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Backpacker Radio

Backpacker Radio

De: The Trek
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From the Appalachian Trail to the Pacific Crest and everything in between. Backpacker Radio is a show all about the wonderful world that is thru-hiking and long distance backpacking. Co-hosts, Zach "Badger" Davis and Juliana "Chaunce" Chauncey muse on the backpacking life and the latest from the trail every other week. Topics include but are not limited to news, trail culture, interviews, gear, advice, and all you can eat buffets.The Trek
Episodios
  • The Northern Colorado Trail with Kevin "Sunshine" Silvernale (BPR #316)

    The Northern Colorado Trail with Kevin "Sunshine" Silvernale (BPR #316)
    Jul 28 2025
    In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Kevin “Sunshine” Silvernale. Originally a commercial pilot from Seattle, Kevin thru-hiked the PCT in 2016 and immediately fell in love with the Hiker Trash lifestyle. That passion led him to put his flying career on hold to hike the AT, Colorado Trail, much of the CDT, and most recently, to begin creating a brand-new long trail route, the Northern Colorado Trail. We chat about his life as a pilot, including when Chaunce coaxed him into sharing a story about how he joined the mile high club, and how thru-hiking ultimately pulled him away from aviation. We go deep into the Northern Colorado Trail (or the NoCo Trail as he calls it), a 300-mile route he’s developing, covering what goes into designing and rerouting a trail, working with public lands agencies, the best time of year to hike it, standout sections (including a hair-raising traverse of the Devil’s Causeway), the wildlife, its growing popularity, resupply and town stops, how to access both terminuses, what he envisions for the trail’s future- and much more. We wrap the show with the sad news of the drowning death of a 2025 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, Chaunce talks in depth about how she’s pooing liquid, the triple crown of bodies of water, Chaunce’s car getting broken into of the week, how I voluntarily stepped into a patch of poison ivy, and the best listener email of all time. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKSPRING15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Kevin “Sunshine” Silvernale Northern Colorado Trail WebsiteNorthern Colorado Trail InstagramKevin's Instagram Kevin's Blog Kevin's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:16 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:08:22 - Introducing Sunshine 00:09:30 - Tell us about being a commercial pilot 00:12:55 - Are you part of the mile high club? 00:14:08 - What are some quirks of pilot culture? 00:15:55 - What’s a go-to pilot movie? 00:18:05 - How accurate are flight simulators? 00:18:55 - What would you tell someone about the safety of flying? 00:25:36 - On average, how many hours per week would a commercial pilot fly? 00:26:40 - How did the PCT fall on your radar? 00:29:27 - Was there anything acutely dissatisfying about working as a pilot? 00:32:00 - What is a pilot lounge like? 00:33:30 - When you’re hiking, do you track planes you see overhead? 00:34:50 - Any standout moments from the PCT? 00:40:20 - What’d you do after the PCT? 00:41:25 - What was your impression of the AT after doing the PCT first? 00:43:55 - Were you able to enjoy the CDT given how isolated it is? 00:45:50 - When did the NoCo Trail idea come to you? 00:47:15 - Tell us the basics of the NoCo Trail 00:52:24 - How much of the trail is on roads? 00:54:30 - How do you get permission to hike across private land? 00:56:30 - How would you recommend section hiking the trail? 01:00:05 - What would a typical day of hiking look like? 01:01:27 - What are the highlights of the trail? 01:04:30 - How many people have hiked this trail? 01:07:00 - Did the route change as you thru-hiked it? 01:10:40 - Which alternate would you want to become the de facto trail? 01:11:50 - Are there 14ers along the way? 01:13:08 - What’s the water situation like along the trail? 01:16:42 - Would you recommend this as a first thru-hike? 01:18:10 - What’s the process of creating waypoints for navigation? 01:19:47 - What’s the camping situation like? 01:21:00 - How did you store your food? 01:22:30 - Which direction is best? 01:24:25 - Would you ever want this trail to connect to the Colorado Trail? 01:26:00 - How do you decide on a priority structure for continuing to develop the trail? 01:29:25 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda: Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker Drowns in Virginia by Katie Jackson QOTD: How many days until my bowels remember what a solid is? Car Getting Broken Into of the Week Triple Crown of bodies of water Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon:...
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  • Impacts of Climate Change on the Colorado Trail with Triple Crowner and Scientist Karl Ford (BPR #315)

