Since 2018, Brandi Rubin has been climbing peaks, facing fears, and discovering what the mountains reveal about strength, patience, and self-trust.

In this episode of the Social Adventures Podcast, Brandi joins Jeff Hester to share her journey through the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, a standout 2025 season completing four regions, and how an unexpected injury changed—but didn’t end—her relationship with hiking.

This is a conversation about resilience, recovery, and why climbing is about far more than summits.

“I climb because I want to see this beautiful world for myself—not through pictures.”

🎧 Listen in if you’ve ever:

• Wanted to try your first big peak

• Been sidelined by injury

• Questioned your hiking motivation

• Needed a reminder of why you climb

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In this episode of the Social Adventures Podcast, Jeff Hester sits down with ultra-runner, author, and barefoot peak bagger to explore the powerful intersection of endurance, mindfulness, and the mountains.

Kenneth is the author of , a deeply personal account of completing the legendary Catskills Grid—climbing all 35 Catskills high peaks in every month of the year. Along the way, he discovered something unexpected: stripping away comfort, gear, and even shoes led to a deeper connection with nature—and himself.

We talk about:
• What the Catskills Grid really is (and why it matters)
• Barefoot hiking as “original human mindfulness”
• Minimalism, aging, and movement in the mountains
• Standout moments from the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenges
• Why big, long-term outdoor projects can be life-changing

If you’ve ever felt called to the mountains for something deeper than miles or metrics, this conversation will resonate.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations from the trail.

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What happens when a simple hiking challenge turns into a life-altering journey?

In this episode of the Social Adventures Podcast, Jeff Hester talks with Carol “Cheer” Coyne, a thru-hiker who went from the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge to completing hiking’s Triple Crown—the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Appalachian Trail.

Carol shares how long-distance hiking transformed her mindset, helped her navigate post-trail depression, and inspired her to create Thru-r, a nonprofit community supporting thru-hikers before, during, and after trail.

This conversation is about resilience, community, and trusting yourself to take the first step—even when you’re scared.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe

💬 Share your story or apply to be a guest: ⁠https://socialhiker.net/podcast⁠

👉 Learn more about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge: ⁠https://sixpackofpeaks.com/

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San Diego’s hiking scene goes far beyond beaches and popular summit trails.

In this episode of the Social Adventures Podcast, Jeff Hester talks with Chris Griffith and Susie Kara Slater, two hikers who have explored nearly every corner of San Diego County. Both are finishers of the demanding San Diego 100 Peaks Challenge and the Sierra Club 100 Peaks List, and they’re the co-authors of the upcoming guidebook Urban Trails: San Diego.

We dive into what it takes to complete 100 peaks in a single year, how trail-less navigation builds confidence, and why urban hiking is one of the most powerful—and overlooked—ways to connect with the outdoors. Chris and Susie also share underrated trails, lessons learned from years of peak bagging, and how San Diego’s hiking culture has evolved over the past decade.

If you’re curious about urban trails, hidden canyons, desert peaks, or finding adventure close to home, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe

💬 Share your story or apply to be a guest: https://socialhiker.net/podcast

👉 Learn more about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge: https://sixpackofpeaks.com/

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Trail magic is one of hiking’s most powerful traditions — unexpected kindness when you need it most.

In this roundtable episode, Jeff Hester is joined by Derek Loranger, Curt Cragg, and Neenah Spellman to tell the story of the legendary Muir Taco Hut — a multi-year trail magic tradition serving fresh tacos and cold beer deep in the Sierra Nevada.

They share origin stories, logistics, mishaps, emotional moments, and how trail magic turns tough days into unforgettable ones — plus how anyone can pay it forward on the trail.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe

💬 Share your story or apply to be a guest: https://socialhiker.net/podcast

👉 Learn more about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge: https://sixpackofpeaks.com/

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On this episode, we head deep into Patagonia with longtime friends and Social Hikers community members Carisa and Janice—two hikers whose chemistry, courage, and curiosity made this adventure unforgettable.

