We made it to 100 episodes of Bush and Banter! To celebrate, we’re bringing back one of our favorite guests — filmmaker, storyteller, and thru-hiker Elina Osborne. Elina has a rare gift for capturing not just breathtaking landscapes but the complexities and beauty of the human spirit. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of hiking and filming the grueling 812-mile Hayduke Trail, crossing some of the wildest desert terrain in the American Southwest. We dive into trail camaraderie, isolation, terrifying water crossings — and then shift gears as Elina shares what life is like in Japan and how living there has sparked new waves of creativity. You may know Elina from her powerful Pacific Crest Trail documentary “It Is the People” or from her stunning YouTube films that explore the deeper meaning behind long trails. Join us as we celebrate this milestone episode with an unforgettable conversation about exploration, creativity, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Elina on Instagram @elinasborne
Elina on YouTube @elinaosborne
Link to B&B's first episode with Elina
Learn More about the Eastern Sierra Land Trust - eslt.org/bushandbanter/
To learn more about the 2025 Lands & Legacy Celebration and to purchase tickets - eslt.org/event/lands-legacy-2025/

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS
10:05 Welcome Elina Osborne
14:00 Why the Hayduke Trail Is unlike any other
28:17 Tackling video production & hiking
44:37 Hyper-presence in tough situations
54:18 Inspiration in Japan

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Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
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• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with Emily Pennington — journalist, adventure writer, and photographer — who’s made a name for herself covering the outdoors, national parks, adventure travel, and wellness. Emily has visited every U.S. national park and chronicled her journey in her memoir Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks. They dive into her most memorable park experiences, why solo adventuring shaped her, and how it eventually inspired her to seek out more shared adventures. A seasoned contributor to Outside magazine, Emily’s work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, REI Journal, and Backpacker.

Follow Emily on Instagram @brazenbackpacker

Check out her book - Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS

6:56 Welcome Emily Pennington

13:55 Motivation & planning year long National Park trip

25:48 Writing Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks

33:19 Emily's most surprising & favorite National Park

41:46 Relationship with discomfort

48:39 Sharing adventures with others

57:25 Overtourism & challenges facing public lands

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Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_

In this episode, Jen and Dyana continue their 55-mile trek in and around Grand Teton National Park with friends Shea and Mak. In Part Two, they take on the grueling Paintbrush Divide—what Dyana calls the hardest climb of her life—face a sketchy snow crossing, reflect on the highs (and lows) of the journey, and bid farewell to the trail.

Special thank you to Sawyer Products for powering this episode. From water filters to Picaridin insect repellent, sunscreen, and first aid—Sawyer gear helps outdoor adventurers stay safe, go further, and stay out longer. Learn more at sawyer.com or follow them on social @sawyerproducts.

Listen to the Part I episode here

Send us a text

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @jenfrederick_