    Impacts of Climate Change on the Colorado Trail with Triple Crowner and Scientist Karl Ford (BPR #315)
    Jul 21 2025
    In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Karl Ford. Karl is a retired environmental scientist, conservationist, and author of Triple Crown Hiking Adventures and The Colorado Trail in Crisis: A Naturalist's Field Report on Climate Change in Mountain Ecosystems. In this conversation, we dive into Karl’s experiences hiking the Triple Crown, his perspective on the current state of conservation and what the future may hold, and how climate change is already impacting our beloved long trails, with a special focus on the Colorado Trail. We also talk about what individuals can do to help combat climate change, and how Karl personally walks the walk when it comes to protecting our planet. We wrap the show with some convo on pre-hike anxiety, what the Hiker Trash four houses are, the triple crown of gingers, a blood boiling thing of the week, and a listener voicemail about UTIs. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com. Ombraz: Use code “BACKPACKER30” for $30 off at ombraz.com/discount/backpacker30. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Karl Ford Karl's LinkedIn Karl's Post on the Trek The Colorado Trail in Crisis: A Naturalist's Field Report on Climate Change in Mountain Ecosystems by Karl Ford Triple Crown Hiking Adventures: 8,000 Miles on the Long Trails by Karl Ford Time stamps & Questions 00:05:20 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek or to run Trail Correspondents, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:10:55 - Introducing Karl 00:11:34 - What’s your trail name? 00:13:04 - What’s your outdoors origin story? 00:23:45 - Do you have a standout story about Colorado Trail history? 00:26:45 - Where did the Ute tribe get sent to? 00:28:40 - Are there popular spots along the CT that retain Ute names? 00:29:38 - Where do you think we’re headed in regards to public lands? 00:33:55 - Do you remember a shift towards conservation when you were young? 00:40:50 - What got you into thru-hiking? 00:47:40 - Discussion about Karl’s tick experiment on the AT 00:49:50 - Have you followed the Lyme disease vaccines that are in development? 00:51:30 - Did you know you wanted to do more thru-hikes after the AT? 00:55:45 - What advice do you have for people who want to start thru-hiking in retirement? 01:00:30 - How do you prevent injury and recover well? 01:04:25 - Discussion about hiking the CT during the pandemic 01:08:20 - What is forest mortality? 01:09:03 - How are beetles related to climate change? 01:15:10 - What’s your level of optimism in slowing the effects of climate change? 01:20:52 - Do you have any optimism about technological solutions? 01:22:40 - Discussion about deforestation and reforestation 01:26:10 - What does the future of the CT look like? 01:30:00 - What are the downstream effects of a primarily lodgepole pine forest? 01:33:25 - Wilderness areas along the CT 01:34:20 - What can we do? 01:39:38 - Stay Salty Question: What is your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors at large? Segments Trek Propaganda: I’ve Dreaded Every Hike I’ve Ever Done — But I Go Anyway by Kelly Floro QOTD: When you’re a hiker what are the four houses you are sorted into? Triple Crown of gingers Blood Boiling Thing of the Week Listener Voicemail Mail Bag 4 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bill Jensen, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Minty Hikes Studio, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.
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    2 h y 23 m
  • Fascinating Colorado Outdoor Recreation Stories with OutThere Colorado's Spencer McKee (BPR #314)

