Stories From The Trail

Back in episode 9 we met Chris, who was beginning his Appalachian Trail Thru Hike the following day. This is Chris's first long trail, and he's having the time of his life! He's encountered every type of weather, met incredible people and has experienced (and given) trail magic. And now he has a trail name. Having hiked roughly a thousand miles, Chris (aka "Turnaround") called the show from Harper's Ferry to give us an update on how he's doing. Join Voldemort and Green Giant for updates from the trail, hostel recommendations, nutrition, water talk, and of course bear stories. Links to things we talk about on this episode: Join our community AND support the show! Backpacks by Deuter Grafton Loop Waysides Bear Trap at Brink Road Shelter  

Griffin Howard attempts all 48 of New Hampshire's four-thousand foot peaks in a single hike. We spoke with Griffin as he was preparing and again after his return. Join Voldemort and Green Giant for all the questions and answers you could imagine for a project like this. What do you bring, which way do you go, and can you teach your emotional support goat to hold the leash for your hiking chicken.  Join our community AND support the show! Jackson Kayaks Andrew Drummond Direttissima Q&A OR Molecule Bivy SPOT How to walk your chicken on a leash Ultrasil 2oz Day Pack Band aid flavored coffee Owl's Head

Voldemort and Green Giant team up with The Hiking Viking (Jabba) and Zach Davis (Badger) from Backpacker Radio in this joint episode, recorded at Trail Days.   

Janet Hensley, aka "Miss Janet" is a well known role model among the long distance hiking community, particularly the AT. She is notorious for providing unconditional, tough love not only for hikers, but toward the trail itself. The Appalachian Trail and the culture which surrounds it would not be the same without her, and we were lucky to catch up with Mis Janet at ATKO earlier this spring.   

In this episode we take Daniel on his first overnight backpacking trip! It's his first time spending a night in the woods, filtering water, setting up a tent, and even pooping in a hole. Sounds fun, right?  It was even more fun than we expected, and the bar was pretty high. Not only did we have a great time on the trip, we enjoyed looking back on our favorite parts with co hosts Green Giant and Voldemort.  Come along and let take you close to the trail as you can possibly get using only your ears.  Hidden Falls Schnozzel Bag in Action The Deuce of Spades Leave No Trace Foothills Trail

If you were starting the Appalachian Trail tomorrow, what questions would you have?  New AT hiker Chris Clevenger called the show the day before hitting the approach trail. He's been preparing, practicing and pacing for at least a year, and now his time is finally here.  Voldemort is on assignment (i.e. "between internet providers") so she'll be with us for the next one. Meanwhile, join Chris and Green Giant as we discuss trail angels, trail names, first aid, creek crossings and whether or not someone who had their hip replaced last year has a chance at making it. (Spoiler alert: They totally do.) 

Bob "Sir Packsalot" Gabrielson is the proprietor of Top of Georgia Hiking Center at mile 69 (North) on the Appalachian Trail. Each year Packsalot shares his knowledge and experience at the AT Kickoff in the form of a motivational/educational talk called "The Ten Golden Suggestion for Hiking the Appalachian Trail". Sir Packsalot and Green Giant found some time after the show to hang out in a quiet room and just talk trail for a while. 

Keith Foskett (aka "Fozzie") is a long distance hiker, best selling author and maple syrup connoisseur.  Zach Davis joins Gary and Megan to talk with Keith about hiking in Scotland, writing, self publishing, dogs, depression, and candy. Keith's new book "High and Low" is available now.   Port Clinton Fire Company That Weirdo Announcer Voice Accent The Fawlty Towers Mouse Learn more about Keith Foskett

The Appalachian Trail Kickoff is an annual event which has been held at Amicalola Falls State Park for nearly two decades. The site is home to the world famous falls, the start of the much maligned approach trail, and a rambling lodge with spectacular views.  Each year hundreds of eager newbies and grizzled veterans gather here to swap stories and soak up wisdom. For many it is a kind of family reunion, for others, a wake up call. The kickoff lasts three days, so there's plenty to hear. Enough for a few episodes, for sure. In this installment, Green Giant and Voldemort share their stories while bringing you with them to the festivities. Daniel makes a surprise visit, and the crew meets with Tom Kennedy of Hike For Mental Health, Ron Burger of ALDHA, "Sir Packs a Lot", Miss Janet, Odie, and many more.  Links and things: Spruce Gum Spruce Tips Tea Spaceship Ski Lodge Amicalola Falls Hike For Mental Health ALDHA The AT Reddit Page

In preparation for his first overnight hike, Daniel calls into the show from REI. If you've ever wanted to virtually help a new hiker select their gear, now's your chance. Or maybe you are that new hiker. Even better! We help pick out some equipment and explain a few of the mysteries behind those choices. What's a "lumens"? How many fill count do I need? What's a baffle? And where's my underwear?  Climb into Daniel's pocket, put Green Giant in your ears and sip some free coffee with us while we do our best to not get thrown out for causing a scene.   

What questions would you have if you were about to go on your first ever overnight backpacking trip in the woods? Join Green Giant and Voldemort in the studio with Daniel Pitts, mailman, juggler, balloon animal maker. Daniel has done lots of interesting things, but he still hasn't slept in a tent. He'll ask us what to expect and we'll help him (and you!) plan that first overnight hike.  This special episode is the first in a series. Over the next few weeks we'll go on location to get geared up, and then take that gear out and put it (and Daniel) to the test!

Join Megan and me for a conversation with Scott Herriott. Scott, whose trail name is Squatch, is an outdoorsman, comedian, documentarian and noted Bigfoot enthusiast. Scott does an amazing job of describing a personal encounter while also remaining open to poking fun at some of the sillier aspects unique to the Bigfoot hunter subculture. He does this in a respectably skeptical way which entertains true believers and nay-sayers alike, and we are lucky to have him join us today.    Links mentioned in this episode:    SquatchFilms.com The BigFoot Show on iTunes Disney World Inside Out on YouTube Old Pictures of Elephants The Bibbulmun Track Stories from the Trail Facebook Page    

In Part 2 of our Pilot, we continue our conversation with Zach Davis of TheTrek.co and bring in our good friend Mark Calcagni. Among other things, Mark is a pro wildlife photographer. We'll talk about what really goes into getting great shots on a hike, reminisce about The Foothills Trail and more. In this episode, no one gets eaten by a lion.   Links mentioned in this episode: Laughing Totem Photography Rapt Journal The Foothills Trail Here's what a Pluton looks like   Stories from the Trail is a production of TheTrek.co with music by Lee Rosevere.

Welcome to the first ever episode of Stories From The Trail, in which we introduce our hosts and tell you what the show is about. You'll get to meet Gary (aka "Green Giant") and Megan (aka "Voldemort"), two unlikely friends who met while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Together, they'll share with you the conversations they have with notable outdoor enthusiasts. In this one, we meet Zach Davis of "The Trek". He'll tell us about that time he was almost eaten by a lion.