Special 100th Episode — Elina Osborne: The Rugged Hayduke Trail, Inspiration in Japan, and the Resilience of the Human Spirit

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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