Author

Mary Cochenour

Mary Cochenour worked on the marketing team at Gaia GPS from 2020 to 2022. She enjoys backpacking, skiing, and mountain biking in the mountains near her home in Montana.

A screenshot of the Wildfire Satellite Data map layer shows where wildfires are currently burning in purple shading.

Gaia GPS New Maps

Satellite Detected Heat Layer Can Help Identify Wildfires Quickly

by Mary Cochenour September 8, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

Find wildfire hotspots with the new and free Wildfires (Satellite Detections) layer on Gaia GPS. This layer sources satellite data from NASA to show where wildfires are currently burning worldwide. Pair this layer with your favorite map to plan re-routes around hot spots, predict likely trail closures, and stay safer during fire season.

In response to the wildfires ravaging the West Coast, we’re offering the Wildfire (Satellite Detections), Wildfire (Current) and Air Quality layers for free on gaiagps.com and the mobile app. Click here to view the free maps on the web.

A screenshot of the Wildfires (Satellite Detections) map layer on the Gaia GPS website shows the locations of wildfires in purple shading throughout California.

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The Wildfires (Satellite Detections) layer updates several times each day to give you up-to-date information from NASA’s satellites. NASA uses MODIS and VIIRS satellites to detect thermal anomalies around the globe, showing where wildfires are actively burning and hot. Hot spots show up on your map in purple shading. Click on the purple-shaded area to learn how and when NASA detected the thermal area.

Detect Wildfires by Pairing Satellite Detections and Current Wildfires Layers

A screenshot of the Wildfires (Satellite Detections) and (Current) map layers in the Gaia GPS app shows where a wildfire is located, its name, the year, size, status, perimeter date, and map method.

Use the Wildfires (Satellite Detections) and Wildfires (Current) layers together to help find and avoid active wildfires on your next adventure. NASA’s satellites detect all thermal anomalies on the earth’s surface, so some hot spots may be caused by flares, volcanoes, or other heat sources. To make sure the area represents heat from a wildfire, use the Wildfires (Satellite Detections) layer in concert with Gaia GPS’s Wildfires (Current) layer to see what part of an active wildfire is still burning hot.

The Wildfires (Current) layer displays recent wildfire activity in red. Click the red area on the Wildfires (Current) layer and a pop up shows the fire’s name, size, activity level, and more. Some wildfires remain undetected by the Wildfires (Current) layer, especially when the fire is brand new, in a remote area, or not being actively fought. However, both detected and undetected fires will appear on the Wildfires (Satellite Detections) layer in purple shading if they are still hot and actively burning.

Get the New Wildfires (Satellite Detections) Layer

To access the layer, visit the layers menu and select the “Features/Weather Overlays” tab. Scroll to the bottom and tap “Wildfires (Satellite Detections).” Tap the “Add Layer“ button.

September 8, 2020

Mary smiles for the camera while backpacking through the alpine.

Solo Backpacking with a Stalker

by Mary Cochenour September 7, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

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When Mary Cochenour became a wilderness ranger, she was forced to conquer her fear of solo backpacking. It took some time but with a lot of practice, Mary eventually grew comfortable camping alone in the woods. That is, until she realized she wasn’t alone after all. A man had been stalking Mary even in the farthest corners of the wilderness.

Tune in to this week’s episode of the Out and Back podcast as Mary tells a thrilling tale about her early days as a wilderness ranger in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Hear about her first night spent alone in the wilderness and what happened months later when she discovered that a man had been following her around the backcountry.

Mary smiles while lying down with her head on a rock.

“It maybe was Sunday night and the weekend crowds were gone,” Mary recounts. “I felt really isolated there. And I was sprawled out on the granite slab. I took off my shoes and was watching the sun fade. All of a sudden I could hear footsteps coming up behind me.”

Mary reveals how this sketchy incident inspired her to keep backpacking solo and how she drew on this experience when working with victims as a violent crimes prosecutor in Montana. This story, although gripping at times, reminds us that sometimes you have to face your fears head on to finally overcome them.

Mary draws on her storytelling experience as a former journalist and trial lawyer to give you a narrative account of this unnerving event. We are excited to introduce you to Mary because she is the Out and Back podcast producer and a writer and editor at Gaia GPS. When she is not in the office, Mary works as a guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures in wild places around the west, like Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite, and the Brooks Range in Alaska.

Learn more about Mary on Instagram. Read Mary’s bio on Gaia GPS’s team page and view her hiking credentials on Andrew Skurka’s guide roster. Also, read her tips on how to plan your first solo backpacking trip.

A backpacker hikes down a trail through a meadow, towards tall peaks on the horizon.

Episode Highlights: Solo Backpacking with a Stalker

3:00: Mary did not grow up in an outdoor family. She grew up in the Detroit area.
4:25: Even in the suburbs, Mary was drawn to the outdoors.
7:30: Mary’s sister dropped her off at Lake Tahoe when she was 17 so she could pursue outdoor jobs.
9:40: Mary lands her dream job as a wilderness ranger in the Desolation Wilderness on the western crest of Lake Tahoe Basin.
11:00: There was one major problem: Mary had never solo backpacked before!
12:20: Mary’s first night out in the wilderness alone.
15:50: Mary became the resident expert in Desolation and finally got comfortable solo backpacking.
17:15: Mary meets Carl at the 90-foot wall, a popular climbing crag in Emerald Bay.
19:20: Mary runs into Carl in the backcountry.
21:00: Carl shows up at Mary’s house.
23:45: Underwear goes missing.
26:10: Mary is camping at her favorite backcountry campsite and Carl approaches.
27:15: Mary freezes.
32:26: Mary is constantly looking over her shoulder for Carl.
32:50: Mary sees Carl again on the trail.
34:00: Mary was mad at Carl for interrupting her dream job in the wilderness. She decided to stay in Desolation Wilderness and was mentally and physically ready to confront Carl if she saw him again.
39:00: Mary understands victims of violent crime and how they could freeze in the middle of an assault.
43:10: Solo backpacking is magical and a cathartic way for Mary to sort out issues.

