Trail Correspondents

We're back at it today with this season's third edition of our wildcard episode. Instead of giving our hikers a specific prompt, they are given the freedom to report on whatever subject they find most pressing. We get some very moving entries, including an emotional take on what it feels like to lose your hiking partner in the midst of the journey, we hear about hiker entitlement, we get a check-in from Ibex fresh off the Benton Mackaye trail- and why she's no longer on the PCT, and more. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's episode we hear from: Cal "Starburst" Dobbs Jeff "Link" Podmayer Juli "M8" Wolter Laura Waltrous Natalie "Ibex" Parker Monica "Moss" Aguilar Henri "Rooster" de la Vega [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise, or praise for Trail Correspondents? Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this episode he

What does one eat on a backpacking trip?  It may seem like a simple question with an equally simple answer.  But dig a bit beneath the surface and, you'll quickly learn there's more nuance than you might originally think.  Not only do we get a taste of what goes into a day's menu for our hiker trash, but we also learn how their tastes have evolved while on trail, the much-anticipated Hiker Hunger- the point at which a trekker's stomach evolves into a bottomless pit, and general advice for how they go about thinking about their diets overall.  Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's episode we hear from: Jeff "Link" Podmayer Juli "M8" Wolter Laura Waltrous Natalie "Ibex" Parker Monica "Moss" Aguilar Henri "Rooster" de la Vega [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise, or praise for Trail Correspondents? Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this episode here. Find us on Stitcher and Googl

Obvious statement of the year award- walking the length of the country will do a number on one's body.  Just how severe is the impact...well, that's what our trekkers will share with us today.  In addition to the physical adjustment, our hikers will detail exactly how they manage their pain and what advice they would offer to those who are looking to prepare for a long distance backpacking trip themselves.   FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's episode we hear from: Cal "Starburst" Dobbs Jeff "Link" Podmayer Juli "M8" Wolter Laura Waltrous Natalie "Ibex" Parker Monica "Moss" Aguilar Henri "Rooster" de la Vega [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise, or praise for Trail Correspondents? Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this episode here. Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. INSTAGRAM: Follow Trail Correspondents,

Because our prompts can often leave the juiciest trail stories uncovered, this season, we have built in even more wildcard episodes, where our correspondents muse on whatever is most inspiring to them about their recent trail experience.  Today's show covers quite a bit of ground, everything to a wild storm in the Winds, a play by play of a day in the life of a thru-hiker, the importance of hiking your own hike, the importance of grit, and much more.   FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's episode we hear from: Cal "Starburst" Dobbs Jeff "Link" Podmayer Juli "M8" Wolter Laura Waltrous Natalie "Ibex" Parker Monica "Moss" Aguilar Henri "Rooster" de la Vega [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise, or praise for Trail Correspondents? Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Download this episode here. Find us on Stitcher and Google

Today we explore the social dynamic of a thru-hike.  If you've listened to previous seasons shows on this subject, you might think that you already know the answer to this question.  However, let us not forget, our trekkers are hiking against the current.  Whereas the vast majority of thru-hikers- regardless of which triple crown trail they're on- hike northbound, our hikers are trekking south.  For that reason, the bubbles that one experiences on the AT or PCT may look a lot different.  Or will it? In addition to the number of fellow hikers a person might encounter, we also hear about the quality of the companionship.  Our Correspondents are more than a month into their journey and we'll learn the role their fellow trekker is playing on the enjoyment of their own journey. Get 10% off at Bedrocksandals.com by using code "BEDROCKTRAIL2021" at checkout. Get 10% off at Greenbelly.co by using code "TC10" at checkout. [divider] Listen here Or download this episode. [divider] FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOG

Roughly one month into their journey, our correspondents are now at the point of learning about just how much they don't know about their trail, themselves, and thru-hiking as a whole. After all, even the most experienced thru-hikers have gaps in their research, preparation, and occasionally fail to pack needed items of gear. This episode is all about the twists, turns, and surprises that are an intrinsic part of life on trail. While we won't provide too many spoilers, our correspondents regale us with their stories of combating relationship issues (with those on trail and those at home), difficult conditions (foreseeable and not), and learning to be adaptable. Don't worry though, this episode isn't all serious - sometimes the spontaneity of trail life leads to wonderful moments - both heartwarming and belly-laugh-inducing alike. Get 10% off at Greenbelly.co by using code "TC10" at checkout. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Tria

It's Wildcard time! A few times a season, we challenge our correspondents' to be creative and discuss whatever they want to! Our trail correspondents lived up to the challenge that the wildcard presents. They regal us with a variety of stores, give us topics to ponder, and provide us an insight as to what "real life" on trail looks like. Turn's out, our correspondents get quite philosophical when they get to deal their own hand! Well into the first few weeks of hiking, most of our correspondents will be calling in with 100+ miles under their boots. At this point, many of our correspondents have now experienced both the highs and the lows of thru-hiking. From the struggles of having to separate from trafamlies to impromptu hotel room interviews, this episode is jam-packed newfound thru-hiker wisdom. Tune in to hear what our correspondent came up with for our first wildcard episode! Get 10% off at Greenbelly.co by using code "TC10" at checkout.  FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHE

The episodes leading up to this one introduced us to our 2021 hikers, taught us about their prep, and gave us insights as to why they decided to plan a thru-hike. However, planning a thru-hike and actually taking those first few steps are two very different things. In this episode, we learn all about their first day on trial and about how they dealt with pre-hike jitters. For the first time this season, all of our correspondents will be calling us from the trail. We will be hearing from each of them on their very first night on trail. Tune in to hear if our correspondents' lofty expectations are becoming reality. How are our intrepid heroes doing? How are they withstanding the elements, dealing with unruly gear, and getting used to sleeping in the elements? Tune in to find out. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's episode we hear from: Cal "Starburst" Dobbs Logan "Toodles" Roark John "Catmando" Van Etten Jeff "Li

Preparing for a thru-hike is no easy feat. After all, hikers have to completely overhaul their life. This often involves quitting their job, storing all of their belongings somewhere, saying goodbye to loved ones/partners, and make a strict budget - and we haven't even gotten into all the necessary gear and skills one needs for a thru-hike. So where does one start? How on earth does anybody actually plan for, let alone go through with, a thru-hike? Let's find out. In this episode, our trail correspondents on the AT, PCT, and CDT have regaled us with their preparation stories. With correspondents ranging from fresh high school grads to a retired mom of eight, they had wildly different ways of getting prepped for their hikes. The only common thread in our hiker's stories seems to be the initial wanderlust and desire to get on the trail. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's episode we hear from: Cal "Starburst" Dobb

We are beyond thrilled to finally unveil our third season of Trail Correspondents presented by The Trek. For those new to the show, Trail Correspondents is a teleportation machine to the trail - in audio form. Every other week (or so), host Zach Davis and a select handful of thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail, will give us a glimpse into the beautiful world of thru-hiking. Through their eyes and vocal cords, we will learn all about the highs, lows, and nitty-gritty details that go into a half-year, cross-country trek. Trail Correspondents is the next best thing to being on trial yourself. In previous seasons, our correspondents shared their perspectives as northbound hikers, which, is the more typical approach.  This season, however, our correspondents, much like salmon, are swimming against the current and hiking southbound.  Historically, the southbound (or SOBO for short) experience is much more isolated.  However, given the unique circumstances of this

Today marks the final episode of our second season.  Although this news is melancholy, this episode is too good to be down. At the beginning of this year, before embarking on their thru-hikes, I asked our Correspondents to interview themselves.  Specifically, their future selves.  I wanted a way to capture both the metamorphosis a hiker goes through during their journey, as well as hit on the pressure points of what was driving our wonderful correspondents onto the trail in the first place.  This episode features both the questions fielded before their journey, along with their answers a couple months after they finished.  The result, is magnificent. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Use code "TREK10" for 10% off at northxnorth.co Use code "TC15" to save 15% at Gossamer Gear.com Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's episode we hear from: Jazmin Dosu Eric and Allison Julie K Karthikeya Kenneth Laura Sara D Angie K Katharine R Frozen APPLY for 2020

When prepping for a thru-hike, aspiring trekkers spend countless hours stressing the transition to their new existence, one spent on the other side of walls.  Within just a few days, the adjustment to living amongst the trees, on mountains, and under stars is all but complete.  If only the transition back inside were so easy.  That's the subject of today's episode.  Our correspondents share how the adaption back to their former worlds has been, and what elements of their on-trail worlds they've brought with them- or at least hope to.  FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Use code "TREK10" for 10% off at northxnorth.co Use code "TC15" to save 15% at Gossamer Gear.com Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!   Download this episode here. Find us on Stitcher and Google

Today  is the end of the trail.  For this one, we hear from our hikers twice, both the day before the northern terminus and at the finish line itself, with one exception.  As you can imagine, this is an emotional update.  Although the journey is the destination, there is likely no more exciting part of the journey than the finish line. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Use code "TC15" to save 15% at Gossamer Gear.com Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!   Download this episode here. Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. INSTAGRAM: Follow Trail Correspondents, The Trek, and Badger. YOUTUBE: Subscribe to The Trek. FACEBOOK: Follow Trail Correspondents and The Trek. < sign up for our newsletter > Editing and music courtesy of Pauly Boy Shallcross.

