Off Trail

A single footstep becomes two. A single mile becomes thousands. A single trail becomes many. A single goal becomes a life. A life becomes a home.
Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast after our hiatus, here is the reason why! Well... that and also we neglected our duties off being a podcast host, but let us focus on the positives and not the negatives here.

Strap in for a wild episode, the first of its kind. A pure hour of Constantine rambles, blessed be the souls willing to undertake this journey.

We chat trails being a life changing experience but the true power on taking the lessons off the trails. We talk from the heart and let the brain catch up to the words. We chat everything about the book Life in Pursuit.

A project 2 years in the making, and one could even say 7 years from that very first step on the Appalachian Trail. We chat finding time in life to pursue your passions, the constant year of travel in 2022, and when the brain gets involved things becoming lost.

We discuss the difficulties of compressing life into 288 pages and how we tend to speak "well" with a heavy emphasis on the quotations. We chat the desire to share this story and the reasons behind writing a book and get lost in tangents.

We then go into what we call "the in-between" the very foundation of our book. Each trail has its own chapter but does not jump directly into the next one, instead showing the building blocks of life and choice to continue pursuing adventure along the trails.

We chat failure daily, prevalence of popularity of the trail systems in the recent years, and the immense circles of life both physically on trail and metaphorically along the way.

We then begin the reading of the book. Starting with the dedication, the preface, and then a few snippets of chapters. Stories told in a scraggily voice (completely on par with our announcements being at the worst timing) and stories that give a glimpse into a life in pursuit.

We chat "I Am A Barbie Girl", old timer gospel, and the endless definition of the word nothingness. We ramble, get lost, and one could hope remain found.

The Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Ice Age Trail, the Arizona Trail, the Florida Trail, the Natchez Trace Trail, the Potomac Heritage Trail, the New England Trail, and the behemoth of them all the North Country Trail make up the National Scenic Trails.

Life in Pursuit becomes less about the physical activity of hiking and becomes a look into a life of obsession. The trials and obstacles of a life lived for the pursuit of the next trail. Stories, moments, and challenges of each hike are told through the lens of a perception that changes into a reality.

The trail has an end point, the mind does not. When the trail ends the person continues to change. A trail is the physical manifestation of a journey. This book is the emotional manifestation of the endless journey of life, the endless journey of a life in pursuit. To everyone that continues to make this life special, thank you!

Pre-Order the Book Today:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast!

Today we sit down with the one and only Jen, the owner of Alpine Fit.

We begin the show with a little backstory of how Jen found herself to be in Alaska, and how she came about to start a gear company. We chat loving time outdoors, self propelled travel, and priorities of family and business. We discuss the easy access of wilderness being right outside her doorstep and evolving to combine her passions.

We then go deep into the company itself and learn everything we can about Alpine Fit. We take a walk through Jen's experience in chemistry, textiles, and retail and her pursuit of bringing them all together underneath one proverbial umbrella. We chat merino wool and silver fiber technology. We then learn about their flagship product, their long sleeve shirt, that was built to be the one piece of versatile gear for most needs.

We discuss bushwhacking leggings, research and product development, and dive down the rabbit hole of body shapes and sizes. We learn Jen went deep into research even pulling old U.S. military data to find averages of body styles. Then she took all her combined data to offer two body styles for each product, instead of scaling sizes with the same proportions. A scientist and a gear creator combined!

We chat her chase of perfection in sizing, officially opening the store in 2019, and a planned trip to PCT Trail Days! We talk lightweight gear and then take a hard right turn into the philosophy behind marketing in the outdoors, and we love it! Jen starts the conversation with stating she does not like marketing and we begin unpacking a feeling that many gear creators struggle with in the outdoors, when you combine a passion with your work. We chat marketing being contrived and even sometimes dipping into the realm of dishonesty. There is no right or wrong, instead only feelings shared.

We fantasize about the creation of an Alaskan long trail and discuss its current conditions. We chat about Denali, coastal views, and get lost once more in the dense foliage of a bushwhack literally and figuratively. We then discuss how a legging can withstand the elements and Alpine Fit's creation of the perfect one.

We discuss being an entrepreneur and the list of tasks that only ever grows. We chat mental health, doing more, and spending time in the outdoors. Jen wakes up at a 6am on a Sunday with the idea for a new product and spends her morning designing. We then chat time management and the difficulties that arise when the to-do-list is never ending.

We chat setting alarms, looking at a clock and making yourself go to lunch, and finding balance before all our eyes become glazed over. We talk about finding balance, learning how to manage time over time, and health being a critical factor in being the best business owner you can be. We then drink some proverbial coffee, coin a term of working 25/7 somehow breaking the laws of physics and finding an extra hour each day, and the love of problem solving.

We discuss creating your own routes in Alaska, spoon feeding a bear peanut butter, and bears crossing the street. We wonder about moose and ask two parted questions that Jen absolutely "loves." We learn about the trail in her eyes being a starting place for adventure and setting an example as a company to live in a place that is desirable and give access to jobs that people are passionate about. We wrap the show with a simple but elegant answer that says it all...No

To learn more about Alpine Fit click below:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast!

Today we sit down and chat, as well as chuckle, with the one and only Chuckles!

We begin the show by learning more about Chuckles evolution into the outdoors. Graduating college in 2016, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019, hiking the Continental Divide Trail in 2022, and we touch on the recurring name you will here the entire episode, the Appalachian Trail. A trail that was the inspiration of them all, and that has been a driving force for hiking, and will one day soon be the cumulation of years of adventure.

We chat living in Leadville, being a "ski-bum" in the winter time, and a background in the pharmaceutical industry. We dive deep into the feeling of being "suckered" back into normal life, and the feelings of wanting to hike, but not feeling ready to hike in the heart. We chat about the feeling many people who pursue hiking for long enough feel, of "having to do a hike" and Chuckles healthy outlook on realizing this and not doing a hike until she fully wants to, such as the Appalachian Trail.

We chat the 48/48 peaks of New Hampshire, the terrifying 25, and the Huntington Range. We chat the puzzle of math that most outdoor enthusiasts call life and Chuckles equation to find balance and happiness. We chat the hardest part of any hike, the portion after hiking. We chat about two desires being split and the two sides of seeking two vastly different things, a life in the outdoors, and a "regular" life. We dive deep into this topic and learn about the constant learning curve and listening to the heart as you always have to make the choice, and listen to the moment of what gives you the most joy.

We chat sitting at a computer and escapism. We discuss feeling content in regular life, having easier access to the mountains, and feeling at peace in the immediate. We learn about AT & T and Verizon map overlay systems on Gaia, and chat about Chuckles finding trails while she worked remotely "on call" to make sure she always had cell phone coverage.

We chat bridging two gaps of life, the weirdness in knowing there is a tangible end without it actually being "the end", and previously wanting time off trail to go faster and now wanting it to slow down. We all get thrown under a very large proverbial bus and brace for the bumpy ride as we discuss goal mentality.

We go into purism, connected footsteps, and chasing goals. We then take a step back from trail and talk relationships on the trail and off. We discuss the preconceived notion that relationships on trail are far harder than regular life, when in fact it is the complete opposite, for some. We chat shared goals, time apart, trail goals that divide, but pursuit of a shared life that brings togetherness.

We go into Chuckles origin story, and are very glad we did. It involves a trail angel's house, a privy, many bowls of beans, a masculine name, and a picture that still hangs on her wall to this day. One of the better origin stories we have heard in a long time!

We chat chuckling duals at dawn, the gift and privilege of getting to spend time outside, and wrap it all up with another shout out to the Appalachain Trail!

Thank you Chuckles, it was a joy to chat!

Learn more about Chuckles by clicking below:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast and welcome Zoner!

Today we sit down and chat with the one and only, Zoner and learn all things Hot Springs Trail. Shout out to Star-Lord for putting us together as it is a trail that has sparked our curiosity for awhile and now we have the privilege to learn all about it.

We begin the show with our broad question and Zoner goes quickly into depths that we try and follow. We learn about his pursuit of health and the measures he takes to fuel his body and mind, whether that is on trail or off trail. We go deep into the topic of health and learn that for Zoner it is more than just optimally performing physically but also the precursor to much more of life. We chat about his evolution of health personally and then look at it through a hiking lens.

We chat how to not just survive a journey but to thrive within it. We discuss hard times off trail that let the difficulties of a hike become the "good times." We dive into a knee injury that changed his perspective and a injury that has not held him back from over 30 Fastest Known Time completions. We then get an answer to a question that we have been pondering for a long time. Why do thru-hikers take pride in their junk food diets?

A answer that is a theory, but one that makes sense. It is less the "diet" and more so a reward system that triggers the brain to seek more. Sure, sugar can be addictive, but the reward to have a snack at the top of a mountain, at trail magic, at the end of a hard section is the true addiction. It is a new thought line for us and we explore it as much as we can. There is no "right" nor "wrong" only what works for the individual, but it is an interesting thought to dive deeper into.

We then talk all things Hot Springs Trail! A trail that Zoner has continued to advocate, build, and promote along its way to becoming a National Scenic Trail. We discuss the reason behind seeking the designation and the reason behind his passion for this trail. He sums it up eloquently with the simple statement of "The Hot Springs Trail for me is a therapeutic journey." Therapy of the body in the springs themselves, therapy of the mind in freedom, and therapy of the heart on an adventure. Take that quote however you may, but we have never heard a trail defined by such, and it contextualizes much about this trails creation.

We chat going between high points, encyclopedias of the word hot springs, and all methods of travel. We then chat the progression of the designation of a National Scenic Trail and here about the current progress. Zoner wants a community and not a empty piece of paper to define this trail and wants a heart in definition before a designation of bureaucracy. It is a very inspirational goal to seek, and one we hope to shed more light upon.

We chat roots and seeds, more accountability then Vitamin-I, and bias and opinion having no place in the creation of a trail. We are asked to name founders of National Scenic Trails and have a very difficult time in doing so. The trail is an unliving organism but the trail becomes alive when it becomes stories shared.

A truly wonderful chat with Zoner, thank you for sharing more about you and the trail with us!

To learn more about the Hot Springs Trail click below:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast, and welcome back Cal!

We spoke to Cal last as he was on the way to becoming the first Transgender person to finish the Calendar Year Triple Crown!

First things first, we begin the show with a congratulations, and then begin to learn what Cal has been up to since then. They have not been idle... to say the least. After accomplishing a goal few already achieve, they set their sights on something outside of our knowledge and depths, the sport of long distance running.

Not only are they doing a long distance run, but they are specifically created this route to go through the "battleground states" of the deep south where Transgender rights are the most at risk. Creating their own route from California to Florida, we catch up with them in the state of Texas and begin a deep dive into their journey.

We chat a dream that started in middle school, a homecoming of self while running through rural America, and the freedom of movement in body and mind. We talk about judgment and prejudice and the spreading of awareness. We go into the difference of movement in a high intensity sport of running compared to hiking, not physically, but mentally the journey it becomes.

We dive into one of our favorite words as Cal says it first, connection. Connection in solitude as they spent countless miles just themselves and a road, and through solitude in the physical sense, finding deeper connections within themselves, and directly correlated being able to find deeper connections in their friendships, relationships, and moments with others. We chat about the favorite way to spend time with the adult they are as well as their inner child.

We then unpack the route itself. Traveling through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and finally Florida. We touch on the filming of a feature length documentary showcasing the Trans-Joy they wish to spread. We dive deeper into the reality of the run, and the question Cal returns to when travelling through these states, "how can I be of service?"

