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In Episode 20 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, I speak with 30-Pack about his 2013 thru-hike on the 2,663 mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).  Over six months, he hiked 420,880 feet of elevation walking from Mexico to Canada along the western mountains of the U.S.  This after he completed the Appalachian Trail on the East Coast in 2012 (see Episode #13).  Will the Continental Divide Trail and coveted Triple Crown follow in 2014?  Listen and find out. Topics in this podcast include an injury that nearly ended his hike in California, deep snow in the Cascades, romance starting in the Sierra, and a discussion on the soon to be released Hollywood movie Wild which takes place on the PCT.   To see some amazing photos from his journey, you can follow this link and check out a Pacific Crest Trail calendar that 30-Pack made with Sweet Tooth - because the Triple Crown is in their future, and every penny gets them closer. Subject:The Pacific Crest Trail Interviewees:  30-Pack Interview Date:  January 2, 2014Runtime: 1:05:28Download Now: The Pacific Crest Trail (WMA format 31.6 Meg);The Pacific Crest Trail (MP3 format 62.8 Meg);   You can follow or subscribe to this podcast if you click here (via Blubrry, Facebook, Google+, iGoogle, iTunes, RSS, Twitter, Stitcher, Yahoo, Zune)    

In Episode 19 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, I speak with 30-Pack about his recent thru-hike on the 2,663 Pacific Crest Trail.  This is the bonus material from the initial interview, so make sure you listen to Episode #20 first. In this bonus podcast, 30-Pack talks about his first day on the the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), trail romance, hiking with dogs, favorite trail towns, and interesting hitches.  He finishes with some final thoughts on thru-hiking and how it has changed his life over the last two years.     To see some amazing photos from his journey, you can follow this link and check out a Pacific Crest Trail calendar that 30-Pack made with Sweet Tooth - because the Triple Crown is in their future, and every penny gets them closer. Subject:  The Pacific Crest Trail - Bonus Audio Interviewees:  30-Pack Interview Date:  January 2, 2014Runtime: 1:06:09Download Now: The Pacific Crest Trail - Bonus Audio (WMA format 31.9 Meg);The Pacific Crest Trail - Bonus Audio (MP3 format 63.5 Meg);   You can follow or subscribe to this podcast if you click here (via Blubrry, Facebook, Google+, iGoogle, iTunes, RSS, Twitter, Stitcher, Yahoo, Zune)    

In Episode 18 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, I speak with Troubadour about thru-hiking the Triple Crown:  The Appalachian Trail (in 1994), The Continental Divide Trail (in 2002), and The Pacific Crest Trail (in 1999). In the podcast, Troubadour compares the three major U.S. long distance hiking trails and talks about some favorite sections on each.  He also gives a nod to great trail towns, hostels, and trail angels on these three epic trails.    In the early years of the Internet, Troubadour was also a pioneer in the hiking and backpacking community - launching thruhikers.com and pcthiker.com in 1995.  We talk about the websites, about his hiking nearly 10,000 miles in the backcountry, and some great and not so great moments on the trail.   Subject:  The Triple Crown - Part One Interviewees:  Troubadour Interview Date:  December 2, 2013Runtime: 1:16:24Download Now: The Triple Crown - Part One (WMA format 37.0 Meg);The Triple Crown - Part One (MP3 format 73.1 Meg)   You can follow or subscribe to this podcast if you click here (via Blubrry, Facebook, Google+, iGoogle, iTunes, RSS, Twitter, Stitcher, Yahoo, Zune)    

In Episode 17 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, I have a phone interview with Jester about his 2013 DVD release  "Embrace The Brutality" which documents his 3100 mile thru-hike on the Continental Divide Trail. In the podcast, Jester talks about his first backpacking trip, his high and low moments on the CDT, what it takes to hike, film, and produce a major film on the Trail, and a major hike that he has planned for Europe.  Jester also offers some general advice to those that plan to hike the CDT and gives great insight for those that are contemplating a major hike through the Rockies. In September, Jester will receive the prestigious Triple Crown award at the ALDHA-West event which is given to those that complete the entire Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail.  Congrats to him - because there are only a handful of backpackers that will ever earn that distinction.   For more information on Jester and his DVD's - which include a documentary of his thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail - follow this link to his website or visit his page on Facebook. Subject:  The Continental Divide Trail "Embrace The Brutality" Interviewees:  Jester Interview Date:  August 26, 2013Runtime: 1:06:42Download Now: The Continental Divide Trail - Embrace The Brutality (WMA format 64.2 Meg);The Continental Divide Trail - Embrace The Brutality (MP3 format 64.0 Meg)   You can follow or subscribe to this podcast if you click here (via Blubrry, Facebook, Google+, iGoogle, iTunes, RSS, Twitter, Stitcher, Yahoo, Zune)    

In Episode 16 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, I speak with Glenn (aka The Helmet) from his historic 1858 schoolhouse in Barton, Vermont.  The topic is the 272 mile Long Trail which in 1930 was the first major long distance trail to be completed in the United States and it set the standard for the other major long distance hiking trails in America.  In the podcast, The Helmet and I talk about the history and some mysterious events on the Long Trail.  We also discuss interesting peaks (including Mt. Bromley, Killington, Stratton, Mt. Mansfield), our mishaps and adventures on the LT, and  how the route compares to his thru-hike of the John Muir Trail in California (chronicled in Episode #1). The Long Trail shares 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Southern Vermont, and many A.T. thru-hikers are nearly half-way to completing the route.  So here's your inspiration!        Subject:  The Long Trail Interviewees:  Glenn (The Helmet)Interview Date:  July 7, 1913Interview Site:  Barton, VermontRuntime: 54:41Download Now: The Long Trail (WMA format 28.5 Meg); The Long Trail (MP3 format 52.5Meg)   You can follow or subscribe to this podcast if you click here (via Blubrry, Facebook, Google+, iGoogle, iTunes, RSS, Twitter, Stitcher, Yahoo, Zune)    