Next Episode: Join Adventurers Fidgit and Neon on Their Epic Journey Across the Americas

Fidgit (left) and Neon (right) pose for the camera decked out in their thru-hiking setups. Big leafy trees tower behind them.

Next week, we catch up with world adventurers Bethany “Fidgit” Hughes and Lauren “Neon” Reed for an update on their journey across the Americas. Hughes and Reed have spent the last five years hiking, biking, and paddling their way across South and Central America, Mexico, and the United States on their non-motorized journey across the Americas. The long-distance hikers are hunkered down in the States waiting for Covid to subside before finishing off their adventure in the northern most part of the continent.

Hughes and Reed first met during their Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike in 2010, where they earned their trail names Fidgit and Neon, respectively. After Hughes completed her PCT thru-hike, she took a stab at conventional city life. She lived in a house, got a car, and landed a management position in an accounting office. But the pull of adventure tugged hard at Hughes’ heartstrings.

While sitting in a traffic jam, she became inspired by the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. From that, Hughes imagined “a human-powered traverse of the Americas, connecting the stories of the land and its inhabitants” and she dubbed the adventure “Her Odyssey.”

Hughes enlisted Reed to join the journey, acknowledging that their different personalities complement one another. Reed described their personalities with a Venn diagram.

“I usually lean towards the logical side,” Reed says. “And Fidgit is usually leaning towards the emotional side. We pull each other towards the center in a lot of ways.”

In this episode, Hughes and Reed discuss how they traveled through the wilderness in foreign countries, their incredible and heartwarming interactions with the locals they met along the way, and some tips for treading lightly through indigenous regions and cultures. We also hear about their safety plans and how their contrasting personalities serve their expedition mission in equal but different ways. Don’t miss this episode if you want to learn about getting off the tourist path in South and Central America.

Learn more about Fidgit, Neon, and Her Odyssey on their website. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Support their mission, or just simply buy them a meal, on Patreon.

Last Episode: Ultralight Backpacking Meals with Backcountry Foodie

Check out our last episode on ultralight backpacking meals. In 2017, registered dietitian Aaron Owens Mayhew quit her job to hike the PCT. The only catch: she hated eating — and hated paying for — freeze-dried meals. Worse yet, Owens Mayhew was horrified by the typical thru-hiker diet of Pop Tarts, Spam singles, and mac and cheese. So she put on her culinary thinking cap and created her own nutritious and delicious menu. Her PCT thru-hike didn’t go as planned, but Backcountry Foodie was born.

In episode 11 of the Out and Back podcast, Owens Mayhew shares stories from her two decades of backpacking and the behind the scenes of how she created her popular backpacking food site and meal planning service. She also shares how you can cut down on food weight while eating healthier and delicious meals on the trail.

Tell Us Your Story: Have You Ever Been Lost?

Have a great story about getting lost in the woods? Shoot us an email at media@gaiagps.com for a chance to be featured on the Out and Back podcast.

Tell us in 500 words or less how and where you got lost and what you did to get yourself out of trouble. Bonus points for humorous narratives and tales with surprise endings.

In addition to a podcast interview, the winner will receive free Gaia GPS swag and a Gaia GPS premium membership to help keep from getting lost on the next adventure.

September 7, 2020

Backcountry Foodie smiles while eating a bowl of food in the backcountry.

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

Ultralight Backpacking Meals with Backcountry Foodie

by Mary Cochenour August 31, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

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In 2017, registered dietitian Aaron Owens Mayhew quit her job to hike the PCT. The only catch: she hated eating — and hated paying for — freeze-dried meals. Worse yet, Owens Mayhew was horrified by the typical thru-hiker diet of Pop-Tarts, Spam slices, and mac and cheese, so she put on her culinary thinking cap and created her own nutritious and delicious menu. Her PCT thru-hike didn’t go as planned, but Backcountry Foodie was born.

In episode 11 of the Out and Back podcast, Owens Mayhew shares stories from her two decades of backpacking and the behind the scenes of how she created her popular backpacking food site and meal planning service. She also dishes out how you can cut down on food weight while eating healthier, delicious, and ultralight meals on the trail.

Tune in as Shanty confesses to Owens Mayhew about his eating habits on his 2019 Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Learn about macros and optimum ratios for carbs, fats, and protein during sustained physical activity like backpacking. Find out ways to make your meals with ingredients from the grocery store, and hear about the real difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated meals.

Check out Backcountry Foodie’s website and Instagram for backcountry cooking tips and inspiration. Also, keep an eye out as Backcountry Foodie aims to expand its business model from do-it-yourself backcountry menu planning to packaged meals you can buy straight from Owens-Mayhew herself.

Aaron poses for the camera with her dog, who's loaded down with a dog backpack. Aaron holds her hiking poles and wears a backpack. They are standing in the alpine, with snowcapped-mountains behind.