We chat supporting the communities that Cal runs through, and listening to the needs shared. We chat multiple fundraisers and staying up to date with Cal's journey to be able to continue to support the causes they find. We chat running to make a better world.

We chat the choice behind creating this route, the message they are wishing to share, and getting to know people through love and respect. We discuss the "weight" of such a physical and mental goal, and learn that for Cal it is no weight at all, but their very fuel that keeps them going. We chat about privilege turning into responsibility, and how when a single group is challenged it challenges everyone's freedom. It is not singular but affects the rights of everyone.

We discuss the finish point in Tallahassee, Florida and the significance of this physical end point. We get lost in Cal's what they call "cool down lap" of just a "few" extra 700 miles at the end of this journey. We chat the simplicity of being a person, and that everyone no matter who you are, has individual wants and desires, that is what it means to be human.

We apologize here about the coffee noise in the background, which is now 2/2 when chatting with Cal. Hopefully if we have the opportunity a 3rd time to catch up with them, you can guarantee there will be some sort of coffee shop noise in the background.

Another great chat, always a privilege and joy to speak with Cal.

To learn more about Cal and the TransContinental Run click below:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast!

Today we have the privilege to sit down and chat with the one and only, Moondog!

A conversation that enters into the depths of the complete unknown on our end, the world of "thru-skating." Having no idea where this chat will go, but fueled by curiosity and willingness to learn, we begin to find out all about this long distance sport.

First things first, we learn about Moondog and his journey towards thru-skating. We chat about being a hiker since he was a kid, taking up skateboarding to remain a part of his best friends life, and thru-hiking when a skateboard is on top of your pack.

We chat community around thru-skating, dozens compared to thousands, and if having the skills to hike and skate the magical combination of the two. We chat about learning balance, learning how to fall well, and the dynamics of becoming a thru-skater.

We talk whether thru-hiking or thru-skating has more of an importance to Moondog and dive deep into the best ice breaker ever. We chat about the abnormalcy of seeing a skateboard in the swamps of Florida and lost hikers in Colorado. We ask how he explains these situations to other hikers, and he says it is simple, a single question. "Where is the parking lot?"

We discuss what qualifies a thru-skate, naming a dog and a skateboard, and then dive deeper into his journey. We talk a route he and a friend created through New Mexico 480~ miles long. We talk about perception of locals and strangers when the method of travel is a skateboard and not hiking. We learn about the hidden gem of being mistaken for homeless and the true representation of kindness it unlocks in people. Pure kindness distilled when there is no context.

We chat fuel, physical and metaphorical. We learn about bad days on a skate and headwinds. We learn about the flexibility of a situation and sometimes to continue skating, one must pick up their board and walk for safety. Traffic, small road shoulders, and weather all impact this adventure just as it does a thru-hike.

We talk mileage, physical impact on the body, and tiredness compared with hiking. We learn how to pick a road, using satellite maps, and how to build a route. We chat the life giving force of water and the necessity it becomes in any long distance endeavor.

We then get a Off Trail exclusive, one time and one time only, we talk about gear. We rarely if never talk about gear on this show, because to recommend gear, is to not understand gear. The variety, personal preference, body shape, hiking style, is so different for everyone, that gear only works, if it works specifically for you. Anyway, we chat gear, out of curiosity, as we know nothing about thru-skating.

We chat wheels, bearings, boards, and not carrying spare parts. We go off on a tangent to learn about companies building specifically for this endeavor and while not directly marketing as "thru-skating" gear, that most of the boxes and needs are checked.

We talk about the wonderful absurdity of human powered extreme goals. We learn about skateboarding 300+ miles in 24 hours and are baffled but also impressed by the strength of someone who lives, breathes, and lives to skate. We then talk about cheeseburgers and want to eat a few.

We chat seeking different challenges and goals. Scaling human powered endurance to what fits your needs and wants. We discuss the idea that Moondog has been growing of skating from Mexico to Canada along his own route. We chat comfortability and growth of exploring freely. We then get lost down a deep tangent that could last for hours...

We chat red-line goals, personal, communal, and dangerously tread the water of an idea of a new show lost in our own personal flavor of lunacy.

A great chat with Moondog, thank you for sharing!

To learn more about Moondog:

Instagram: @rooptown

To learn more about who we are click below:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast!

Today we have the privilege of chatting with the one and only, Puddin.

Catching up with her fresh off her 4400 mile thru-hike of the Eastern Continental Trail, and her first thru-hike ever, we begin unpacking the introduction to long distance hiking and the change of life.

We begin the show with learning she is a hiker, a entrepreneur, and a mental health advocate. We chat about her journey through mental health and her growth in wanting to share it with others. We chat day hiking and moving to Virginia and first seeing thru-hikers. We discuss the difference between a section hike and a thru-hike, and the fact that defined by the singular activity of walking, how different they can be.

We chat the demands of life, work, an elderly dog, relationships, and the dominoes that led her to begin the Appalachian Trail. What began as one trail would extend to include many more, but first she would have to walk to find.

We discuss realities of fog and rain compared to perceptions of sunrises and rainbows. We chat the question of what did I sign up for, and the fuel that is found when starting something and the word quit never being in your vocabulary. We chat letting go of control and embracing the knowledge of everything will work out in its own time.

We chat about being halfway into the Appalachian Trail and plans for life changing. We chat not necessarily knowing what to do and the moment of a decision at the end coming extremely quickly. We dive into the feeling of finishing but almost feeling more lost than when beginning. We chat not looking for something specific but finding, connecting pieces falling into place, and the realization that the end on Mt. Katahdin was just another step.

We listen to the heart and intuition to guide, hiking to Canada, going to the Pinhoti, and saying no to hiking Florida. Then the trail and her journey finding Florida was another step.

We chat the bodies growth into such a large trail, not having the right shoes, and taking it slow to learn as one walks. We trust the body, take it in stages, and learning not to fixate on something not going your way. We discuss taking steps back to take steps forward, finding gratitude, and what happens if you foucs on the "suck" too much.

We then dive deep into the terminus feelings at the end of such a massive hike, specifically it being a first thru-hike. We discuss reflection before the actual end, mixed emotions, and finishing not fully sinking in. We chat indecisiveness, reentering society, and the world being to loud. We crack a window to let in some fresh air, and learn about finding a new identity.

We discuss the large amounts of change one goes through on a hike, and what happens when you come back home to much being the same. We get a recommendation on how to cope, with movement, routine, and journaling. We try to harness and hold the clarity and learn steps to keep it close by.

We then go into all things business and learn more about Puddin's work. Focusing on how to run ads on Instagram and promote yourself as well as your passion. We chat about building it on trail for off trail and vice versa. A business that focuses on mental health, passion, and living your best life.

We then learn that her off trail time is already limited, and she had planned a day before, another hike! Fully bitten by the bug, still less than a full month off 4400 miles, and she is ready to get walking once again. Sounds like we have a lifer on our hands. We discuss growth on the trail through challenges and continuing to seek becoming a stronger, healthier, and happier person.

As she puts it let intuition lead you, and let the trail create you.

To learn more about Puddin:

Instagram: @hikingwithpuddin

YouTube: @hikingwithpuddin

To learn more about who we are click below:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast.

Today we have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Jenga!

We begin the show through power of technology being connected through many times zones and across the world.

Jenga is currently in New Zealand and takes the time to sit down and chat about the hike he is currently on, The Te Araroa, and more generally his incredible view on hiking and life.

We dive into his somewhat ok-ish definition of thru-hiking and his sewing pursuits. Then quickly we dive deep and stay deep within the waters of what makes him, well him. We chat about the trail being a framework to live life outside of the binds of a classically defined society, we talk not being able to resist the call of side adventures, and we briefly touch on the wonderful animal called a sheep.

We then go into the word adventure itself. The very reason Jenga lives this life and the word that fuels him. We chat failure and success and compare and contrast the word adventure and thru-hike. We hear stories of the CDT and talk about scars upon the body that are fond memories.

We then learn about a disease that will one day without choice stop Jenga's hikes, it is called Charcot-Marie Tooth disease. (Please correct us if we are wrong Jenga, while listening to the word, tried to Google it and this is what came up) A disease that eventually eats away at the muscle connections and creates muscular dystrophy. We chat difficulty lifting toes, selfies of things that are tripped on, and being intentional about time. Another massive kudos to Jenga, for the healthy and happy mindset around something that could be very hard to mentally deal with.

We chat about looking for ways to extend time in the outdoors, a scary future but the realization all futures are unknown, and having as he puts it, "the good fortune to know when my car crash is." We talk about the healing powers of hiking for mind and body, and the price of owning muscles.

We chat artistry and take a virtual look through his lens of photography. A little voice that tells him "pretty" and a voice that puts him fully in the moment. We chat water miraculously not flowing downhill in New Zealand, capturing the essence of a thru-hike, and moments of beauty within simply, life. We discuss light, the expensive organs called eyes, and then we all get drenched by rain.

A deep look into the year of 2022/2023 on the Te Araroa Trail and the constant never ending rain. We talk flooding, demoralizing wetness, and mold and mildew. We chat the scariest river ford he has ever experienced, and the realities of the looney tunes world called New Zealand.

We chat breaking trekking poles, being inside of never ending clouds, and something called Lemonade Pass. Not a pass on the trail, but a anecdote on how he handles uncomfortable situations. He makes lemonade.

We chat breaking a pure goal mentality and letting the journey take you where it will. We chat a month of time off trail and what could break some hikers, was just part of the experience for him. We chat naked bike rides, being a snow positive person, and not doing a trail because they are easy.

We wrap up the show with a word that can be felt in this entire conversation and the meaning of trails and life for Jenga, freedom.

Thank you for joining us and sharing your story!

To learn more about Jenga:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast and welcome back the man, myth and legend himself, Star Lord.

Star Lord returns to unpack all he has been up to since we last chatted. We catch up with him shortly after his completion of the Natchez Trace Trail and dive deep into his journey and the trail itself.

We through weirdness and story telling give an audio guide to the trail. We discuss all things camping related and the reality that almost every night not spent in a motel, will be spent stealth camping in the woods. We chat the Mississippi brown water and the never ending sweet embrace held within it. We chat water being and issue and carrying upwards of thirty miles between man made sources called water fountains. We chat roads, roads, and never ending roads.

We learn about the "no car, no stay" hotel rule that was completely made up on the spot. We learn about the loose grip on sanity found within those yellow lines and the benefit of hiking with a companion can keep you from insanity. We talk about the posts that define every mile and the break from the peaceful mind found in movement and the harsh reality of knowing every one of your time splits.

We chat the Star Lord's pursuit of the 11 National Scenic Trails and the goal found along the way. We chat being fueled by goals, and as he so eloquently states, to walk is better than not walking. We dive deeper into the pursuit mentality and unpack what it means for him.

We tell stories of the Natchez Trace Trail, define its reality, and get lost within its lunacy. We unpack the definition of National Scenic Trails themselves, and theorize on to what it actually means. We ramble, we get lost, and we virtually walk along a road.

Another great chat with Star Lord, thank you for another weird one!

To learn more about Star Lord:

Instagram: @chandlerstrailstories

To learn more about who we are click below:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast!

Today we sit down to chat with the one and only, Coyote.

We begin the show by learning about labels and the growth of breaking free of defining oneself in the singular. We learn about Coyote bein a chef, a thru-hiker, a artist and a musician. Then almost instantly we dive deep into the growth through hiking and just as importantly the growth found and taken off trail from hiking.

We talk hard labor jobs, percentages of life off trail being too high within the grind mindset, and the more Coyote hiked the more he craved more life not only on trail but off. We chat Coyote seeking more multi-dimensional life within his pursuit of thru-hiking and more generally a life will lived. We chat weighted returns on time, plateaus of growth, and unlocking new levels of fitness.

