Cascade Hiker Podcast - Backpacking and Hiking

Treeline Review is like the NPR of gear reviews. Liz Thomas and cofounder Naomi Hudets love outdoor gear and disliked having to look at multiple places for different reviews. Instead of researching the gear item itself, Treeline researches, analyzes, and then does a meta-review of the other reviews of that item that are floating around out there in the ocean of information that is the internet.What Treeline Review does is figure out where there’s overlap between different professional reviewers and amateur reviews. So unlike a lot of gear review sites, they are not about breaking news stories about the newest, gnarliest, most intense gear, but more about putting all these reviews into perspective. Liz said their ultimate goal is saving people time and money.Liz talks about the idea of buying less gear and having a better impact on the World. Getting the right gear the first time reduces the environmental impact with old purchases ending up in landfills.Treeline Review has a great Inclusivity Mission:Creating a space where everyone can feel empowered in the outdoors. We researched the field of gear reviews out there and sometimes it’s got a very bro-y tone. And gear stores themselves, even mainstream ones, tend to feel like a bro-y space, which is one reason (in addition to stores actually having my size and color preferences) I prefer to shop for gear online because I don’t want to be mansplained to. I’m an Asian American woman. When I first got into the outdoors, I had to actively repress my thoughts and feelings about not seeing anyone who looked like me in REI catalogs because it wasn’t really talked about in the outdoor industry in 2005.Website- treelinereview.comInstagram- instagram.com/treelinereview/Facebook- facebook.com/TreelineReviewWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comSix Moons DesignTents and morehttps://www.sixmoondesigns.com

Join Me at Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583Keith Teel has had double hip replacement and he doesn’t want his surgeries to hold him back from getting out on hikes. He hiked a 220 mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail this past summer in Oregon.We also chat about other hiking, gear over the years and his love for fishing in the backcountry.Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comSix Moons DesignTents and morehttps://www.sixmoondesigns.com

New Stickers!!If you are a fan of the show and want to sport the new sticker, here is how-Signup at Patreon.com/cascadehikerpodcast and donate $5After you have successfully donated the $5, I encourage you to continue supporting the show for as little as $1 a month!New Patreon only episode out!I started to put out some Patreon episodes exclusive to people donating at least $1 a month. These episodes will not take anything away from the regular show. No interviews only me talking about my hiking, reading, podcasting, life, etc.

I sat down with three of the main folks at Six Moons Designs. We chat about the history behind the brand as well as the current lineup of products.Ron "Fallingwater" Moak is the founder behind Six Moons Designs and his son Brandon Moak joined the company after the sales outgrew Ron by himself. Most recently, Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa joined the team.

Join Me at Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583Jim Liming and Malcolm Bates both grew up in the town of Snohomish Washington. They talk about hiking through the years together. On a past bonus show, bonus show 13, they talked about the difference of hiking in the 60’s to now.Jim Liming talks about his dad, who grew up in Granite Falls, in 1939 when he was a lookout for the summer on top of Mount Pilchuck. There was no road to the top back then, just a lot more trail up.Malcolm Bates, from episode 48 of the podcast, adds stories from the area. He knows quite a few because of his research in the 80’s for his book Three Fingers: The Mountain, The Men and a Lookout.They tell stories of hiking the Cascade Crest Trail before it became the Pacific Crest Trail. One very detailed about the Ptarmigan Traverse and other memories.Jim Liming talks about the ups and downs of a trip to restore the Three Fingers Mountain lookout in 1986.

Joan Burton was referred to me by listener Jennifer Johnson and I was amazed at the stories she told for this episode.Her hikes with Ome Daiber, Pete Schoening, and Ira Spring are stories she tells on this episode.A fun listen for sure!Her Website- http://www.joanburton.orgHer Sports Illustrated photo- http://www.joanburton.org/2014/12/joan-burton-in-washington-trails-magazine/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comSix Moons DesignTents and morehttps://www.sixmoondesigns.com

Join Me at Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583Susan Elderkin is a wealth of knowledge in the topic of taking kids hiking!Don’t set the expectations for your little hikers, let them decide their limits in order to let them enjoy hiking. Go camping and find small hikes nearby to make a whole experience out of it. These are just a few of the tips Susan talks about in our discussion.Susan talks about wanting to put hikes in this book which were both in town and in the mountains. There is a good balance of both throughout.This compilation of hikes is perfect and includes many hikes my family has done in getting our kids out hiking. With so many listeners constantly asking me about how to get kids out hiking, now there is a book to read!Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Best-Hikes-Kids-Western-Washington/dp/1680510142Susan’s website- https://www.susanelderkin.orgWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comSix Moons DesignTents and morehttps://www.sixmoondesigns.com

