Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Mills Kelly, a historian, podcaster, professor, and author.
Mills taught at George Mason University for 24 years, produced the acclaimed podcast The Green Tunnel, and just published his latest book, A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail. In this one, Mills takes us deep into the stories most hikers never hear: why the AT was never designed for through hiking, the surprisingly dark history of some of its founding figures, and why the hundred-mile wilderness used to be a network of fishing camps and steakhouses. We also get into dynamite soup, onion sandwiches, copperheads in fire pits, and the original purism debate, which dates back to 1948. Anyone who loves history and/or the AT is guaranteed to enjoy this one.
We wrap the show with a last call for the Denver Area hiker meetup, why- actually no- the trail won't always be there, a bang marry kill for rain, wind, and snow, the triple crown of potato foods, and some very important seafood tips from a listener.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKWINTER15" at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. 
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Mills Kelly
Mills' Website
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:14 - Reminders: Join us for the hiker meetup, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:08:18 - Introducing Mills
00:10:48 - Did you ever thru-hike the AT?
00:18:45 - When you do hope to hike the Maine section?
00:20:04 - Who was Ed Garvey and why does he matter to AT history?
00:22:53 - What did backpacking gear look like in the early 1970s?
00:25:21 - What were onion sandwiches?
00:26:39 - What is Dynamite Soup?
00:28:32 - Discussion about Paul Fink's dark history and his connection to the AT's founding
00:29:20 - Discussion about race on the AT and what the historical record reveals
00:34:12 - Discussion about sundown towns and race on trail
00:39:22 - Discussion about women's early and prominent role in hiking clubs and trail building
00:41:20 - Tell us about the history and significance of trail clubs
00:45:50 - Discussion about Mills' course on historical hoaxes and internet misinformation
00:53:30 - How do you evaluate sources and verify truth as a historian?
00:58:15 - Are you scared about the future of truth in the age of AI and social media?
01:01:05 - Tell us about your experience with hearing loss
01:05:00 - Discussion about the history of killing snakes on the AT
01:10:30 - Discussion about the AT's trash problem in the 60s & 70s
01:16:00 - What does maintaining an AT shelter actually entail?
01:23:10 - What are your other pet peeves?
01:25:30 - What are your most popular podcast episodes?
01:28:25 - Why was southwestern Virginia the hardest part of the AT to route?
01:39:40 - Whas was Damascus like during its timber-industry heydey?
01:43:20 - How does the AT economically impact small rural towns?
01:45:40 - How did the trail come to start at Springer Mountain?
01:48:35 - What did Benton MacKaye actually intend tthe AT to be?
01:50:40 - What is the Warrior Path?
01:52:08 - Discussion about Katahdin's sacred history to the Abenaki
01:56:00 - Tell us about the history of the Katahdin sign
01:58:00 - How was the trail in Maine different historically than it is today?
01:59:42 - What was it like having to actually prove that you hiked the entire trail?
02:04:00 - Discussion about the original purism debate and Early Shafer's 1948 thru-hike
02:06:35 - What's next for you?
02:11:40 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Actually No, the Trail Won't Always Be There: Why You Should Thru-Hike Now by Claire Dumont
QOTD:  Fuck marry kill: rain, wind, snow
Triple Crown of potato foods
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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, Jason Kiser, Jason "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, 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 Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jak Hoquat, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

Segments
Trail Trivia
Trek Propaganda: The 11 Most Dangerous Animals on the Appalachian Trail by Katie Jackson
QOTD: How do you feel about someone hiking a triple crown trail while leaving a young kid at home?
Triple Crown of people at the gym
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
 