We chat the importance of becoming obsessed with thru-hiking but finding balance within the obsession. We chat the importance of realizing there is a life off trail, and it doesn't have to be singular, it can be a full life. We quickly touch on the Grand Enchantment Trail, the Pacific Northwest Trail, and the Northern New Mexico Loop with a quick shout out to the legend himself, Brett Tucker.

We chat the questions that arise when the trail ahead becomes undefined, we chat the similarities and differences of the words adventure and thru-hike, and we dive into the very definition of what the term "thru-hike" can mean. We break the chains of a classical definition and theorize the change that is almost never chosen but always found. We discuss singular goal mindsets and the vast varieties within, we dip our toes into the word "purism" and unpack all the baggage associated inside it. We debate the undefined line in the sand that defines a purist and where it begins and where it ends. No answer found, only theories provided.

We chat the Idaho Centennial Trail. We chat skipping a section and the choice that was never a choice. We chat early season Sawtooth Mountains and swelled creeks. We dive into quitting the ICT 4 times and coming back over and over again. We go further into the feelings and perceived need to return to a trail. We unpack shame and embarrassment in choosing the not only right choice but only safe choice and the danger that can arise from being consumed in the accomplishment mindset. We talk no matter the hiker, that if you hike long enough and far enough the inevitable decision that all will be faced with.

We chat respect for hikers that chose to not continue, and when going home becomes the right choice. We discuss the filter of social media and the dangers that lie within. We chat the Mogollon Rim Trail and the growth in a discomfort chosen. On the flip side we chat the growth found in comfort chosen. The comfortable choice sometimes becomes the most uncomfortable and the most difficult.

We chat becoming a cat in the rain, making plans A and B, and learning to read topo lines. I incorrectly define what dead-reckoning is and we talk the healthy vs the unhealthy. We compare the bodies reaction to health in and health out, and the weird pride that hikers find in eating unhealthy diets. We chat becoming an athlete, no higher responsibility than life itself, and the truest heroes of them all, the people living regular lives.

It gets weird and it gets deep, an absolutely wonderful episode. Thank you so much Coyote for sharing with all of us.

Favorite Quotes:

"The trail to me means knowledge of life and knowledge of myself."

"If I am off trail, I still need to have some sort of trail."

Follow Coyote at the links below:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast!

We are bringing in Season 3 with a (2) part series as our co-hosts, Constantine and Magpie, break down all things The Te Araroa Trail.

The Te Araroa Trail is a 1880~ (official) mile hike in New Zealand. With the alternates and connecting footsteps of this hike, in total 1909.4 miles were hiked and 108.6 canoed, totaling 2016.2 miles of human powered movement. As of 2022/2023 season, if you hike it in the "purist" form this will be the mileage that you find is actually on the ground. It connects the top of the North Island at Cape Reinga to the bottom of the South Island at Bluff traversing the entire length of the country.

In this second part of our 2 part series we focus on the South Island. Don't be fooled, even though they are all one country, these two islands are drastically different for the thru-hiker. 

We begin the show with a long rant on energy drinks as you demand. Magpie breaks the time wall, we chat good ol' boys of New Zealand, and we discuss how cookies are a part of our figure. We have an exclusive as we try not one, but two, energy drinks! First, we begin with the classic "V" drink that is available in every corner store in NZ. Then we focus on the one and the only "Mother Energy" which fully captured our heart with its marketing copy. 

"Live life your way." "Mother is calling, pursue your dreams." "Rip into some Mother." All very strange and alarming quotes from their poem... well, nothing to do but drink their off brand Red Bull.

Okay, enough enery drink talk, lets talk the South Island of NZ. We begin by realizing that rocks can't tell Magpie what to do and then focus on the Queen Charlotte Track. A wonderful piece of trail that begins every Southbounders adventures on the South Island. Excellent grading, epic views, and great camping. Don't get used to the graded track though, soon it will change!

We then discuss the Richmond Ranges... oh the Richmond Ranges. We chat sending food to the SI, confusion on the Bealey Hotel, and the ranges being the most technically challenging part of the TA.  We chat predicting pace and the lack thereof, 2mph becoming a blistering speed, and orange posts. We chat flooding, being stuck at a hut, and wether or not mountains are ladies.

We chat Nelson Lakes one of the most gorgeous places along the TA, hiking hut to hut, and the varities of huts. We chat the freedom of wild camping again and the joy in walking until tired, backcountry hut passes, and the DOC putting so much time, work, and energy into creating huts. We chat routes, paths, and tracks and briefly touch on their designations.

We chat "Middle South Island Stuff" and the change of flavor the trail becomes as it transitions into river beds, passes, mixed track, and the ability to average and estimate out one's pace for the day. We chat expansive views, reminders of the Great Divide Trail, and three giant water hazard zones known as the Raikia, Rangitata, and Queenstown. The first almost always unfordable with a 30+ mile alternate, the second fordable (use own judgment!), and the third many options around. 

We chat Lake Tekapo being another "changing point", waypoints called Tussocks, concious cruelty, and of course some looney tunes living! 

We chat wind, sand flies vs. mosquitoes, and lotions and potions. We give massive shout outs to people who do this as their first hike and think going forward they will have many skills for any trail. We chat Longwood Forest, Linton Mt, and life being a circle.

We end with a Ramen Rating Review of both islands, and well we were quite surprised with Magpie's results!

To learn more about us click below:

Welcome back to the Off Trail Podcast!

We are bringing in Season 3 with a (2) part series as our co-hosts, Constantine and Magpie, break down all things The Te Araroa Trail.

The Te Araroa Trail is a 1880~ (official) mile hike in New Zealand. With the alternates and connecting footsteps of this hike, in total 1909.4 miles were hiked and 108.6 canoed, totaling 2016.2 miles of human powered movement. As of 2022/2023 season, if you hike it in the "purist" form this will be the mileage that you find is actually on the ground. It connects the top of the North Island at Cape Reinga to the bottom of the South Island at Bluff traversing the entire length of the country.

In this first part of our 2 part series we focus on the North Island. We begin the show by trying to paint a broad picture of the Te Araroa Trail and how we experienced it. First we tackle the assumption and perception of this hike vs. the reality. If you are coming from the US/Canada and expect this trail to be the same as what you have experienced elsewhere... well get ready... the only thing that is the same is you are using walking as your method of travel. Everything else? Well, everything else is New Zealand tramping!

We chat our own beliefs in the creation of the Te Araroa and from what we experienced and saw the thought that the TA was desingned to experience New Zealand. Yes, you hike. Yes, you climb and descend. Yes, you resupply. Yet, the route of the trail we saw was used by many as more of a "guidepost" to explore New Zealand and less of a "classically defined" thru-hike. No right, no wrong, only our observations.

With that being said, we discuss the culture shock of the "New Zealand hiking culture." The culture of New Zealand was familiar while being different, but what we focus on is the culture of the TA and hikers themselves. We chat the differences in hiking culture vs US & Canada hiking and how it lead to an initial confusion on trail.

We chat mileage and campsites being defined for you on the North Island, we chat connected steps and the struggle of being outside the norm, and we chat Holiday Parks. If there is one phrase that could be used to describe the hike on the North Island it would be Holiday Parks. Wonderful hybrids of campsites/motels that are extremely pleasant and mostly front country for a hiker. 

We chat the Auckland Sprawl, percentages of the North Island that is road (due to forest closures), and pace being defined for you. We discuss hikers sorting by pace and how this becomes almost impossible when legally camping on the TA. We chat hitching culture, camping etiquette, and lack of trail family. We give shout outs and theorize what we would do differently if we knew what we knew now.

We chat mud, mud and more mud. We chat "mystery miles" and the hardest part of the hike is the flat topo lines. We chat lack of pace estimation, 90 mile beach only being 60~ miles, and the Taruaras. We then diverge and try to break apart this hike section by section, and well it becomes chaotic. Strap in.

We dicsuss flat miles, campsites per person charges, and throwing a fish from the ocean to a shop. We broad stroke the North Island and chat ferries, tides, roads, and logisitical daily routines. We chat rain, alternates, floods, river paddles, and people all over the place.

Finally we wrap with the discussion of Wellington. Constantine unpacks more without getting too deep the turbulent emotions that led to what Magpie defined as his grumpiest mood in years. Possible mid-life crisis? 

We end the show with a shout out to what gave us fuel, the most important part of any hike, CHONKY DOGGOS!

To learn more about us click below:

Today we sit down with the one and only "She-Ra" A.K.A Renee Patrick!

We begin the show with what it means to identify as a thru-hiker. Renee has been involved in the outdoor, backpacking, thru-hiking world for 20+ years now, and we dive into what it means to her to be a thru-hiker, and whether or not that definition has changed over the years. 

We dive deeper into time itself and as she describes it "Deep Time." Is there a finite amount of time needed to reach this type of time and what are the conditions that it is found? Along the way we go through her time in the outdoors and her progression into who she has become today. We start with her initial thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail back in 2002, and how the fire that began there, never was quenched. Travelling forward through 4 years of college to her next thru-hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2006, we chat the thoughts when she reached the point many in the outdoors eventually reach, the question of. "How can I make hiking my life?"

We discuss the growth from a hiker into making hiking your life. We chat Wilderness First Responder courses, meeting other hikers involved in the industry, and following your curiosity. We chat being open to wherever the job may take you and learning the lessons along the way. We learn the steps Renee took to follow her passion and create a life in the outdoors. 

We chat all things trail maintenance. We discuss the incredible amount of work that goes into even just a mile of trail. We wander the line of thought of when doing trail maintenance, when it is done the best, it is the least "seen" or "felt." We send out appreciation to all past, present, and future trail maintainers, for without them, well there would not be trails. 

We go into all things Blue Mountains Trail and Oregon Desert Trail. Two trail systems both located in the state of Oregon, which Renee has an important role in the decisions of trail routing, conservationism, and trail awareness. We discuss the missions of both trails, and how one goes about bringing the thought of conservationism to the forefront of each hiker's minds and most importantly actions. Is it the maps, the trail association, the individual's responsibility, the preparation, the information along the way, what are the ways and how does it become a reality? We discuss what a trail mean's when sometimes the very point of a "trail" is to not become a "trail."

We chat a pair of scissors and $5 per cut of hair "fundraising", the immensity of time in 6 weeks to build 30ft of trail, and the beauty of alternates. We discuss waypoints as suggestions, hiker-trash as a company, concept, responsibility, and connection amongst hikers. We discuss dirt being the greatest equalizer. We chat not being ashamed of one's stink and circle back to the definition of "thru-hike" and how it becomes different for every hike. 

As she puts it: "The trail is the unknown but the trail is also me." 

Truly a wonderful chat, thank you Renee! 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"I identify as a thru-hiker over most other things."

"I didn't really have the money, but I had the time."

"Follow your curiosity."

"Dirt is a great equalizer."

To learn more about She-Ra:

Today we sit down with the one and only Star Lord!

We instantly regret not getting the story behind his trail name, as one can only imagine, is he a lord, is he a star, is he the lord of all stars? Well one can only imagine...

We begin the show by quickly going into the only subject that matters, you guessed it MARMOTS! We hope that everyone takes a moment or 5 minutes, to lose themselves inside the joy, wonder, and unbridled love that is the cutest animal in the world, marmots. We then diverge to the questions that truly matter, like what would one's choice of "animal pokemon" would you chose in Wisconsin?