New Live Show at Birdsview Brewery!Tickets- http://cascadehikerpodcast.com/live-events/11-18-18Live recording! Listen in and watch Rudy Giecek interview author Lauren Danner about her book Crown Jewel Wilderness. Learn about the making of North Cascades National Park. All proceeds will be donated to Pacific Northwest Trail Association PNT.orgThere will be giveaways at this ALL AGES event.Photo taken by Stacey Arnold Photography https://www.staceylarnold.comNew Patreon only episode out!I started to put out some Patreon episodes exclusive to people donating at least $1 a month. These episodes will not take anything away from the regular show. No interviews only me talking about my hiking, reading, podcasting, life, etc.Join Me at Patreon to get exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583My Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/cascadehikerpodcast/

Join Me at Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583J.R. Harris grew up in New York City where he lived with his parents in a housing project. As a teenager his parents got him out of the city by signing him up for the Boy Scouts in the Catskill Mountains. Harris learned compass and other outdoor skills, quickly surpassing his family and friends’ hiking skills.Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker, takes readers along with J.R. on many adventures from Alaska and the reaches of Canada to Peru, Australia and Tasmania.We talk for quite a long time about his trip on the Canol Heritage Trail in 1997. He found a Backpacker Magazine on a subway at 3AM where he found a story of the trail. J.R. not only hiked the majority of this 255 mile trail, but he also deeply researched the history of the area.He met a surviving member of an all African American battalion which was stationed in this far north Canadian territory during World War II building what would shortly become a failed pipeline. It was feared that Japan would try to destroy the United States fuel coming from Alaska. These men endured hard times.We talk about his preparation for these many adventures. Sometimes he is the first Black person people in the area has ever seen. J.R. makes a point to learn the history and culture of these areas in order to hold true conversations with locals.Over the years, gear has changed. I the book Harris says,“If I want it, I will Carry it.” Though this concept would make you believe he over packs, he has lightened his load over the years. He talks about company’s technological advances since the 60’s and how that alone makes the gear lighter. He always saves room for a flask of aged cognac and a few hand rolled cigars.When he is home, J.R. might watch a show on tv showing something amazing. He describes how most people accept these programs as enough. “Dude, you need to go there,” is the inner dialogue which drives these trips. How does it smell? How does it feel? Going ‘Way Out There’ is the only way to truly experience some places.Our conversation turns to the Grateful Dead. Way Out There has numerous references throughout that possibly only true Dead Heads would notice. In true Dead Head form, I bring up my sister’s connection to the band and J.R. tells his story of meeting the whole band in a lucky way while attending their concert at Watkins Glen.The book- https://www.amazon.com/Way-Out-There-Adventures-Wilderness/dp/1680511203See J.R. in person-This Wednesday, October 10th at 7:30PM Location- Genesee Valley Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain ClubHe is also giving a talk at the Banff Mountain Film & Book Festival later this month. It's called "Trail Talk from an Old Dirt Kicker."Website- https://www.jrinthewilderness.comWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comSix Moons DesignTents and morehttps://www.sixmoondesigns.com

Cassandra Overby is a freelance writer who loves to hike and dance and is now a published author. Her new book, Explore Europe on Foot, has all of the preparation, travel tips and what trails are on her radar for must do hikes there.She will be giving some talks at events this fall and winter. Find the dates at http://explore-on-foot.com/events/Explore on Foot has 15 medium distance trails which are between 3-15 days. Hikers can use these to add a hike to there Europe vacation or choose from 7 day hikes she included.Cassandra really encourages hikers who travel to learn local politics, news and language if you can. She feels you will have a lot better experience. “Be a visitor, not a tourist,” she says there is a difference between people who come out of their hotel to take a few pictures and then go right back into their room and the people who integrate with locals.Read her article about Dugout Dick- http://cassandraoverby.com/mountain-man-on-the-trail-of-dugout-dick/Website- http://cassandraoverby.comBook website- http://explore-on-foot.comSix Moons DesignTents and morehttps://www.sixmoondesigns.comWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.com

Join Me at Patreon to get exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583My Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/cascadehikerpodcast/I started to put out some Patreon episodes exclusive to people donating at least $1 a month. These episodes will not take anything away from the regular show. No interviews only me talking about my hiking, reading, podcasting, life, etc.

