Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Thru-Hiking Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 243. Birds Of The Pacific Crest Trail, Thru-Hiking Gear Favorites, Norovirus, Burn Scars & Trail Magic With Kiley "Bluebird" Voss | 05 Oct 2026 | 00:50:25 | |
In this episode of The Thru-Hiking Podcast, Cheer talks with Kylie “Bluebird,” a seasonal park ranger, birder, and 2025 Pacific Crest Trail section hiker. Bluebird hiked northbound on the PCT with her husband, “TripAdvisor,” starting at Campo and making it to around Burney Falls. She shares the highs, lows, and unexpected moments from her hike—from an incredible stretch through the Sierra to norovirus, rattlesnakes, injuries, burn scars, and unforgettable trail magic. As a self-described bird nerd, Bluebird also kept a daily species list and identified 120 birds along the Pacific Crest Trail. She shares how birding became part of her hike, how she earned her trail name, and some of the species and moments that stood out most. We also talk about favorite PCT gear, gluten-free backpacking food, resupply strategies, budgeting for a long-distance hike, journaling, injury lessons, and town food. Plus, Bluebird shares adventure book recommendations and how her PCT photography inspired her handmade earrings. Whether you're planning a Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike or section hike, looking for backpacking gear and food ideas, or just love hearing real stories from long trails, this episode is packed with practical tips and memorable PCT moments. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast Follow along with "Bluebird": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topo.wanders/ Website: https://www.topophotos.com/ Connect With The Host "Cheer": YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CheerOnTheTrail Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carollcoyne/ Connect With THRU-r: Subscribe To The THRU-r Newsletter! Join The Trail Family THRU-r Website THRU-r Youtube THRU-r Instagram THRU-r TikTok THRU-r Facebook THRU-r Threads 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! Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 242. LIVE Podcast From PCT Days With Broadway, Shadow, Prodigal Son, Late Bloom Hiker, Sparkles, & Ravenclaw | 24 Sep 2026 | 00:47:45 | |
In this episode we are coming at you LIVE from Pacific Crest Trail Days ("PCT Days") in Cascade Locks, Oregon! PCT Days is an annual thru-hiker gathering right on the border of Oregon and Washington - and right next to the iconic Bridge of the Gods. Here, Cheer talks with current and prior PCT hikers and asks them pointed questions about how their hike is going, or how it went if they hiked in prior years. In part 2 of this LIVE podcast, we talk to Broadway, Shadow, Prodigal Son, and Late Bloom Hiker. Broadway is a first time thru-hiker crushing it (and crying along the way - slay). Shadow, Prodigal Son, and Late Bloom Hiker are all alumni PCT hikers reflecting on their time on trail. We also have two special guests sharing their answers to our questions: Sparkles who is on the Continental Divide Trail and Ravenclaw who is hiking in Europe this year! In this episode, each guest answers: 1. What's a moment from your hike that you'll always remember? 2. What was harder than you expected? 3. What was easier or better than you expected? 4. How has the trail changed you? A big thank you to Oboz Footwear for giving us a home at PCT Days this year. Enter the Instagram giveaway here! Follow along with "Broadway": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelinstagrant/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atravelersmiles The Trek: https://thetrek.co/author/michael-grant/ Follow along with "Shadow": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacodingoo/ Follow along with "Prodigal Son": YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InspiredByCreation-v4y Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacob.vallandingham.2025 Follow along with "Late Bloom Hiker": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latebloomhiker/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LateBloomHiker Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LateBloomHiker Follow along with "Sparkles": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericka.explores/ Summit Scholarship Program: give.gofundme.com/sparklescdt Follow along with "Ravenclaw": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annika.hikes.the.world/ Connect With THRU-r: Subscribe To The THRU-r Newsletter! Join The Trail Family THRU-r Website THRU-r Youtube THRU-r Instagram THRU-r TikTok THRU-r Facebook THRU-r Threads Connect With "Cheer": YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CheerOnTheTrail Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carollcoyne/ 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! Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 241. LIVE Podcast From PCT Days With Sparkle, MacGyver, Def Pos, & Pitch Perfect | 11 Sep 2026 | 00:34:36 | |