Episode Highlights: Smart and Satisfying Fueling with Backcountry Foodie

2:40: Backcountry Foodie is an online meal planning service for backpackers — a go-to, science-based resource for ultralight backpacking food.
3:45: Believe it or not, Aaron’s first backpacking meals were MREs!
4:30: Aaron fell in love with the outdoors and backpacking.
5:10: Backcountry Foodie started with a PCT thru-hike and a mid-life crisis.
7:10: Meal planning for a five-month hike was overwhelming but became the inception of Backcountry Foodie.
8:00: Shanty comes clean with his thru-hiker menu plan: Pop-Tarts, summer sausage, blocks of cheese, and ramen.
8:15: Aaron reveals her mainstays on the PCT: quinoa, beans, and hummus.
8:45: She brings her home diet into the backcountry because it makes her body feel better.
9:15: Two pounds of food per day can be a myth; you can go lighter with more calories!
10:08: Aaron often packs a pound-and-a-half of food per day.
12:05: You don’t have to eat processed food while backpacking. Here’s how.
12:20: Aaron definitely packs Snickers in her backpack though!
13:15: You need a balance of protein, carbs, and fat to keep that engine running all day!
14:30: Aaron is a “nerdy dietitian” who loves to crunch numbers for proper calorie densities and weight.
15:27: Eating healthy is more expensive. No getting around the fact that processed foods are cheaper, but good health is worth the money.
16:20: Aaron shares the recipe for a popular backcountry meal that’s not too expensive: spruced-up ramen.
19:40: You don’t have to buy a dehydrator; use all dry ingredients bought from the local store.
22:00: Here are some foods that Aaron doesn’t think you should dehydrate.
25:00: Check out the ultimate ratio for carbs, fat, and protein on a backpacking trip.
33:00: Sugar will make you crash and here’s why.
36:50: There’s something for everyone in meal planning: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free.
40:15: Aaron loves getting emails from clients saying that her meals have made them feel better and hike stronger.
41:00: Backcountry Foodie Phase 2 includes packaged meals, but they are having trouble finding a kitchen to work in during COVID.
42:00: Van life is Backcountry Foodie’s lifestyle with no desire to go back to conventional living.
43:00: Aaron has almost a full kitchen inside her home on wheels.

Next Episode: Solo Backpacking with a Stalker

Tune in next week for a thrilling story about being stalked while backpacking solo. In this episode, Out and Back producer Mary Cochenour recounts how she learned to love backpacking solo as a wilderness ranger in the Lake Tahoe Basin. That is until she discovered she wasn’t alone after all. A man followed and watched Mary as she patrolled even the farthest corners of Desolation Wilderness.

Hear about how Mary found out she was being followed, her confrontation with the stalker, and why this incident inspired Mary to seek more time alone in the backcountry. The story is both scary and encouraging, reminding us that sometimes you have to face fear head-on to finally overcome it.

Catch up with Mary on Instagram and read more about her on Gaia GPS’s company bio and on Andrew Skurka’s guide roster. Read her tips for backpacking solo.

Last episode: The Newest, Longest Hiking Route in America: the American Perimeter Trail

Don’t miss our last episode about the American Perimeter Trail. Right now, the longest hiking route in America is being designed, mapped, and tested. The American Perimeter Trail circles the contiguous United States to make a 12,000-mile loop of existing trails, roads, and off-trail travel.

Long-distance hiker Rue McKenrick dreamed up the route after completing America’s thru-hiking Triple Crown of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. He craved another engaging long-distance hike in the US. But the maps came up blank for McKenrick. Having completed the longest trails in America, McKenrick imagined a new route that connected the landscape around the US.

McKenrick has been out in the wilderness since summer 2019, scouting the best track for the American Perimeter Trail. Shanty caught up with McKenrick during a town stop in Michigan. In this interview, McKenrick sheds light on what inspired him to design the trail, how hiking with an open heart has helped him through the rough times, and crazy encounters he’s had along the way, including having shots fired at him.

Tune in for this inspiring conversation and learn more about the American Perimeter Trail on the APT website. Follow McKenrick’s journey with real time updates on Instagram, YouTube channel and Facebook.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

the host of the podcast Andrew Baldwin wearing an orange hat and blue jacket with a frosty beard, smiling

In each Out and Back episode, Shanty strives to bring you conversations with people who spend an extraordinary amount of time outdoors. Listen in as Shanty taps into each backcountry expert’s superpower so that you can take their knowledge and experience with you on your next adventure.

August 31, 2020

Rue McKenrick smiles for the camera while hiking in the desert. The image is overlaid with "Out and Back: Rue McKenrick."

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

The American Perimeter Trail: the Newest Long-Distance Hike

by Mary Cochenour August 25, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

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Right now, the longest hiking route in America is being designed, mapped, and tested. The American Perimeter Trail circles the contiguous United States to make a 12,000-mile loop of existing trails, roads, and off-trail travel.

Long-distance hiker Rue McKenrick dreamed up the route after completing America’s thru-hiking Triple Crown of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. He craved another engaging long-distance hike in the US, so he scoured the maps. When he couldn’t find another long trail to hike, he imagined a route that connected the Pacific Crest Trail to the Appalachian Trail through the states in between.

In June 2019, McKenrick left his home in Bend, Oregon to scout the best track for the American Perimeter Trail. He’s hiked some 8,000 miles since. McKenrick started his journey with a walk south along the Pacific Crest Trail. At the end of the Sierra, he turned east to walk across the Mojave desert through Death Valley. He’s walked across Texas and beyond.

Rue McKenrick hikes across a barren desertscape. He's carrying hiking poles and a backpacking pack.

In this interview, Shanty catches up with McKenrick during a town stop in western Michigan. McKenrick explains what inspired the American Perimeter Trail project, his vision for the trail, and the unbelievable encounters he’s experienced the way.

Hear about how he navigated his way around massive swaths of private property in Texas, endured police questioning for having a backpack and an “accent,” and what happened when shots were fired over his head.

McKenrick gets real with Shanty, revealing the one item he takes with him on every journey — an open heart.

“An open heart allows you to experience what’s in front of you without judgment and thinking it should be different,” McKenrick says. “An open heart allows you to say, ‘This is the time right now. This is it. There’s no past and there is no future’.”

Check out the American Perimeter Trail website and follow McKenrick’s journey with real-time updates on Instagram and the American Perimeter Trail Facebook page. Check out the American Perimeter Trail YouTube channel.