Join Me at Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583After her First Grade teacher took her class out on a nature walk, Liz “Snorkel” Thomas started asking her parents to take her hiking on a local trail. Her passion grew until she was hiking every weekend in College.Snorkel’s first Long Trail was just out of college along the Tahoe Rim Trail, a loop trail which shares some mileage with the Pacific Crest Trail. She found a love for the thru hiker lifestyle on this 165 mile trek.I asked Liz how she funded hikes, “There were some crazy years… One year I was in a sleep study where I learned a lot about my sleep cycles and earned enough money to fund a thru hike!” Most of her hikes were funded by her contracting work through the trail organization itself.Her favorite times on the trail usually include other hikers, but also the wild flowers, animals on a ridge or ripened berries.With over 15,000 miles of trail miles under her feet, Snorkel has grown to love the trails. They each have a different history and she loved learning how the different land managers worked together to keep them going today.Liz is an ambassador for the American Hiking Society so we talked about what they do. Celebrating their 40th year of championing trails where it counts. Letting legislature know the hot topic issues they support to better public lands and trails.When I asked Snorkel about any fears she may have had while hiking. She answered this question in a reassuring way. Though she was afraid of many things, she overcame most of them and so now she doesn’t necessarily consider them a fear. Being able to prove to herself how to overcome things in the outdoors makes her fears dissapear.“Fear can not only hold you back from doing something you want to do, but it can also hold you back from even thinking about the possibility of doing something,” Liz Thomas talking about fear.On the topic of thru hiking as a female, Snorkel said not to let your gender be the reason not to be out on the trail alone. On a long distance hike, you will not be alone all the time. There are smart ways to hike so make sure you sharpen your skills.Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lizthomashiking/Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LizThomasHiking/Website- http://www.eathomas.comSix Moons DesignTents and morehttps://www.sixmoondesigns.comWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.com

Join Me at Patreon to get exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583No intro to this episode except for my not professional a cappella rendition of Hallelujah inspired by Anastasia’s amazing violin at the start and ending of this episode.I failed to release this episode, recorded back in March(?), but the violin is amazing! I had the chance to visit with Anastasia and her husband along with Stacey Arnold at the Allison home in Everett.The Musical Mountaineers have gone on to do quite a bit more since this was recorded.Follow the Musical MountaineersInstagram- https://www.instagram.com/themusicalmountaineers/Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/themusicalmountaineers/

Join Me at Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583 I finally met Meander after seeing him helping hikers the past few years at Harts Pass, 30 miles from the Canadian border on the Pacific Crest Trail. This was a chance meeting while I was volunteering for the PCTA replacing the Northern Terminus at the border. We stepped up the hill in the clearing of the 49th parallel and sat on a log to chat. Meander thru hiked the PCT in 2013. This sparked a passion for helping future hikers either starting a southbound journey or finishing the trail. He especially enjoys hikers from other countries since he grew up in Europe. At the end of every season Meander has been hiking to the border and retrieving the years log book. He mails it to Jack Haskel with the PCTA and places a new one for the next years hikers. It was on Facebook that Meander first heard about thru hiker Andy “Astro” Lyon, who hiked in 2012 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. With assistance he finished a life goal and shortly after he passed away. This story meant a lot to Meander because he had cancer during his thru hike also. Astro Backpacker story- https://www.backpacker.com/stories/gone-hiking-astro-pct-hike Six Moons Design Tents and more https://www.sixmoondesigns.com Waymark Gear Company Heavy duty ultralight backpacks https://www.waymarkgearco.com

Aria Zoner comes on to talk about thru soaking the Hot Springs Trail. This is a trail which he conceptualized and soley promotes it. The trail is 2,421 miles and includes over 100 different hot springs. It is broken into four major sections- The Coast Connect Trail, High Sierra Hot Springs Trail, Nevada Trail and Idaho Soaktennial Trail. Over 45 percent of the Hot Springs Trail uses existing trails and less than 10 percent is paved road walking. The trail is not yet a National Scenic Trail, but there has been an application submitted for it. Website- https://www.wholefoodhiker.com/hot-springs-trail Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/thehotspringstrail/ Guidebook- https://www.amazon.com/dp/1505613922/ref=cm_sw_su_dp Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/thehotspringstrail/

I attended Pacific Crest Trail Days, volunteering for ALDHA West. I took some time to interview a few attendees while I was there. Listen in!I close the episode with three songs recorded from my live show. Jack Mattingly and the Whiskey Fever.