Today we are coming at you LIVE from Pacific Crest Trail Days ("PCT Days") in Cascade Locks, Oregon! PCT Days is an annual thru-hiker gathering right on the border of Oregon and Washington - and right next to the iconic Bridge of the Gods. Here, Cheer talks with current and prior PCT hikers and asks them pointed questions about how their hike is going, or how it went if they hiked in prior years. In part 1 of this LIVE podcast, we talk to Sparkle, MacGyver, Def Pos, and Pitch Perfect. Sparkle is attempting to break records, MacGyver is an alumni PCT hiker, Def Pos had a tumultuous but spiritual section hike, and Pitch Perfect contrasts the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. In this episode, Cheer asks each guest: 1. What's a moment from your hike that you'll always remember? 2. What was harder than you expected? 3. What was easier or better than you expected? 4. How has the trail changed you? A big thank you to Oboz Footwear for giving us a home at PCT Days this year! Follow along with "Sparkle": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparklesummits/ Follow along with "MacGyver": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riggerx/ Follow along with "Def Pos": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defpos/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@defpos Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donahue.holland Follow along with "Pitch Perfect": Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nic0le_bent0n/ Connect With THRU-r: Subscribe To The THRU-r Newsletter! Join The Trail Family THRU-r Website THRU-r Youtube THRU-r Instagram THRU-r TikTok THRU-r Facebook THRU-r Threads Connect With "Cheer": YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CheerOnTheTrail Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carollcoyne/ 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! Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 240. Rattlesnake Bites, Sierra Mishaps, & Following A Dream On The Pacific Crest Trail With Stevie "Blue Dream" Teran | 23 Jul 2026 | 00:58:24 | |
Today we welcome back Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker Stevie Teran or "Blue Dream" as he's known on trail. Stevie has been part of the THRU-r community for years and since 2021 - he's told us about his dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail! 2025 hit...and the rest is history. Here, we deep dive into his experiences on trail - which were full of wonderful moments, less-than-perfect moments, and surprises along the way. Sneaky epic trail magic included! Stevie was part of our Trail Team over at THRU-r and documented his epic shakedown hikes for the Pacific Crest Trail - the Corfu Trail and Walkers Haute Route - for the podcast. Episode lists are below if you'd like to go back and listen in! Watch this interview on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/4hAR25iNxRY?si=HdT3c-uqEWrlTxNF In this episode, Stevie goes into: 1. The highs and lows of thru-hiking (rattlesnakes & glissades- gone-wrong anyone?) 2. His love for Northern California...& why 3. The secret weapon in his food kit & more! Follow along with Stevie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withinabluedream/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stevie.tea Past Episode List Walker's Haute Route + Corfu Trail Q&A: Episode #185 Walker's Haute Route Correspondence: Day 1 & 2: Episode #169 Day 3 & 4: Episode #172 Day 5 & 6: Episode #174 Day 7 & 8: Episode #177 Day 9 & 10: Episode #179 Corfu Trail Correspondence: Intro: Episode #147 Day 1: Episode #149 Day 2: Episode #152 Day 3: Episode #154 Day 4: Episode #157 Day 5: Episode #162 Day 6: Episode #164 Connect With THRU-r: Subscribe To The THRU-r Newsletter! Join The Trail Family THRU-r Website THRU-r Youtube THRU-r Instagram THRU-r TikTok THRU-r Facebook THRU-r Threads Connect With "Cheer": Cheer's YouTube Cheer's 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! Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 239. Trail Angel Stories From The Appalachian Trail With Mike "Pinnacle" DiCello | 02 Jul 2026 | 00:41:10 | |
In this episode we welcome Appalachian Trail trail angel Mike "Pinnacle" DiCello who goes into life as a trail angel, his personal stories from hiker interactions, how he got into trail angeling, and more! Trail angels are an integral part of the thru-hiking community, and we were honored to have Mike on as a guest to spotlight the important and selfless work they do. In this episode, Mike goes into: 1. His favorite & worst moments from trail angeling 2. "Speed friendships" and the trifecta of how to have a great day on trail 3. Tips for hikers and trail angels alike - & more! Follow along with Mike: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mick32/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.dicello Applicable Links: Laura's Trail Angel Q&A (Episode 99) Ghost's Trail Angel Q&A (Episode 109) 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 | |||
| 238. Adventures On The Hexatrek, Hadrian's Wall Path, & West Highland Way With Gaby "Baby Steps" Roy | 25 Jun 2026 | 00:39:31 | |
Today we welcome thru-hiker Gaby or "Baby Steps" who talks about her treks along the Hadrian's Wall Path in England, the West Highland Way in Scotland, and the Hexatrek in France. Gaby was part of the THRU-r Trail Team in 2025 when she hiked these trails, and it was so fun to follow along with her! In this episode, Baby Steps goes into: 1. Her favorite, worst, & scariest moments (including a deathly allergy!) 2. Three days of the most epic trail magic 3. How to use a pee funnel & more! Follow along with Baby Steps: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaby_hike/ 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 | |||