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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, Jason Kiser, Jason "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, 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 Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jak Hoquat, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are once again joined by Dr. Freeborn Mondello to chat all things fitness, thru-hike training, and all around health. 
In this one, Freeborn gives us a detailed gameplan about how to best train for a thru-hike, including why the best time to start is today, time to allocate to cardio vs. strength, what kind of cardio is king, and specific protocols and exercises for strength training. Freeborn also shares advice about how to prevent and treat some of the most common thru-hiking injuries, including IT band syndrome, sore knees, a host of foot related ailments, and more. Grab your notebook, this one is full of practical advice ready your body for the trail and improve your health at large.
We wrap the show the 11 most dangerous animals on the Appalachian Trail, how we feel about someone hiking a triple crown trail while leaving a young kid at home, the triple crown of people at the gym, and Chaunce gets mildly peeved at a mailbag. 
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Mountainsmith: Use code "TAKEAHIKE" for 20% off at mountainsmith.com.
Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 40% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Dr. Freeborn Mondello
Freeborn's Instagram 
RunFreePT
Trail Strong 18: The Progressive Thru-Hiker Durability System: An 18-week clinical strength program built by a Doctor of Physical Therapy to keep your body on trail — through the descents, the consecutive days, and the accumulated load that ends most hikes early. Eccentric strength, hip hinge capacity, core stability, and real recovery. Available to Backpacker Radio listeners for $199 for the first three weeks after the episode drops.
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:34 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Golden, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and a surprise announcement!
00:13:30 - Introducing Dr. Freeborn Mondello
00:14:50 - Remind us of your personal endurance background
00:18:31 - Which sports yield the most injuries?
00:21:52 - Are there specific fitness styles that pair best with backpacking?
00:26:37 - What is zone two training?
00:28:39 - How do you find your heart rate zones?
00:36:28 - Is it better to use a weighted vest, incline, or flat for zone two?
00:37:27 - What is the minimum zone two training for a thru-hike?
00:43:00 - Discussion about calming the central nervous system and recovery techniques
00:49:48 - Discussion about why stretching might be doing more harm than good
00:54:05 - What should you do at breaks and the start of day on trail instead of stretching?
01:04:15 - Should you start training years before a thru-hike?
01:11:17 - What does a minimum strength training program look like?
01:14:59 - What home gym equipment should you buy and what should you skip?
01:18:26 - Should older athletes still do heavy squats and deadlifts?
01:23:35 - Walk us through a basic strength program with specific lifts
01:39:44 - What are the most common thru-hiking injuries?
01:48:31 - Discussion about dry needling and digital rehab
01:51:58 - Can you still run with missing meniscus?
01:58:22 - What should you prioritize on a town day to recover faster?
02:09:22 - Discussion about nutrition, protein goals, and intermittent fasting
02:20:39 - Discussion about BPC-157 peptides and GLP-1 weight loss drugs
02:25:40 - Where can people keep up with you?
02:28:10 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: The 11 Most Dangerous Animals on the Appalachian Trail by Katie Jackson
QOTD: How do you feel about someone hiking a triple crown trail while leaving a young kid at home?
Triple Crown of people at the gym
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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, Jason Kiser, Jason "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, 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 Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jak Hoquat, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, Chaunce and Elise are joined by Mallory Weston and Leslie Boyd. Mallory and Leslie are best friends, thru-hikers, hiking partners, artists, metalsmiths, teachers, and most recently, two inaugural artists-in-residence for the CDTC and ATC. The conversation goes into all things art, including how to best pursue your artistic passions on trail, what exactly an artist-in-residence does, their creative processes, and much more.
We wrap the show with how to thru-hike the CDT for less than $5,000, info on the upcoming Denver-area Hiker Meetup, our favorite personal art projects, the triple crown of stimulants, and the best mail bag of all time.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKWINTER15" at topoathletic.com.
Mountainsmith: Use code "TAKEAHIKE" for 20% off at mountainsmith.com.
[divider]
Interview with Mallory Weston and Leslie Boyd
Mallory's Website
Mallory's Instagram
Leslie's Website
Leslie's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:55 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, join us for a hiker meetup in Golden, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:11:56 - Introduction of guests Mallory Weston and Leslie Boyd
00:12:47 - How did Mallory and Leslie meet and become best friends?
00:14:58 - How did you get into metalsmithing and jewelry as an art form?
00:21:07 - What is it like to become a professor, and the pros and cons of academia?
00:30:45 - How did you both get into backpacking?
00:55:27 - Mallory, tell us about your PCT southern border lash
01:00:00 - The Tahoe to Yosemite Trail / Tahoe Rim Trail lollipop hike and karaoke on the PCT
01:08:24 - Tell us about the Grafton Loop Trail in Maine
01:17:22 - Tell us about the Alta Via 1 in Italy and hiking with your husband
01:23:56 - How did you start the artist residency programs with the ATC and CDTC?
01:30:00 - What is an artist residency, and what do the trail organizations get out of it?
01:41:30 - What do the residency workshops entail?
01:48:01 - Leslie's cyanotype art practice on the CDT and the creative process on trail
01:53:36 - Leslie's fundraising cyanotype project tied to border issues and No Más Muertes
02:03:10 - Discussion about National Defense Areas at trail southern termini and how Leslie finished the CDT
02:05:58 - What did you create on trail during your residency, Mallory?
02:12:38 - Advice for artists who want to integrate their creative practice with backpacking
02:23:12 - Leslie's Tyvek ground sheet art project using security envelope patterns
02:30:12 - Peak Performance question: What is your top backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: How I Thru-Hiked the CDT for Under $5,000 by Katie Jackson
QOTD: What's your favorite art project you've ever done?
Triple Crown of stimulants
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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, Jason Kiser, Jason "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, 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 Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jak Hoquat, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by LMNT, Jess and Chaunce are joined by Lyndsay "Wreckage" Monsen. Wreckage is a pastor in training and civil rights advocate and she reflects on what it means to bring spirituality into the backcountry in a way that resonates even with those wary of organized religion. We also touch on formative spiritual moments in Colorado, why the Superior Hiking Trail earned a spot on her hate list, and how her foot got fudged up real good on the Long Trail, complete with photographic evidence.
We wrap the show with news of a climber who's accused of manslaughter after leaving his girlfriend near a mountain summit, we discuss whether my getting a carwash is diva behavior, the triple crown of pies, and an unhinged tangent into the subject of AI.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Mountainsmith: Use code "TAKEAHIKE" for 20% off at mountainsmith.com.
[divider]
Interview with Lyndsay "Wreckage" Monsen
Lyndsay's Instagram

