
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Backpack the John Muir Trail successfully! Sierra thru-hiker and author Ethan "Po" Gallogly gives great insight and a ton of information about hiking the John Muir Trail (JMT). Here, he gives the top 14 reasons why over 50% of thru-hikers have to leave trail early. He also gives his best advice on how to avoid these things so you can have your best hike yet!
This recording is part of a larger JMT clinic we hosted over at THRU-r. For visuals and the entire clinic, you can watch on YouTube. Ethan goes into detail about the trail itself, what to keep in mind as you're preparing, tips, tricks, and more. If you're thinking about thru-hiking the John Muir Trail in the future- this episode (and the YouTube video) is for you!
In this episode, you'll learn about:
If you'd like to watch the entire John Muir Trail clinic, you can watch it here on the THRU-r YouTube Channel. Make sure to like and subscribe!
You can connect with Ethan by using the links below:
Ethan's Website
Facebook Author Page
"The Trail" On Amazon
"The Trail" Audiobook
Did you enjoy this episode? Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Oboz Footwear. Born of Bozeman, Montana, Oboz designs hiking footwear to deepen the human-nature connection and inspire happiness through the love of hiking.
Connect With THRU-r & Cheer:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Sierra thru-hiker and author Ethan "Po" Gallogly gives great insight and a ton of information about hiking the John Muir Trail (JMT). This recording is part of a larger JMT clinic we hosted over at THRU-r. - and for visuals, you can watch on YouTube. Here, Ethan goes into detail about the trail itself, what to keep in mind as you're preparing, tips, tricks, and more. If you're thinking about thru-hiking the John Muir Trail in the future- this episode is for you!
In this episode, you'll learn about:
If you'd like to watch the entire John Muir Trail clinic, you can watch it here on the THRU-r YouTube Channel. Make sure to like and subscribe!
You can connect with Ethan by using the links below:
Ethan's Website
Facebook Author Page
"The Trail" On Amazon
"The Trail" Audiobook
Did you enjoy this episode? Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Connect With THRU-r & Cheer:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Get to know our 2025 Trail Team of thru-hiking trail correspondents in this episode - with stories of how they got their trail names! Stay tuned for more episodes featuring them in the coming months. Our hikers are backpacking on the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Camino de Santiago, Eastern Continental Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Hexatrek, Fisherman's Trail, and more.
You can follow along with all of our Trail Team members on the THRU-r Instagram page.
Connect & follow along with our featured Trail Team members on their personal Instagram pages:
Raven
Pickles & Freight Train
Geared Up
Bird
Lucky Colleague
Vegas - (& His "PG-13" Trail Name Story)
Wrong Way
MacGyver
Scratch
Baby Steps
Ravenclaw
Ninja
GG
Stephanie
Sammy
If you love what we're doing here on the podcast and over at THRU-r, you can become a Virtual Trail Angel via our PayPal Donation Page. As a grassroots thru-hiker run organization, we really appreciate the support!
Did you enjoy this episode? Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Connect With THRU-r & Cheer:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Learn about adventure trekking with "Walks of the World" author and adventurer, Gail Perry! In this episode, Gail gives us insight on why these shorter treks are great - especially for those hikers who don't have 4-6 months for a full thru-hike. This is especially helpful for experienced hikers who can't get back on trail in their current phase of life (hello kids, mortgages, and jobs!). This is also great information and inspiration for hikers just getting into multi-day hikes and backpacking trips.
In this episode, you'll learn about:
1. What hut-to-hut or "adventure trekking" actually is & why it's great for hikers who are short on time
2. The gear you'll need (hello UL!)
3. Her top adventure treks around the world (and some overlap with trails you've heard of before)
4. How "Rails To Trails" can come into play, & more!
If you'd like to watch this video, you can apply for our Trail Family membership, and can find all of our podcast interviews in the Video Library after approval.
Applicable Links:
San Juan Huts (Sneffels Traverse)
Arctic Adventures (Laugavegur Trail)
Rails To Trails Conservancy
Follow The Camino
Connect & follow along with Gail:
Walks Of The World 2025 Calendar
Walks Of The World 2026 Calendar
Gail Perry Treks Website
YouTube
TikTok
Did you love this episode? If so, please help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Connect With Us:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r TikTok
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
This episode was brought to you by ToughCutie! You can enjoy a 15% off discount using this website link, and using the code "THRU-r" at checkout.
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Learn about creek crossings and how to stay safe while doing it with the founder of Mountain Education, Ned Tibbits! In this episode, Ned goes into his tried and true techniques to safely cross bodies of water while hiking and backpacking. He also gives tips for hikers preparing for Sierra travel along the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, and for general backpacker travel where creek or river crossings will be present.
If you'd like to watch this video, you can apply for our Trail Family membership, and can find all of the Safety Series videos in the Video Library after approval.
In this episode, you'll learn about:
1. Snow & river situations in different parts of the thru-hiking season
2. Suggested river crossing protocols
3. Dry crossings, wet crossings, & what to look for during each
4. Safe crossing techniques as a solo backpacker or in groups
Previous safety episodes with Ned:
Episode #194: River Crossing Basics & Avoiding Hazards
Episode #192: How To Safely Travel Through Snow
Episode #188: Snow Basics & Safety Foundations
Connect & follow along with Ned:
Mountain Education
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
Did you love this episode? If so, please help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Connect With Us:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r TikTok
