#120 | Social Media x Backpacking

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are talking all things social media and how it relates to the world of backpacking.  This is a long and lively conversation and we dive into some highly charged subjects including gatekeeping, is Instagram influencing a good or bad for the thru-hiking culture, the addictive nature of social media, and much much more.     Backcountry.com discount code: Use code “backpackerradio” at backcountry.com/backpackerradio to get 15% off your first full price purchase Organifi discount code: Use code “backpacker” at organifi.com/backpacker for 20% off your purchase [divider] Social Media X Backpacking Panel  Zach’s Instagram Juliana’s Instagram Elise’s Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:02:44 - QOTD: What was the first social media app you engaged with regularly?  00:09:19 - Wisconsin reminder: Delafield & Fitchburg events  00:10:27 - Introducing today’s panel: Social Media X Backpacking  00:12:24 - Zach’s take on Instagram being an ineffective tool to learn about backpacking 00:13:45 - Chaunce’s rebuttal on using social media for research  00:15:56 - Zach’s recommendation to not use Instagram as your primary research tool  00:16:06 - How much did Chaunce research for her PCT hike?  00:17:00 - Elise’s take on applying critical thinking when viewing social media content  00:18:30 - Blogging content vs. social media content  00:21:30 - Chaunce’s defense of Instagram  00:22:52 - Elise moderates and discusses Instagram serving as a highlight reel 00:23:54 - Example of people using Instagram negatively for educational purposes  00:25:00 - Using social media tools for inspiration  00:27:11 - Discussing the impact of diving into a thru-hike unprepared  00:28:18 - Elise’s caveat to using social media for education  00:29:44 - YouTube being a powerful educator 00:30:10 - Tagging locations on Instagram  00:30:58 - Chaunce’s pro-tagging stance  00:32:43 - Elise’s tagging stance and how it relates to increase crowds in the outdoors  00:34:00 - How tagging locations relates to gatekeeping  00:35:11 - Nuances of the gatekeeping debate  00:36:46 - If you want to keep places private, why would you post about it to begin with? 00:39:25 - Chaunce’s stance on requiring permits for overcrowded areas  00:41:25 - Elise’s point on paid permits being exclusionary  00:44:23 - Pros and cons of Instagram influencing  00:46:26 - Financial motivation to be an influencer  00:53:45 - What are the benefits to growing your presence on Instagram?  00:59:00 - Elise’s pros for growing her account  01:00:39 - Elise’s cons for growing her accounts  01:01:30 - People misplacing their anger toward influencers  01:04:00 - Defining what constitutes as a “public figure”  01:07:45 - At what point do you accept you’re a public figure?  01:08:53 - Elise’s Guthook trolls story  01:11:10 - Opening yourself up to negativity  01:12:28 - Using hashtags to gain exposure  01:12:47 - Summary of pros and cons of Instagram influencing  01:14:55 - Thriving off of social media attention  01:15:45 - Pressures of entertaining fans  01:19:12 - Determining how comfortable you are with attention 01:22:12 - Can being an influencer impact your experience on trail?  01:27:42 - Instagram providing instant gratification  01:30:14 - Have you ever touched up a photo to alter your appearance?  01:31:20 - If you were sharing with friends, would you still edit the photo?  01:35:45 - Does Instagram make people more self-conscious about appearance?  01:42:11 - Is the influencer world having a negative impact in backpacking?  01:54:23 - The power of social media to influence positive change  01:59:51 - How Zach landed on his decision to decrease social media usage  02:06:51 - Zach, how do your opinions conflict with running the Trek’s social pages?  02:08:50 - “The Social Dilemma” documentary  02:10:49 - Chaunce’s social media conclusion  02:16:10 - Being a good listener vs. solutioning  02:18:05 - Defining what good social media use is for you  02:22:17- Episode wrap-up  [divider] Check out our sound guy @Paulybooyshallcross. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and  Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Ausen McDaniel, Jason Lawrence, Christopher Marshburn, Sawyer Products, Brad and Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Patrick Cianciolo, Brandon Spilker and Matt Soukup.   A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Cynthia Voth,, Emily Brown, Mitchell, Dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven, TraskVT, Lindsay Sparks, Liz Seger and Lisa Douglas.