n2backpacking

In Episode 30, Scott "Squatch" Herriott is back on the show to discuss his film Wayfaring and his jaunt along the Camino de Santiago (or Way of St. James).  The trail starts in France and ends near the coast of Spain and was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during the Middle Ages.

Starting in 1985, modern day hikers have increasingly followed the path - with over 200,000 "pilgrims" hiking the route each of the last few years.  In the podcast, Squatch talks about his adventures on the ~518 mile trail and offers up some suggestions for prospective thru-hikers.

For more information on Squatch and his films, click here!  And watch out for his latest release, 72 Days In Iceland, which will be available for streaming (and on DVD) this February.  In the last ten minutes of the show, Squatch provides a preview and also hints at his next great adventure.  Click below for the audio interview.

Subject: WayfaringInterviewees: Scott "Squatch" HerriottInterview Date: January 15. 2016Runtime: 54:07

Download Now: Wayfaring (WMA format 38.6 Meg);Wayfaring (MP3 format 103.9 Meg)

In Episode 29, we discuss the expected surge of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers this spring and why a southbound hike might be the right decision for you in 2016.  On the show, Popeye talks about his southbound (SOBO) thru-hike and we debunk many of the myths of walking south from Maine to Georgia: dealing with the weather, the insects, the lack of community, the lack of services, and the immediate challenge of terrain.

Popeye and I met at Tray Mountain when he was only three days from the southern terminus and we discuss his life on the Trail as a SOBO hiker, the new rivalry between northbound and southbound hikers, and the events that led him to the emergency room on his last day on the Trail.

So listen in - and when the mobs of thru-hikers hit the A.T. this spring (thanks to Wild and Walk In The Woods) you now have an alternative option for the A.T.  Follow Popeye here.  Or click this link to learn more about the Appalachian Trail.

Subject: SOBOInterviewees: Edward (Popeye)Interview Date: December 18, 2015Runtime: 1:55:55

Download Now: SOBO (WMA format 92.3 Meg);SOBO (MP3 format 111.2 Meg)

In Episode 28, Sprinkles and NoKey discuss their ultimate summer:  Thru-hiking 1400 miles on four major trails along the East Coast - including the Benton MacKaye, Finger Lakes, Northville-Placid and Long Trails.

Forewarning, we spend the majority of the podcast discussing their 20 day, ~290 mile hike on the Benton MacKaye Trail - a great alternative to the Appalachian Trail in the South - but there's lots of great tips on backpacking and thru-hiking in general.

So listen in - and when the mobs of thru-hikers hit the Trail next year after the movies Wild and Walk In The Woods motivate the masses... you now have some great alternatives to the A.T. and P.C.T.!  Follow Sprinkles and NoKey here.  Or click this link to learn more about the Benton MacKaye Trail.

Subject: The Benton MacKaye TrailInterviewees: Jen (Sprinkles) and Patrick (NoKey)Interview Date: July 21, 2015Runtime: 1:08:15

Download Now: The Benton MacKaye Trail (WMA format 53.5 Meg);The Benton MacKaye Trail (MP3 format 66.0 Meg)

In Episode 27, You think you're tough?  Well Niki Rellon just might have you beat!  Niki's sports pursuits include professional kickboxing, ski instructing, cross-country cycling, thru-hiking, and currently a six month journey on the Appalachian Trail.  Did I mention that she is doing it on one leg?  Well now you know.

In the podcast, Niki talks about her first ventures in to the outdoors, her hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, and the event that changed her life - a 60' fall that nearly ended her life (and made her an amputee).  Niki is now a week in to her A.T. thru-hike and took time from a rest area in North Georgia to speak with us.  Click below for her inspirational story, or click this link to follow her on Facebook.

Subject: SuperwomanInterviewees: Niki RellonInterview Date: March 27, 2015Runtime: 46:45

Download Now: Superwoman (WMA format 32.2 Meg);Superwoman (MP3 format 44.8 Meg)

In Episode 26, I speak with Director Clint Ross who is hard at work with Producer Paula O'Neal on the film adaptation of the book Blind Courage, which is based on the 1990 Appalachian Trail thru-hike of Bill Irwin - the first legally blind hiker to complete the entire Trail within a single year.

In the show, Clint discusses the first draft of the screenplay, the trailer, and the upcoming plans to film the movie.  He also give us some personal insight in to Bill Irwin and how he overcame alcohol and tobacco addiction through faith in God and by heeding the call to hike the A.T.

For more information or to follow the making of this film, click here.  For the audio interview click below.

Subject: Blind CourageInterviewees: Clint RossInterview Date: February 25, 2015Runtime: 1:11:04

Download Now: Blind Courage - The Bill Irwin Film (WMA format 68.2 Meg);Blind Courage - The Bill Irwin Film (MP3 format 49.2 Meg)

In Episode 25, Scott "Squatch" Herriott talks about his three part series Flip Flop Flippin'.  The films were shot on the Appalachian Trail during the summers of 2011, 2012, and 2014 and they follow the thru-hiker community as they make their way along the nearly 2200 mile trail.

In the show, "Squatch" talks about his first ventures in to the wilderness, some of the thru-hikers and trail angels that he met on the A.T., and his experience as a filmmaker in the backcountry.  His skills as a stand-up comedian come across in his videos and on the podcast.  So I am sure that you will enjoy both.

For more information on Squatch and his films, click here!  For the audio interview click below.

Subject: Flip Flop Flippin'Interviewees: Scott "Squatch" HerriottInterview Date: November 21, 2014Runtime: 1:20:46

Download Now: Flip Flop Flippin' (WMA format 55.1 Meg);Flip Flop Flippin' (MP3 format 75.7 Meg)

In Episode 24, we satisfy a listener request for a show on backcountry basics.  Recorded at a remote campsite on the Chattooga River, I speak with Therm Rider and The Camel about some of our rookie mistakes in the backcountry and smart things that we've done since our first ventures in to the wilderness.

"Backcountry 101" is the first installment in this mini-series where we sit around the campfire and discuss the fundamentals of backpacking.  In this episode, we talk about the times when we've taken too much, hiked too far, or put members of our group in terrain that was way above their skill level.  Enjoy the show and have a laugh at our expense.  And yes, this is a photo from the hike with "Bob"!

Subject: Backcountry 101 - Rookie MistakesInterviewees: Brett (Therm Rider), Roger (The Camel)Interview Date: October 25, 2014Runtime: 39:34

Download Now: Backcountry 101 - Rookie Mistakes (WMA format 37.1 Meg);Backcountry 101 - Rookie Mistakes (MP3 format 37.3 Meg)

In Episode 23, Kori "Rocket" Feener talks about her recently released film Hard Way Home which documents her personal journey on the ~ 2200 mile Appalachian Trail in 2012.

In the movie, Kori talks about her physical and emotional struggles on the A.T., the healing powers of long distance hiking, and what it's like to film and produce a film while hiking the Appalachian Trail.  She also gives us some insight in to the film industry and talks about her recent trips to various film festivals in the U.S.

For more information on Kori and her film, click here!  For the audio interview click below.

Subject: Hard Way Home (via the Appalachian Trail)Interviewees: Kori "Rocket" FeenerInterview Date: September 29, 2014Runtime: 1:02:31

Download Now: Hard Way Home (WMA format 45.2 Meg);Hard Way Home (MP3 format 60.0 Meg)

In Episode 24, we satisfy a listener request for a show on backcountry basics.  Recorded at a remote campsite on the Chattooga River, I speak with Therm Rider and The Camel about some of our rookie mistakes in the backcountry and smart things that we’ve done since our first ventures in to the wilderness. “Backcountry […]

In Episode 22, Ken (aka "The Weasel") and I discuss our experience as extras in the soon to be released movie Walk In The Woods.   It is based on the best-selling 1998 book by Bill Bryson, and stars Robert Redford and Nick Nolte - both who were on set for our scene in the movie which was filmed at Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta, Georgia.

Ken and I record the podcast 2 years to the day of an  interview we did on the Chattooga River Trail (Episode #5).  We talk about what it takes to get the casting call, discuss life on the set, review some scenes from the movie, and talk about the impact this Hollywood production may have on the Appalachian Trail and other long distance hiking trails in the future.

Want a shot at your 15 seconds of fame?  Hurry, because they are wrapping up production of Walk In The Woods in June.  But you can follow this link to CL Casting to see the Atlanta casting calls that remain.

Subject: Extra Walk In The WoodsInterviewees: Ken (aka The Weasel)Interview Date: June 10, 2014Runtime: 1:09:40

Download Now: Extra Walk In The Woods (WMA format 50.3 Meg);Extra Walk In The Woods (MP3 format 66.8 Meg)