In Episode 104B, we are once again deep in the backcountry on the Benton MacKaye Trail where we sit fireside and under the stars for Backpacker Trivia. In the show, I pose questions from Backpacker Magazine, the U.S. Forest Service, and KSLTV in Salt Lake City on some interesting hiking and backpacking questions about the backcountry. In the podcast, we have a lot of fun answering trivia questions at our campsite and we actually witness a trail runner on a 60 mile midnight run as we record our podcast! This is a fun episode that definitely merits bonus show status. If you like bonus cuts, you'll certainly enjoy this show...   Subject: Backpacker TriviaInterviewees: 3Dub, Beer Run, Bono, The Weasel, Therm RiderInterview Date: April 13, 2024Runtime: 38:26 Download Now: Backpacker Trivia (WMA format 54.1 MB; Backpacker Trivia (MP3 format 54.0 MB)

In Episode 103, Cardiac and Drone Boy join me for a studio recording of some intriguing hiking and backpacking events that made the news this past year. Some of the topics we discuss include another hiker that found themselves at the bottom of a pit toilet, a loyal dog that survived 72 days on a high peak of Colorado, and a few events that involved Hollywood actors in the backcountry. Finally we close out with trail stats from the Appalachian Trail this past year and we discuss some ridiculous comments that visitors made on social media after visiting some of our most famous National Parks. If there are any worthy hiking and backpacking news events that we missed - drop us a comment below and Happy New Year! Subject: Hiking News Review 2023Interviewees: Cardiac, Drone BoyInterview Date: January 4, 2023Runtime: 1:36:04 Download Now: Hiking News Review 2023 (WMA format 138.3 MB; Hiking News Review 2023 (MP3 format 46.8 MB)

In Episode 102, we have our FIRST Halloween special and discuss some of the spooky and crazy ass things that have happened in the backcountry over the last two decades. Cardiac and Drone Boy join me in the studio for this podcast and talk through some disturbing and well publicized events - some don't have a happy ending. We even share some scary personal encounters and expect that you have your own. So reach out to us and let us know about your spooky experiences on the trail. In reality, the backcountry is statistically a very safe place - way more than any major metro area in the U.S. So don't let this episode freak you out. Keep on hiking, be smart, and be aware. Happy Halloween! Subject: Backcountry HalloweenInterviewees: Cardiac, Drone BoyInterview Date: October 21, 2023Runtime: 1:21:28 Download Now: Backcountry Halloween (WMA format 39.7 Meg);Backcountry Halloween (MP3 format 78.2 Meg)

In Episode 101, we continue our discussion of The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly - our best and worst experiences on the Trail.  Recorded live on the Chattooga River in northwestern South Carolina, I sit fireside with 3Dub, Mick, Hollywood, and Therm Rider after hiking to Long Creek Falls and settling in for the night. In the show we discuss some great sunsets, 3Dub's fall into a Cobra hole, our favorite campsites, and Hollywood's discovery of a tick - in the worst possible place! This is another fun episode and we only scratch the surface of a lengthy list of experiences that I have tracked at N2Backpacking over 25+ years.  So if you have mishaps of your own, check out the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly tab on our website, and help add to our list - or share your own experiences with a comment below... Subject: The Good, Bad, and Ugly 2Interviewees: 3Dub, Hollywood, Mick, Therm RiderInterview Date: July 03, 2023Runtime: 1:15:22 Download Now: The Good, Bad, and Ugly 2 (WMA format 35.9 Meg);The Good, Bad, and Ugly 2 (MP3 format 70.6 Meg)

In Episode 100, we are back in the studio to celebrate our 100th episode by recapping some interesting things that have happened in the backcountry since the N2Backpacking podcast first aired 12 years ago. In the show, Cardiac, Drone Boy, and Therm Rider join me for the "Darwin Awards" - a recap of some backcountry mishaps that have happened to us and to other hikers and backpackers over the last decade on the trail. This is another fun episode that includes hikers falling in pit toilets, getting selfies with bears, and burning their eyeballs - among other things. It's a great way to mark our 100th podcast, and if you have some Darwin experiences of your own please add your comments below. Subject: The Darwin AwardsInterviewees: Cardiac, Drone Boy, Therm RiderInterview Date: August 13, 2023Runtime: 1:13:42 Download Now: The Darwin Awards (WMA format 35.9 Meg);The Darwin Awards (MP3 format 106.1 Meg)

In Episode 99, I sit fireside with Therm Rider, Beer Run and Sons on the Benton MacKaye Trail in North Georgia to talk about some things that ruin a backpacking trip. In the podcast, we discuss backpackers that camp on top of you, those that make speaker phone calls, crank booty music or even throw live ammunition into your campfire! We also talk about bad weather, angry insects, and getting sick in the backcountry - which had me dumping out a vomit filled hiking boot. This is a fun episode and we only touch on a handful of topics tonight. So if you have some experiences of your own and would like to share them, please reach out to us via the N2Backpacking website or on our social media pages because we'll likely expand on this topic in a future podcast. Subject: Things That Ruin A Backpacking TripInterviewees: Beer Run & Sons, Therm Rider Interview Date: April 15, 2023Runtime: 45:26 Download Now: Things That Ruin A Backpacking Trip (WMA format 21.6 MB); Things That Ruin A Backpacking Trip (MP3 format 63.9 MB)