We chat when love surpasses porcupine quills, Twinkies on trail, and "knowing the suck." We get a quick background into Star Lord's progression into what he calls "basically just being a bum" or what others more commonly know as thru-hiking. We chat health on trail and the growth of a hiker through junk food, to healthy food, but mostly back to junk food. We chat about the progression of lightweight backpacking in Star Lord's hiking progress, and the journey to become quicker and lighter. 

We dive deep into many thoughts on the Appalachian Trail. We look into Star Lord's first long distance thru-hike and the mentality one has to have going into it and the mentality he had to maintain the joy in the journey. We talk wet. We talk the special wet of the Appalachian Trail, the only type of wet that matters, the AT rain and humidity. We dive into the appeal of hiking through 14 states, and the mentality of either getting used to it or going home.

We quickly touch on comparing the PCT and AT and West vs East hiking. Then the conversation takes on a wonderful ride along a "chatting rollercoaster" as we bounce from topic to topic. We chat near death in the Sierras, the Pacific Crest Highway, Bradwell Bay on the Florida Trail, and the crown jewel of hiking, the Continental Divide Trail. We chat route finding along the Hot Springs Trail, no filter no problem, and the underrated state of Wyoming.

We chat ground truthing and the mystery of "actual" miles done each day compared to "map" miles. We chat losing your mind to find your soul. We then dive fully into the Ice Age Trail which Star Lord finished only a few days prior. We chat about the passion of the IATA and all its volunteers and members, we discuss bars of the trail, trail magic, and road walking. We chat water carries, having a hiking companion, and assumptions vs reality along what he calls "The Florida
Trail of the Midwest."

We then finally arrive at the point in the show that we all have been waiting for... the cows of Wisconsin. Unfortunately, we get sidetracked only a few minutes into the "cow love" talk and don't give them the full time and honor they deserve, and for that we are eternally sorry. We chat cow averages per day, barbed wire fence restrictions, and embracing the only animal that matters besides marmots, the cow.

We wrap up the show with a Ramen Rating Review from Star Lord on his most recent hike, The Ice Age Trail. Wonderful rating... yet his flavor profile has us crying slightly inside.

Truly a wonderful chat with Star Lord, with many tangents, much emotion, and rambles that only two passionate hikers can accomplish together. Thank you Star Lord, now go please "knock on some corn" for good luck!

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"Deep down every animal wants to be cuddled." 

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT CUDDLE WILD ANIMALS

"Everything wishes it could be a marmot."

"Weather is weather, whether you weather it or not."

"Life is short, the trail shorter."

To learn more about Star Lord:

Instagram: @chandlerstrailstories

To learn more about who we are click below:

Today we sit down to chat with the one and only Larry Boy! 

A conversation we have been really looking forward to for awhile, we begin the show by instantly diving deep into a tangent of thought, which will turn out to be foreshadowing for much of the show. Larry Boy is a wealth of knowledge and a wealth of emotion for all things outdoors, and it is a true joy to explore the way he sees and feels the world.

We discuss trail names and how they begin, how a person "defines" themselves inside of them, and the growth from the beginning to when one has been living this life in the outdoors for years. We chat about defining oneself through the relationships they have. In Larry Boy's case the relationships with God, family and friends, and then all things outdoor pursuit. We dive deeper into Larry Boy's definition and relationship with God, and what it means for him as a person as well as a hiker. 

We jump into all things maps. Paper maps as well as GPS app related maps. We discuss situational awareness, the "routing tiredness threshold", staying found, and different comfort levels in when and where to use types of maps. We hop into his progression into "thru-hiking" with his first hike on the Appalachian Trail back in 2013. We then dive deep into his journey towards happiness as he "breaks the mold" by not doing the classic progression of thru-hiking, chasing the Triple Crown, and going AT, PCT, CDT. Instead as you will hear Larry Boy completes his AT thru hike, and then wonderfully chooses his own adventure. We chat his hikes through Utah, trails outside of the Big 3, own route creations, and following his own happiness instead of being consumed into the "classic path."  

We dive deep into the ribs of this chat and talk all things RIB, or Route In Between. A route mapped and created by Larry Boy to connect the Arizona Trail into the Idaho Centennial Trail, thus creating another hiking route from Mexico to Canada. The in-between portion being about 1,000~ miles through Utah. A route that was mapped with the purpose of as Larry Boy puts it, seeking "true adventure." We chat about the prep, the planning, and then the groundtruthing of hiking the route. We discuss trail agencies and what he hopes to see in the future with this route. We also discuss giving back, to not just this specific trail, but all trails. The only way to get the maps and data for this route, is by sending in a picture of proof of trail maintenance done. A wonderful idea as the only way these trails continue to be accessible, hike able, and enjoyed now and in the future, is by giving back. 

We chat Day Hiking vs. Thru Hiking, "Brush Free Spots", and white blazes of the Hayduke Trail. We chat bedtimes, snowstorms,  and the complexity of what it means when your bad foot becomes your good foot. We chat injury and happiness, Sir Larry Boy, companionship in solitary exploration, being terribly "un-entrepreneurial", and rolling around the salt flats on a scooter. 

We then wrap up the show with a challenge to Big Tabasco! Come get us! 

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

" The trail is not necessarily the point."

"The concept of purism does not exist on the RIB"

"Anytime I get to spend outside, is time well spent."

"Faith is just as important to dealing with the bad as embracing the good."

"Sometimes you just got to chew your cud mentally."

To learn more about Larry Boy click below:

Today we sit down and have a chat with the one and only Lyla! 

We begin the show by instantly jumping into some heavy hitting topics. Lyla begins the show with very openly and honestly sharing her past journey with becoming sober, as well as finding herself. Lyla is as she describes it, a sober queer trans woman. We begin the show by unpacking what this has meant for her in the backpacking world as well as the journey of life before. 

We get a quick run down of the trails she has accomplished, beginning with the Appalachian Trail in 2021, the Bay Circuit Trail FKT in 2021, the Arizona Trail in 2021, the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022, and her most recent accomplishment, the Woman's Unsupported FKT of the White Mountains Direttissima. 

We then jump into her accelerated pace in the backpacking world, and the "Dipping the Toe" mentality compared to the "Consumption" mentality. We chat about her previous work in Youth Development and dive deeper into her early 30s getting sober and starting her gender transition. We chat having a sobriety plan for the AT, and how even though trails can be a place for growth, health, and meaning, they can also have triggers. She gives us her tips and tricks for choosing health and remaining on her plan.

We chat about being mis-gendered on trail and the types of interactions that can occur and the techniques she uses. We chat Confederate Flags Vs. Pride Flags, we chat finding your tribe on trail, and we chat FKTs.

We chat dreams of mozzarella sticks, eating sticks of butter, and swallowing peanut butter like a pill. We chat new levels of exhaustion, "inner-child work", and the growth found through tears. We chat deconstructing societal pressures, the physical and mental intensity of FKTs, and deep fears of being alone that transcend into strength. 

We chat connection and disconnection inside of this lifestyle. We chat "the Hamily", Declan and giving him all the butter, cashing out one's chips, and being okay with where life takes you.

We dive deep into her most recent accomplishment of setting the Unsupported Woman's White Mountains Direttissima FKT. We chat connected steps and her route of 230~ miles accomplished in 7 days, 11hrs, and 44 minutes. We chat 8 days of food and a pack weight of 31.5 pounds. We chat calorie consumption, familiarizing oneself with the route, her motto of "Everything will be okay", and finding deeper levels of strength. 

It shouldn't even have to be said, but sadly it still does because transphobia is still prevalent. Lyla has experienced push-back in our community with her FKT accomplishment, and that is not okay.  We here at Off Trail, recognize Lyla's achievement as becoming the holder of the Unsupported Woman's White Mountains Direttissima. We know our audience and believe you all do to, but as we wrap up the show, we chat about what we can do as a community to recognize this achievement, and Lyla puts it quite plainly, stand up, be vocal, and show your support. 

We end the show with a Ramen Rating Review. 

We ask everyone listening to show your support and be a voice for support. Lyla is the Unsupported Woman's FKT holder, simple as that. 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"Trans woman are woman."

"I got sober so I could do things, not so I could sequester myself from life."

"Can we just all agree not to eat butter and lard?!" 

"You don't have to be great all the time."

"Find people who share your values."

To learn more about Lyla click below:

First off we want to begin with a heartfelt apology to Etic, or Pure Stoke! We got so caught up in the excitement and as he put it "infectious joy" of sharing in hiking stories, that we did not even mention his trail name one time! Even after having a pre-show chat and apologizing beforehand about all the puns we would make from such a wonderful trail name. "Pure Stoke", Eric, we are sorry we must have gotten carried away...and we say it...purely stoked?!?

Today we begin the show by experiencing high levels of stoke, as we chat the stoke master himself, Eric Kipperman. We begin by jumping right into Eric's first long distance thru-hike, this year on the CDT or Continental Divide Trail. Quite a trail to tackle as the first, and we fully unpack the feelings involved. We begin to chat about handling New Mexico that experienced a early and intense fire season this year, and how the concept of the CDT quickly became evident. It was a journey, a trail full of alternates, pick your way to Canada and go north! We talk about the feelings involved in having to tackle such a massive re-route only 500~ miles into his first thru-hike, and what it felt like to move forward. 

We then take a stroll north through the CDT itself. Touching upon the early season in Colorado and high intensity snow fields and traverses. We bounce up to the Great Basin in Wyoming, where we chat about the lowest point of the trail emotionally, and how it became a highlight. We dust ourselves off as we head into the Wind River Range, where loss of a trail family member becomes a defining factor. We gander at the enormity of the sky itself as we talk all things The Big Sky Alternate. Diving deep into the reasoning, feel, logistics and choice of creating your own adventure on the CDT. We put our hand upon the terminus and breath the words to life of the feelings of "done."

We take deep dives into the feelings as Eric shares with us the journey, the thoughts, and the moments of a first thru-hike. Truly a special experience that he lets us feel and see through his eyes. From the beginning to the end, we feel the moments and learn what it means to go from avid outdoorsperson to one who is now "consumed" or "obsessed."

We chat about techniques of squatting to be shorter than the person next to you in thunder and lightning storms, we chat about the difference between dollops of cherries and dollops of ketchup, we chat PB cookies and brownies as a diet, and we chat the 5 headed pressure was shower of Montana.

We chat about coming to peace with a trail being over, this generations philosopher we all know as 50 Cent, and intimate and emotional relationships with pieces of gear. We chat Wild Bill and Open Carry, we chat homecoming feelings in a new perspective, we chat lowest lows and highest highs, we chat new confidence, mayors of small towns, connection and disconnection, closure, and opening a door that never again can be shut.

We end the show with a Ramen Rating Review and are extremely happy to hear Eric's rating... until it takes a dark and personally painfully turn to our hearts. 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"The CDT is a full bucket list of trails."

"It was a highlight because it was my lowest point on the trail."

"Instead of a cherry on top...it was a dollop of Ketchup."

"The Philosopher 50 CENT said: Sunny days wouldn't be so special if it wasn't for rain."

"Where you been, where you are, where you want to be."

To learn more about Eric Kipperman visit him on LinkedIn and Strava

To learn more about us click below.

Today we sit down and chat with co-hosts Constantine and Magpie the grandest of trails, the most enchanting, the most...emotional, the Grand Enchantment Trail! 

We begin the show as we begin every show, with talking only and we mean only trail and hiking related content. That's right we discuss energy drinks! We get "Bucked Up" while drinking Bucked Up. Yes, that is not a euphuism, that is the actual name of the energy juice. As we crack the can we smell America, and guzzle some "Rocket Pop." 

