Rise & Wander by Karla Amador of the 52 Hike Challenge

In episode 17 of season four of the Rise and Wander Podcast, I share how to go from comfortable day hikes to bigger, more adventurous goals like multi-day treks, peak climbs, and backpacking trips by planning and training backwards. I explain how to safely build mileage and elevation gradually using tools like AllTrails and structured milestones. I cover additional training needs such as cardio, weight training, stretching/yoga, pack-weight training for backpacking, altitude risks and precautions (including Diamox), and the importance of permits and long-term planning for popular routes. I also address pacing, injury prevention and recovery, footwear and foot pain, self-care, mindfulness, and journaling to manage self-doubt and recognize personal transformation through hard outdoor challenges.

Show Notes:

Oxygen tablets (02boost): https://o2boost66.com/

Hiking Footwear blog: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/blogs/blog/hiking-footwear-101

Hiking Footwear Video: https://youtu.be/koy26WrYScY

In episode 16 of series four on hiking basics, I focus on Leave No Trace and recreating responsibly, previewing an Earth Series cohort starting September 1 in partnership with Leave No Trace that includes trail stewardship and a free course with a certificate, plus our $5 donation per challenge and trash-collecting bags from Deuter. I cover the seven principles: plan ahead, stay on durable surfaces, pack out waste (including pet waste and hygiene items), leave what you find, minimize fire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of others, along with notes on graffiti, rock cairns, carbon footprint, and hiking with kids.

Show Notes:

Earth Series Challenge Sign Up: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/pages/earth-series

Leave No Trace Course: https://learn.lnt.org/courses/101

Recreate Responsibly: https://www.recreateresponsibly.org/

Kula Cloth: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/products/52-hike-challenge-kula-cloth-colorful-outdoors

Kids Series Challenge: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/pages/kids-series

In episode 15 of series four on hiking basics, I reflect on a week of training in Colorado (about 45 miles) and focus on self-care before, during, and after hikes. I cover motivation and SMART goal setting, accountability strategies, and planning for weather and safety, including tips from 52 Hike Challenge leaders on heat, water, hiking early, and caring for dogs. I explain warning signs of hypothermia, frostbite, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, emphasize preparedness, checklists, post-hike recovery, rest, and avoiding ego-driven "summit fever" by knowing limits and turning around when needed.

Show Notes:

Kafka's Kool Tie: https://rei.pxf.io/enbZQQ

Hiking Safety Blog- Hiking in the Heat: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/blogs/blog/hiking-safety-hiking-in-the-heat

In this Rise and Wander Podcast episode, I talk with Mike Leum, assistant director of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, who has 35+ years with the department and 32+ years in SAR; he says LA County had 756 rescue missions in 2025 across eight teams. We focus on hiking safety: knowing your fitness and choosing appropriate trails, making a plan and telling someone (and not hiking alone), checking conditions and weather with multiple sources, and carrying the 10 essentials. Mike explains how iPhone 14+ satellite SOS can send exact coordinates directly to their station and has saved dozens of lives, while devices like InReach can take about 40 minutes to route. We discuss getting lost, hydration, heat risks for dogs, turnaround times, storms/flash floods, snow gear like crampons, and a memorable rescue of a deaf, autistic man.

Show Notes:

LA County Sheriff Hiking Plan: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/lasd/163961_LosAngelesCountySheriff-HikingPlan.pdf

10 Essentials: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/pages/the-10-essentials

Cal Topo: https://caltopo.com/

Navigation Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu0kPQAHkIc

GAIA GPS: https://www.gaiagps.com/

In episode 13 of season four, focused on hiking basics, I explain why education is essential for safe hiking, drawing from my own learning since starting hiking in 2014 and taking courses like Sierra Club wilderness travel, snow travel, ropes, mountaineering, navigation, and more. I recommend learning through classes, books, YouTube, community groups, and resources like REI, the National Park Service, and Leave No Trace, including topics like maps and compass, the 10 essentials, AllTrails, CPR/first aid and wilderness first aid, animal and weather safety, risk management, and starting small, local, and safely whether solo or with groups.

Show Links:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@52HikeChallenge

Facebook Groups: https://www.facebook.com/52hikechallenge/groups

REI: https://rei.pxf.io/6yKVeN

Sierra Club: https://wildernesstravelcourse.org/

Dr. Rob Scanlon "Surviving the Trail" Book: https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Trail-Rob-Scanlon/dp/1493090127?crid=1C7EV2MFAEAF4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jsSgVyVwP9Vw2O0KfIjXHHr-7qVXpb1-AV-dQAzA8AzOZAZSW8LK38ZOWl84-rMFQq3GuTyiCbWAXebDFYIVtB41CN3q117-vHftoM7rucBYF10KnnluguBT505btE0bKVGWHaT55vYsEiedxkZV8Ac8DVOOYr2qQOn4vgSz9U_JImyRIaW4mHVgVYdprOTt.FGgbGDcPjhEtx0BngaCIRIVFGq0GWt3vwZtWl3_ds3w&dib_tag=se&keywords=rob+scanlon&qid=1774914160&sprefix=rob+scallo%2Caps%2C257&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll2&tag=52hikechallen-20&linkId=7e5c2c8ec5702cad82cfe4959b4385e2&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills Book: https://rei.pxf.io/vPAXrd

Bear Safety Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQR9I8dBvRs&t=4s

Leave No Trace Course: https://learn.lnt.org/courses/101

In this episode, I focus on hiking basics—especially planning and preparation—by defining what counts as a hike, encouraging people to "hike your own hike," and sharing ways to find trails through apps like AllTrails, blogs, books, friends, groups, parks, and local chapters. I explain how to assess hike difficulty using mileage, elevation gain, terrain, and altitude, and I demonstrate map-reading fundamentals like contour lines, map scales, landmarks, and AllTrails elevation profiles to avoid route misunderstandings. I also cover parking, permits, road conditions, backup hikes, public transit options, tracking progress, and taking navigation classes.

