n2backpacking

In Episode 49, the Camel, Pixie, and I review a few of the major U.S. hiking news events of 2017.  Some of the topics we discuss include nails on trails, backcountry treasures, girls joining the Boy Scouts, and the hardest partiers on the A.T. And in the spirit of giving you reasons to hike more […]

In Episode 48, Cardiac and Drone Boy discuss their summer backpacking trip on the Inca Trail in Peru.  Their four day hike took them over ~14,000 feet peaks in the legendary Andes Mountains and culminated at the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu - which is one of the most photographed tourist destinations in South America.

In the show, we talk about what it costs to hike the Inca Trail, the logistics of getting to the trailhead, and we discuss the history of this ancient city. Cardiac and Drone Boy also provide some insight in to the mandatory guide services, campsites, food, and the general backcountry vibe along the route.

This was the first multi-day backpacking trip for both Cardiac and Drone Boy, and you might be surprised to hear that the Inca Trail is within reach of most fit backpackers.  So listen in, get inspired, and start planning your summer vacation to Machu Picchu.  Their excitement and enthusiasm for Peru is evident in the podcast and you can check out the guide that they hired here.  For a live video version of this podcast follow this link.

Subject: The Inca TrailInterviewees: Cardiac, Drone BoyInterview Date: December 20, 2017Runtime: 1:44:35

Download Now: The Inca Trail (WMA format 101.1 MB; The Inca Trail (MP3 format 100.6 MB)

In Episode 47, Beer Run and Therm Rider join me from the mountains surrounding Lake Burton to sit fireside and discuss more rookie mistakes.  In this special "Your Screwed Dude" episode we talk about overconfidence, getting your friends lost in the backcountry, inadvertently smuggling banned items on airplanes, editables, dork moves, and backcountry crimes of fashion.

“Backcountry 301” is the third installment in this series, and in the show we debate some of the "52 Common Mistakes" that Backpacker Magazine listed in a previous issue.  So kick back and brace yourself - because you may be educated and you likely will be entertained.

Subject: Backcountry 301 - Your Screwed Dude!Interviewees: Beer Run, Therm RiderInterview Date: October 6, 2017Runtime: 1:01:50

Download Now: Backcountry 301 - Your Screwed Dude! (WMA format 45.6); Backcountry 301 - Your Screwed Dude! (MP3 format 59.6)

In Episode 47, Beer Run and Therm Rider join me from the mountains surrounding Lake Burton to sit fireside and discuss more rookie mistakes.  In this special “Your Screwed Dude” episode we talk about overconfidence, getting your friends lost in the backcountry, inadvertently smuggling banned items on airplanes, editables, dork moves, and backcountry crimes of […]

In Episode 46, we continue the conversation with author Bryan Snyder who talks about Renegade Car Camping in North America.  In the podcast, we discuss how to find free campsites while you are on the road.  Bryan also tells us how to leverage some public and Internet resources to maximize the experience and save some money in the process.

Bryan is an educator, hiker, backpacker, climber, car camper and all-around adventurer, and he has logged over 350K miles in his Jeep Cherokee, code named "Charlie".  This is the second of a two part series which will make you want to start saving and planning for a summer road trip. So listen in and get some good advice, or click to OffTheMapBooks.com for more on Bryan, his books, and his travels.

Subject: Renegade CampingInterviewee: Bryan SnyderInterview Date: September 13, 2017Runtime: 1:08:01

Download Now: Renegade Camping (WMA format 51.2 Meg);Renegade Camping (MP3 format 65.4 Meg)

In Episode 45, I speak with author Bryan Snyder about his latest book "Falling Off The Map: Fifty-Four Explorations into the Wildest Reaches of the American West".  Bryan is an educator, hiker, backpacker, climber, car camper and all-around adventurer, and in the show we hear about his 20+ summers traveling throughout North America. He also shares with us some tales from a recent trip to Burning Man in the Nevada desert.

Bryan has logged over 350K miles in his Jeep Cherokee, code named "Charlie", and in the book (and on the show) he offers some tips and tricks for staying on the road and traveling on the cheap.  This is the first of a two part series which will make you want to start saving and planning for a summer road trip. So listen in and get some good advice, or click to OffTheMapBooks.com for more on Bryan, his books, and his travels.