| 237. Hiking The Kungsleden In Sweden With Nikita "Rowing Boy" Grachev | 12 Jun 2026 | 00:47:39 | |
In this episode we talk all about the Kungsleden or "Kings Trail" in Sweden with Nikita or "Rowing Boy" as he's known on trail. Nikita is a thru-hiker and emerging film maker. He also won the THRU-r hikership (aka "hiker scholarship") in 2025 when he hiked the trail. In this episode, Nikita goes into: 1. What it's like to hike the Kungsleden and the culture of the trail 2. His best advice and tips for hiking long distances 3. The specifics of film making while thru-hiking & more! Watch his films & follow along: YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@morkani Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morkani.trail/ 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 | |||
| 236. The Roadless Rule & Saving Public Lands With Nicole Brown Of Outdoor Alliance | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:29:22 | |
As thru-hikers, we hike through public lands frequently. In this episode, Nicole Brown of Outdoor Alliance comes on to talk about the Roadless Rule - and how the initiative to roll it back will inhibit our access to these parts of public land. She also goes into how we can come together during the comment period to save these precious places along the Pacific Crest Trail and other long trails across America. In this episode, Nicole goes into: 1. Basics on the Roadless Rule & why it's so important for access to public lands 2. What can happen if the Roadless Rule is rolled back 3. How to take action & more! Take Action & Follow Along: 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 | |||
| 235. International Travel & Hiking The Camino, The Hexatrek & Kilimanjaro With Sandra "MacGyver" | 23 May 2026 | 00:48:16 | |
Thru-hiker Sandra D. aka "MacGyver" gives us the rundown of her experience hiking internationally versus hiking in the USA. MacGyver has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Hexatrek, Camino, and most recently - up Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. In this episode, we focus on tips and things to keep in mind while traveling and hiking internationally. Listen in for great insight from someone who's done it! In this episode, MacGyver goes into: 1. Tips on hiking Kilimanjaro and things to keep in mind as you prepare 2. The best resources for researching the Camino 3. Solo hiking versus guided hiking, knowing your limits & so much more! Connect & follow along with MacGyver: MacGyver's 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 | |||
| 234. Daniel "Lucky Colleague" Clark On The Best Thru-Hiking Food, Family Communication Hacks, & Scary Moments On The Appalachian Trail (& Across The Globe) | 17 Apr 2026 | 00:42:39 | |
Appalachian Trail & international trail thru-hiker Daniel "Lucky Colleague" Clark checks in from England and joins us to talk about his experiences all over the world, with a focus on the Appalachian Trail. We go into lessons learned, favorite and least favorite gear, the power of taking a break, best and worst moments, and so much more. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. His favorite and convenient food to pack out 2. The best ways to communicate with friends and family at home 3. Surprising realizations, his tips for aspiring thru-hikers - & more! Connect & follow along with Lucky Colleague: Instagram: www.instagram.com/walking__north/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@EnglishmanJustWalking Sign up for the THRU-r mailing list so you don't miss a thing! (No spam, no selling, just thru-hiker things.) 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 Facebook THRU-r Youtube THRU-r Threads Cheer's YouTube Cheer's Instagram Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 233. Embrace The Brutality On The Continental Divide Trail With Thru-Hiker & Author J.C. "Catmando" Van Etten | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:36:58 | |
New author and triple crowner (aka Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, & Continental Divide Trail thru-hiker & backpacker) J.C. "Catmando" Van Etten joins us to talk all about the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and his new book for aspiring CDT thru-hikers and weekend backpackers alike! In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. His book and how it can help you prepare for your CDT journey 2. The rare and harrowing animal encounter he had just outside of Yellowstone 3. Favorite and worst experiences from trail, the type II fun - & more! Connect & follow along with Catmando: Buy his book: "Backpacking The Continental Divide Trail" Catmando's Instagram Grizzly Bear Charge Footage!! Past Episodes With Catmando: Episode #2: Appalachian Trail Q&A Episode #90: Pacific Crest Trail Q&A Episode #159: Foothills Trail Episode #165: Hurricane Heline Relief Episode #175: Continental Divide Trail & The Triple Crown Sign up for the THRU-r mailing list so you don't miss a thing! (No spam, no selling, just thru-hiker things.) 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 Facebook THRU-r Youtube Cheer's YouTube Cheer's Instagram Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 232. Heather "Anish" Anderson On Her New Memoir "Farther," Her Writing Journey, & How To Go For Your Goals | 05 Mar 2026 | 00:34:30 | |
