n2backpacking

In Episode 75, Tim Harrison snowmobiles to the top of Bates Ridge in northern Maine to catch up after our visit to Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps last fall.  The camp is 1/10th of a mile off the Appalachian Trail and is coveted by thru-hikers for the hearty 7am breakfast - served to backpackers in the scenic backdrop off Pierce Pond Lean-To and 16 miles from the nearest township.

In the show, Tim tells us about running the camp since 1986, his experience with hikers over the years, shares some happy and sad moments at Pierce Pond, and offers some suggestions for those backpacking in Maine.   Sound interesting?  Then listen in or learn more about the camp here.

Subject: Harrison's Pierce Pond CampsInterviewees: Tim HarrisonInterview Date: April 8, 2020Runtime: 46:28

Download Now: Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps (WMA format 22.1 Meg); Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps (MP3 format 43.5 Meg)

In Episode 74, we record at a historic time.  Coronavirus has caused a worldwide pandemic.  The governor of Georgia just cancelled school for the year and ordered a "shelter in place" mandate across the State.  So tonight we skip the studio interview, record with a combo of Skype, Join Me, and Zoom, and embrace the social distancing guidelines of the CDC.

In the show, we discuss our time on the Trail this month, talk about how hiking has changed over the last two weeks, and what city, state, national forest and national parks are doing in our area.  We also talk briefly with Cardiac and Drone Boy about the impact on the Appalachian Trail community, and on thru-hiking in general.

It's not all doom and gloom though.  There's some comedy in the podcast as we discuss our favorite Netflix shows, some worthy hiking/backpacking movies, our emergency preparedness (pre-pandemic), and the hiking plans we have when this is over. 

Subject: The Pandemic PodcastInterviewees: Gary (Drone Boy), Scott (Cardiac)Interview Date: April 1, 2020Runtime: 1:01:16

Download Now: The Pandemic Podcast (WMA format 29.8 Meg); The Pandemic Podcast (MP3 format 88.2 Meg)

In Episode 73, we discuss the most appropriate hiking & backpacking songs for the trail.  The assignment was to come to the studio with 3 songs that relate to hiking/backpacking - in either the lyrics or song title.  In the show, we listen and debate each song and give honorable mention to some others that didn't make our list.

This is a very subjective topic with many options and opinions and it is likely to stir up some controversy.  We rarely reach agreement since there are multiple ways to define "appropriate", and a member of our group even goes rogue with 3 songs that he enjoys while on the trail - which results in a side conversation.

Regardless - this is an entertaining show that will have you scratching your head, laughing out loud, and thinking of your top 3.  Drop us a note when you do ... and I'll post them below!

Subject: Tunes For The Trail?Interviewees: Gary (Drone Boy), Scott (Cardiac), Steve (Stickman) Tony (1 Beer/1 Song)Interview Date: January 21, 2020Runtime: 1:12:24

Download Now: Tunes For The Trail? (WMA format 34.4 Meg); Tunes For The Trail? (MP3 format 69.7 Meg)

In Episode 72, Victoria Livschitz tells us about "Right On Trek", a website to help hikers and backpackers plan their multi-day backpacking trips.  Victoria did her first thru-hike on the John Muir Trail only a few years ago but has since embraced the sport and logged recent ventures into Patagonia and the Grand Canyon.

She joins the show this evening to tell us about her introduction to backpacking, how it changed her life, and why the serial entrepreneur was motivated to create other tools to help backpackers plan their ventures in to the wilderness.  Victoria is asked to compare her tools to other well known applications on the market - like Guthook and AllTrails.  Join us for this interesting conversation. 

Subject: Right On TrekInterviewees: Victoria LivschitzInterview Date: January 23, 2020Runtime: 54:26

Download Now: Right On Trek (WMA format 26.5 Meg); Right On Trek (MP3 format 52.5 Meg)

In Episode 71, Ken Strange joins the show to discuss his recent book It's Your Camino which documents his ~500 mile hike with wife Aurora through the countries of France and Spain.  In the podcast, Ken gives us some history of the Camino, talks about working with Martin Sheen (who starred in the movie The Way), gives us some tips on how to publish a book, and tells us about his chance TV interview on the Camino about the disappearance of childhood and family-friend Anne McCarrick.

Ken is a retired FBI agent who met his wife during a six year stint working for a prince in Saudi Arabia.  He and Aurora, both strong in their Catholic faith, eventually made their way back to Spain to hike the Camino and explore the many alburges, churches, and castles on the former Roman footpath.      

So if the Camino is firmly on the your wish list - you are going to enjoy this interview.  And you can check out Episode 56 and 30 for further motivation.  Happy Holidays - and may Santa bring you a long distance Trail for Christmas!