Episode Highlights

0:50: What is the American Perimeter Trail?
3:50: How Rue got into backpacking.
4:50: Rue grew up near the AT in PA and enjoyed spending time alone.
5:20: Rue got lost at summer camp.
7:10: Rue talks about his first long-distance hike: the AT.
8:00: Rue’s motivation to get into long-distance hiking.
9:30: What Rue learned about himself while pursuing the Triple Crown.
10:30: Hiking the AT redeemed Rue’s faith in humanity.
11:15: Hiking deepened Rue’s empathy towards others.
12:45: Aligning personal and professional values.
13:20: Rue lives a leave-no-trace lifestyle, even in the front country. He hasn’t driven a car in 10 years!
14:30: Rue hiked the PCT in 2005.
14:50: Rue hiked the CDT in 2007.
15:30: Rue felt like his life was taking a more domestic turn, but it never happened.
16:30: Existential introspection led Rue to create the APT.
17:40: Rue’s desire to explore the US before he goes back abroad.
18:30: The now-or-never reckoning moment that led Rue to start hiking the APT.
20:00: Goal of the APT is conservation through recreation.
22:30: Backpacking is like sandpaper. It’s smoothed out a lot of Rue’s edges.
24:00: The APT is not a finished product.
26:00: No long-distance trail is ever complete.
28:30: How Rue started building the APT.
30:00: A lot of Rue’s route decisions are day-to-day on the trail.
31:00: Rue doesn’t like to plan, but he prepares.
35:40: How Rue got through the waterless stretches of Death Valley.
39:00: How Rue is navigating the route.
40:20: Importance of staying found.
40:50: How Rue sees a 3D world when he looks at a map.
42:30 More of the APT is off-trail than on.
43:30: How Rue got through Texas, a state where only 4.2% of the land is public.
46:30: Challenge of thru-hiking through terrain without long-distance trail communities.
46:50: Someone shot at Rue.
47:00: How Rue navigated having guns pulled on him in a store.
52:20: The most discouraging thing Rue has encountered multiple times on the trail.
56:50: How Rue picks up essential items while on the trail.
57:00: Social isolating: Rue’s COVID-19 coping strategy while out on the trail.
58:30: The challenges of thru-hiking during a pandemic that you may not have considered.
59:45: Thru-hiking requires both soft and hard skills. The APT takes both to the max.
1:00:25: Funding the trip while on the trip.
1:00:30: How many times Rue will re-up gear on this project.
1:05:30: The one luxury item Rue can’t hike without — an open heart.
1:06:40: The best trail magic Rue has ever received.
1:08:10: The people who inspire Rue.
1:11: How people can support the APT.

Next Episode: Backcountry Foodie

Aaron Owens Mayhew smiles while eating a bowl of pudding in the backcountry. An alpine lake and mountains are in the background.

In 2017, registered dietitian Aaron Owens Mayhew quit her job to hike the PCT. The only catch: she hated — and hated paying for — freeze-dried meals. Meal planning for a five-month thru-hike felt impossible, as did carrying enough nutritious food. So Owens Mayhew put her culinary expertise to work. Her thru-hike didn’t go as planned, but Backcountry Foodie was born.

In episode 11 of the Out and Back podcast, Owens Mayhew shares stories from her two decades of backpacking and the behind the scenes of how she created her popular backpacking food website and meal planning service. She also shares how you can cut down on food weight while eating healthier and delicious meals on the trail. And get ready for the big news: Backcountry Foodie is transitioning from a do-it-yourself website to selling packaged meals so you don’t have to bother prepping the food at home.

Check out Backcountry Foodie’s website and Instagram for backcountry cooking tips and inspiration.

Last Episode: Hiking Africa, the Himalayas, and the PCT in Winter with Justin Lichter

Circle back to the last episode of the Out and Back podcast with world adventurer and author Justin “Trauma” Lichter. Hear Lichter’s wildest stories from across the globe, including how stampeding elephants and stalking lions stopped him in his tracks on his attempted thru-hike of Africa. Learn about his high-altitude traverse of the Himalayas and the trip that made the most headlines — becoming the first person, with Shawn “Pepper” Forry, to successfully complete the Pacific Crest Trail in winter.

Lichter gives insights to the challenges and rewards of international adventure travel and the complications of winter travel on the PCT. And he digs into what motivates him to keep pushing the limits in the outdoors.

“The challenge — to see what what you can handle and what you can’t handle — that’s that’s definitely part of it,” Lichter explains. “And the other part that keeps you going is just seeing these places. It’s just rewarding. When you’re out there at the twilight in the alpenglow and nobody’s out there, it’s just an amazing moment.”

Lichter is truly an expert of backcountry travel in all its forms: hiking, skiing, and bikepacking. In fact, he’s the source of trail details and information on many of National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated maps. Tune is as Lichter discusses avalanche safety, winter gear, and international resupply strategies.

To learn more about Lichter, check out his website: www.justinlichter.com. Tap into his knowledge by reading one of his many books, including: Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker’s Guide to Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking and Survive: Mountains.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

August 25, 2020

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

Thru-hiking Africa, the Himalayas, and the Pacific Crest Trail in Winter with Justin “Trauma” Lichter

by Mary Cochenour August 17, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

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Some endurance adventurers strive to become the first or the fastest person to accomplish something. Others simply want to learn about themselves along the way. Justin “Trauma” Lichter unintentionally accomplishes both. On episode 9 of the Out and Back podcast, world adventurer and author Lichter shares his wildest stories from across the globe. Lichter recounts how stampeding elephants and stalking lions stopped him in his tracks on his attempted thru-hike of eastern Africa. Learn about his 2,000 mile high-altitude traverse of the Himalayas. And get the behind the scenes scoop on his most headline-making trip: becoming the first person, with Shawn “Pepper” Forry, to successfully complete the Pacific Crest Trail in winter.

The cover of Lichter's book, Ultralight Winter Travel, shows Lichter backcountry skiing.