After the most important part of the show we dive into all things the Grand Enchantment Trail. A wonderful route through Arizona and New Mexico that spans about ~766 miles. From just outside of Phoenix to Albuquerque the trail may begin and end in cities but goes into very remote territory. We discuss the "trail" conditions and the expectations when hiking a trail that is mostly a route.

We discuss and thank the creator of this route, Brett Tucker for making such an amazing journey. We chat about everything that wants to cut you, stick you, bite you, scratch you, and generally "ouch" you. We try and break down the trail by resupply points and wonderfully get lost in memories.

We chat the "town" that is not a town of Klondyke. We miss a fantastic opportunity to make a "what would you do for a Klondyke Bar" joke. We chat how not all miles are created equal. We chat about permits and being respectful to the trail so others can experience the beauty of this route in the future. We thank land owners, we talk about change in the route in the future, and we thank Brett again for all the work into creating a truly special, even enchanting, hike.

We give a shout out to Rocketman and talk soaking in the Gila Hot Springs. We chat "Horse Women" and hot spring shaming. We chat wild turkeys and what to do if a wild turkey falls on your head. We chat cinematic turkey silhouettes. 

We then transition into the sad portion of the show as we talk wildfires. We discuss being some of the last people in Diamond Creek to see it in all its grandeur. We chat the Black Fire and Bear Fire and the feelings of being stopped when physically and mentally we were ready to go. 

We discuss monsoon season, continuing and connecting footsteps, wilderness, and what it means to be a "thru-hiker." We chat about our New Mexico Grandmother. We chat shortcuts that are not shortcuts. 

We wrap the show with our realization that we had a blistering average of 3 miles per day when factoring in all of our "technical zeroes" on this trail due to wildfire season. 

We lose a part of ourselves to grow. 

Our ramen rating review takes a weird turn as we compare Creamy Chicken Ramen with Shrimp Ramen. How can it be so low but so high? Let's find out!

Thank you Brett Tucker, thank you Grand Enchantment Trail, thank you land owners, thank you for letting us grow.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

"Brett knows Best!"

To learn more about who we are click the link below:

What is the Continental Divide Trail?

Today we sit down and chat with Constantine and Magpie as they fight the good fight of not having an energy drink induced heart attack. 

We break down the walls of time with a double recording. As always... we must do another energy drink review even though we literally just finished the last. It is what the audience wants, it is what this LIVE show demands, we hear you loud and clear. 

Taking a dip back into the past we now take a deeper dive into Magpie's first thru-hike, the CDT. We chat the feelings of going into the "hardest" of the Big 3 trails first, what it means to be a Southbounder, and the glory of the state of Montana.

We chat relocating problem bears, the fear of Colorado, trail families along a less travelled trail, and shaking eyeballs. We chat the actual Continental Divide, trail towns of New Mexico, and alternates, alternates and more alternates. 

We dive into the tangent of hiking with someone from "real life." Whether that is a friend, acquaintance, best friend, we chat about the challenges this can cause. In theory a fabulous idea, but we talk about the great equalizing factor of the trail and how it can bring about different wants, needs, and choices of friends. There are some that have not only solved this issue but excelled, but our word of advice, meet those that click with you.

We chat about the diamond that is Wyoming, singing "I'm A Barbie Girl" enough times to reach insanity, and feelings of accomplishment. We chat "chasing the high" and how a great thing can lead to a time of not being in the moment. We try to bounce around the "Super Butte Cutoff" but very ineloquently say there is no right nor wrong, but people still can have their own opinions. 

We as always recommend not bear spraying a moose. 

We become parrots as we can't break past our Ramen Rating Review scores of the past few weeks.

We end the show with sweaty knees, moist palms, and a possible trip to the doctors office. 

(P:S: A joke, Constantine is well and fine... well physically at least)

FAVORTIE QUOTE:

"I am a Barbie Girl!"

To learn more about who we are click the link below:

What is the Appalachian Trail?

Today we sit down and chat with co-hosts Constantine and Magpie all things Appalachian Trail. The trail that needs no introduction, no description, no embellishment. Known as the Grandfather of trails, you know it, we know it, most hikers and even non-hikers know it, so without further ado, let us define a trail that needs no definition! 

As always, we painfully begin the show with an energy drink review. We do not know how nor when this intro became our norm, but do not worry, we shall not disappoint you nor ourselves! We introduce our rock, our guiding post, our safe harbor... well more accurately THE ROCK's energy drink, Zoa! It becomes quite the journey.

After licking a coconut, we begin our chat on the Appalachian Trail. We chat trail community, we chat rain, rain and more rain. We chat first love, we chat steep learning curves, and we chat bunny slopes. We discuss bear canisters and come out of the proverbial bear den to state a quite unpopular opinion. We discuss responsibility, trail angels, trail towns, and the difference between NoBo and SoBo.

We then take a swift dive into the concept of freedom. Pulling ourselves up for a breath of air, we try to quickly tangent out of this minefield of a topic, but give our opinion nonetheless. We chat PG, PG-13, and R rated stories, being "bulky boys", broken knees, green tunnels, and faceplants. We chat pounds of ranch, pounds of carrots, two sleeping bags, an outfit for each day of the week, and electronics on the trail.

We discuss success rates with purely hypothetical statistics, we get in touch with our Tennessee roots, we touch on the "downside" of hitchhiking. We chat Naked and Afraid, the concept "AT hiker vibes", privy bonding, touching whiteblazes, and wildlife. We chat shelters, mistakes, and purism vs purity. 

We wrap the show with a very passionate Ramen Rating Review. A review from the heart but also from the trail. Hang on it gets a tad confusing.

Many conflicting feelings, emotions, and thoughts on this trail as it was Constantine's first. Hope some of it makes sense! 

Only one quote matters this week:

"The Appalachian Trail is Summer Camp"

To learn more about who we are click the link below:

What is the Pacific Northwest Trail?

Today we sit down for a chat with co-hosts Magpie and Constantine, and well if you have been listening to our most recent episodes, you know how this begins... with an energy drink review!

The energy gets explosive with "C4", the one that we were too scared to try on the previous episode, but as we cant abide waste, we guzzle down this radioactive concoction of liquid Peach Mango drink, and once again test our hearts constitution to survive the episode. 

After a few sips, a few tangents, we dive into the basis of this episode, all things Pacific Northwest Trail. Just like the Peach Mango flavor in our mouths, we try and discern the flavor of this trail for you. A throwback as Constantine and Magpie hiked this back in 2019, it is time to put their memories to the test!

We chat elevation, camping, mileage, trail angels & trail devils. We break the discussion into states and resupply points, using the power of the energy drink and our foggy memories to try and accurately paint a picture of the PNT. We discuss bushwhacks, the Veg-O-Matic, permits, food carries, animal encounters, and the flavor of each town and section. We chat the "mystique" of the PNT and the reputation it has. 

We chat Glacier National Park, the loose definitions of what constitutes a town, alternates available, cheating if you do not take the official route of Bogachiel through Olympic National Park (not actually we just have many feelings about this piece of trail). We give a few shout outs to Horsepower who is out there stepping off the miles now and meeting all the wildlife and experiences the PNT has to offer. We chat finding a bushwhack where none have bushwhacked before! We chat bluffs, how not all beaches are created equal, and going for a unexpected swim deep in the ocean.

We wrap the show with our newly patented (not actually patented) Ramen Rating Review! 

The PNT gets a stellar average of 4.9 Ramens! 

Our highest rated ramen review yet. Magpie gave it a FULL Creamy Chicken ramen of 5 stars, while Constantine still believing no trail can be fully Creamy Chicken gave it a 4.9 rating. More accurately meaning you made a Creamy Chicken Ramen but added a tad bit too much water, and didn't get all the flavoring out of the package. 

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"It slices, it dices, it is the Veg-O-Matic!" 

"Stay Cognizant TM."

"My favorite trail, perfect mix."

To learn more about who we are click the link below:

What is the Wonderland Trail?

Today we sit down and chat with Constantine and Magpie about all the wonders of the Wonderland Trail. No irony is needed nor sarcasm sassed when we indeed say it is wonderful. 

We begin the show by instantly diving into a tangent, but then of course we use the upmost elegance and smooth tones to begin the multi-minute transition away from pure power into permits. We discuss all things Wonderland Permits. The use of Recreation.Gov to book ahead of time, the chance of walk up permits, luck of the draw with certain campsites, a "secret" way to hike without permits (NOTE: it is NOT saying don't use a permit, instead it mentions how to create an intense itinerary to avoid the permitted campsites).

We discuss circles and how just because it is a circle does not mean it is easy. As the saying goes, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice... well you aren't going to fool me again!" We shall not be fooled again, third time is the charm. Circles do not equate to easy.

We discuss how to define beauty when literally 80% of the entire hike is gorgeous. We discuss the obstacles of the Wonderland Trail, including the Mowich River, the steep elevation gain and descent daily, snow travel, river crossings, suspension bridges, and most importantly injury prevention. We dive deep into this thought line as Magpie called the hike Day 3, no longer being able to safely continue forward without causing serious injury. 

When hiking with a romantic partner, friend, hiking buddy, comrade, trail family, whoever you may be hiking with, it is important to have these types of conversation beforehand. The conversations of "What If?" 

Nothing is more important than the safety of those around you while hiking. It is an immense privilege to be able to share in the happiness, love and togetherness of a trail, and also a responsibility. When hiking with others make a plan, read the situation, and act accordingly. 

We chat rookie mistakes, disappearing socks, thermal persuasion, finger-hills not being hills, and the constant curse of having piping plover legs. We chat hamburger feet, bridges that are not bridges, marmot smooching, pika picking, and beaver cuddling. We discuss the difference of being in thru-hiking shape and just "regular shape." We chat all things HYOH (do not even like writing out the term much less saying it... but we find ourselves in this tangent and have to unpack our feelings and then quickly tangent away before our emotions overheat). 

On our ramen rating review scale this hike gets a 4.5 out of 5 ramens. A mix between Roast Chicken and Creamy Chicken. 

Most importantly we: "Study Xyscience while being Rowdy and talking to Yerbae."

Truly a wonderful trail, highly recommend the Wonderland Trail.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"It is a privilege and responsibility when sharing the trail with others."

"French kiss a marmot." (DISCLAIMER: DO NOT!)

"The more we hike the less we know what we are doing."

"I looked at my wrist for the time again... still don't have a watch."

To learn more about who we are click the link below:

What is the Lost Coast Trail?

Today we sit down to discuss a short but sweet trail... and promptly go off the rails! 

Hosts Constantine and Magpie begin the show with an introduction to the stats of the Lost Coast Trail. A trail that spans 25.3~ miles along the King's Coast in Northern California, it covers surf, sand, mountains and bluffs...and that is just the terrain. It has sweeping views, tidal zones that must be traversed safely, wildlife swimming in the waves and tanning in the sand. All the joys of a long thru-hike can be found within its comfortable distance. 

After going over the access to the trailhead and the permitting process for the trail the conversation begins to take a turn. A turn for the better, or for the worse? Who is to say... what we can say however is that it indeed takes a sharp left, right, circular, perpendicular, pentagonal turn towards both our hosts internal mid-life crisis'. In what form do people in their late twenties have mid-life crisis, and what does that look like? Well, you are going to have to listen to find out, but we will tell you it involves backpacking "vs." thru-hiking, bandwidths of suffering, broken knees and lower backs, and more than a fair share of "Xyience"! 

Traversing back off an emotional tangent, our hosts begin discussing the intricacies of the trail. The play-by-play of miles, the tidal zones and where they are located, the flavor of the miles, camping locations, water sources, wildlife, weather patterns, travel to and from both terminus, amount of hikers and everything you need to know to hike and access the Lost Coast Trail.