Today we're joined by author, speaker, record setter, and highly decorated thru-hiker Heather "Anish" Anderson. Heather just released a new memoir about her attempt to be the first woman to complete the Calendar Year Triple Crown: "Farther." Here she goes into her new book, her journey as a hiker and a writer, and the complicated but beautiful places in between. In this episode, Heather tells us about:
Connect with Heather & buy "Farther" or her other books: Website: https://wordsfromthewild.net/ Instagram: @_wordsfromthewild_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnishHikes Stay tuned and follow the THRU-r Instagram account for an upcoming book giveaway! Sign up for the THRU-r mailing list so you don't miss a thing! (No spam, no selling, just thru-hiker things.) Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Connect With THRU-r & Cheer: THRU-r Mailing List Join The Trail Family THRU-r Website THRU-r Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 231. Spiritual Experiences & Pepper Spray Mishaps On The Pacific Crest Trail With Nicholas "Sgt Pepper" Kindred | 20 Feb 2026 | 00:27:13 | |
In this episode, we're joined by Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) thru-hiker Nicholas "Sgt Pepper" Kindred. Sgt Pepper was part of the THRU-r Trail Team of trail correspondents in 2025, and here he goes into his PCT experience - including his favorite gear, best, scariest, and worst moments, best food stops, and more! In this episode, you'll learn about:
Connect With Sgt Pepper: Sgt Pepper's Instagram Sgt Pepper's Articles For The Trek Sign up for the THRU-r mailing list so you don't miss a thing! (No spam, no selling, just thru-hiker things.) Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Connect With THRU-r & Cheer: THRU-r Mailing List Join The Trail Family THRU-r Website THRU-r Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 230. Ramen Bomb Ratios, A Great Town Meal & Knowing When To Draw The Line On The Pacific Crest Trail With Anna "Magic" McKinney Smith | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:36:52 | |
Today we welcome Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) thru-hiker Anna "Magic" McKinney Smith! Magic was part of our Trail Team of trail correspondents in 2025, and here she dives into her PCT experience - including scary heights, smoke woes, her best tips, favorite backpacking gear, and more! In this episode, Magic shares about:
Connect With Magic: Magic's Articles For The Trek Sign up for the THRU-r mailing list so you don't miss a thing! (No spam, no selling, just thru-hiker things.) Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Connect With THRU-r & Cheer: THRU-r Mailing List Join The Trail Family THRU-r Website THRU-r Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 229. Prepare For Your Thru-Hike & Finish Strong With Trailside Fitness Founder Lee Welton | 22 Jan 2026 | 00:47:33 | |
Prepare for thru-hiking season with thru-hiker and Trailside Fitness founder Lee "Flick" Welton. Lee has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and Pacific Northwest Trail. He's also a personal trainer, nutritionist, and Physical Therapist Assistant. This recording is the last of a three part series. If you'd like to join future live events at THRU-r - you can register on the THRU-r Events Page. Sign up for the THRU-r Mailing List for event news and thru-hiker things! In this episode Lee goes into:
If you'd like to see the sideshow, check out the THRU-r YouTube Channel. Connect & Work With Lee: Adventure Ready Group Training (for a $50 discount: Mention THRU-r in the "how you found out about Trailside Fitness" section on the waitlist form.) Check out the links Lee spoke about here: 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 Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 228. Perseverance On The Continental Divide Trail, Candy Grab Bags, & Surprising Favorite Gear With Madelyn "Wrong Way" Dukart | 11 Jan 2026 | 00:39:09 | |
Welcome to Season 6 of the podcast! In this episode we welcome back Appalachian Trail and Continental Divide Trail thru-hiker Madelyn "Wrong Way" Dukart. Wrong Way was part of our Trail Team of trail correspondents, and she has an amazing story of grit and perseverance. She overcame adversity (and a trail injury) to come back strong on the Continental Divide Trail in 2025. Check out Episode #156 for her previous episode regarding trail injury and post trail depression from the 2024 hiking season. In this episode, Wrong Way goes into:
Connect With Wrong Way: Sign up for the THRU-r mailing list so you don't miss a thing! (No spam, no selling, just thru-hiker things.) Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Connect With THRU-r & Cheer: THRU-r Mailing List Join The Trail Family THRU-r Website THRU-r Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 227. Train Smart & Avoid Overuse Injuries With Trailside Fitness Founder Lee "Flick" Welton | 16 Dec 2025 | 00:31:08 | |