Lyndsay's Sermons

Lyndsay's sermon referencing her CT hike

Lyndsay's sermon about getting arrested

Time stamps & Questions
00:08:25 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:13:39 - Introducing Lyndsay
0:17:10 - Do your hikes help you in any way in your seminary work?
0:18:25 - Have any of your religious beliefs changed based on your hiking?
0:19:25 - Tell us about who you were when starting the AT
0:24:45 - What are your thoughts on body image as it relates to thru-hiking?
0:28:37 - What other standout moments did you have on the AT?
0:32:05 - What is seminary school?
0:39:55 - Tell us about doing the Long Trail
0:43:57 - Did you find that you were more spiritually challenged on the Long Trail?
0:45:35 - Tell us about the connection between the outdoors and spirituality
0:51:10 - What are your dates more shocked by?
0:52:25 - Discussion about the Lake City Hiker Center
1:00:31 - Did you find that your discussions on trail naturally veer towards spirituality?
1:05:09 - What was your confession at the Priest Shelter?
1:11:55 - What did you think about the Superior Hiking Trail?
1:22:05 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail
1:30:25 - Tell us your pee story
1:37:37 - Any standout stories from the Colorado Trail?
1:40:45 - Lyndsay's raccoon story
1:43:55 - Tell us about the relationship between nature access and church attendance
1:55:40 - What are your thoughts about the concept of sex?
1:58:00 - What are your future hiking plans?
2:00:25 - Tell us about getting arrested
2:11:55 - Stay Salty Question: What is your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors at large?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
Climber Accused of Manslaughter After Leaving Girlfriend Near Summit of Austria's Highest Peak by Kelly Floro

Hiker Rescued From Appalachian Trail in the Smokies After Emergency SOS by Katie Jackson

QOTD: Is getting a car wash diva behavior?
Triple Crown of pies
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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, Jason Kiser, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, 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 Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.