I took my daughters on a three day backpacking trip in the Goats Rocks area near Mount Adams. We recap the trip mostly from the words of my five and nine year olds!Snowgrass Flats Trail to the Pacific Crest Trail we turned south through Cispus Basin which ended up being the girls' favorite area. Our second night was at Sheep Lake where we all swam. The next morning we headed down Nannie Ridge Trail to our car at Walupt Lake.

Join Me at Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583PCT Days August 17th-19thPacific Crest Trail Days is a 3-day summer festival that celebrates and promotes outdoor recreation, with a focus on hiking, camping, and backpacking. Attendees get to participate in activities, games, classes & presentations, win awesome gear at the raffle, watch a series of films, and get great deals on the latest outdoor products from exhibiting sponsors at the Gear Expo. Whether you’re into car camping, day hiking, or long distance hiking, the gear and info you are looking for will be here!All raffle proceeds support the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West, the Pacific Crest Trail Association, and the volunteers working to restore trails damaged by the Eagle Creek Fire.PCT DAYS is free to attend, with a fee for overnight camping on Thunder Island. Don’t miss out on being a part of a great time at the 12th annual PCT DAYS, located in Cascade Locks, Oregon, the heart of the Columbia River Gorge!From http://www.pctdays.comWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

I have recently started dehydrating and I wanted to feature this book by the First 40 Miles Podcast. Great, easy recipes for you and your family on the trail. http://www.thefirst40miles.com/trail-grazing-book/ Don't forget to shop our Cascade Hiker Hats and Bumper Stickers! Join Me at Patreon to get exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583 Twitter @N_Cascadehiking Like our Facebook Page Cascade Hiker Podcast On Instagram Cascade Hiker Podcast Check out Whiskey Fever: https://www.reverbnation.com/whiskeyfever The song used in the intro is 'Tall Grass' from their album Gonna Wake Up This Whole Town. Shop: REI: https://www.rei.com/?cm_mmc=aff_AL-_-156474-_-195158-_-103473&avad=195158_cfd055bd Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/?&tag=caschike-20&camp=216797&creative=493977&linkCode=ur1&adid=0MGT9CD53WB7FW23K97M& My Trail Company (GoLite): https://mytrailco.com/collections/direct-down?avad=195158_cfd05595&utm_medium=aff&utm_source=156474

Join Me at Patreon -  https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583The Kula Cloth is just what women hikers, backpackers and travelers have needed. Creator Anastasia Allison is on this week to talk all about her new product.She jokes, "My target is women who pee!"Anastasia started using a bandana to clean up with after peeing on hikes. She thought there had to be a better way.Kula Cloth is the result! She found many things to improve on the standard bandana.* Clips to your backpack* Folds and clips to itself, keeping the unsanitary side unexposed* Promote Leave No Trace* Made from advanced silver-infused textiles that are purposely intended to be in contact with the human body* Reflective detail added to the cloth so that if you are on a backpacking trip and you need to locate the cloth in the middle of the nightFrom Anastasia's website on how to use-Simply pee, just like normal (note: in a wilderness setting, good practice is to choose a spot at least 70ft from a trail and 200ft from a water source... pro tip: if you are squatting down, it can be helpful to hold one trekking pole in front of you for stability). Use the plain black dimpled side of the Kula Cloth™ to absorb any residual moisture. Since the clean/printed side is waterproof, you don't need to worry about any liquid soaking through to your hand. Note: the Kula Cloth™ is NOT for wiping anything OTHER THAN pee. Do not wipe from front to back like you might with toilet paper - keep the Kula Cloth™ entirely in the pee-zone.Website- https://kulacloth.comFacebook- https://www.facebook.com/thekulacloth/Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/kulacloth/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Volunteers from the North 350 Blades completed a project this last weekend which will be stepped on and photographed by countless hikers in the years to come. With help from Michael Hanley, who is the Pacific Crest Trail Associations Northern most regional representative, five volunteers helped tear down the old terminus and construct a brand new one.In this podcast you will hear the voices of some Manning Park employees and sounds from the helicopter which flew us to a location near the border and dropped off the wood at Monument 78.PCTA volunteers included Shannon Cunningham, Jeremy Canaria, Loren Schmidt, Roger St John and myself Rudy Giecek. All five of us along with Michael Hanley talked on microphone at the border before, during and after the completion of construction.Michael tells about the history of this project and all of the people who played a part in its fruition. Loren was the volunteer who handled the donated wood from Oregon Canadian Forest Products and so he tells about the process.E.C. Manning Park/BC Parks really helped out with completing this project. They paid for the helicopter, flying PCTA and the new terminus to the border. Thanks to the fine crew up there!Episode photo is of me, the first person to sit on the new Northern Terminus! Jeremy "Spider" Canaria took the photo.