In Episode 98, Therm Rider, Beer Run, & 3Dub are in the recently renovated studio to discuss Ultralight backpacking. In the show, we discuss WHAT inspired us to start looking at lighter equipment, WHO motivated us - including some gear manufacturers, YouTubers, and fellow podcasters, and WHY some of us are starting to migrate to more Ultralight hiking. This show is pretty fun and lively, and we don't take each other too seriously. Plus there is some good information in the podcast for those looking to lighten their load. So tune in and check it out. We talk about gear that we like, some tricks that we use to lighten our packs, and 3Dub discusses the cottage manufacturers that helped him go Ultralight. Subject: Ultralight!Interviewees: 3Dub, Beer Run, Therm Rider Interview Date: January 7, 2023Runtime: 1:36:43 Download Now: Ultralight! (WMA format 47.1 MB); Ultralight! (MP3 format (92.8 MB)

In Episode 97, we continue our conversation with Kevin Conley about his book "Above The Ashes" which is a powerful memoir of his cross-country bike journey with dog Rocky. In part two of this podcast, Kevin talks about his trip, writing his book, fundraising for the Wildland Firefighters Foundation- and the incredible support that he received from family, friends, fellow firefighters, and many, many strangers on his ride. This journey helped Kevin overcome one of the darkest moments of his life and win his battle with mental illness. If you haven't heard Episode 96, which is part one of this podcast, I encourage you to go back and check it out - because we discuss Kevin's years leading up to the ride, his mental breakdown, and how he nearly took his own life. It will help you understand his inspiring journey and the many adventures he had on it - including magical experiences in the Apache Nation, his "celebrity" status on the route, and his dramatic 3500 mile finish in St. Augustine, Florida. Kevin is grateful to be alive and tonight and he'll tell you how this ride put him on a route to recovery and what's next in his life. Subject: Above The Ashes - Part Two Interviewees: Kevin "30 Pack" ConleyInterview Date: November 21, 2022Runtime: 1:22:18 Download Now: Above The Ashes - Part One (WMA format 43.0 MB); Above The Ashes - Part One (MP3 format (84.7 MB) Support Kevin . Visit Kevin's Website . Buy Kevin's Book . Follow Kevin on Instagram . Support the Wildland Firefighter's Foundation More Episodes w/ Kevin .  Episode 13 (where we talked about his Appalachian Trail thru-hike recorded February 21, 2013) .  Episode 19 & Episode 20 (where he recounts his Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike in a two part series, recorded January 2, 2014) .  Episode 36 and Episode 37, (“30 at 30” where he catches us up on his life since the AT and PCT, a two-part series, recorded October 26, 2016)

In Episode 96, Kevin Conley is back on the show after a six year hiatus to tells us about his last few years as a wildland firefighter, his subsequent battle with mental illness, and his 3500 mile ride across the country to beat it. This journey helped Kevin overcome one of the darkest moments of his life which he details in his recently published book “Above The Ashes” - a powerful memoir of his journey with dog Rocky. We last spoke with Kevin in 2016 after his thru-hikes on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails while living out of his car for two years and exploring the U.S. Kevin (aka "30 Pack") went on to hike the Wonderland Trail, do numerous bike tours, and complete four hikes on the John Muir Trail. His hiking and backpacking resume is impressive, but his fight for life is inspiring. In Episode 96 (part one of this two part series), we discuss Kevin's years leading up to the ride, his mental breakdown, and how he nearly took his own life. In Episode 97, Kevin talks about his cross-country bike tour, his book, his fundraising - and the incredible support that he received from family, friends, fellow firefighters, and many, many strangers during his ride. Kevin is grateful to be alive and tonight he is here to tonight to tell you why. Subject: Above The Ashes - Part One Interviewees: Kevin "30 Pack" ConleyInterview Date: November 21, 2022Runtime: 1:28:16 Download Now: Above The Ashes - Part One (WMA format 42.0 MB); Above The Ashes - Part One (MP3 format (82.7 MB) Support Kevin . Visit Kevin's Website . Buy Kevin's Book . Follow Kevin on Instagram . Support the Wildland Firefighter's Foundation More Episodes w/ Kevin .  Episode 13 (where we talked about his Appalachian Trail thru-hike recorded February 21, 2013) .  Episode 19 & Episode 20 (where he recounts his Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike in a two part series, recorded January 2, 2014) .  Episode 36 and Episode 37, (“30 at 30” where he catches us up on his life since the AT and PCT, a two-part series, recorded October 26, 2016)

In Episode 95B, we are deep in the backcountry at a campsite on the Benton MacKaye Trail where we sit around the campfire and discuss some"first time" experiences in the wilderness.  Therm Rider, Beer Run, & Sons all share the first time they found themselves offensive, took a crap in the woods, got a car vandalized, and were scared shitless on the Trail - among other things. This episode gets a bit rowdy at times, and has been made a bonus show as a result.  But if you have a sense of humor, aren't easily offended, and like a good laugh - We have a treat for you!  If you like the bonus cut, you'll really enjoy the complete show.  For full access to this recording and for downloads of the entire 90+ podcast series – click here. Interviewees: Beer Run & Sons, Therm RiderInterview Date: April 23, 2022Runtime: 49:14 (Full Version) Download Now: First Timers (WMA format 38.0 MB); First Timers (MP3 format (52.9 MB)

In Episode 94, Brian Anderson (aka "The Tick Terminator") joins the show to educate us on your biggest danger in the backcountry - TICKS!!!  In the podcast, we discuss the tick lifecycle, when and where they are most likely to find you, how to prevent ticks, and what to do if one embeds in your skin. This discussion hit home for me personally since I was infected by and recovered from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  After two days in the hospital, a home healthcare nurse came to my house for a week to administer steroids via IV.  After 3 months, I fully recovered - and was actually lucky to have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and not Lyme disease!  Tune in to find out why.  And if you live East of the Mississippi and hike frequently - you can't afford to miss this show... Subject: Ticks!!!Interviewees: Brian AndersonInterview Date: March 31, 2022Runtime: 1:04:13 Download Now: Ticks!!! (WMA format 31.3 MB); Ticks!!! (MP3 format (61.6 MB)