Prepare for thru-hiking season with thru-hiker and Trailside Fitness founder Lee "Flick" Welton. Lee has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and Pacific Northwest Trail. He's also a personal trainer, nutritionist, and Physical Therapist Assistant. This recording is the second of a three part series. If you'd like to join his future live event January 10th - you can register on the THRU-r Events Page. Sign up for the THRU-r Mailing List for event news and thru-hiker things! In this episode Lee goes into:
If you'd like to see the sideshow, check out the THRU-r YouTube Channel. Connect & Work With Lee: Adventure Ready Group Training (for a $50 discount: Mention THRU-r in the "how you found out about Trailside Fitness" section on the waitlist form.) Check out the Self Assessment link here. 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 Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 226. Thru-Hiking Tips, How To Afford Long Hikes, & The Best Cinnamon Roll On The Pacific Crest Trail With Casey "Vegas" Huffman | 28 Nov 2025 | 00:47:00 | |
In this episode we welcome back Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker Casey "Vegas" Huffman. Vegas is also the winner of the 2025 THRU-r hiker scholarship, a member of the Trail Team, and a THRU-r Ambassador! Here, he focuses on his most recent thru-hike on the Pacific Crest Trail and goes into:
Also, don't miss the tale of how he got his trail name! If you want to meet up LIVE with Vegas, he hosts online events with us at THRU-r! Check out our Events page to register for our events at www.thru-r.com (all events are free). Sign up for the THRU-r mailing list so you don't miss a thing! (No spam, no selling, just thru-hiker things.) Connect With Vegas: Applicable Links: Help fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Connect With THRU-r & Cheer: THRU-r Mailing List Join The Trail Family THRU-r Website THRU-r Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 225. How To Navigate Blowdowns During A Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hike | 21 Nov 2025 | 00:16:23 | |
Are you backpacking, section hiking, or thru hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)? Triple Crowner and host, Carol "Cheer" Coyne has some tips for you in this episode! Here, she discusses blowdowns and how to get through them successfully (from her own experience). You can check out the video on her YouTube channel "Cheer On The Trail" for additional visuals from trail here. In this episode, you'll learn: 1. What blowdowns are 2. Where Cheer and other hikers experienced the worst blowdowns on the CDT 3. How to navigate blowdowns successfully & more! If you'd like to watch this video (with clips from the CDT!), you can watch on Cheer's YouTube Channel here. If you'd like to talk with experienced hikers LIVE via our THRU-r Events, be sure to join our mailing list so you don't miss a meetup. Join the THRU-r mailing list here. Did you love this episode? If so, subscribe and help fellow hikers find the show by 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 | |||
| 224. Build The Base Before You Chase The Miles For Thru-Hikers! Get Trail Ready With Trailside Fitness Founder Lee "Flick" Welton | 18 Nov 2025 | 00:35:28 | |
Prepare for thru-hiking season with thru-hiker and Trailside Fitness founder Lee "Flick" Welton. Lee has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and Pacific Northwest Trail - so he knows what he's talking about! He's also a personal trainer, nutritionist, and Physical Therapist Assistant. This recording is the first of a three part series, so stay tuned in the coming months for more great information from Lee. If you'd like to join the future live events on December 13th and January 10th - you can register on the THRU-r Events Page. Sign up for the THRU-r Mailing List for event news and thru-hiker things! In this episode Lee goes into:
If you'd like to see the sideshow, check out the THRU-r YouTube Channel. Connect & Work With Lee: Adventure Ready Group Training (for a $50 discount: Mention THRU-r in the "how you found out about Trailside Fitness" section on the waitlist form.) Assessment Links: 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 Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 223. When Things Don't Go Well On Trail, Thoughts On The Triple Crown, & The Role Of Social Media In Thru-Hiking With Kyle "Shooter" Peltier | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:47:45 | |
In this episode we welcome back Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker Kyle "Shooter" Peltier. Here, he and host Carol "Cheer" Coyne talk about their somewhat tumultuous but transformative thru-hikes on the Appalachian Trail. We also dive into:
Connect With Shooter: 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 Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 222. The Long Path, Thru-Running, The John Muir Trail, & Barefoot Hiking With Ken Posner | 27 Oct 2025 | 00:43:56 | |
Today we welcome author, thru-hiker, and thru-runner Ken Posner! In this episode he talks about backpacking "sister trails" The John Muir Trail and the lesser known Long Path in New York. We also dive into:
Connect With Ken: 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 Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 221. The Santa Fe To Taos Thru-Hike & The Beauty Of Backpacking New Mexico With Founder Pam Neely | 16 Oct 2025 | 00:35:32 | |
In this episode we welcome Santa Fe To Taos thru-hike founder Pam Neely! Here, she goes into the all-new 132 mile thru-hike in New Mexico - which can also be broken into sections for the backpacking weekend-warriors out there! In this episode, you'll learn about:
Learn more about the Santa Fe To Taos thru-hike: 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 Youtube THRU-r Threads Cheer's YouTube Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 220. Bear Spray: What I Wish I Knew Before Hiking The Continental Divide Trail | 09 Oct 2025 | 00:14:56 | |
Are you backpacking, section hiking, or thru hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)? Triple Crowner and host, Carol "Cheer" Coyne has some tips for you in this episode! Here, she discusses bear spray and bear safety from her own experience. You can check out the video on her YouTube channel "Cheer On The Trail" for additional visuals from trail here. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. Cheer's personal stories of bear spray, bear hangs, and bear encounters 2. Where to start carrying bear spray 3. How to score FREE bear spray & more! If you'd like to watch this video (with clips from the CDT!), you can watch on Cheer's YouTube Channel here. 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 | |||
| 219. Colorado Trail Thru-Hiker & Photographer Matt "Extra Credit" Payne On Trail Photography, Moose Encounters, & Backcountry Bidets | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:38:47 | |
Listen in to Colorado Trail backpacker and thru-hiker Matt "Extra Credit" Payne as he gives insight on his epic trek, and shares about his photography tips to use while backpacking. Extra Credit is also an author, and his all-new book "The Colorado Way: A Book of Mountains, Trails, and Growth" is currently in the works. In this episode, Extra Credit tells us about:
Connect with Matt "Extra Credit" Payne: Contribute To His Book Kickstarter Applicable Links: Holy Hiker Bidet 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 | |||
| 218. Water, Trail Angels, & The Resupply Situation On The Jordan Trail With Thru-Hikers Ryan "Ungerwhere" Unger & Ben "Neon" Craver | 29 Sep 2025 | 00:29:09 | |
Have you ever wondered about the 408 mile thru-hike of the Jordan Trail? Listen in to this episode featuring uber experienced thru-hikers and backpackers Ryan "Ungerwhere" Unger and Ben "Neon" Craver as they discuss strategy, culture, and common thru-hiking aspects to keep in mind. This is part 2 of a 2 part series. Check out Episode #217 for part 1 on the Jordan Trail! In this episode, you'll learn about:
Applicable Links: Connect with Ryan "Ungerwhere" Unger: Ungerwhere's YouTube Channel Connect with Ben "Neon" Craver: 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 | |||
| 217. Backpacking The Jordan Trail With Experienced Thru-Hikers Ryan "Ungerwhere" Unger & Ben "Neon" Craver | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:34:09 | |
Have you ever wondered about the 408 mile thru-hike of the Jordan Trail? Listen in to this episode featuring uber experienced thru-hikers and backpackers Ryan "Ungerwhere" Unger and Ben "Neon" Craver as they recount their trek through diverse terrain and culturally rich country - which also came with some highs and lows. This is part 1 of a 2 part series. Check out Episode #218 dropping this week for more from the Jordan Trail! In this episode, you'll learn about:
Connect with Ryan "Ungerwhere" Unger: Ungerwhere's Website Connect with Ben "Neon" Craver: 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 | |||
| 216. Seclusion On The Continental Divide Trail | 13 Sep 2025 | 00:15:20 | |
Are you backpacking, section hiking, or thru hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)? Triple Crowner and host, Carol "Cheer" Coyne has some tips for you in this episode! Here, she discusses something she knew was coming - but not to the extent that it did: Seclusion. In this episode, you'll hear about: 1. Cheer's personal stories of seclusion on the CDT 2. The northbound (NOBO) and southbound (SOBO) bubbles 3. Towns and hostels where hikers congregate & more! If you'd like to watch this video (with clips from the CDT!), you can watch on Cheer's YouTube Channel here. 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 | |||
| 215. The Scariest, Best, & Most Notable Animal Encounters From Our Team Of Thru-Hikers | 07 Sep 2025 | 00:45:13 | |
Get to know our 2025 Trail Team of thru-hiking trail correspondents in this episode - with stories of their most notable (best/most interesting/scariest) animal encounters! Our hikers are backpacking on and telling stories from the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and the Hexatrek in France. You can follow along with all of our Trail Team members on the THRU-r Instagram page. Connect with our featured Trail Team members on their personal Instagram pages: Pickles & Freight Train Sammy (Now "Tour Guide") 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 | |||