Join Me at Patreon -  https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583Stephen Hui is the author of 105 Hikes in and Around Southwestern British Columbia. This book was written to update the book 103 Hikes.For the past two years Stephen has been hiking local hikes near him, gathering all the information he needed for this guidebook. He hiked all of them and photographed them for the books also.This would be a perfect thing to pick up for hikers who are traveling to the area!A portion of the sales will be given to the British Columbia Mountaineering Club.Website- https://105hikes.comWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.comFacebook- https://www.facebook.com/105Hikes/

Join Me at Patreon -  https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583Whitney "Allgood" LaRuffa is back on the podcast to talk about hiking with dogs.He brings up some great points and discusses some issues hikers and dogs have on the trail. Allgood talks about some gear and food that he uses when on the trail with his K-9.Check out his website for more info- https://www.allgoodsk9adventures.comFacebook- https://www.facebook.com/AllgoodsK9Adventures/Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/agk9adventures/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Join Me at Patreon to get exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583Becaome a Patron at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?c=781308 and get a two-disk recording of our live show. One disk is my interview with the four PCT authors that was released as an episode and the other is a live recording of Jack Mattingly and Whiskey Fever at the live event. 15 tracks of their original songs played acoustic at Whitewall Brewery.Photo by Stacey Arnold at https://www.staceylarnold.com

Team UltraPedestrian is Ras and Kathy Vaughn of Washington State. They are linking together parts of the Idaho Centennial Trail, Oregon Desert Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Pacific Northwest Trail into a 2634 mile long Inland Northwest Loop. Beginning outside Mountain Home, Idaho, they will head clockwise across Oregon, then take the Pacific Crest Trail all the way north to the Pacific Northwest Trail, head east to the Idaho Centennial Trail, and then continue south to their starting point outside Mountain Home, Idaho.When I recorded this episode they were 200 miles from Bend Oregon along the Oregon Desert Trail (ODT). You can follow their progress in real time at http://ultrapedestrian.com/up-north-loop/We talked about the connecting routes on either side of the ODT between both Idaho Centennial Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. Former podcast guest Renee Patrick helped map those connector routes for Team UltraPedestrian.We also talk about their book 98 Days of Wind- http://www.lulu.com/shop/ras-kathy-vaughan/98-days-of-wind-the-greatest-fail-of-our-life/paperback/product-23627583.htmlWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Geolyn Carvin is on to chat about her new book featuring her single panel cartoons. She was on episode 041 to chat about her process and all that she puts into her art.I am excited about this book for its ease as a gift for any type of hiker.Purchase the book on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Trail-Boots-McFarland-1/dp/1721095489/Follow on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/Boots-McFarland-Cartoon-121985657835548/Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/boots.mcfarland/

Tami Asars told me if I ever wanted to do a live event, she could get all of the guidebook authors together for an interview. The books are dubbed "Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail" followed by a state or section. All four are featured at http://www.pctguides.comTami and Eli Boschetto had been on prior episodes to talk about their books; Washington and Oregon. Philip Kramer and Shawnte Salabert were on for the first time!We laughed at funny stories each told and talked about why people need these books.As a sidenote to the episode, we raised $300 in donations for the PCTA.org with ticket sales and giveaways like a brand new waymarkgearco.com backpack.Photo by Stacey Arnold at https://www.staceylarnold.comThe intro song was preformed live by Jack Mattingly and the Whiskey Fever with special guest Anastasia Allison on violin.

Jack Mattingly and Dennis Dorgan played a fun show before my live event. The last song they played was Tall Grass, the song they let me use for my podcast intro/outro. Anastasia Allison joins them with her violin!We raised $300 for the PCTA and had over 80 people crammed into Whitewall Brewery. What an amazing night.The interview which followed this song will be out soon! Tami Asars, Eli Boschetto, Philip Kramer and Shante Salabert were my guests and they did not disappoint either.Check out Whiskey Fever: https://www.reverbnation.com/whiskeyfever The song used in the intro is 'Tall Grass' from their album Gonna Wake Up This Whole Town.