In this episode, Lichter gives insights into the challenges and rewards of international adventures and the complications of winter travel on the PCT. He also digs into what motivates him to keep pushing the limits in the outdoors:

“The challenge — to see what you can handle and what you can’t handle — that’s definitely part of it. And the other part that keeps you going is just seeing these places. It’s just rewarding when you’re out there at twilight in the alpenglow and nobody’s out there. It’s just an amazing moment.”

Lichter masters backcountry travel in many forms, from hiking to skiing to bikepacking. In fact, he’s a primary source of trail details and information in NatGeo Trails Illustrated maps. Tune in to hear how Lichter scored that prestigious gig plus learn about avalanche safety, winter gear, and international resupply strategies.

Lichter backpacks up a barren climb in Africa. He wears a jacket, gloves, and a brimmed hat.

To learn more about Lichter, check out his website: www.justinlichter.com. Tap into his knowledge by reading one of his many books, including Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker’s Guide to Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking and Survive: Mountains.

Episode Highlights

3:20: Trauma talks about nearing his goal of traveling to all seven continents.
4:20: Trauma has hiked over 40,000 miles.
5:00 Trauma grew up skiing and day-hiking with his parents. He loved running to see what’s around the corner.
6:30: Trauma discusses an eye-oping trip to southern Utah that inspired him to thru-hike the AT.
8:30: Why the AT?
9:45: Trauma talks about why he decided to pursue an outdoor adventure lifestyle.
11:15: Trauma reveals how he earned his trail name. (It’s a crazy story!)
12:30: Ravens dive-bombed Trauma on his first wilderness trip.
14:00: Trauma’s first major trip was a 1,500 mile adventure through eastern Africa.
15:30: Wildlife encounters forced Trauma to cut his trip short.
17:30: Trauma spooked a lion and got chased by an elephant.
19:00: People are not on the top of the food chain in Africa.
21:30: Learning to navigate African cultures.
23:30: Trauma was careful with water sources and vaccinations to avoid sickness.
26:00: Trauma’s second major trip took him to Katmandu, Nepal, for the Great Himalaya Trail.
28:50 Tricky resupply strategy for the Great Himalaya Trail.
31:30: Trauma ate a lot of convenience store food.
32:00: Altitude is draining.
33:30: Trauma and Pepper become the first people to complete the PCT in winter.
34:30: Trauma talks about his motivation to embark on a winter PCT thru-hike.
35:30 Trauma and Pepper indirectly spent a decade preparing for their winter PCT trip, dialing in their gear and skills.
36:30 Gear isn’t made for this type of trip. Trauma had to find the balance between winter gear weight and functionality.
37:45: How Trauma and Pepper met.
39:00: Trauma and Pepper have adventured thousands of miles together.
39:30: Pros and cons of having an adventure partner.
41:00: Trauma and Pepper lucked out with avalanche danger on the PCT.
42:50: Trauma and Pepper got frostbite.
45:00: Winter navigational challenges you probably haven’t considered.
47:00: What keeps Trauma going.
48:45: Trauma’s work for National Geographic Maps.
49:30: Trauma’s work on ski patrol.
53:50: One of Trauma’s hiking presentations turned into a full barroom brawl.
55:10: Trauma’s favorite hiking gear.
55:50: Trauma’s favorite hiking food.
56:05: The psychological differences between a zero and a “nearo.”

Next Episode: The American Perimeter Trail with Mastermind Rue McKenrick

Right now, the longest hiking route in America is being designed, mapped, and tested out. The American Perimeter Trail circles the contiguous United States to make a 12,000-mile loop of existing trails, roads, and cross-country travel.

Hiker Rue McKenrick dreamed up the route after completing America’s thru-hiking Triple Crown of the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. He craved another engaging long-distance hike in the US, so he scoured the maps. When he couldn’t find another long trail to hike, he imagined a route that connected the Pacific Crest Trail to the Appalachian Trail through the states in between.

In June 2019, McKenrick left his home in Bend, Oregon to scout the best track for his burgeoning vision of the American Perimeter trail. McKenrick has hiked some 8,000 miles since. He started with a walk south along the Pacific Crest Trail. Next, he turned east to walk across the Mojave desert through Death Valley. He’s walked across Utah, Texas, and beyond.

In this interview, Shanty catches up with McKenrick during a town stop in western Michigan. McKenrick explains what inspired the American Perimeter Trail project, his vision for the trail, and the unbelievable encounters he’s experienced all the way.

Hear about how he navigated his way around massive swaths of private property in Texas, endured police questioning for having a backpack and an “accent,” and what happened when shots were fired over his head.

McKenrick gets real with Shanty, revealing the one item he takes with him on every journey — an open heart.

“Over the years, I’ve found that the one item I need to take with me on every trip is an open heart,” McKenrick says. “An open heart allows you to experience what’s in front of you without judgment and thinking it should be different. An open heart allows you to say, ‘This is the time right now. This is it. There’s no past and there is no future.’”

Check out the American Perimeter Trail website and follow McKenrick’s journey with real-time updates on his Instagram.

Last episode: How Hiking Helped Heal Professional Hiker Will “Akuna” Robinson“

When Army veteran Will Robinson returned home from a combat tour in Iraq, he struggled with depression and PTSD. He spent more and more time at home, withdrawing from civilian life and turning to alcohol for self medication. One day, he flipped on the TV and saw Reese Witherspoon wrestling with an oversized backpack in the movie “Wild.”

That movie scene took Robinson back to his deployment overseas when he read a book about hiking the 2,660-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Inspired, Robinson shut off the TV and got to work planning his hike. Just two weeks later, Robinson put two feet on the trail and began walking north.

That first PCT thru-hike “was like an epiphany,” Robinson says. “I really, really enjoy through hiking. You know, this is going to be my life. This is for me, it’s not just that I want to come back next season because I had a goal and I feel like I didn’t accomplish it. I want to come back next season because I love this lifestyle and it’s helped me so much and I enjoy it so much. I just need to go back.”

