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 Trail Correspondents here. Give us feedback on Trail Correspondents here. [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, 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.

Trail Correspondents

#24 | An Interview with Your Former Self

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 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.

#23 | Readjusting After a Thru-Hike

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.

#22 | The End

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 newsletter > Editing and music courtesy of Pauly Boy Shallcross.

#21 | Wild Card III: Sober Hiking, Relationship Advice, and Trail Etiquette

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 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)!  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.

#20 | Revelations

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.   FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER 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 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.

#19 | The Mental Grind

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)!   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.

#18 | Stories from the Trail

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. 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 Eric Dernbach & Alison Dernbach Angie Kane Check out our suggested PCT Gear List. CDT HIKERS Sara Dhooma Dosu [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 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.

#17 | Wildcard II (Group 2)

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 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.

#16 | Wildcard II (Group 1)

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 & Alison Dernbach Angie Kane Check out our suggested PCT Gear List. CDT HIKERS Sara Dhooma Dosu [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 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.

#15 | The Social Dynamics of a Thru-Hike (Group 2)

There are many fascinating components to the thru-hiking lifestyle, none more so than the social dynamics a hiker will encounter during the course of this trek. Today our hikers give us a glimpse into the ways in which hikers group up on trail. We learn if they're hiking solo, with a partner, in a group and why, how the dynamics have evolved since the early days of their journeys, the friendships they've formed, how it's compared to their pre-trail expectations, 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 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 iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  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.

#14 | The Social Dynamics of a Thru-Hike (Group 1)

We hope you've got enough appetite to stomach another show about trail food, because today's edition is an all you can eat buffet of hiker fare. Our remaining PCT and CDT hikers weigh in on what their favorite trail foods are, what they're craving most, if they've been stricken with the notorious hiker hunger, how their food systems have evolved over the course of their hikes, and more. For anyone who's curious about how long distance backpackers manage their diets, this episode will provide plenty of food for thought. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Get a 10% discount off at northxnorth.co by using code "TREK10". In today's show, we hear from:  PCT HIKERS Karthikeya Nadendla Laura Stewart Julie Klazynski Liam Purtle Eric Dernbach & Alison Dernbach Angie Kane Check out our suggested PCT Gear List. CDT HIKERS Sara Dhooma Dosu [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)!   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.

#13 | The Thru-Hiker Diet: Favorite Foods, Hiker Hunger, and Nutrition Strategies (Group 2)

Food. It's is a subject of endless fascination to just about everyone. Even the most experienced hikers stand room for improvement with their backcountry menus. Rarely do I go a long stint on trail without picking up some sort of tip for how to enhance my hiker fare. This episode will be appealing to those who want to improve their on trail culinary skills or who are simply curious about what a hiker eats, what the vaunted hiker hunger is all about, and how tastes evolve over the course of a thru-hike. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Get a 10% discount off at northxnorth.co by using code "TREK10". In today's show, we hear from:  Frozen Katharine Rudzitis Amazing Grass Green Powder Missy Baatz Kenneth Pararo Melissa Glass Nancy Alexander Sarah Herman Zack Munsell Jazmin Ortega Related reading: My PCT Thru-Hike Diet & 3 Ingredient Backpacking Meals [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, 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.

#12 | The Thru-Hiker Diet: Favorite Meals, Snacks, and Philosophy (Group 1)

Gear. For some people it's their favorite topic in the world, for others, it results in a shoulder shrug and an eye roll. But whether you love or hate gear talk, there's no way around it: what you carry on your back, plays a big role in how much you enjoy your hike. More precisely, getting it wrong the first time, can be emotionally and financially draining. -Check out the full list of what our hikers changed in the show notes below- Today our hikers share what they've sent home, what they've upgraded- really an overall glimpse into their gear systems thus far. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Get a 10% discount off at northxnorth.co by using code "TREK10". In today's show, we hear from:  PCT HIKERS Karthikeya Nadendla Sent home Big Agnes Air Pillow, but is considering retrying on trail, or trying Sea to Summit Pillow Started with New Balance Summit Unknowns, swapped out for for Altra Timps after heel pain Laura Stewart Sent home cook set cup accessory Forwarded the larger snow basket option for trekking poles Dropped Patagonia long-sleeve button-up in favor of long-sleeve sun shirt Removed netting from Outdoor Research skort and paired with men's boxer briefs Added sun gloves Sent home Injinji toe socks liner and is using a single layer Darn Tough sock Considering adding a sun umbrella Julie Klazynski Switched Sawyer Micro for a Sawyer Squeeze Planning to send home: mug, stove, mace, extraneous toiletries (lotion, shampoo, conditioner) Liam Purtle Sent ahead microspikes Bought larger size shoe (went from 10.5 to 12) Eric Dernbach & Alison Dernbach Upgraded to Altras with wider fit Sent home: mug, extra pair of long underwear, pack cover, first aid kit, book Angie Kane Swapped out hiking shorts in favor of hiking pants for sun protection Upgraded to Sawyer Mini from Sawyer Micro Added Injinji liners Sent home shorts, sleeping pants Received from home: yoga shorts with pockets, cheap leggings (to replace sleeping pants) Check out our suggested PCT Gear List. CDT HIKERS Sara Dhooma Added Six Moon Designs Sun Umbrella Ordered cuben fiber food bag Dosu Sent home: long underwear bottoms Bounced forward: solar panel [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 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.

#11 | Thru-Hiking Gear: Regrets, Upgrades, and Best Advice (Group 2)

To prepare for a thru-hike is to spend months reading blog posts, watching videos, and following social media accounts trying to absorb as much information for your forthcoming journey as possible.  But even the most type A person can't completely envision what lies ahead on the trail- and thank god for that. That is precisely the premise of today's show.  Today our hikers let us in on how the journey has deviated from their expectations. FIND US ON ITUNES | FIND US ON GOOGLE PLAY | FIND US ON STITCHER Get a 10% discount off at northxnorth.co by using code "TREK10".  In today's show, we hear from:  Laura Stewart Karthikeya Nadendla Julie Klazynski Liam Purtle Eric Dernbach Alison Dernbach Angie Kane Sara Dhooma Dosu 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.

#10 | Expectations vs. Reality (Group 2)

Trail Correspondents is a teleportation machine to the trail- in audio form. Every other week, a select handful of thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and the American Discovery Trail, give us a glimpse into the world of long distance backpacking. Through their eyes and vocal cords, we 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 trail yourself.

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Trail Correspondents

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