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Backpacking & thru-hiking legend Chris Townsend joins us on the podcast to talk about his best tips for trail photography and for writing in the outdoor space. He's hiked 30,000+ miles around the world on the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Arizona Trail, and more.
You can learn more about Chris in Episode #180 and Episode #195 of this podcast.
Chris has 30,000 miles of hiking experience, has written 30+ books on the subject, & is also an outdoor photographer (just take a look at his website!). This jam-packed episode is perfect for new and experienced hikers alike, as well as aspiring authors and outdoor photographers.
In this episode, you'll learn about:
1. His best tips for on-trail photography
2. The top lightweight and effective equipment he uses
3. Tips on writing in the outdoor space, thoughts for first time authors, and much more!
Connect & follow along with Chris Townsend:
Chris Townsend Outdoors Website
Amazon Shop
Great Outdoors Magazine
Instagram
Facebook
Threads
Follow along with Cheer on the Trans Catalina Trail:
@carollcoyne
@thru_r
If you love what we're doing here on the podcast and over at THRU-r, you can become a Virtual Trail Angel via our PayPal Donation Page. As a grassroots thru-hiker run organization, we really appreciate the support!
Did you love this episode? Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Connect With Us:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r TikTok
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Get to know our 2025 Trail Team of thru-hiking trail correspondents in this episode, and stay tuned for more episodes featuring them in the coming months! Our hikers are trekking on the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Camino de Santiago, and more.
In this episode, you'll get insight on:
1. The hikers' backgrounds and trails they've hiked
2. What trails they're hiking in 2025
3. Fun facts about themselves, & more!
Connect & follow along with our featured Trail Team members:
Raven
Nikita
Magic
Def Pos
Pickles & Freight Train
Geared Up
Anna
Stevie
Kiley
Lucky Colleague
Marian
Join Cheer and other hikers like you in Patagonia from March 3rd - 10th, 2026. Sign up now to snag early bird pricing while it lasts!
Interested in our future events and our group Patagonia trip? Check out our "Events" page and get on our mailing list (signup at the bottom of our website).
If you love what we're doing here on the podcast and over at THRU-r, you can become a Virtual Trail Angel via our PayPal Donation Page. As a grassroots thru-hiker run organization, we really appreciate the support!
Did you enjoy this episode? Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Connect With Us:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Get to know our 2025 Trail Team of thru-hiking trail correspondents in this episode, and stay tuned for more next week! Our hikers are trekking on the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Eastern Continental Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Hexatrek, Fisherman's Trail, and more.
In this episode, you'll get insight on:
1. The hikers' backgrounds and trails they've hiked
2. What trails they're hiking in 2025
3. Fun facts about themselves, & more!
Connect & follow along with our featured Trail Team members:
Vegas
Wrong Way
Stevie Wonder
MacGyver
Scratch
Sgt. Pepper
Baby Steps
Analog
Ravenclaw
Interested in our future events and our group Patagonia trip? Check out our "Events" page and get on our mailing list (signup at the bottom of our website).
If you love what we're doing here on the podcast and over at THRU-r, you can become a Virtual Trail Angel via our PayPal Donation Page. As a grassroots thru-hiker run organization, we really appreciate the support!
Did you enjoy this episode? Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Connect With Us:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Backpacking & thru-hiking legend Chris Townsend joins us on the podcast to talk about his best tips for long-distance hikers, trail food, and what to know about gear and shakedown hikes. Some trails he's tackled include the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Arizona Trail, and so much more.
You can learn more about Chris in Episode #180 of this podcast.
Chris has 30,000 miles of hiking experience, has written 30+ books on the subject, & is also an outdoor photographer (just take a look at his website!). This jam-packed episode is perfect for new and experienced hikers alike.
In this episode, he'll give you intel on:
1. The best tips for new hikers preparing for trail
2. Backpacker food strategy and when hiker hunger hits
3. Shakedown hikes and how they set him up for success - and so much more!
Connect & follow along with Chris Townsend:
Chris Townsend Outdoors Website
Amazon Shop
Great Outdoors Magazine
Instagram
Facebook
Threads
If you love what we're doing here on the podcast and over at THRU-r, you can become a Virtual Trail Angel via our PayPal Donation Page. As a grassroots thru-hiker run organization, we really appreciate the support!
Did you love this episode? Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Connect With Us:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r TikTok
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
Learn about creek crossings and how to stay safe while doing it with the founder of Mountain Education, Ned Tibbits! Here, Ned goes into his tried and true techniques to safely deal with the hazards of crossing bodies of water while hiking and backpacking. He also gives tips for hikers preparing for the Pacific Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, and for general backpacker travel where creek or river crossings will be present.
If you'd like to watch this video, you can apply for our Trail Family membership, and can find all of the Safety Series videos in the Video Library after approval.
In this episode, Ned goes over:
1. The force and flow of water
2. Tips and what to watch out for while crossing creeks
3. Snow bridges, the "secret season" & much more
Connect & follow along with Ned:
Mountain Education
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
Did you love this episode? If so, please help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Connect With Us:
Join The Trail Family
THRU-r Website
THRU-r Instagram
THRU-r TikTok
THRU-r Facebook
THRU-r Youtube
THRU-r Threads
Cheer's YouTube
Cheer's Instagram
Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis
From the publisher's feed

78,357 Listeners

43,815 Listeners

2,621 Listeners

1,040 Listeners

2,136 Listeners

582 Listeners

111,876 Listeners

345 Listeners

1,693 Listeners

243 Listeners

678 Listeners

227 Listeners

144 Listeners

6,166 Listeners

12 Listeners