Stephen Johnson created Topo Maps+ because he couldn't find an app which did everything he wanted a hiking app to do.Go deeper into the backcountry with offline topographic maps on your iPhone.Go to- https://www.glacierpeakstudios.comIf you have any followup questions or you would like to thank Stephen for his great interview and easy app email him - [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/topoMapsPlus/Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/topomapsplus/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

This interview is with Justin "Quality" Knowles who has a website technologyhiker.com. We talk about hiking with family and we dig into hiking while on a business trip.Justin's tip are great and worth listening in on!SocialFacebook- facebook.com/technologyhiker/Instagram- instagram.com/technologyhiker/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Join Me at Patreon to get exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583Getting Snohomish County's youth jobs they can show some ownership doing, is the passion behind Trails to Success. Jeb Bolton from Snohomish Juvenile Court is on to tell us all about the program he is leading. Confidence and leadership skills are what he hopes are gained by those in this program.The "trails" part of the title is trail work. Some of the youth in Snohomish County have done more volunteer work then some avid hikers. The learn all different aspects of trail work and planning new trails like the 1.1 mile trail built by the program at Kayak Point.Rich Patton from Snohomish County Parks and Recreation joins us to talk about what these youth volunteers are doing for the Parks Department and how much it is helping them. He also gives some specific information about some trails to help give perspective.Trails to Success is a partnership between the juvenile court, the parks department, Snohomish County WorkSource and the court’s Reclaiming Futures program. Youth can be referred to the voluntary program by their probation counselor.Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Heather Hansen was embedded with the Station 8 crew in Boulder, Colorado for 18 months to two years. She learned all of the ins and outs to their training, lifestyle and fighting the fires themselves.Heather talks about her time training in Western Colorado, doing the written tests and the work capacity test, running three miles with a 45 pound weight vest on. This is where she learned most of the "basics" to fighting wild land fires. She talks about the fires themselves from ignition to fuels and how climate plays a role.I asked her about all of the numbers she used, giving the reader data to back up the different points she brings up from her reporting. I felt like it really tied the whole book together for me and gave it all perspective which helped me greater understand."All fires do not need to be put out." Heather describes the differences of a fire deep in the wilderness and a fire near suburbia. Actively managing fires is a way to mitigate dangers for those involved in fighting there fires over stamping them completely out.Heather visited the Fire Science Lab in Missoula and was able to transform her learnings from this experience in her book on how science is helping in fighting fires and safety as well. They have had their blunders, but this has been a cutting edge tool for the advancement in wild land firefighting.Different terrains can have different problems. Station 8 has fought fires from Alaska to Florida. Besides fire, she lists things like bear encounters, poison ivy and even a scorpion bite which can cause injury or hardship.“When firefighters leave fires, the fires don’t leave them," Heather says about loss of life and near death scenarios. Resources are needed for wild land firefighters to cope with the scenarios that replay in their minds. Also, the time away from home can play a big role in relationship issues also.Dave Zater is quoted in Wildfire, "Its kind of weird, if you have a fire that burns down a lot of houses, they have parades for you, but if you do a really good job and stop the fire, nothing happens and nobody remembers it.” Heather explains that smaller fires are overlooked because of the lack of severity, though those putting them out are approaching them with the same intensity as a larger blaze. These saves can limit the amount of time and resources spent overall and are a huge accomplishment for the crews.Craig McDonald asked, "What are her thoughts on fuel reduction in the forests? What examples might she have on projects where the fuel reduction had a positive impact, and which might have had a negative impact?" This "sparked" some great discussion from Heather about examples from her book. Join the Facebook group to ask your own questions- facebook.com/groups/cascadehikerpodcast/Wildfires covers the lives of the firefighters themselves and what it takes to be on top of the ranks in backcountry forest fighting. They are among the top five percent of the m most fit people in the world.The second part of Wildfires is about Heather's experience in the field on the Cold Springs Fire in 2016. She recalls all of the things she learned and wrote about in the beginning of the book, seeing it all play out in real time. This part of the book really drives all of the aspects together in a well written account.Aside from the book, Heather encourages readers to go beyond the Bookman look things up about fires. One of her self proclaimed "geeky" pastimes is viewing fires from above by NASA. We talk about this image specifically- nasa.gov/image-feature/goddard/2017/smoke-obscures-much-of-the-pacific-northwestPurchase Wildfire- https://www.amazon.com/Wildfire-Front-Lines-Station- amazon.com/Wildfire-Front-Lines-Station-8/dp/1680510711Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Raichel and Reggie, my daughters, join me as we chat about our hiking adventure on Washington's Coast. This was the trip we took after talking with Greg Johnston on episode 104.Join Me at Patreon to get exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=5262583