We chat why Xyience is indeed better than science and how one could even argue one created the other, a real chicken and egg scenario. We chat big creeks, cuddly Elephant Seals (Disclaimer: DO NOT cuddle), mindset of hiking and thru-hiking, laundry and chickens, a vending machine that mysteriously dispenses dimes/nickels/ and even a dollar coin?! We chat the definition of pulling a "Classic Constantine", foot issues, rotten spaghetti (yes, literally rotten), and drinking from the fountains of youth we call Xyience (no, not literally but certainly figuratively). 

We wrap up the show with an impromptu Ramen Rating Review. Cementing the reason why our hosts are together as to their two lowest rated ramen and two highest rated ramen were the same! Those that rate ramen together... well probably are a tad malnourished and nutritionally deficient... but at least suck down salt packets with a grimace on their faces and a smile in their hearts. 

A very fun, weird, and perfectly unexpected turn of an episode. Seems apt for the flavor of where we are figuratively, literally (no not literally, but yes actually literally) and where we are spiritually, (yes spiritually, akin to those Elephant Seals along the Lost Coast Trail, cuddling, feeding our blubber reserves, and waddling our way forward through this metaphorical deep sand shores of life.)

Anyway... great trail, would recommend. 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"Blubbery, cuddly, kissable, bundles of joy"

"Tastes like salty memories of soup"

"Depends how you define a Big Creek"

To learn more about who we are click the link below:

What is the Bigfoot Trail?

First thing is first, a massive thank you must be given to the Bigfoot Trail Alliance (the overseeing organization that created this trail and manages it), although there may be some colorful language used in this episode to describe portions of the trail, we want the Bigfoot Trail Alliance to know that we greatly appreciate and respect the massive amounts of work needed to maintain a trail like this and truly are grateful for the route creation and continued growth.  

Today we sit down and have a nice, long, "unbiased", slightly informational, mostly emotional, chat. 

Host Constantine is joined by Horsepower (first recurring guest on our show, so... commence "medal ceremony") as they are fresh off completing their thru-hike of the Bigfoot Trail. Completed on July 2nd, we catch up with them on July 3rd, so please forgive them if the emotions are still running high, well maybe not forgive.. but at least have context before the show begins. 

The Bigfoot Trail is a 358~ mile trail that spans from Ides Cove in Northern California to Crescent City a coastal town in Northern California. Along the way you traverse through multiple wilderness areas, touch the PCT or Pacific Crest Trail for a few miles, quickly dip a toe into Oregon  and then just as quickly come back to Northern California. It traverses through 32 different type of conifer trees per their website, and in general is a beautiful trail, brutal, but beautiful. 

Horsepower and Constantine sit down and give a synopsis of the 14 days it took to hike this trail. They begin at day 1, with sleeping in the fetal position, bushwhacking through thick thorns, the difference between THICC and THIQQ, and continue from there revealing stories shared, pain experienced, and beauty seen. 

We chat about Hayfork and its wonderful Mexican cuisine (seriously), we chat about good wounds vs. bad wounds and we chat the mysterious "RV Camp in the middle of the Trinity Wilderness. We talk about Horsepower's "Tent Juke" technique for mosquitoes, carrying 6 sets of clothes, a fun game we played called Rattlesnake Roulette, and how Constantine is an old man in... well an old man's body.

We chat about 1700 miles vs. 200 miles and the "worth" of a mile, we chat peanut butter and soda fueling techniques, we chat oozing and blistering legs, and we chat about Playing Basketball in Pelican Bay! (Training Day reference)

All jokes aside, this episode is meant to be informational as the Bigfoot Trail is still growing with its map data, trail conditions, and awareness, so we hoped to shine more light on a trail system that really is beautiful, and yes brutally difficult. 

We chat about the difference between the Big 3 trails and these smaller trails regarding their support, infrastructure, and trail maintenance. We chat about the "flavor" of the Bigfoot Trail and how everyday there will be some form of bushwhack and intense climbs, we talk about trail conditions and alternates, and we go over in detail the essence of what it means to hike the Bigfoot Trail. 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"You usually always go up, its more punishing"

"I wasn't going to use that same F word..."

"Tone for trail: bushwhack, bears, a lot of climbing"

"Disclaimer for whole BFT: check your maps often."

"If your legs are oozing any type of liquid... go to a doctor."

To learn more about Horsepower check out the link below:

We have the privilege today of speaking with the one and only, Impala!

Today we begin the show with some wonderful English idioms as we learn about Impala. We chat about being born in the UK and his father's influence on him as a travelling man. We dive deeper into the backstory of his relationship with his father, and how the artist's mind is one of wonder and wander.

We get sucked deep into a conversation around the UK's National Trails. We chat about the similarities and differences of hiking in the US Vs. hiking in the UK. We chat about "stealth camping" and the infrastructure of the trails in England and Scotland. We chat about the lengths of the UK's National Trails and the possibility of hiking all of them (if desired) in a single hiking season. 

We chat about Impala's route that he has called the "Mighty Blighty." A trail system that is still being officially created called the English Coast Path, with a special extra twist, as Impala hopes to connect all his footsteps, and the only way to do that is, continue across through Scotland to rejoin the English coast on the other side. We talk trail conditions, and the burden that flat miles can put on one's body. Sometimes surprisingly consistent days of flat terrain hurt the body more, than climbing and descending. We chat about how Impala navigates a yet to be completed trail, and how if the ocean remains on his left hand side, it should be fine! 

We chat about trail community and what one does when there are not many hikers around. We chat about Impala's first thru-hike on the Te Araroa and what seed was planted along this hike in his brain to continue to pursue hiking year after year. We talk about the connection and disconnection of living a nomadic life and we chat about how Impala manages his Off Trail time. We talk about the pros and cons of Instagram, we chat about being home while on trail, and we chat about never being bored in this lifestyle. 

We chat about being an "addict" for trail, we chat about mind games to hold onto sanity while hiking canals, we chat about becoming the most renowned and professional tiddlywinks player in the UK, we chat about bonds formed from only a few days of hiking together and the strength they can create, we chat about Meander, we chat about spirituality and being connected to the world around you, we chat about "doing miles, and making smiles", we chat about how saying hi to people can become a wonderfully entertaining and even enlightening game, and much more. 

Honestly, one of our favorite chats, as throughout this episode, you can really and truly feel who Impala is, and feel the kindness in his thoughts and words. 

Truly a wonderful chat with Impala, thank you for sharing some time and your story with us!

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"If I got my pack on, I know everything is going to be alright."

"When you spend more time outside, you become more in tune with everything."

"If everyone went backpacking the world would be a better place."

"I am a professional tiddlywinks player."

"I just became a complete addict [referring to hiking]"

To learn more about Impala click below:

We have the privilege today of speaking with the one and only, Aaron of Backcountry Foodie!

Today we begin the show by learning a little bit about Aaron's background in nutrition and hiking and how it led her to create Backcountry Foodie. We learn about how the hiking nutrition on the market was not catered to individualistic output and calorie consumption while on trail and how she used her skills as a dietician to change this.

We chat about her love for food, and her love for high quality food that is right for your body. We dissect the pros and cons of a thru-hiking diet, and while it may fill up a hiker's stomach, it may not be giving the correct nutrients to the hiker's body. We chat about vitamin deficiency and the difference between a habitual mile stepper and someone who is choosing a thru-hike as a one time adventure. We learn that multiple years of a "thru-hikers diet" can lead to unwanted deficiency in the body, and begin to regret our doughnut consumption the hike before this chat...

We chat about the calorie density and nutrition in dehydrated food compared to regular food, and that it can lose up to 50% of its vitamins! We ask Aaron's recommendations on how to eat healthier and supplement a thru-hiking diet until making the fuller transition into healthier food choices.

We chat about the growth of Backcountry Foodie over the years, and how Aaron went from writing cookbooks, to nutritional coaching for hikers, to masterclasses in hiking nutrition, and how she has tied in all her experience with the above and more, to create a healthy choice for hikers. With over 209 recipes there is something for everyone. They even have a meal planning platform, which is an automated tool that can make a shopping list for you! Eating healthy has never been made so easy!

We chat about Aaron's hike of the PCT, OCT, and the Condor Trail and how every hike has given them the opportunity to continue to grow their knowledge of the human body and hiking. We learn how every hike is different, not just the miles done, but the terrain, the weather, the navigation, the bushwhacking, all play important roles in the food that should be eaten.

We chat about "stockpiling calories", we chat about not using soda or beer as a form of nutrition while in town, we chat about meal replacement drinks and how baby formula while nutritional requires a strong gut and an even stronger will to drink, we chat about how every resupply is different due to the trail and the needs of the body, we chat about 400lbs of food prep and dehydrating your own tuna, and we chat plastic mountaineering boots, to name a few. 

Truly a wonderful chat with Aaron from Backcountry Foodie, thank you for sharing some time and your story with us!

P:S: As a special treat, all our listeners can use the promo code: OFFTRAILPODCAST at BackcountryFoodie.com for a 20% discount!

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"Food is medicine."

"I don't like using thru-hiking as a weight loss program, if you are losing weight you are not fueling your body to peak performance."

"When hikers say they can't do it, I am going to challenge you again."

"You can eat healthy at the dollar store."

"I just want to help anyone that wants to feel better."

To learn more about Aaron and Backcountry Foodie click below:

We have the privilege today of speaking with the one and only, Pony!

Today we begin the show by wishing we had been recording the "pre-chat" portion with Pony beforehand. As you will find out as we get deeper into the episode, he is a fantastic storyteller and his thoughts and perspectives around hiking and the trail, are refreshing to say the least. 

We hop right into the show as Pony brings us through the evolution from Clay Bonneyman Evans to how he defined it as finding his "alter ego" of Pony. We chat about his introduction into the "thru-hiking world" and how it just clicked with his brain and how he operates. We dive into what this means, what does it mean when he says, "it works for my brain?"

Keep your hats on because we dive deep into the perspectives and outlooks on the massively popular (and directly massively unpopular with thru-hikers) books "Wild" and "A Walk in the Woods" by Cheryl Strayed and Bill Bryson. Once again, a truly refreshing take as we chat about the goals of these books, and why they are perceived so negatively by hikers, when in fact they are truly inspirational and great storytelling. 

We quickly avoid the hornets nest that is documenting your hike by video on trail, and lightly tread, but just for a moment, upon the thoughts and feelings around this growing activity. 

We chat about Pony and how writing is his process for understanding his journey. Not just his hiking journey's, but this journey through life. We talk about his process and how he remains in the moment on trail, while continuing to pursue his passion. We chat about his growth as a writer and author throughout the years. 

We go deep into the "Red-Lining" concept. A very deep dive as it is something both Pony and ourselves are passionate about. We chat about the dangers of being too much of a purist, and the growth of the trail community as it begins to tackle this very turbulent concept. We chat about how this concept can be utilized on some trails, while others it is not only impossible, but not even safe. It unravels from here, the threads of this thought continue for many minutes. 

We chat about hiking clean and the feelings it invokes in body and mind. We chat about the CDT and bear tub claws on the PCT. We chat about writing and the feeling of being a character in a story, we chat about being in a "snow globe world",  we chat about the "Blowdown, Snowdown, Hodown", we chat about connection and relationships off trail while being on trail, we chat about not receiving merit badges for suffering, we chat about his wife and my mother knowing each other in this small world we call thru-hiking (Hi Jodi and Sundance!) and we get wonderfully lost in Pony's gift for storytelling. To name a few.