| 214. The Best Ways To Prepare For Trail, Stay Balanced, & Maintain Energy Levels On A Thru-Hike With Sports Nutrition Dietitian Alex Larson | 28 Aug 2025 | 00:45:50 | |
How should thru-hikers eat to ensure success? You're about to find out from an endurance athlete perspective! Thru-hiking fits perfectly into the "endurance athlete" group - we just might be a little dirtier than most... If you're looking to up your hiking and backpacking game, listen in to this episode with sports nutrition dietitian and endurance athlete Alex Larson! In this episode, she'll go over:
Connect with Alex: Alex Larson Nutrition Website 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 | |||
| 213. What Happens When You Press The SOS Button After Disaster Strikes With Thru-Hiker Kristine "GG" Hartlaub | 24 Aug 2025 | 00:40:16 | |
What happens when you're on a thru-hike and need to press the SOS button to be rescued? Casual backpackers and long-distance hikers alike can learn from Kristine or "GG's" experience on the Continental Divide Trail. In this episode, you'll learn about:
Connect with GG: 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 | |||
| 212. Backpacking The Pacific Crest Trail In A Record Snow Year, Thru-Hiker Mindset Tips, & The Best Root Beer In The World With Chloe "Chickpea" Jacobs | 14 Aug 2025 | 00:40:13 | |
In this episode we welcome back Chloe "Chickpea" Jacobs! She's a Pacific Crest Trail and Colorado Trail thru-hiker (among other trails world-wide) and is also the founder of "Bold By Nature." In part 2 of her interview - she describes what it's like to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in a record snow year (2023). In this episode, you'll hear about:
Applicable Links: Connect with Chickpea: Chickpea's Free Mindset Challenge The Key To Thru-Hiking Success 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 | |||
| 211. Chloe "Chickpea" Jacobs On Leaving Her Dream Job For The Pacific Crest Trail, Falling In Love In The Mountains, & The Proper Way To Use A Cookpot | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:41:03 | |
Today we welcome Chloe "Chickpea" Jacobs to the podcast! She's a Pacific Crest Trail and Colorado Trail thru-hiker (among other trails world-wide) and she's also founder of "Bold By Nature." In part 1 of her interview - she describes how she left her dream job to pursue the Pacific Crest Trail and how she fell in love in the mountains during a record high snow year! In this episode, you'll also learn about:
Connect with Chickpea: Chickpea's Free Mindset Challenge The Key To Thru-Hiking Success 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 | |||
| 210. The Best Trail Magic & Trail Angel Stories From Our Team Of Thru-Hikers | 01 Aug 2025 | 00:57:39 | |
Get to know our 2025 Trail Team of thru-hiking trail correspondents in this episode - with stories of their favorite trail magic & trail angels! 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: Sammy (Now "Tour Guide") 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 | |||
| 209. Continental Divide Trail Timing & A State-By-State Breakdown For Thru-Hikers, Section Hikers, & Backpackers | 26 Jul 2025 | 00:30:42 | |
Are you backpacking, section hiking, or thru hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)? Triple Crowner and host, Carol "Cheer" Coyne has some tips for you in this episode! Here, she discusses timing & strategy to finish the trail before the first snow hits. She also talks about ideal times to be in each section, mileage and terrain by state, & more. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. Overall strategy of hiking a 3,000 mile trail 2. Trail alternates & how they affect mileage (spoiler alert: most CDT hikers don't quite hike 3,000 miles) 3. The ideal times to hike through each state & more! If you'd like to watch this video (with clips from the CDT!), you can watch on Cheer's YouTube Channel here. 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 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. Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 208. Creek Crossing Tips & Things To Keep In Mind For Pacific Crest Trail & John Muir Trail Thru-Hikers | 19 Jul 2025 | 00:57:56 | |
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. In this episode, you'll learn about: 1. Safety concerns about using rope 2. How to protect your feet and how to keep them dry 3. Trekking poles and how to use them for crossings 4. How to stay warm and safe after crossing & more! Previous safety episodes with Ned: Episode #199: River Crossing Safety Techniques 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: 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! 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. 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 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. Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 207. Halfway Anywhere Creator Tyler "Mac" Fox On Thru-Hiking Gear, Preparation, & The Only Thing He Cooks On Trail | 11 Jul 2025 | 00:36:14 | |
In this episode we welcome Tyler "Mac" Fox: Thru-hiker and creator of the very-popular thru-hiking resource Halfway Anywhere! This online resource includes hiker surveys for the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, & John Muir Trail as well as a ton of information for backpackers. In this episode, Mac goes into:
Connect with Mac & Halfway Anywhere: 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 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. Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 206. The Trans Adirondack Route With Creator & Thru-Hiker Erik Schlimmer | 04 Jul 2025 | 00:38:28 | |
Learn about backpacking the Trans Adirondack Route with creator Eric Schlimmer! This rugged 240 mile trail goes through the state of New York and let's just say - some Triple Crowners and Pacific Crest Trail hikers couldn't finish it. Here, Eric gives insight on the trail creation and tips on how to take it on successfully. He'll also talk about some of the lesser known (and less crowded) trails to hike in the US. In this episode, you'll learn:
Connect with Erik: 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 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. Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 205. All About "Type II Fun" With Our Trail Team Of Thru-Hikers | 27 Jun 2025 | 00:34:30 | |
Get to know our 2025 Trail Team of thru-hiking trail correspondents in this episode - with stories of type II fun! 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: 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 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. Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis | |||
| 204. Katie "Oats" Houston On The Pinhoti Trail, Hiking With A Dog, & Why Thru-Hiking Is Beneficial For Mental Health | 21 Jun 2025 | 00:50:18 | |
Backpack the Pinhoti Trail and get into the history! Appalachian Trail & Pinhoti Trail thru-hiker Katie "Oats" Houston tells about her experiences while hiking this amazing trail (part solo, and part with her dog "Thru"!). Here, we go into her many tips and tricks for trekking along the Pinhoti, history of the trail, hiking with a dog, and we also touch on the benefits of hiking for mental health. In this episode, you'll learn about:
Applicable Links: The Hearn Inn, Cave Springs, GA Radiolab episode - Quantum Birds Stuff You Should Know episode - The Trail of Tears Connect with Oats by using the links below: Oats on the Pinhoti series on The Trek 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 | |||
| 203. The Top 14 Reasons Why John Muir Trail Hikers Fail & How To Have A Successful Thru-Hike With Ethan "Po" Gallogly | 13 Jun 2025 | 00:47:22 | |
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: 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 | |||
| 202. Everything You Need To Know About Backpacking The John Muir Trail With Ethan "Po" Gallogly | 07 Jun 2025 | 00:35:52 | |
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: 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 | |||
| 201. Thoughts On Thru-Hiker Trail Names & Trail Name Stories With Our 2025 Trail Team | 30 May 2025 | 00:38:56 | |
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: Vegas - (& His "PG-13" Trail Name Story) 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 | |||
| 200. How Thru-Hikers Can Keep Backpacking & Adventuring On A Shorter Timeline With "Walks Of The World" Author Gail Perry | 22 May 2025 | 00:48:03 | |
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) Connect & follow along with Gail: Walks Of The World 2025 Calendar Walks Of The World 2026 Calendar 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 | |||
| 199. River Crossing Safety & Techniques For Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers, John Muir Trail Backpackers, & Sierra Hikers With Ned Tibbits | 14 May 2025 | 01:01:03 | |
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: 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 | |||
| 198. Chris Townsend On Outdoor Photography, Becoming An Author, & Tips For Success In All Aspects Of Outdoor Documentation For Thru-Hikers & Backpackers | 01 May 2025 | 00:42:00 | |
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 Follow along with Cheer on the Trans Catalina Trail: 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 | |||
| 197. Meet Our 2025 Trail Team Members (Part 2): Taking On The Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Camino de Santiago, & More! | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:43:20 | |
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: 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 | |||
| 196. Meet Our 2025 Trail Team Members (Part 1): A Journey To The Triple Crown Trails & International Trails Alike | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:35:59 | |
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: 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 | |||
| 195. Thru-Hiking Legend Chris Townsend On His Best Tips For Beginners, When Hiker Hunger Hits, & How Shakedown Hikes Can Set You Up For Success | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:25:06 | |
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 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 | |||
| 194. River Crossing Basics & How To Avoid The Hazards With Mountain Education Founder & Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Ned Tibbits | 02 Apr 2025 | 01:01:19 | |
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: 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 | |||