Subject: Off The MapInterviewee: Bryan SnyderInterview Date: September 13, 2017Runtime: 1:02:50

Download Now: Off The Map (WMA format 47.4 Meg);Off The Map (MP3 format 60.1 Meg)

In Episode 44, we delve in to The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - our best and worst experiences from the Trail.  Recorded live in the Black Hills of South Dakota, I sit "lantern-side" in the backcountry with long-time hiking friends BeerRun, The Camel, Therm Rider, and the Weasel.  Each signed up to accompany me on a quest to complete 50 hikes in 50 States - which ended this month near the defunct goldmines of Lake Sheridan in the Black Hills National Forest.

We only scratch the surface of a lengthy list that I have tracked at N2Backpacking for over twenty years.  So, we'll likely expand on this discussion during another backpacking trip.  Until then, have a few laughs on us, listen to our Good, Bad, and Ugly, and let us know about your own experiences from the Trail with a comment below...

Subject: The Good, Bad, and UglyInterviewees: BeerRun, The Camel, Therm Rider, The WeaselInterview Date: June 11, 2017Runtime: 50:13

Download Now: The Good, Bad, and Ugly (WMA format 47.5 Meg);The Good, Bad, and Ugly (MP3 format 47.3 Meg)

In Episode 43, we talk about the hammock!!!  Marc Bohman joins us live from the Teton Hammock Company in Idaho Falls, ID to provide some tips and tricks for sleeping "between the trees".  We also discuss some common misconceptions of the hammock and what you can do to be more comfortable in the wilderness.

So ground dwellers (aka tent campers) make the jump, and learn the advantages of taking a hammock in to the backcountry.  And if you have your sites set on a trip to the Northern Rockies, then listen up.  Marc gives us some great weekend and long distance hikes in the Tetons - one of my favorite National Parks in the West.  Or you can follow him on Facebook or Instagram and learn more about his hammocks.

Subject: The HammockInterviewee: Marc BohmanInterview Date: May 3, 2017Runtime: 1:01:34

Download Now: The Hammock (WMA format 45.9 Meg);The Hammock (MP3 format 59.1 Meg)

In Episode 42, we discuss a March 2017 article that appeared in Outside Magazine titled "The 40 Most Significant Tools & Toys Ever Designed".  In honor of the magazine's 40th anniversary, the editors choose 40 products that "stood out for their sheer inventiveness" and their general impact on the outdoor community.

Tonight we sit fireside on the South Carolina side of the Chattooga River and debate the merits of some items on the list.  Our group rarely reaches a consensus on each product - which makes for an entertaining show and guarantees that we'll do a follow-up episode in the future to expand on the list.

So listen in and tell us what gear Outside missed.  And while you are at it ... enjoy the fire cracking in the foreground and the Chattooga River flowing in the background as we talk about the Most Significant Backcountry Gear Of All Time!

Subject: Most Significant Backcountry Gear Of All Time?Interviewee: BeerRun, PokeyBo, Therm RiderInterview Date: April 13, 2017Runtime: 1:15:13

Download Now: Most Significant Backcountry Gear Of All Time? (WMA format 72.6 Meg);Most Significant Backcountry Gear Of All Time? (MP3 format 72.3 Meg)

In Episode 41, we revisit Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia on March 13, 1995.  The town has hosted the biggest event on the Appalachian Trail for over 30 years and most of these interviews were recorded live at the annual festival.  If you have ever wondered what it was like to thru-hike the A.T. in the early 90's - now is your chance.  The podcast is a remix of interviews that I did with ten hikers that were on the Trail in 1994.

Yes there were far fewer backpackers on the Appalachian Trail back then, and yes we hiked without mobile phones, GPS, and a lot of the Internet knowledge that is available today.  But I think you'll find that the basic spirit and experience of the Trail remains the same.

So listen in as we talk about the A.T. - the hostels, hitch-hiking, the trail towns, wildlife, and that final climb up Katahdin.  You will also hear our crew tell us what it takes to finish a thru-hike, what they miss most about long distance hiking, and how the A.T. changed their life for the better.

Subject: Trail Days 1995Interviewee:  Black Sunshine, Boyz In The Wood, Laughing Bird, Motor City Ramblers, Sleeper, Squirrel, Stuffsack, Tired Dogs, Walking Stick, Wicked AleInterview Date: March 13, 1995Runtime: 1:05:22

Download Now: Trail Days 1995 (WMA format 63.1 Meg);Trail Days 1995 (MP3 format 62.8 Meg)