Truly a wonderful chat with Pony, thank you for sharing some time and your story with us!

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"My brain is at its best when it is on trail"

"I have to write about it, because writing about it is who I am"

"Every footstep you take literally brings you into a new reality"

"The trail is a stage on which I as a human can be fully myself"

To learn more about Pony and read his books click below:

We have the privilege today of speaking with the one and only, Starburst! 

Today we begin the show or more accurately jump right into it! Skipping over our usual first open ended question that begins the show, Cal quickly lets us know who they are with some amazing stories and insights into the mind of a perpetual mile stepper. Cal is set to become the first (known) trans hiker to complete the Triple Crown and Great Western Loop. More importantly they are doing it for a reason, for themselves and for others. 

Being inspired from a hiker they met along the way named Sandman, Cal tells us the story of how they began to germinate the idea of connecting their footpath in a loop called the Great Western Loop. A 7,000+ mile trail system that combines the PCT, CDT, PNT and other pieces together. Yet, more importantly, we talk on what this means to them, not as a "physical goal" but instead what it means to them to stand up for what they believe in.

Cal tells us of the feeling of responsibility they feel as a trans/queer person to use the platform they have to help create more inclusion, acceptance, and awareness in the trail community. We unpack this feeling of responsibility and learn about its growth and how it has affected them along with the hikers their story touches. 

We chat about the Trevor Project, an organization that creates a home for LGBTQ youth and builds projects and community while spreading awareness. We chat about how Cal's hike is more than "just a hike" for themself, and is a way to give back to this community through a fundraiser, as well as to give back to the hiking trans/queer community.

Magpie and Cal compare and contrast the growth of the hiking community at large over the past few years from stories from both of their hikes and experiences. They talk about the change they have both seen, and talk about the continuation of finding a place of comfort and safety inside of the outdoors. 

We talk about the connection/disconnection pursuit of long distance hiking has on friends, family, and community back home. How do you stay in touch with a community when you are nomadic? How do you have the time? A question we ask every guest, and a question that never has just one answer. We talk about how there are only three reasons a healthy person should be urinating blood. A kidney stone, rigorous sex, or too much exercise, and how Cal's partner after a 50~ mile day is still trying to figure out which one it was...

We chat about Lil Buddha, we chat about the feeling of home while being on trail, we chat about the responsibilities of having a voice for change and using it, we chat about meeting a partner in this community, we chat about Instagram, and we chat about the "linear ladder" of pursuing goals and breaking this "perfectionist" mold. To name a few.

Truly a wonderful chat with Cal, as we wish them luck on many great adventures ahead! 

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"I lost my extended family not became I came out as trans...but because I came out as a thru-hiker!"

"Pursuing your dreams is professional development."

"Everyone knows queer/trans people, and if you don't think you do, you definitely do."

"When I am on trail, I am home and I feel like I return to who I am supposed to be."

To learn more about Cal and support the Trevor Project:

Who is Rowdy Energy? How did we #getsponsored by Rowdy Energy? What is Rowdy Energy?

These burning questions and more will probably...maybe...possibly...be answered in our Season 2 Opener!

Welcome to Season 2 of the Off Trail Podcast. In all seriousness, we have a fun episode for you all to introduce you to our new season.

With no guest this week, the co-hosts, Magpie and Constantine, sit down to share some stories with you.

There is much to cover in this episode, and all the sponsorships in the world from #RowdyEnergy would not be enough to power a laptop in a BLM campground with no electricity, so the energy is quick, frantic, and a tad bit rowdy as our co-hosts try to cover all the topics they wish to discuss before the power goes out.

The show begins with a quick chat about what the co-hosts have been up to recently such as the Hayduke Trail and Grand Enchantment Trail. More so routes than trail systems, we discuss the intricacies of what it means to hike a trail that is a route. You know how the saying goes... not all routes are trails, but all trails are routes, you know like the square and rectangle debate? 

We then digress as we talk about our new shows sponsors at #RowdyEnergy and the extreme gratitude, love, and appreciation we feel for being partnered with such an amazing product/team/organization/lifestyle. 

We chat about the future of this podcast moving forward into Season 2. We highlight the structure and concept of this show, and how while at its heart it will still remain the same, focusing on the how and the who, not the what, there will be more conversations and stories shared about companies of all sizes. Tying in an individuals stories and a companies fascinates us, and we hope it fascinates you too, as we hope to spread the stories behind the growth, evolution, and sacrifices it takes to pursue what you love. 

We chat about our new campaign, that is abbreviated as #DGAS, and are thrilled to announce it so repetitively and frequently that we ourselves may end up wanting to jump into incoming traffic. 

Again, we joke... well mostly, there are some statements that remain true, but this podcast is meant to be fun and informative and that is the way we always hope to keep it.

In all seriousness, we discuss fire closures, the "ending" of a "thru-hike", the Grand Enchantment Trail in detail, planning alternate routes and the difference between 1,000+ mile trails and smaller routes, NCT level humor, Magpie's comparison of Constantine to a famous artist and how his humor is art, and just like Monet and Rembrandt not fully appreciated in his time, and we talk about Jeannie and Kyle, the 8th and 9th people to hike the GET, and how amazingly lucky and blessed we were to meet them. Thank you. 

We end the show with a call out to all adventurers, hikers, backpackers, bikepackers, rafters, wanderers, dirtbags....any and all outdoorspeople, if you power this life with your body and mind, we want to share your story. 

Follow us over on Instagram @offtrailpodcast and send us an email offtrailpodcast@gmail.com

To be inspired check out Kyle and Jeannie's links below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Cookie Monster and Triple Crown Coffee!

Today we begin the show with an EPIC trail name story. By far one of the funniest and best stories we have heard in a long time, if you assume the name Cookie Monster comes from liking cookies, well you are not wrong, but there is so much more behind it!

We laugh our way into learning about Cookie Monster's 25+ years of adventure life. Beginning with his passion to explore overseas, and then transitioning to a passion in 2008 with his first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, to revolving his life around the trail. Or more accurately adventure life, he has lived a very colorful and wonderful life full of variety and we dive into the thoughts and feelings behind it.

We dive into the similarities and "differences" between the international travel community and the trail community. We chat about his love and passion of the community that continues to make him the best version of himself. 

We chat about the ethos and daily life working for a company such as REI and Patagonia, and dive deeper into what these companies came to represent to Cookie Monster's experience. 

We chat about Triple Crown Coffee, and how the company was born from a thru-hiker, and then stayed within the community. We chat about Cookie Monster's passion combining with his work, and how he still finds joy within each. We chat about giving back as he put it " support the trails, one cup at a time." We chat about ethically sourcing coffee and maintaining the entire supply chain to make sure that every piece of the puzzle is equitable. 

We chat about trails, we chat about business, we chat about giving back, we chat about how every pound that Triple Crown Coffee sells, a $1 is donated back to the trail. 

Too many wonderful quotes to list, Cookie Monster has a very eloquent way of talking and framing thoughts, we really enjoyed his take on many of the subjects that continue to have us wondering. 

Truly a wonderful chat with Cookie Monster & Triple Crown Coffee, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us.

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"Trail is a mirror, trail is a reflection, of the journey we have through life"

"The interesting thing about goals is they continually move, as soon as you "score" one goal, it becomes what's next?"

"Thru-hiking is such a gift and blessing in my life... I want to make sure these trails are protected into propriety"

To learn more about Triple Crown Coffee and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Canary!

Today we are able to catch up and chat with Christopher Blackwell, or Canary, less than a week before he begins his attempt at a Supported Fastest Known Time for the Calendar Year Triple Crown. This means hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail well within a calendar year. He hopes to break the previous record set by Swami at 236 days, and set the new record around 220 days.

We chat about his mental and physical prep work to tackle such a endeavor. The prep work that began years ago that has been leading to this moment. We talk about his planned Appalachian Trail 2020 thru hike, and how the pandemic changed his plans. Instead of being deterred we chat about how refreshing it is to see and hear how he continued to pursue his passion and hikes in the outdoors. Transitioning to climbing mountains in the Smokies and in the Southern Appalachians, he continued to pursue his happiness.

We dive deep into the mental preparation that it takes as you learn from life. From previous hikes, from daily life, from childhood, continually learning how to harness the mentality and strength inside and how it transitions to the trail.

We chat about his partner, Bell, who will be supporting him along his hike. We chat about the benefits and perceived difficulties that can arise when planning something this intense with another. We learn that both him and his partner have two individual goals that have combined into a together goal, and how this leads to cohesiveness and happiness.  

We chat about his inspirations, we chat about his proposed route, we chat about the Adirondacks Winter Route, we chat about suffering, we chat about harnessing strength, acceptance, and peace. 

Disclaimer: This will be published when he is a month or two into his hike, so to a future and to a past Canary, keep getting after it! 

Truly a wonderful chat with Canary, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us.

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"[I want] to look back to that kid and be the vision that would lead me forward during my darkest nights"

"I am going into this because I know it is going to change me"

"Every time someone does a huge thing, it raises everyone up to the possibilities"

To learn more about Canary and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, GingerBallz!

Today we sit down and chat with GingerBallz, a man that was inducted into the hiking community back in 2018 with his first thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail, and has been completely consumed ever since. 

We chat about his progression towards the Triple Crown, we chat about his learning curve on the AT, and how he met a friend named Scrapbook one of his first days out there. Both looking at each other with the thought of "how are they going to survive this?" and both not only succeeding but exceling together and individually along the way. 

We chat a lot, quite a lot, if we see a lot one more time, will you understand how much we talk about dog mushing. We talk about it a lot! Another activity/lifestyle/job/community that he has begun to pursue. We chat about the parallels between dog mushing and hiking, we chat about the parallels of how he is choosing to live his life on and off trail, and we learn that as the trail is to hikers, dogs are to mushers. The love, connection, and sometimes reverence for the very essence of what allows us to pursue these lifestyles. 

We chat about how he learned about the Appalachian Trail, about how when he pursues an activity whether that is biking, marathons, triathlons, hiking, or dog mushing he consumes himself fully within it. 

We chat about where sunscreen needs to be applied to dogs while on a glacier, we chat about sacrifices needed to live a life of adventure, we chat about falling multiple times a day on the Long Trail, we chat about freedom in letting go of rigidity and letting the moment take you where it will. 

Truly a wonderful chat with GingerBallz, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us.

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"I woke up at one point and said I a, going to walk from Georgia to Maine"

"The relationships to the dogs are everything"

"I am going with the flow and learning to appreciate that"

To learn more about GingerBallz and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Phil Perry!

Today we have a very special episode for you all. We focus around a subject that is heavily prevalent in the outdoors, but that is difficult for some to talk about. We wanted to have this guest on due to him being very open and honest about this piece of the outdoor community. Today we talk about sobriety. 

We sit down with Phil Perry, a very vocal advocate for sobriety, to learn about his journey in and through sobriety, and how the outdoors and hiking has been a place of peace for him. 

We chat about the stigma that can come attached to alcoholism or substance abuse, and how it can lead to guilt and shame that is self-created. Yet, when shared with others whether that be friends and family, others within the outdoor community, others within the sober community, however you wish to define it, when it is shared there is power within.

We chat about how Phil reclaimed his love and passion for the outdoors, and has now found a love within hiking that is consuming. From the planning aspect, to the prep, to the hiking, every part of it he sees as a piece to fuel his fire of happiness. 

We chat his inspirations come from the everyday, the "every person". Whether that be in the sober community or hiking community the person that is out there doing 1 mile, 2 miles, 5 miles, 10 miles, as long as they are out there seeking happiness, those people are the ones that continue to inspire him the most. 