Show notes:

AllTrails: https://alltrails.pxf.io/KjngNx

REI: https://rei.pxf.io/6yKVeN

REI Topo Maps: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/topo-maps-how-to-use.html

Hikingguy: https://hikingguy.com/

Dr. Rob Scanlon "Surviving the Trail" Book: https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Trail-Rob-Scanlon/dp/1493090127?crid=1C7EV2MFAEAF4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jsSgVyVwP9Vw2O0KfIjXHHr-7qVXpb1-AV-dQAzA8AzOZAZSW8LK38ZOWl84-rMFQq3GuTyiCbWAXebDFYIVtB41CN3q117-vHftoM7rucBYF10KnnluguBT505btE0bKVGWHaT55vYsEiedxkZV8Ac8DVOOYr2qQOn4vgSz9U_JImyRIaW4mHVgVYdprOTt.FGgbGDcPjhEtx0BngaCIRIVFGq0GWt3vwZtWl3_ds3w&dib_tag=se&keywords=rob+scanlon&qid=1774914160&sprefix=rob+scallo%2Caps%2C257&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll2&tag=52hikechallen-20&linkId=7e5c2c8ec5702cad82cfe4959b4385e2&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Sierra Club: https://www.sierraclub.org/get-local

Latino Outdoors: https://latinooutdoors.org/

Just Trek Podcast Episode with Corbin: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5r3yvFlYBNRkseXjV1XLZr?si=5f6ab2429b9c49ea

52 Hikes Journal: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/products/52-hike-challenge-journey-journal

In this Rise and Wander Podcast episode, I interview Traveling Jackie (Jackie Nourse) about her award-winning, long-running travel podcast, her inclusive "adventure-hungry" audience, and how studying abroad and learning multiple languages launched her travel path. We discuss slow, immersive travel, practical tips for beginners (passport, choosing destinations, booking the flight), and the courage to take the first step. Jackie shares how divorce led to years of nomadic solo travel, women's retreats, and lessons on self-support, and she recounts a challenging chapter living in a truck camper during COVID before moving toward buying a home.

Links:

REI.com for Darn tough socks, NikWax and more

www.52hikechallenge.com

https://travelingjackie.com/

This hiking basics season episode focused on footwear with guest Scott from Oboz Footwear. Scott stresses that foot health starts with proper fit using a Brannock device (length, width, arch) measured seated and standing to account for swelling, recommend limiting try-ons to three brands, and discusses waterproof vs non-waterproof options, traction/outsoles, midsoles, and insoles (including replacing insoles around every 500 miles). We cover blister and toenail prevention, lacing techniques, sock selection (wool over cotton), gaiters, and shoe maintenance with DWR reapplication and Nikwax cleaning.

Links:

Obozfootwear.com

REI.com for Darn Tough socks, NikWax and more

https://dirtygirlgaiters.com

www.52hikechallenge.com

In this Rise and Wander podcast episode, I welcome pulmonary and critical care physician Dr. Rob Scanlon, author of "Surviving the Trail." Dr. Rob explains how hiking became a way to de-stress, why preparation matters, and the most common causes of hiker deaths and rescues: dehydration, hypothermia, heat illness, drowning, falling, and getting lost. We discuss his five essential skills—hydration strategy, maintaining body temperature, fall awareness, safer water crossings, and land navigation—along with warning signs of heat illness and hypothermia, guidance for estimating water needs, risks of "fatal selfies," stream-crossing considerations, and why preventable incidents strain mountain rescue teams.

Show Links:

Surviving the Trail Book

Dr. Rob's Instagram

REI

52 Hike Challenge

In episode eight, I cover hiking essentials and basics, starting with backpacks: choosing capacity by season and mileage, fit and support, hip belts, hydration systems, rain covers, and how I pack the 10 essentials, food, layers, and water. I also share leave-no-trace bathroom items (trowel kit, trash bag, and a Kula cloth), trekking poles for elevation and knee support, satellite/GPS safety devices, water filters and treatment options, guidebooks and maps, bug and poison oak/ivy protection, bear spray considerations, and snow gear like snowshoes, baskets, microspikes, and gaiters, with a warning not to confuse hiking gear with mountaineering needs.

Links:

REI for all your hiking gear needs: https://rei.pxf.io/6yKVeN

52 Hike Challenge Nepal Annapurna Circuit Trip: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/pages/annapurnacircuittrek

Kula Cloth: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/products/52-hike-challenge-kula-cloth-colorful-outdoors