Robinson, dubbed “Akuna” on the trail, sat down with Shanty in Out and Back podcast, episode 8. He engages in a frank discussion about how the trail helps him find purpose, community, and the space and time he needs to focus on himself. He recounts how the PCT hike allowed him to address his PTSD and Depression. Inspired by how the trail made him feel, Akuna continued on to hike the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail — becoming the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown of long trails in America.

Akuna hugs a post signifying the end of the PCT.

Tune in as Robinson talks about being the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown, what that achievement has meant to him, and how all the hateful comments on social media mentally drained him. Akuna also touches on the recent flood of media requests in his inbox regarding speaking about the issues people of color face in the outdoors. He explains what he believes his fellow hikers can do on trail to make the outdoors a more welcoming place for people of color, and what it means for outdoor brands to become better allies. Laid back yet passionate about hiking, Akuna highlights the healing nature of trails everywhere, whether long, short, or in between.

Learn more about Akuna on his brand new website www.akunahikes.com and follow Akuna on Instagram to catch a glimpse of his latest adventures.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

August 17, 2020

Out and Back: Will "Akuna" Robinson is superimposed over an Image of Akuna hiking.

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

How Hiking Heals with Will “Akuna” Robinson

by Mary Cochenour August 11, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

Get up to 50% off
Gaia GPS

That movie scene took Robinson back to his deployment overseas when he read a book about hiking the 2,660-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Inspired, Robinson shut off the TV and got to work planning his hike. Just two weeks later, Robinson put two feet on the trail and began walking north.

That first PCT thru-hike “was like an epiphany,” Robinson says. “I really, really enjoy through hiking. This is going to be my life. This is for me. It’s not just that I want to come back next season because I had a goal and I feel like I didn’t accomplish it. I want to come back next season because I love this lifestyle and it’s helped me so much and I enjoy it so much. I just need to go back.”

Dubbed “Akuna” on the trail, Robinson sat down with Shanty for episode 8 of the Out and Back podcast. He engages in a frank discussion about how the trail helps him find purpose, community, and the space and time he needs to focus on himself. He recounts how the PCT hike allowed him to address his PTSD and depression. Inspired by the way the trail made him feel, Akuna continued on to hike the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail — becoming the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown of long trails in America.

Akuna hugs a pole signifying the US/Canadian border and also the end of the PCT.

Episode Highlights

3:50: Akuna describes his upbringing living in Germany as a military kid and coming back to New Orleans.
6:30: Racism is real; it is not a made up thing.
7:05: Akuna did not grow up backpacking and camping, but enjoyed being outside as a kid.
8:45: Akuna’s dad told him that joining the military was out of the question.
9:15: An Army recruitment officer diverted Akuna from going down the wrong path in 1999 when he was a young man.
11:10: Akuna served in Iraq and was medically evacuated and sent home to New Orleans.
13:45: Upon returning home, Akuna underwent a number of surgeries and struggled with PTSD.
18:20: The military was not yet prepared to addressed the number of soldiers coming home with PTSD.
18:30: Akuna fell into a downward spiral, getting worse and worse. His room at home became a prison and he withdrew from social interactions.
20:00: Akuna knew he had to do something drastic to get out of this situation.
20:20: He looked up at the TV and saw the movie “Wild” and it inspired him to hit the Pacific Crest Trail.
21:20: Akuna thought “this is where I need to be” and two weeks later he was in Campo ready to start the trail.
24:30: Social interaction is the best part of Akuna’s thru-hiking experience.
27:15: Learn how Akuna earned his trail name.
28:20: Akuna loves the desert section of the PCT.
30:35: How thru-hiking helped alleviate Akuna’s PTSD and Depression symptoms.
39:00 Akuna is dealing with injuries on the PCT and has to leave the trail.
45:00: Akuna comes back and completes the PCT and goes on to nab the AT and CDT, becoming the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown.
48:00: Akuna shares his experience on each of the three trails and the benefits of each.
51:03: Akuna inadvertently completed the Triple Crown.
54:10: Akuna is proud to be first Black man to achieving the Triple Crown because it provides an example to other people of color that they can complete the trails too.
55:40: The community response to his Triple Crown achievement was overwhelming.
56:00: Akuna is sponsored by Merrell.
57:00: Since George Floyd’s murder, Akuna and other Black and BIPOC athletes’ phones have been ringing off the hook.
59:00: Akuna’s advice on how hikers and outdoor brands can be better allies to people of color in the outdoors.
1:04:10: Akuna took a mental health break from social media recently.
1:05:00: What’s on Akuna’s bucket list of hikes? You will NEVER guess.
1:08:05: Favorite trail town food: milkshakes.
1:09:00: Shout out to Erick Schat’s Bakery in Bishop, California, Akuna’s favorite trail town stop.

Next Episode: Justin “Trauma” Lichter on Lessons from Africa, the Himalayas, and a Winter Traverse of the PCT

You won’t want to miss the next episode of Out and Back with world adventurer and author Justin “Trauma” Lichter. Hear Lichter’s wildest stories from across the globe, including how stampeding elephants and stalking lions stopped him in his tracks on his attempted thru-hike of Africa. Learn about his high-altitude traverse of the Himalayas, and the trip that made the most headlines — becoming the first person along with Shawn “Pepper” Forry to successfully complete the Pacific Crest Trail in winter.

Lichter is truly an expert of backcountry travel in all its forms: hiking, skiing, and bikepacking. In fact, he’s the source of trail details and information on many of National Geographic’s Trails Illustrated maps.

To learn more about Lichter, check out his website: www.justinlichter.com. Tap into his knowledge by reading one of his many books, including: Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker’s Guide to Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking and Survive: Mountains.

Last Episode: Thru Hiking Budgets and Urban Backpacking Routes with Liz “Snorkel” Thomas

Snorkel smiles as she reaches out a hand filled with blueberries. She stands in a field, with a full backpacking pack on her back.

