the previous year. StuffSack and I stayed in contact after our summer together and were able to connect for this interview when he visited Charlotte, N.C. about four months after we completed our thru-hike. In the interview, StuffSack talks about his first week on the Appalachian Trail, good and bad days, hitchhiking, and his most favorite State on the Trail.

This interview is 1 of 11 that I did with the thru-hiking class of 1994 less than a year after we finished our hikes - and you will not hear me speak in this episode. Stuffsack will speak solo - and I hope to have him back on the show this year to see what he's been up to since. I'm also working to get these 11 episodes sprinkled in with our regular podcasts as either bonus or regular shows - pending permission from the interviewees. In the meantime, you can click back to Episode 41 for a snapshot of these 11 discussions which were consolidated into a single podcast. Or you can click below for Episode 89 and hear Stuffsack's interview from February 19, 1995. So glad that I have these interviews so many years later ...

Subject: StuffSackInterviewees: Keith (StuffSack)Interview Date: February 19, 1995Runtime: 23:12

Download Now: StuffSack ( (WMA format 11.3 MB); StuffSack (MP3 format 33.4 MB)

In Episode 89, we flashback to 1995 for an interview with StuffSack about his thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail the previous year. StuffSack and I stayed in contact after our summer together and were able to connect for this interview when he visited Charlotte, N.C. about four months after we completed our thru-hike. In the interview, StuffSack talks about his first week on the Appalachian Trail, good and bad days, hitchhiking, and his most favorite State on the Trail.

This interview is 1 of 11 that I did with the thru-hiking class of 1994 less than a year after we finished our hikes - and you will not hear me speak in this episode. Stuffsack will speak solo - and I hope to have him back on the show this year to see what he's been up to since. I'm also working to get these 11 episodes sprinkled in with our regular podcasts as either bonus or regular shows - pending permission from the interviewees. In the meantime, you can click back to Episode 41 for a snapshot of these 11 discussions which were consolidated into a single podcast. Or you can click below for Episode 89 and hear Stuffsack's interview from February 19, 1995. So glad that I have these interviews so many years later ...

Subject: StuffSackInterviewees: Keith (StuffSack)Interview Date: February 19, 1995Runtime: 23:12

Download Now: StuffSack ( (WMA format 11.3 MB); StuffSack (MP3 format 33.4 MB)

In Episode 88, we break from the typical format to take a look back at 10 years of podcasting.  The N2Backpacking podcast launched a decade ago this Spring, so Therm Rider joins me in the studio to talk about some of the original podcasters, the evolution of backpacking shows these last ten years, and the origins of the N2Backpacking podcast.  We also discuss our favorite episodes and play a few clips from them.

A decade goes by pretty fast, so Therm Rider and I close the podcast with projections on how both podcasting and backpacking may evolve over the next ten years.  And we specifically discuss how some things may change here in the Southeast.  Check this show out - it's a great summary of 10 years of podcasting!

Subject: A Look Back (And Forward)Interviewees: Therm RiderInterview Date: May 28, 2021Runtime: 1:08:18

Download Now: A Look Back (And Forward) (WMA format 33.3 MB); A Look Back (And Forward) (MP3 format 65.5 MB)

In Episode 87, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show by speaking with Glenn (Helmet) & Susan (Doughgirl) who were in the inaugural N2Backpacking podcast - recorded just over 10 years ago.  We last spoke with them in April 2011 when they detailed their thru-hike of the John Muir Trail, but they are here tonight to update us on their adventures this last decade - including caring for their 3 kids, visiting the National Parks, and raising an outdoor family.

We also have time to talk about our first trips together in the wilderness, our favorite gear, and their plans for the coming summer.  So check out the show and catch up with Helmet and Doughgirl, or go retro and follow this link to Episode 1 to flash back 10 years and hear our discussion on the JMT.

Subject: 10th Anniversary ShowInterviewees: Glenn (Helmet) & Susan (Doughgirl)Interview Date: May 26, 2021Runtime: 52:54

Download Now: 10th Anniversary Show (WMA format 25.8 MB); 10th Anniversary Show (MP3 format 50.7 MB)

In Episode 86, I welcome fellow podcasters Scott and Ariane to the show. They are the hosts of the popular backpacking podcast “Trust The Trail”, and despite living within 15 minutes of each other these last few years in metro-Atlanta, we chat long distance from their retrofitted 1976 Airstream camper in Arizona.

In the podcast, Scott and Ariane discuss life on the road, their backpacking show, how they met, and their life as backcountry guides.  This podcast is simulcast on both our podcast networks - so check it out - or you can click to the Trust The Trail website and hear their release.

Subject: Trust The TrailInterviewees: Scott & ArianeInterview Date: April 1, 2021Runtime: 1:32:55

Download Now: Trust The Trail (WMA format 45.3 MB); Trust The Trail (MP3 format 89.1 MB)