We chat about his sobriety and how his platform on Social Media came about from originally a friend suggesting to share it with others to create another "check and balance." Then how it propelled into many people sharing in togetherness in sobriety, in the power of being together, and how it now helps his goal to spread the message that "you are never alone" to anyone that he can.

There is too much to unpack in a description for this episode, so instead we will end it how Phil ended it.

"You should never suffer in silence, reach out.... we are here." 

Truly a wonderful chat with Phil Perry, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us.

Disclaimer: We by no means hold any expertise in the field of sobriety, and this was our first experience in trying to share a story of this magnitude with others, so please forgive us if we did not ask the "correct" questions, or used terms that were not correct in this community. We only hoped to continue to learn, and this was a part of it. 

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"If it resonates with one person I have done my job"

"It starts you thinking, what else am I capable of?"

"If I can be more vocal and it can help out one more person, it is something I have to do"

To learn more about Phil Perry and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Slider!

Today we sit down and chat with Slider. We chat quite a lot about her hiking, more specifically her hiking with a plastic trombone. We hyper focus on the why behind carrying an instrument that one does not commonly associate with hiking trails. We hear some of the stories from the trail and how she used this instrument both physically to add music to her hikes, and how she used it metaphorically to connect her to her music life.

We chat about her passion for music on and off trail. We chat about her previous "zero interest" in section hikes and how amazing it is that the same activity that instead is longer and further such as a thru-hike is a world of difference. We chat about her progression from not one to necessarily "like" setting goals, to how thru-hiking taught her goal setting was something she appreciated.

We chat about her in-between times between hikes, and how she managed the Off Trail time and stay connected to the community that she loved. We chat about her opportunity this year as she once again transitions back out east for the season to pursue a job within the outdoors that she is passionate about. 

We chat about the differences between East and West coast hiking and how both are beautiful, but very different. We chat about the Continental Divide Trail in 2021 and managing the hazards and logistics along the way.

We wag our sass finger at Dine N Dash, a previous guest, as Slider and him were a part of a trail family together, and we just now learned about it! 

We chat about the plastic trombone, and the fact that it has now gone on 2 out of the 3 Big Trails, and how it's destiny is now to continue onwards to finish up all 3. 

Truly a wonderful chat with Slider, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us.

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"I hike and play the trombone"

"Escape from the monotony of what we call a normal life"

"You can get along with anyone out there, that is the type of community it is"

To learn more about Slider and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Dylan "Pickle" Tonkin!

Today we sit down and chat with "Pickle" the owner and founder of Town Shirt Company. A backpacking and more specifically a apparel company that creates wonderfully unique designs for hiking shirts that encompass the very trails with which they were inspired from. PCT and AT designs that showcase the scenes that elicit remembrance and emotion in the hiker. 

We chat about Pickle's inspiration to start a company and it stemming from finding a way to stay involved and connected in the community that he stated "makes me the best version of myself." We chat about his desire and his implementation of interweaving many other people within the outdoor and specifically hiking community into his business. Creating a trail family, off the trail. 

We chat about the learning process behind creating an apparel business, and how the intricacies once the journey begins are more than anticipated. We chat about his goal of giving back to the very trail associations that inspire his creations. 

We chat about Pickle not eating one package of ramen on his entire PCT hike, we double check to make sure he is not a Penguins fan before continuing the show, and we chat about the story behind his trail name.

We dive deeper into the connection behind a "common Dropbox" of food out on his PCT thru-hike. The connection between him and his now wife, that made the food resupply boxes much more than just a common Dropbox. 

We dive deeper into Town Shirt and learn about its journey thus far, we learn about its involvement within the hiking community, and we learn that its goal is to continue to give back and grow inside of and with the hiking community. 

Truly a wonderful chat with Pickle from Town Shirt, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us.

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"I am a talker and a walker"

"Town Shirt, this is my thru-hike"

"Overcoming the internal Dylan, to become Pickle"

To learn more about Town Shirt and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Bopit!

Today we sit down to chat with Bopit as she takes time from her current Florida Trail Thru Hike, well second Florida Trail Thru Hike to catch up with us. Please excuse the audio as we are recording while she was at a corner store called JR's (for those of you who have hiked you know it, for those of you who haven't well picture chickens, pigs, and the friendliest people you ever met, and you will know it!).

We share many stories of miles shared, and dive deeper into her hiking progression and background. 

In the year of 2021, her and her partner Punisher, hiked from Key West to Katahdin, and then went straight over to the Continental Divide Trail and completed a thru-hike Southbound. Even though, the premise of the show is not one to focus on miles, we talk heavily about this subject this episode, not as much the physical aspect, but the mentality behind the miles.

She has crushed miles, doing over 7,000 in 2021, and the reason we quantify it with a number here, is because of her change this year of 2022. She now is purposely re-hiking a trail she has hiked to slow down, be in the moment, and change the mentality of miles. We dive deep into the reasons why, and the feelings that arise when changing a hiking style. 

We chat as chickens interrupt us, we chat about her off trail life, we chat about her progression to more on trail life, we chat about crushing miles, we chat about consciously choosing to relax into the miles and journey, we chat way too much about alligators, we chat about Bradwell Bay, and we share and swap stories and just have a great time being wonderfully lost within hiker chat. 

Truly a wonderful chat with Bopit, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us.

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"See what there is to see, do what there is to do."

"This makes me happy and the best version of myself."

"Wow, you sound like my mom right now!"

To learn more about Bopit and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Chief Shoeless!

Today we dive deep into the world of barefoot hiking and barefoot living. We chat with Chief Shoeless and if you haven't caught the hint from his name, he is one of the few people that chose to hike long distance trails barefoot. Not only that but live his daily life barefoot. We get hyperfocused on this subject, because well, quite simply it is fascinating!

We learn about what it means to wear shoes for less than 1% of daily life. Whether that is going to the bank, going to the gym, going shopping Chief Shoeless remains... shoeless. Of course being respectful to businesses and shops where they still would prefer shoes, he has learned to navigate his way around this life without any. Not only navigate through life but enjoy it because of the fact he is shoeless.

We walk through the progression of his entry into this world. We talk about the freedom and closeness being barefoot can provide to the Earth as well as himself. 

We chat about how it connects him deeper into every moment. Feeling the connection with the ground that starts at his feet, and from this connection being present and aware throughout his entire body and mind.

We chat about marathons, we chat about meeting his wife in the middle of the Indian Ocean, we chat about walking barefoot through swamps, we chat about mental health, we chat about many of the emotions and feelings of living a life barefoot! 

Truly a wonderful chat with Chief Shoeless, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us.

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"It's priceless to me to be able to pass on to them what I have learned"

"Let me see the world in the navy, when I retire I can see the country"

To learn more about Chief Shoeless and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Mike Crowley!

Today we dive deep into the journey not once, but twice across America. Mike Crowley first walked the width of America from San Diego to Delaware. Walking out his front door he created the route that would connect him into the American Discovery Trail and bring him to the Atlantic Ocean. We chat the mentality behind such a long endeavor, and the thoughts and feelings around this being his first multi-month long hike. 

We chat about the calling he heard to seek adventure, and how it took him a few years until the call became too loud to ignore. 

We chat about the feelings of walking alone through massive open landscapes, the journey across America, and then the moment, where he stands complete at the Atlantic Ocean and all he hears is silence. 

We chat about his planning for his next trek across America, this time the length, from Isle Royale in Upper Michigan, down to the southern most point in Key West, Florida. We chat about "chance" encounters and how the trail has incredible ways of connecting people. 

We chat family, pack weights increasing not decreasing, lack of water, knocking on farm house doors, contemplating life, and much more!

Truly a wonderful chat with Mike Crowley, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us.

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"Being the bubble that is carried by the wind is comfort to me"

"Being in your skin, your thoughts, the quiet, the fear melts away"

"Don't think about what is ahead, don't think about what is behind, just be in the moment."

To learn more about Mike Crowley and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Mac from Halfway Anywhere!

Today we begin the show by getting completely enthralled and enveloped in river stories. What do you do when a rapid becomes a Class 9 (we also learn that the Grand Canyon has a special rating scale of 1-10), what do you do if your boat flips in rapids, when are you supposed to wear what the cool kids call a PFD? 

We talk with Mac about his most recent Grand Canyon rafting trip. As his "adventure roots" come from backpacking we learn how he is beginning to branch out into bike packing, rafting, and adventuring in his own unique way. 

We dive deep into the responsibilities along with the freedom of combining your work and your play. We learn about his progression into working and running his website, Halfway Anywhere, full-time and how it is a constant game of catch up. When you work for yourself, the task is never done, because you are always creating more tasks. We learn about how the feeling of having enough work for multiple employees can be a blessing, but also a curse, when the work is a creation of your own tone, voice and feelings. It cannot be work that is spread out, instead all the responsibility once again singularly lands in your very own lap. We dive deep into the mentality of work and play. 

We learn about the sacrifices needed to live a life of adventure. Every life has sacrifice, no matter what it is, and we learn what Mac has had to let go of to grow. 

We chat scuba diving, Australia and Tasmania, trail feelings, overseas adventures, using a whiteboard for Pictionary, and much more!

Truly a wonderful chat with Mac from Halfway Anywhere, thanks again for sharing some of your story with us. 

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"A smile will get you a really long way in a lot of places"

Today I walked ten miles, swam in a lake, and ate a bunch of M & Ms... today was the best day ever!"

"It's easy until it's not."

To learn more about the Mac from Halfway Anywhere and get involved check out the link below:

We have the privilege of speaking with the one and only, Henry Shires!

Henry Shires is the owner and founder of TarpTent. 

TarpTent is a company that has been in the backpacking world before the ultralight craze, before the backpacking craze, before apps, it began. Born from his 1999 PCT Thru Hike the legend began. Henry sewed together a tent for himself to use on his hike, and once he finished people began to ask him to make the tent for them. 

This began the journey of Tarptent. As he stated it was never planned but picked up momentum on its own, and then steamrolled forward into becoming his life. He said the turning point was in 2003 or 2004 when Backpacker picked up the story, and at that point he had a decision to make. Continue to pursue his career in Physics or take the leap fully into owning and running a backpacking company. He chose the later, and we unpack the feelings of the why behind such a choice. On one hand there was security and on the other the giant unknown lay ahead, and he jumped right into the unknown! 

We chat about the challenges of hiking back in 1999, the growth of the outdoor industry, the loss of the PCT kick-off and the role social media now plays in his world. We chat tents, more tents, and many tent philosophies and jargons that would make a lot of sense for gear aficionados but had our mind boggling with the intricacies.

We chat about the term "Cottage Gear" and what this entails. The definition of Cottage Gear is defined without being defined. There seems to be a communal agreement on what a Cottage Gear company is, but no standard definition. We curiously pick Henry's brain to see what his thoughts are on this subject. When does a company get to big to be a Cottage Gear company? Can it get too big, if part of the definition is the values of a company, and if the values stay the same, why does the size matter? Is it units sold, production partners, morals, what defines it? There is so much grey area here that we didn't possibly hope to answer the question, but wanted to satiate our curiosity with a company that has been, is and continues to be born from this term. 

We chat passion and love for the outdoors, we chat about his wife and business partner Cynthia, we chat about growth personally and professionally, we chat about what makes a life in the outdoors uniquely TarpTent.

We also chat about drones! 

FAVORTIE QUOTES:

"My being is there because my creation is there"

"I don't know where this is going to go... today is the day I am just going to do it."

To learn more about the Mac from Halfway Anywhere and get involved check out the link below: