




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)



Episode 93: Ocean To Lake Trail

Sports

Wilderness






In Episode 103, Cardiac and Drone Boy join me for a studio recording of some intriguing hiking and backpacking events that made the news this past year.  Some of the topics we discuss include another hiker that found themselves at the bottom of a pit toilet, a loyal dog that survived 72 days on a high peak of Colorado, and a few events that involved Hollywood actors in the backcountry.  



Finally we close out with trail stats from the Appalachian Trail this past year and we discuss some ridiculous comments that visitors made on social media after visiting some of our most famous National Parks.  If there are any worthy hiking and backpacking news events that we missed - drop us a comment below and Happy New Year!



Subject: Hiking News Review 2023Interviewees: Cardiac, Drone BoyInterview Date: January 4, 2023Runtime: 1:36:04



Download Now:  Hiking News Review 2023 (WMA format 138.3 MB; Hiking News Review 2023 (MP3 format 46.8 MB)



Episode 103: News Review 2023






In Episode 102, we have our FIRST Halloween special and discuss some of the spooky and crazy ass things that have happened in the backcountry over the last two decades.  Cardiac and Drone Boy join me in the studio for this podcast and talk through some disturbing and well publicized events - some don't have a happy ending.  We even share some scary personal encounters and expect that you have your own.  So reach out to us and let us know about your spooky experiences on the trail.  



In reality, the backcountry is statistically a very safe place - way more than any major metro area in the U.S.  So don't let this episode freak you out.  Keep on hiking, be smart, and be aware.  Happy Halloween!   



Subject: Backcountry HalloweenInterviewees: Cardiac, Drone BoyInterview Date: October 21, 2023Runtime: 1:21:28



Download Now: Backcountry Halloween (WMA format 39.7 Meg);Backcountry Halloween (MP3 format 78.2 Meg)



Episode 102: Backcountry Halloween






In Episode 101, we continue our discussion of The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - our best and worst experiences on the Trail.  Recorded live on the Chattooga River in northwestern South Carolina, I sit fireside with 3Dub, Mick, Hollywood, and Therm Rider after hiking to Long Creek Falls and settling in for the night.  In the show we discuss some great sunsets, 3Dub's fall into a Cobra hole, our favorite campsites, and Hollywood's discovery of a tick - in the worst possible place! 



This is another fun episode and we only scratch the surface of a lengthy list of experiences that I have tracked at N2Backpacking over 25+ years.  So if you have mishaps of your own, check out the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly tab on our website, and help add to our list - or share your own experiences with a comment below...



Subject: The Good, Bad, and Ugly 2Interviewees: 3Dub, Hollywood, Mick, Therm RiderInterview Date: July 03, 2023Runtime: 1:15:22



Download Now: The Good, Bad, and Ugly 2 (WMA format 35.9 Meg);The Good, Bad, and Ugly 2 (MP3 format 70.6 Meg)



Episode 101: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly 2






In Episode 100, we are back in the studio to celebrate our 100th episode by recapping some interesting things that have happened in the backcountry since the N2Backpacking podcast first aired 12 years ago.  In the show, Cardiac, Drone Boy, and Therm Rider join me for the "Darwin Awards" - a recap of some  backcountry mishaps that have happened to us and to other hikers and backpackers over the last decade on the trail.



This is another fun episode that includes hikers falling in pit toilets, getting selfies with bears, and burning their eyeballs - among other things.  It's a great way to mark our 100th podcast, and if you have some Darwin experiences of your own please add your comments below.



Subject: The Darwin AwardsInterviewees: Cardiac, Drone Boy, Therm RiderInterview Date: August 13, 2023Runtime: 1:13:42



Download Now: The Darwin Awards (WMA format 35.9 Meg);The Darwin Awards (MP3 format 106.1 Meg)



Episode 100:  The Darwin Awards






In Episode 99, I sit fireside with Therm Rider, Beer Run and Sons on the Benton MacKaye Trail in North Georgia to talk about some things that ruin a backpacking trip.  In the podcast, we discuss backpackers that camp on top of you, those that make speaker phone calls, crank booty music or even throw live ammunition into your campfire!  We also talk about bad weather, angry insects, and getting sick in the backcountry - which had me dumping out a vomit filled hiking boot.



This is a fun episode and we only touch on a handful of topics tonight.  So if you have some experiences of your own and would like to share them, please reach out to us via the N2Backpacking website or on our social media pages because we'll likely expand on this topic in a future podcast.  



Subject: Things That Ruin A Backpacking TripInterviewees: Beer Run & Sons, Therm Rider  Interview Date: April 15, 2023Runtime: 45:26



Download Now: Things That Ruin A Backpacking Trip (WMA format 21.6 MB); Things That Ruin A Backpacking Trip (MP3 format 63.9 MB)



Episode 93: Ocean To Lake Trail

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