In this episode, Dyana sits down with Triple Crown backpacker Sam Schild, fresh off his 1,200-mile trek along the Pacific Northwest Trail. From crossing Glacier National Park to navigating the Cascade Range, the Idaho Panhandle, and the rugged Selkirks, Sam recounts the journey that eventually led him to the Olympic coast — and the finish line of one of America’s wildest long-distance trails.

Together, they dive into it all — the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Sam is a storyteller and adventurer based in the American Southwest, and his reflections capture the raw beauty and challenge of life on the trail.

Follow Sam as @sia_lizard  on Instagram and TikTok 

Notable Timestamps
7:06 Why the PNT?
9:04 Preparation and research
10:47 Glacier National Park
15:40 The Lions Head Bushwhack & Idaho Panhandle
17:38 The Pasayten Wilderness
20:29 The North Cascades & Baker Lake
24:36 Olympic National Park
48:19 Sam's favorite section
51:10 Dealing with solitude
53:22 Most impactful moment

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