    Fascinating Colorado Outdoor Recreation Stories with OutThere Colorado's Spencer McKee (BPR #314)
    Jul 14 2025
    In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Spencer McKee, the Director of Content and Operations for OutThere Colorado. If you’ve been to Colorado and have Instagram, you’ve likely already come across Spencer’s videos - he’s mastered the art of packaging interesting Colorado news stories, culture, and fun facts into short form video content through OutThere’s social media channels. Spencer shares some of his favorite standout outdoor rec stories from the great state of Colorado with us, including what's underneath Cheeseman Park, the legend of Rattlesnake Kate, Colorado's active volcano, the most underrated mountain towns, best hidden gem restaurants, breweries, and the truth behind his obsession with flannels. We wrap the show with a call for the next host, editor, and producer of Trail Correspondents, some severe damage sustained by a beloved Appalachian Trail hostel, why thru-hiking is your next career power move, and we're joined by Elise for the segments, including the triple crown of things that make our lives easier. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKSPRING15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com. Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com. Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek. Ka’Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Spencer McKee OutThere Colorado WebsiteOutThere Colorado InstagramSpencer's InstagramUpaDowna Website Time stamps & Questions 00:05:20 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek or to run Trail Correspondents, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:09:07 - Introducing Spencer 00:12:06 - How’d you land in Colorado? 00:13:45 - What led you to OutThere? 00:16:50 - How do you reach Coloradans successfully? 00:17:25 - What’s up with the flannels? 00:18:50 - What did you do when you first joined OutThere? 00:22:10 - Do you like doing deeper dives or more new-style comments? 00:24:10 - What does your typical week look like now? 00:26:13 - Are you Colorado famous? 00:30:00 - What are some of the more outlandish stories you’ve covered? 00:33:29 - Tell us about Rattlesnake Kate 00:37:05 - Is there any competition between OutThere and other news outlets? 00:41:00 - What type of story frequently comes across your desk? 00:46:25 - What are some of your hidden gem restaurants in Colorado? 00:50:42 - Tell us about other fun festivals in Colorado 00:58:15 - True or False: There’s an active live volcano in Colorado 00:59:55 - Do you ever cover concerts for work? 01:07:40 - What’s up with the Denver airport? 01:15:05 - Are there any other good Colorado conspiracies? 01:19:00 - Discussion about the Big Thompson flood 01:20:40 - Does Colorado Springs deserve to be ranked as the 3rd best city in the country? 01:26:45 - What are the most underrated mountain towns? 01:28:26 - What Colorado animal are you most afraid of? 01:36:04 - Have you heard any wild cow stories? 01:43:50 - How have you not done all the 14ers yet? 01:48:25 - Rapid Fire Colorado Questions 02:05:00 - Discussion about OutThere feedback 02:07:30 - Back to Rapid Fire 02:21:00 - Discussion about animals, mainly racoons 02:23:20 - Rapid Fire Colorado Trivia 02:25:40 - Tell us about UpaDowna 02:28:25 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda Appalachian Trail Damaged, Standing Bear Hostel Evacuated Amid Flash Flooding by Katie JacksonWhy Thru-Hiking Is Your Next Career Power Move (Advice from an Ex-Amazon Recruiter) by Chloe “Chickpea” Jacobs QOTD: What’s a common phrase you recently learned you were saying incorrectly? Wedding Dress Thing of the Week Triple Crown of things that we do to make our lives easier Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bill Jensen, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Minty Hikes Studio, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural ...
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    3 h y 22 m
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Zach is chauvinistic and rude, Chaunce is smarter but she has to submit. The guests (mostly) are the best. Five stars because they asked nicely. is it April 1st yet?

this podcast stinks

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They do a great job of having valuable guests and presenting relevant questions for entertainment and education. Love it!

Amazingly Professional

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Wow what an honor to be the 1st five star review on Audible. I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for making me into the person I am today, but most of all I want to thank the astonishing Zach "Badger" Davis and the dazzling Juliana "Chaunce" Chauncey for hosting such an inspiring podcast. The duo have palpable charisma and carry on witty banter on everything backpacking related. From stories from the trail, gear reviews, and eclectic humor Backpacker Radio has it all. The guests are top notch with names like Jabba, Legend, Ballflap, Twerk in the dirt, and Pretzel to name a few. If you are a fan of anything hiking, backpacking, or thru hiking related this is the podcast for you. If you are interested in getting started in any of these hobbies this is the podcast for you. If you just want to listen to and mock people that like walking really far and sleeping outside for fun this is the podcast for you. Bottom line give this podcast a shot Badger and Chaunce will not disappoint.

The Honorable 1st 5 ⭐ Audible Review

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