Subject: It's Your CaminoInterviewees: Ken StrangeInterview Date: December 19, 2019Runtime: 1:25:44

Download Now: It's Your Camino (WMA format 82.9 Meg); It's Your Camino (MP3 format 82.5 Meg)

In Episode 70, we talk about some great hiking and backpacking gift ideas for the Holidays.  Cardiac and Drone Boy are back on the show to talk about outdoor gear for beginners, weekend warriors, long-distance hikers, and kids - and just in time for the Holiday shopping season.  We also offer up some backpacking gifts for $50 or less, and review some not so wonderful gift ideas from Christmas past.

You can see the live video recording of this podcast on Drone Boy's YouTube channel, or click below to follow us on your favorite podcast app - including iHeart Radio where we recently launched.  Happy Holidays!

Subject: Backpacker ChristmasInterviewees: Scott (Cardiac); Gary (Drone Boy)Interview Date: November 24, 2019Runtime: 1:04:37

Download Now: Backpacker Christmas (WMA format 62.8 Meg); Backpacker Christmas (MP3 format 62.0 Meg)

In Episode 69, Cardiac and Drone Boy are back after a nearly two year hiatus to discuss a "Dozen Ways To Die In the Backcountry" - an article that first appeared in Backpacker Magazine in 2008 and was recently published online.

The topic tonight is timely since we record Halloween eve and take a "stab" at the Top 12 reasons hikers and backpackers get killed in the wilderness.  We also discuss what was left off the list (and merits inclusion) plus offer up some lessons to assure you are not a casulty in the wilderness.

You can see the live video recording of this podcast on Drone Boy's YouTube channel, or for a bonus show that covers this topic in a more rowdy and explicit manner check out Episode 62 "Backpacker Feud".

Subject: A Dozen Ways To DieInterviewees: Scott (Cardiac); Gary (Drone Boy)Interview Date: October 30, 2019Runtime: 1:01:32

Download Now: A Dozen Ways To Die (WMA format 59.5 Meg); A Dozen Ways To Die (MP3 format 59.3 Meg)

In Episode 68, "IronWill" Callahan joins the show to tell us what it's like being a teenage thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail.  In February of this year, Will left Springer Mountain at the age of 17 and hiked northbound to Woods Hole in Virginia where he discovered he had a fractured tibia.  After taking a break to heal, he returned to the trail to finish his hike - completing the Vermont to Virginia section southbound.

In the podcast, Will talks about what it's like being one of the youngest thru-hikers on the trail.  He also describes the southbound experience and tells us about hiking solo after the thru-hiker masses cleared out.  

For more on Will's journey you can click over to his Instagram account to see some photos from his hike.

Subject: Teenage Thru-HikerInterviewees: Will (aka IronWill)Interview Date: October 6, 2019Runtime: 38:28

Download Now: Teenage Thru-Hiker (WMA format 36.3 Meg); Teenage Thru-Hiker (MP3 format 36.3 Meg)

In Episode 67, Kaylee (aka "Smiles") is back on the show to tell us about her summer hike across Jotunheimen National Park.  The park is recognized as one of Norway's premier hiking and fishing regions and it has 250 peaks that rise above 6,000 feet - including Northern Europe's two highest peaks, Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind.

In the interview, Kaylee tells us about her solo journey through the park, hiking the famed Bessengen Ridge, walking hut-to-hut, and how this route compares to her travels on the Tour Du Mont Blanc further south in Europe.  Kaylee also hints at what is next on her backpacking list - so listen in for all the details. 

For more on Kaylee's adventures you can click over to her Instagram account or see more photos from her hike at this link

Subject: Jotunheimen National ParkInterviewees: Kaylee (aka Smiles)Interview Date: October 6, 2019Runtime: 57:26

Download Now: Jotunheimen National Park (WMA format 53.8 Meg); Jotunheimen National Park (MP3 format 54.1 Meg)

In Episode 66, the Motor City Ramblers tell us about their 1994 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. This is the third 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.

In this episode, we flashback 25 years to Damascus to sit by the river and talk about the Motor City Rambler's Appalachian Trail thru-hike. The interview was done in a field, with a small handheld mic and cassette tape recorder. So don't expect high fidelity - but I'm grateful to have this and all 11 recordings of my thru-hiking buddies and A.T. Class of 1994.

Subject: Motor City RamblersInterviewees: Bob & DianeInterview Date: May 13, 1995Runtime: 47:15

Download Now: Motor City Ramblers (WMA format 23.0 MB); Motor City Ramblers (MP3 format 45.3 MB)