50 hikes paired with 50 breweries in the Pacific Northwest. What a brilliant idea by Beers at the Bottom, writing a guidebook for a hike and a pint.Brandon Fralic and Rachel Wood, the authors, mentioned that folks are trying to hike each hike and visit each brewery in their book.In Vancouver BC has ten hikes and breweries featured in this guidebook, Oregon has 15 and Washington has 25.Find the book on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Toysmith-Hiking-Pacific-NorthwestBeers at the bottomWebsite- beersatthebottom.comInstagram- instagram.com/beersatb/Facebook- facebook.com/BeersAtTheBottom/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Heather and Josh Legler join me to talk about their Backpacking book for kids, Backpacking ABC's.One of the best parts of this children's book is the art! My daughters loved the cute pictures on each page.Reggie is five and she had fun guessing the rhymes as we read through the ABC's. Raichel is nine and was able to read through the boo with no issue.If you know a kid who loves to hike, camp or backpack this would be perfect for them.Website- backpackerabcs.comAmazon- amazon.com/Backpacker-ABCs-Heather-Legler/dp/1980488460Check out the First 40 Miles Podcast too- thefirst40miles.com

Amber Casali's new book, Washington's Fire Lookouts, is fresh off the printer and hitting local book stores now!For some history, hike stats and location to the 44 lookouts she chose to include, pick up a copy for your own collection.Her website- ambercasali.comPurchase the book on Amazon- amazon.com/Hiking-Washingtons-Lookouts-Amber-Casali/dp/1680510606Upcoming presentationsOutdoor Research in Seattle on 5.9.18 at 6:00 PMBrowsers Bookshop in Olympia on 5.15.18 at 7:00 PMThird Place Books Seward Park in Seattle on 5.23.18 at 7:00 PMVillage Books in Bellingham on 6.2.18 at 7:00 PMREI Flagship in. Seattle on 6.13.18 at 6:30 PMUniversity Book Store in Seattle on 6.25.18 at 7:00 PMWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Andrew Iden is the man behind a new, well produced podcast with first person stories from the Appalachian Trail. We talk about the title of his show and he briefly discusses the near future.So far there have been four episodes out with a fifth episode dropping today. Jennifer Pharr Davis was on episode 2, but don't skip the other shows!Andrew's first goal is to get 70 episodes this year to matchup with the 70th anniversary of the first thru hiker on the trail, Earl Schaffer.I love this new podcast and was happy to get Andrew on here to tell us his vision for itWebsite- andrew-iden-nmrk.squarespace.comInstagram- instagram.com/the2180pod/

Anyone preparing for a long distance hike should have this book. From gear styles to conditioning to the trails themselves. Different perspectives on how to pack, eat and hitting towns along the hike.Liz "Snorkel" Thomas is a well known long distance hiker who wrote this book because she wishes there would have been a book like this when she took her first long distance hike. Other long distance hikers show off their gear and prep photos, helping show the reader different styles. Throughout the book other hikers are featured on different topics for the same reason.Amazon- amazon.com/Backpacker-Long-Trails-Mastering-Thru-Hike/dp/1493028723Website- eathomas.comLiz Snorkel Facebook- facebook.com/LizThomasHiking/Instagram- instagram.com/lizthomashiking/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Jeff Latham is the owner of Latham Reality Unlimited and he's completed a couple of Iron Man races. He has a crew of realestate agents and they are always on the lookout for a new goal. This June, they plan to all summit Washington's Mount Rainier.I also talk about my live event and the episode ends with an acoustic song by Whiskey Fever frontman Jack Mattingly. Purchase tickets to the live event at- http://northcascadehiker.com/live-events/may21-18

Elsye Walker, known as Chardonnay on the trail, is looking to be African American Woman to Triple Crown. She will be finishing up the Appallacian Trail this Summer.She tells a great story about crossing a river in the Sierras. Worried about falling in, she walked around to find a log crossing and fell, spraining her ankle. Read her post here- wanderingchardonnay.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/high-sierras/#more-328She read blogs by both Carrot Quinn and Not-a-Chance before creating a blog of her own at wanderingchardonnay.wordpress.com/blog-posts/She is also inspired by Heather "Annish" Anderson find her episode here- northcascadehiker.com/cascade-hiker-podcast/095Instagram- instagram.com/elsyew/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Aria Zoner is known for creating a couple of hiking routes- the Hot Springs Trail and the Siskiyou Peaks Trail. His website, www.wholefoodhiker.com, is the home base for checking out the trails and youtube videos about his whole food ways. We talk extensively about who he is and how he grew into a thru hiker. We also talk a lot about his Whole Food Hiker style.Zoner will be on in two future episodes where we will talk specifically about his two routes. Check out our bonus show where we discussed his nature raps- northcascadehiker.com/cascade-hiker-podcast/bonus-14Facebook- facebook.com/thehotspringstrail/InstaGram- instagram.com/ariazoner/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