Together we relive our week in El Chaltén, exploring world-class trails, tackling a Via Ferrata for the first time, braving late-summer snowfall, walking on the Perito Moreno Glacier, and sharing trail-magic moments with a group of 18 hikers who quickly bonded like family.

This episode is about more than mountains—it’s about saying yes to adventure, embracing the unknown, and discovering what’s possible when you surround yourself with people who lift you up along the way.

⛰️ What We Talk About

• Why Patagonia is a bucket-list destination
• How a simple “yes” turned into a life-changing adventure
• Condors, snowstorms, glacier hikes & unforgettable views
• The challenge and thrill of a first-time Via Ferrata
• How traveling with a group deepens connection and community
• The beauty of stepping outside your comfort zone

🎒 Sponsored by the 2026 Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series

One membership. Access to all 17 regional challenges—with more on the way.
Commit to adventure. Join the community.
Learn more at SocialHikers.com

🌏 Join Me on an International Adventure

I’m leading two incredible group trips in 2026:

🇳🇿 New Zealand Adventure – Deadline to join: December 20
🇵🇪 Peru: Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – October 2026

Trip details:
https://trovatrip.com/host/profiles/jeff-yreee
Prefer personal follow-up? Reach out—I’d love to connect.

📌 Stay Connected

Follow the podcast for more stories about hiking, travel, and finding meaning in the mountains.

If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend who loves adventure.

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In Episode 2 of Social Adventures — Conversations from the Trail, Jeff is joined by Jason Parks, a six-time Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge finisher (Bay Area + Lake Tahoe) who summited Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2025.

With Jeff heading to Kilimanjaro in just two months, this episode goes deep into what to pack, how to train, what really matters on the mountain, and what first-timers should — and shouldn’t — bring.

If you’re planning a Kilimanjaro climb, preparing for any high-altitude adventure, or simply love talking gear, this episode is FULL of insight from someone who has lived it.

👉 Jeff’s full packing list (LighterPack)
👉 Links to Jason’s social media
👉 Recommended gear, tips, and resources

• How Jason used the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge to train for Kilimanjaro
• Choosing the right route and number of days
• What summit night really feels like
• What gear made a difference — and what he’d leave behind
• How to pack effectively for porters vs. your daypack
• Thoughts on trail runners vs. boots
• Hydration and electrolyte strategy
• Sleeping system and luxury items that improved comfort
• First aid, hygiene, and staying healthy on the mountain
• Lessons learned, surprises, and what first-time climbers should know
• Jason’s top advice for anyone preparing for Kilimanjaro

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Why do we climb?In this episode of Social Adventures: Conversations from the Trail, Jeff sits down with 10-year Six-Pack of Peaks Legacy Challenger Philip Yoho — a hiker who has completed at least one challenge every year for a decade, and seven challenges in 2025 alone.Philip shares how he went from a miserable first hike on San Jacinto to becoming one of the most consistent and inspiring members of the Social Hikers community. We talk about community, state high-point adventures, bouldery East Coast trails, rattlesnake encounters, stormy summits, leadership lessons, and what keeps him coming back to the mountains year after year.New episodes every other week.If you enjoy the show, subscribe and join us for more stories from the trail.👉 Share your story or apply to be a guest: https://socialhiker.net/podcast👉 Learn more about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge: https://sixpackofpeaks.com/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/roo-walker/flight-modeLicense code: 3EVZHM9WW6NBQH9B

Welcome to the very first episode of Social Adventures — Conversations from the Trail, a podcast that celebrates the stories, motivations, and experiences that connect us through the outdoors.

In this opening episode, host Jeff Hester—founder of Social Adventures, Social Hiker, and the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge—shares the origins of the community, the inspiration behind the podcast, and what listeners can expect in future episodes.

Whether you’re training for your next peak, planning a big adventure, or simply love hearing real stories from real hikers, this episode sets the stage for what’s to come.

Learn more at https://socialhiker.net/podcast/

Check the full show notes at https://socialhiker.net/?p=376741

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License code: 3EVZHM9WW6NBQH9B