n2backpacking

In Episode 85, "The Man Who Hiked It All" is back on the podcast to tell us about one of his favorite long distance trails - The AZT.  The Arizona Trail is a nearly 800 mile path that runs from Mexico to Utah and Bart Smith thru-hiked it all in 2009 - the year that it was first designated as a National Scenic Trail.  In the show, Bart tells us about his walk through the lowlands of the Sonoran Desert, his climbs to the sky islands of the San Francisco Peaks, and his traverse of the majestic Grand Canyon.   We also discuss some logistics of his thru-hike on the AZT - including getting to the trailheads, resupply, permits, and timing the seasons to get the most out of your hike.

If the winter snows have you dreaming of warmer climates, or if Covid 19 has you feeling cooped up in the house - then the Arizona Trail is waiting for you this Spring.  Check out the podcast and learn more!  Or click to Bart's website and get inspired by his books and photography.

Subject: The Arizona TrailInterviewees: Bart Smith (Infinite Dust)Interview Date: February 4, 2021Runtime: 1:11:53

Download Now: The Arizona Trail (WMA format 35.0 MB); The Arizona Trail (MP3 format 103.52 MB)

In Episode 84, Paul Barach tells us about his 750 mile and 42 day backpacking trip on the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Japan.  In the show, Paul shares the history of this religious Buddhist route, talks about hiking in traditional pilgrim clothing, and shares some of the challenges that he faced - including heat, hunger, injuries, and infections.

You can check out Paul's book "Fighting Monks & Burning Mountains" for all the details, or listen to this interesting discussion about a little known thru-hike and religious journey on the remote island of Shikoku, Japan.  The trail passes 88 temples and sacred sites where the Buddhist priest Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) trained during the 9th Century.

Subject: Shikoku PilgrimageInterviewees: Paul BarachInterview Date: January 14, 2021Runtime: 1:22:17

Download Now: Shikoku Pilgrimage (WMA format 39.2 MB); Shikoku Pilgrimage (MP3 format 77.2 MB)

In Episode 83, Samantha Bode joins the show to talk about her 338 mile and 65 day hike along the Los Angeles aqueduct in California.  In the show, we talk about this unique and rarely attempted route, some of the challenges that Samantha faced, and how the ranchers, native Americans, and Los Angeles water personnel viewed her hike.

Since the 1950's, Southern California has been growing at an explosive rate and this podcast is about L.A.'s ever expanding need for water as much as it is about backpacking.  But The Longest Straw is a fascinating film and long distance journey along a pipeline that is largely forgotten by those that live in the City.  For more information on this documentary, you can follow this link to visit Samantha's website.  

Subject: The Longest StrawInterviewees: Samantha Bode (Aqua Duck)Interview Date: December 15, 2020Runtime: 1:18:39

Download Now: The Longest Straw (WMA format 37.4 MB); The Longest Straw (MP3 format 73.7 MB)

In Episode 82, we offer up a "Backcountry Thanksgiving" - just in time for the Holidays, and cooked fresh and right outside our studio this evening.  In the show, we deliver not 1 but 2 four course Thanksgiving meals that are lightweight, inexpensive, and ready for you to take into the wilderness.  And we pack the studio with a record six people to taste each of them - sampling hot drinks, appetizers, a main course, and desserts.

This is a family feast tonight - with two members of our panel under the age of 16.  The group also discusses our plans for the coming week, and some hiking and backpacking trips from past Thanksgiving Holidays.  Then we risk illness to sample green beans that are 13 years past their expiration date.  Don't miss this episode ... it is a classic.  And you can get our entire menu here.

Subject: Backcountry ThanksgivingInterviewees: Cardiac, Drone Boy, Sid, Therm Rider, WillInterview Date: November 16, 2020Runtime: 55:46

Download Now: Backcountry Thanksgiving (WMA format 26.5 MB); Backcountry Thanksgiving (MP3 format 52.2 MB)

In Episode 81, Jennifer “Sprinkles” Kelley is back on the show to share some great information on how to hike the Tahoe Rim Trail - which runs nearly 170 miles along the border of Nevada and California.  If you work full time and dream of a thru-hike, then this is the show for you.

In the podcast, we discuss logistics, permits, wildlife, resupply, and why a 10 day hike on the TRT is the ultimate first thru-hike.  We also catch up her life since we spoke on the podcast five years ago in Episode 28.   For more on Sprinkles and her travels, click this link to access her website and follow her on social media.

Subject: Tahoe Rim TrailInterviewees: Jennifer “Sprinkles” KelleyInterview Date: November 12, 2020Runtime: 1:00:52

Download Now: Tahoe Rim Trail (WMA format 29.7 MB); Tahoe Rim Trail (MP3 format 87.6 MB)

In Episode 80, Dan Kreesberg joins the show to talk about raising an outdoor kid.  Dan is a naturalist, teacher, and a writer with numerous books, articles, and newspaper columns to his credit - many focused on teaching children how to appreciate the wilderness.  So in the podcast tonight, we discuss camping, hiking, and backpacking with kids - whether they are a toddler, child, or teenager.

Dan and I cover topics including taking kids on their first wilderness trip, what to do before you leave the house, what to do when you hit the trail, and we discuss some common mistakes that parents make.  Dan also tells us about his 40+ years of backpacking, how he raised an outdoor family, and shares his hiking plans now that his kids are grown adults.  Check out Dan's website to learn how to raise an outdoor kid or Best Hikes With Kids for more information.

Subject: Hiking With KidsInterviewees: Dan KreesbergInterview Date: October 6, 2020Runtime: 1:12:06

Download Now: Hiking With Kids (WMA format 33.1 MB); Hiking With Kids (MP3 format 66.5 MB)

In Episode 79, Phillip (aka 3 Dub) joins us again to talk about his summer backpacking ~2400 miles in Spain and Portugal via multiple routes on the Camino de Santiago in 2019.  We last spoke with Phillip two years ago in Episode 56 when he talked in detail about his first hike on the Camino.  There's great information on how to hike the trail in that podcast, but he returns to the show tonight to talk again about the historic routes and why he did multiple thru-hikes of the trail last year.

We also discuss Phillip's time on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Tour de Mont Blanc these last two years, what drives him to explore these long distance trails, and he shares a recent adventure where he left his backcountry campsite in the middle of the night.

Subject: Summer In SpainInterviewees: Phillip (3 Dub)Interview Date: August 20, 2020Runtime: 1:09:00

Download Now: Summer In Spain (WMA format 33.0 MB); Summer In Spain (MP3 format 66.2 MB)

In Episode 78, Sarah Histand tells us about her three week traverse of the Brooks Range in Northern Alaska.  She is a native Alaskan who has done multiple packrafting and backpacking trips across the Brooks Range and throughout the State.  So Sarah talks about the logistics of the summer trip - including trailheads, resupply, the wildlife, and how to maintain communications across this vast wilderness that stretches ~700 miles across northern Alaska into Canada's Yukon Territory.

Did I mention that Sara is a personal trainer?  Well she is ... and she has designed a website to get you into shape for your next backpacking adventure.  We also discuss the importance of preparing your body for the backcountry, common injuries that hikers and backpackers face, and simple exercises that you can do at home to prepare for your next multi-day adventure.  

Subject: Brooks RangeInterviewees: Sarah HistandInterview Date: July 30, 2020Runtime: 1:15:37

Download Now: Brooks Range (WMA format 36.8 Meg); Brooks Range (MP3 format 72.5 Meg)

In Episode 77, Philip Werner shares his experiences with the TGO Challenge which is a ~200 mile sea to sea crossing of the Scottish Highlands in the United Kingdom.  The event draws close to 400 people each year and requires a pre-approved route across the mountain ranges and bogs of Scotland.  Philip has completed two TGO backpacking trips and tells us the basics about the 15 day event.

In the show, we also discuss his his popular website SectionHiker.com, Phillip's guidebook on and passion for the White Mountains, and his transition from the software industry to a better life pursuing the wilderness.

Subject: TGO ChallengeInterviewees: Philip WernerInterview Date: July 10, 2020Runtime: 1:01:12

Download Now: TGO Challenge (WMA format 34.7 Meg); TGO Challenge (MP3 format 68.3 Meg)

In Episode 76, Aaron Owens Mayhew joins the podcast.  She is a registered dietary nutritionist, long distance hiker, and entrepreneur that offers some tips on eating healthy and feasting like a King or Queen as you explore the backcountry. In the show, Aaron provides some tips on meal planning and offers some suggestions for inexpensive, tasty, and lightweight meals. She also tells us some common misconceptions and mistakes that backpackers make on the Trail.

Aaron has spent the last two years traveling the country, running her meal planning business, and embracing the vanlife.  So join us for this interesting conversation on how she made a major pivot in her life and can help you with your next backcountry feast.  Or for more information on recipes and meal planning, check out her Backcountry Foodie website.  

Subject: Backcountry EatsInterviewees: Aaron Owens Mayhew (Sling)Interview Date: May 7, 2020Runtime: 56:04

Download Now: Backcountry Eats (WMA format 27.3 Meg); Backcountry Eats (MP3 format 53.8 Meg)