The new National Park hats from Crown Trail Headwear will be available in April! I had Allgood back on to share the good news. Website- crowntrailsheadwear.comFacebook- facebook.com/CrownTrails/

Jennifer Mabus is on to chat about her upcoming attempt at thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this summer. We talk about her dad, who will be starting the trail with her. We also chat about her Waymark Gear Co backpack, which is also a sponsor of show! She plans on hiking stoveless.I ask a few questions from folks on my Facebook Group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadehikerpodcast/Her blog can be found at- https://www.thewhimsicalwoman.comFacebook- https://www.facebook.com/thewhimsicalwoman/Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/thewhimsicalwoman/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Greg Johnston is the author of Washington's Pacific Coast and I had him on to talk about planning a backpacking trip this Spring.He goes over some things to pay attention to, including the tides, weather and maps showing the points which are necessary to travel over.I gave him my first choice, which is to backpack from Ozette to Rialto, so we covered this area mostly. Greg also gives some options for one night backpacks or day hikes in the same area for backup plans.  Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Bryan Snyder is the author of Off the Map and Further Off the Map and Falling Off the Map which are short adventure articles, written for newspaper publication and compiled into books that are easy to read. Renegade Car Camping, another book Snyder wrote, tells readers the best way to find free camping spots close to your favorite adventure spots.Website- offthemapbooks.comInstagram- instagram.com/offthemapbooks/Facebook- facebook.com/offthemapbooksWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

I have been listening to the N2Backpacking podcast for many years, so it was great to have Steve "Birdshooter" Goodrich on my show.We trade off and on as hosts during this show, trading questions. This episode will also be on the N2Backpacking podcast, so give it a listen over there too and see how they are different.Website- n2backpacking.comFacebook- facebook.com/n2backpacking/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Anastasia Allison tells the story about her trip across the Ptarmigan Traverse and her husband Aaron Allison talks about the Wind River traverse. I tell the story about my dad and I hiking from Spider Meadow to Image Lake and out the Suiattle River. Stacey tells a crazy story from her first solo backpacking trip to the Wilson River.Anastasia Allison- anastasiaallison.comStacey Arnold- www.staceylarnold.comWaymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.com

Jason Hummel is hard to nail down as far as labeling what it is he does in the outdoors. He is a published photographer, backcountry skier, hiker, backpacker, mountain biker and climber. He and his twin brother have been skiing once a month in the state of Washington since they were both 19 years old. Now in they late thirties, they are setting the record higher as every month passes.One of Jason's newest projects is called the Washington Glacier Ski Project. Over the next several years he will methodically visit and ski up, down and/or across every named glacier in Washington from the volcanoes, the Olympics and throughout the North Cascades.We also talk about Jason's book- Alpine State of Mind. I can say, now that I own the book, it is wonderfully put together and the pictures are amazing!Buy the book- www.alpinestateofmindjournal.comJason's website- www.alpinestateofmind.comInstagram- www.instagram.com/jasonhummel/Waymark Gear CompanyHeavy duty ultralight backpackshttps://www.waymarkgearco.comLuxe Tents! Try a tarp teepeeand lighten your pack weight.https://luxe-hiking-gear.com

Go to www.northcascadehiker.com/live-events/may21-18 to purchase tickets! May 21st opening at 6PMGuests include:Tami Asars- www.tamiasars.comEli Borschetto- www.pctoregon.comPhilip Kramer- www.philipkramer.comShawnte' Salabert- www.shawntesalabert.comJack Mattingly of the Whiskey Fever (my intro song)- https://www.reverbnation.com/whiskeyfeverStick around after the taping to purchase books, have them signed by the authors, and pick their brains about hiking the PCT.Books will be sold at the event for $20 with cash only... Thats cheaper than Amazon!!!Buying a ticket will enter you in for a gear raffle that will be held after the podcast. Items will be: Waymark Gear Company Backpack, Cascade Hiker Hats and hats from Crown Trails Headwear.Also, ALL proceeds from this event will be donated to the Pacific Crest Trail Association.