In Episode 15 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, I speak with Mackie about a 65 day and 17,000 mile cross-country road trip that went down in the summer of 1996.  On the journey, we hiked sections of the Appalachian, Continental, and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails and visited some treasured American wilderness including Isle Royal, Glacier, Mt. Ranier, Redwoods, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon National Park.  In the podcast, Mackie talks about the adventure, some major mishaps, high and low moments from the trip, his favorite National Parks, and why this was among the best experiences of his life.   This is the second of two podcasts about mega road-trips that I took in the mid-90's.  The map highlights each route with the red lines marking the 1996 trip that I did with Mackie and the green lines marking a 1998 trip with the Ox.  You can also  follow this link to a photo gallery or a video from the 1996 trip.       Subject:  The Ultimate Summer Road Trip - Part Two Interviewees:  MackieInterview Date:  June 30, 2013Interview Site:  Richmond, VirginiaRuntime: 1:13:27Download Now: The Ultimate Summer Road Trip - Part Two (WMA format 71.2 Meg); The Ultimate Summer Road Trip - Part Two (MP3 format 70.5 Meg)   You can follow or subscribe to this podcast if you click here (via Blubrry, Facebook, Google+, iGoogle, iTunes, RSS, Twitter, Stitcher, Yahoo, Zune)    

In Episode 14 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, I speak with The Ox about a 38 day cross-country road trip that took place in the summer of 1998.  We spent most of the tour in the western United States and Canada (Alberta and British Columbia) where we went backpacking and fishing in the Rockies, Cascades, and on the coast of the Pacific Northwest.   In the podcast, The Ox talks about the high and low moments on our road trip, some favorite campsites in the backcountry, and breaking down on the drive home at the Colorado/Kansas border.   This is the first of two podcasts about mega road-trips that I took in the mid-90's.  The map highlights each route with the red lines marking a 1996 trip that I did with Mackie and the green lines marking this 1998 trip with the Ox.  You can also  follow this link to a photo gallery from the 1998 trip.       Subject:  The Ultimate Summer Road Trip - Part One Interviewees:  Steve (The Ox)Interview Date:  May 17, 2013Runtime: 1:06:26Download Now: The Ultimate Summer Road Trip - Part One  (WMA format 62.6 Meg); The Ultimate Summer Road Trip - Part One (MP3 format 46.7 Meg)

In Episode 13 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, I have a phone interview with KC (aka 30-Pack) about his 2012 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail that began at Springer Mountain in March and ended nearly 2,200 miles later at Mount Katahdin in September. In the podcast, KC talks about the birth of his trail-name, some of his favorite (and not so favorite) moments on the trail, the Wolf Pack and the social aspects of a thru-hike, and why the experience was so inspiring that he plans to set out once again this spring to hike the Pacific Crest Trail on the West Coast. KC plans to raise money for "Hiking For Kids" as part of his Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike, and you are invited to click here to make a donation. You can also follow KC via his Pacific Crest Trail Blog and offer your encouragement. Congratulations 30 Pack, and best wishes!   Subject:  The Appalachian Trail Podcast - Reflections From A 2012 Thru-Hiker Interviewees:  KC (30-Pack)Interview Date:  February 21, 2013Runtime: 1:04:28Download Now: The Appalachian Trail Podcast - Reflections From A 2012 Thru-Hiker  (WMA format 60.3 Meg); The Appalachian Trail Podcast - Reflections From A 2012 Thru-Hiker (MP3 format 45.3 Meg)

In Episode 12 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, I speak with Amy (aka Mrs. Weasel) in a Banner Elk interview about her experiences on the trail. These include volunteering, hiking, and even camping solo in the backcountry along the Appalachian, Benton MacKaye, and Pine Mountain Trails in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. In the podcast, Amy talks about doing trail maintenance as part of the Konorock and Georgia Appalachian Trail crews in the Southeast, her quest to finish the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, and what its like to spend the night solo in the wilderness as a female.    Subject:  Volunteer, Hike, & Camp SoloInterviewees:  Amy (Mrs. Weasel)Interview Date:  February 15, 2013 Runtime: 25:45Download Now:  Volunteer, Hike, & Camp Solo (WMA format 24.9 Meg); Volunteer, Hike, & Camp Solo (MP3 format 18.5 Meg)

In Episode 11 of the N2Backpacking podcast series, Katie (aka Wild Turkey) talks about her ventures in to the wilderness - hiking and backpacking with both friends and family in the Southeast.  Topics include the weather and its impact on the experience, the gear you need for the Trail, and hiking with infants and young children. Katie is the first female to do a solo interview for N2Backpacking and she delivers with this New Year's Eve conversation recorded in Elljay, Georgia. Katie talks about some pristine destinations in the Southeast - including The Cartecay & Chattooga Rivers, Stratton Bald, The Smokies, Wesser Bald, Yellow Mountain, and a few others. She also offers some general advice for those that are striking out for the first time.   Subject:  A Woman's Take On The Trail Interviewees:  Katie  (Wild Turkey)Interview Date:  December 31, 2012Runtime: 29:04Download Now: A Woman's Take On The Trail (WMA format 54.9 Meg); A Woman's Take On The Trail (MP3 format 43.8 Meg)