Today's show brings us our final wildcard episode.  Given the timing of this episode, near the end of our correspondents' journeys, there's a lot of reflection on the miles in their rearview mirrors.  We also hear some advice about maintaining a relationship on the trail, sober hiking, hiking with a fishing rod, trail etiquette and more. These episodes have been listener favorites in the past, this one will be no exception. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Use code "TC15" to save 15% at Gossamer Gear.com Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!   Download this episode here. Find us on Stitcher and Google Play. INSTAGRAM: Follow Trail Correspondents, The Trek, and Badger. YOUTUBE: Subscribe to The Trek. FACEBOOK: Follow Trail Correspondents and The Trek. < sign up for our new

An extended period in the great outdoors is medicine for the soul.  Breaking free from our routines in a natural setting is a recipe for happiness, clarity, and a fresh perspective. Having done it myself multiple times, I believe this with an unwavering conviction. That is the subject of today's show.  Our hikers will share all of the revelations or a-ha moments they've experienced on trail.  They talk about what changes, little or big, they'd like to incorporate into their post-trail worlds, and how their hikes have facilitated this decision. And, sadly, today's episode features a pair of sign offs. This will serve as a reminder of how much good luck is required to complete a thru-hike. In today's show, we hear from Frozen, Katharine, Missy, Kenneth, Nancy, Zack, Jazmin, Angie, Karthikeya, Laura, Julie, Eric and Alison (our brother sister duo), Dosu, and Sara D.  Here it is. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Use code "TC15" to save 15% at Gossamer Gear.com Check out Appalach

Although a half year backpacking trip is a physical grind, this is not the most challenging part of a thru-hike.  Apologies for sounding like a broken record, but as you might likely guess, this title belongs to the psychological side of this journey. Our hikers chime in on whether they agree with this sentiment, what coping mechanisms they use to overcome their challenges, how the challenges have evolved over the course of the hike, and what advice they would offer to their pre-trail selves on how to better handle these hurdles. As a bit of a spoiler, one of our hikers will greatly corroborate how difficult the mental side of this journey is, as she is no longer on trail, and cites this as the key reason.  Listen through to hear her entry. Her honest take is full of valuable insights for those considering a thru-hike. In today's show we hear from Frozen, Katharine, Missy, Kenneth, Nancy, Sarah H, Jazmin, Karthikeya, Laura, Julie, Eric and Alison (our brother sister duo), Dosu, and Sara D.  Here it is.  Enjoy

Grab a seat next to the rocking chair because today's show will feature some stories from the backcountry. We instructed our hikers to share a standout tale from their journey. It can be a highlight, lowlight, or something in between. The submissions are a delightful mix. We hear about one of our AT hikers who completed the 4-state challenge, one of our correspondents who played a part in rescuing a lost hiker, and another correspondent who had to use their SOS to save another hiker. Murphy's law.  FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's show, we hear from:  Frozen Katharine Missy and Jon Kenneth Nancy Sarah Zack Jazmin Karthikeya Julie Eric and Alison (our brother sister duo) Angie Dosu [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Check out The Trek's store. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!   Dow

In our previous episode, our first group of hikers weighed in on a wide array of subjects from their thru-hikes. Today's episode comes from the PCT and CDT, and with it being a high snow year on both trails, much of the subject matter of these recordings will stay within a much tighter confine. Given a blank slate, the vast majority of our correspondents felt compelled to share how the high snow has impacted their hikes. For those considering taking on a thru-hike in the future, I strongly encourage you to listen closely to this episode, as many underestimate the impact of a heavy snow year. For those who listen to Backpacker Radio, you may recall, in the intro of Episode 32, Chaunce and I offer this disclaimer to 2019 PCT hikers, encouraging people to at least consider a Southbound thru-hike. In the rare chance this subject isn't of interest, I still encourage you to stick around as this is not the only subject tackled on today's show. Dosu's submission in particular might rouse some interesting debate. FIN

Today's episode brings us our second wildcard, and our first from the trail. I gave our correspondents a blank canvas for which they can paint whatever trail-related artwork they were currently most passionate about. The previous wildcard episode was a listener favorite, and I'm guessing today's will also follow suit. We hear about a wide range of subjects, from hammock camping to finding romance on trail , to game changing trail magic, to hiking the Sierra in a high snow year, and beyond. This grab bag of subjects will without question keep you on your toes. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's show, we hear from:  Frozen Katharine Rudzitis Missy and Jon Baatz Kenneth Pararo Melissa Glass Nancy Alexander Sarah Herman Zack Munsell Jazmin Ortega [divider] Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Trail Correspondents?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co. Subscribe to this podcast on iTune

Social dynamics on trail. In our previous episode our group one hikers gave us insight on how their hiking groups have evolved over the course of their hikes. Today, we hear from our remaining PCT and CDT hikers on this same subject. This year has been especially interesting for group dynamics given the high snow levels on the PCT and CDT, as this plays a large role in fragmenting the hiker bubble, as some groups forge through the risky conditions, some skip sections, some flip to the northern terminus and hike south, while others abandon the trail altogether. Our hikers weigh in on everything to do with their hiking groups including the friendships they've formed, how they choose hiking partners, how the dynamics have compared to their pre-trail expectations, and more. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Check out Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials. In today's show, we hear from:  PCT HIKERS Karthikeya Nadendla Laura Stewart Julie Klazynski Liam Purtle Eric Dernbach