If you’ve ever wondered how much money it takes to set off on a long thru-hike like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail, guess no more. In this episode, Shanty tackles thru-hiking’s financial costs with author, gear reviewer, and dedicated long-distance hiker Liz Thomas. Known as “Snorkel“ in the trail community, Thomas gives an honest and realistic picture of a thru-hiker’s budget. Learn Snorkel’s philosophy on buying gear, ways to save money in trail towns, and get a glimpse at hidden expenses that most hikers never even consider.

Snorkel also takes us out of the wilderness and onto the city sidewalk with 14 urban trekking routes across American cities. From Los Angeles to Seattle, Snorkel created 100-mile hikes through metropolitan areas to make the joy of thru-hiking more accessible to people who enjoy the comforts of civilization. The best part of urban thru-hiking, Snorkel says, includes checking out city art exhibits, walking through neighborhoods you never knew existed, and getting to eat the most delicious trail food for every meal. One of her favorite routes samples all the breweries in Denver. While not the most economical thru-hike, these trips provide a unique way to experience the hustle and bustle of any metropolis.

Learn more about Liz Thomas and her urban thru-hikes on her blog and follow her on Instagram. Follow Snorkel’s latest adventure: Treeline Review, a comprehensive gear-review website that helps you find and buy the right equipment the first time around. Read her book Long Trails, Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike and her recent Falcon Guide, Hiking Waterfalls Southern California: A guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes, released in November 2019.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

August 11, 2020

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast

Thru-Hiking Budgets and Urban Backpacking with Liz “Snorkel” Thomas on the Out and Back Podcast

by Mary Cochenour August 5, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

Get up to 50% off
Gaia GPS

If you’ve ever wondered how much money it takes to set off on a long thru-hike like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail, guess no more. In this episode of the Out and Back podcast, Shanty tackles thru-hiking’s financial costs with author, gear reviewer, and dedicated long-distance hiker Liz Thomas. Known as “Snorkel” in the trail community, Thomas gives an honest and realistic picture of a thru-hiker’s budget. Learn Snorkel’s philosophy on buying gear, ways to save money in trail towns, and hear about all the hidden expenses that most hikers never even consider.

Snorkel also takes us out of the wilderness and to the city sidewalk with 14 urban trekking routes across American cities. From Los Angeles to Seattle, Snorkel created 100-mile hikes through metropolitan areas to make the joy of thru-hiking more accessible to people who enjoy the comforts of civilization. The best part of urban thru-hiking, Snorkel says, includes checking out city art exhibits, walking through neighborhoods you never knew existed, and getting to eat the most delicious trail food for every meal. One of her favorite routes samples all the breweries in Denver. While not the most economical thru-hike, these trips provide a unique way to experience the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

Learn more about Liz Thomas and her urban thru-hikes on her blog and follow her on Instagram. Check out Snorkel’s latest adventure: Treeline Review, a comprehensive gear-review website that helps you find and buy the right equipment the first time around. Read her book Long Trails, Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike and her recent Falcon Guide, Hiking Waterfalls Southern California: A guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes, released in November 2019.

Snorkel stands on a mountain top, looking off her shoulder into the distance. Green and blue mountains extend behind her. — *Liz Thomas, known as Snorkel on the trail, has hiked more than 20,000 miles. She is founder and editor-in-chief of her new website Treeline Review. Photo credit: Naomi Hudetz*

Episode 7 Highlights: Long-Distance Hiker Liz Thomas

4:40: Snorkel explains how she got her trail name.
6:05: Snorkel talks about her 20,000 miles hiked, including the Triple Crown.
7:00: If she could only hike one trail again, it would be the CDT, and here’s why!
8:00: Snorkel held the women’s speed record on the Appalachian Trail for five years before Heather “Anish” Anderson broke it.
9:30: Snorkel completed the first traverse of the Wasatch Range.
13:40: Find out Snorkel’s motivation to keep hiking all these miles.
14:35: Outside Magazine named Snorkel the Queen of “Urban Hiking.”
15:45: Snorkel has thru-hiked 14 US cities. New York was the most intimidating.
19:10: You can get the same benefits on an urban hike that you get on a wilderness hike.
27:08: Gear is about 40 percent of your hiking budget.
28:20: All the expenses that people forget about when planning a long hike.
29:40: Snorkel tells us what type of gear to invest in for your first long hike.
30:35: Resupply in town versus mail drops. Liz says first-timers should buy in town and for good reason.
33:10: Shanty blew his budget on the Appalachian Trail.
33:50: The thru-hiking budget rule of thumb.
34:20: Shout out to Paul Magnanti “PMags” for his super cheap thru-hike budget.
36:40: How to save money when you backpack into a trail town.
43:00: Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses on your first trail hike.
49:00: Liz is an ambassador of the American Hiking Society.
53:00: Liz talks about the motto of her new gear website, Treeline Review. “Buy right the first time.”
55:16: Snorkel craves the weirdest trail food ever. There is seriously something wrong here.

Next Episode: Hiking with Will “Akuna” Robinson

Will Robinson raises his arms above his head. His eyes look up to the sky. A mountain looms behind him.

Army veteran Will Robinson returned home from a combat tour in Iraq and struggled with depression and PTSD. He spent more and more time at home, withdrawing from civilian life and turning to alcohol for self medication. But one day, he flipped on the TV and saw Reese Witherspoon wrestling with an oversized backpack in the movie “Wild.” That scene brought Robinson back to his deployment overseas when he had read a book about hiking the 2,660-mile Pacific Crest Trail. He remembered how learning about the PCT inspired and intrigued him. Robinson shut off the TV. Just two weeks later, he put two feet on the trail and started walking north.

Tune in as Robinson, who earned the trail name “Akuna” on his first hike of the PCT, engages in a frank discussion about how the trail has helped him find purpose, community, and the space and time he needed to focus on himself. Akuna recounts how his PCT hike inspired him to keep walking and complete the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail — becoming the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown of long trails in America.

Akuna talks about being the first Black man to complete America’s Triple Crown, what that achievement means to him, and how hateful comments regarding people of color on social media has mentally drained him. Laid back yet passionate about hiking, Akuna highlights the healing nature of trails everywhere, whether long, short, or in between.

Learn more about Akuna on his brand new website www.akunahikes.com and follow Akuna on Instagram to catch a glimpse of his latest adventures.

Last Episode: Adventure Alan Dixon and Discovering Intention on the Trail

"Out and Back Ep. 6 Adventure Alan Dixon" is overlaid onto a photo of Dixon sitting in the backcountry, surrounded by all of his camping gear.

On the last episode of Out and Back, listen in to a deep conversation with “Adventure Alan” Dixon. Dixon inspires all of us to simply put “two feet on the trail” and get out there.

A trailblazer of ultralight backpacking and author of one of the most popular and comprehensive backpacking websites, Dixon is widely known for his spec-heavy, detail-oriented backpacking gear reviews and expert advice on all things backcountry. But in this interview, Dixon leaves behind his engineering background and gear spreadsheets to reveal his more vulnerable side.

Dixon recounts one of the most harrowing mishaps of his outdoor career, bringing him and his climbing partner to hallucinations and the brink of death in Wyoming’s Tetons. He talks about the “controlled chaos” of his upbringing that trained him to love high adventure in the outdoors and why he prefers high routes to slaying miles on long-distance trails. Although an early adopter of the most extreme versions of ultralight backpacking, Dixon tells us that you should not wait until you have the perfect gear or are in better physical shape to get moving on the trail. His goal is to encourage everyone to start hiking today.

Tune in to episode 6 to learn more about Adventure Alan’s backpacking philosophy, including the one thing you need to leave behind to lighten your backpack. Check out his website at www.adventurealan.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram to tap into his gear reviews, backpacking trip reports, and expert backpacking tips. Watch his informative backpacking videos on YouTube.

Also, check out Adventure Alan’s ultralight backpacking tips on the Gaia GPS blog. The article sheds light on how to reduce your pack’s weight without having to spend a dime on expensive ultralight gear.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

August 5, 2020

Gaia GPS Out and Back Podcast User Profiles

Ultralight Backpacking Expert “Adventure Alan” Dixon on the Out and Back Podcast

by Mary Cochenour July 22, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

This episode of the Out and Back podcast brings a deep conversation with “Adventure Alan” Dixon, who inspires all of us to simply put “two feet on the trail” and get out there.

A trailblazer of ultralight backpacking and author of one of the most popular and comprehensive backpacking websites, Dixon is widely known for his spec-heavy, detail-oriented backpacking gear reviews and expert advice on all things backcountry. But in this interview, Dixon leaves behind his engineering background and the gear spreadsheets to reveal his more vulnerable side.

Dixon recounts one of the most harrowing mishaps of his outdoor career, bringing him and his climbing partner to hallucinations and the brink of death in Wyoming’s Tetons. He talks about the “controlled chaos” of his upbringing that trained him to love high adventure in the outdoors and why he prefers high routes to slaying miles on long-distance trails. Although an early adopter of the most extreme versions of ultralight backpacking, Dixon tells us that you should not wait until you have the perfect gear or are in better physical shape to get moving on the trail. His goal is to encourage everyone to get on the trail and start hiking today.

Tune in to episode 6 to learn more about Adventure Alan’s backpacking philosophy, including the one thing you need to leave behind in order to lighten your backpack. Check out his website at www.adventurealan.com and follow him on his Facebook and Instagram accounts to tap into his gear reviews, backpacking trip reports, and expert backpacking tips. Watch his informative backpacking videos on his YouTube channel.

Also, check out Adventure Alan’s ultralight backpacking tips in the story on the Gaia GPS blog, which sheds light on how to reduce your pack’s weight without having to spend a dime on expensive ultralight gear.

Adventure Alan stands with hiking poles and a loaded backpack on a lightly snow swept mountain, gazing out onto snow falling onto mountains in the distance.

Episode 6 Highlights: Putting Two Feet on the Trail with Adventure Alan Dixon

2:50: Adventure Alan tells us a story about his disaster in the Tetons.
8:20: “We’re going to die here.”
9:12: “I’m not going to die here; I’m going to die 100 feet lower.”
10:35: “You know you’re dying. You know you’re on a limited time frame and you can feel the life force leaving you.“
13:45: Alan describes hallucinating as he and his climbing partner descend the mountain.
14:50: Alan has no “off button.”
17:00: What happened was something bigger than the person; the mountain was guiding Alan down.
18:05: Alan carries what he learned from this near-death experience into every trip he takes to the mountains, even on day hikes.
20:15: Adventure Alan’s parents were wild risk-takers, taking Alan deep into the Sierra when he was 4 or 5 years old.
23:50: A non-fear-based, controlled-chaos way of life was a huge gift to Alan from his parents.
25:30: How everyone can get beyond the fear of going outside, whether it is backpacking or day hiking.
26:30: The outdoors is the perfect place to tap into your inner strength, let go a bit, and embrace the chaos.
27:00: It’s okay to make mistakes if the goal is to learn from them.
27:30: What is your intention when going to the backcountry? Control your thinking away from a fear-based approach.
29:00: High routes defined, or maybe not.
30:10: Roper’s Sierra High Route misses the tallest peaks in the Southern Sierra, so Adventure Alan plotted the Southern Sierra High Route.
33:50: The high route gives a rewarding experience that people with off-trail navigation skills can accomplish in a week to ten days.
36:30: What is your intention and what do you expect to get out of your trip to the outdoors? Leave fear behind.
37:35: Nature is a gift; be open to what happens and experience it rather than trying to do damage control.
40:10: Ultralight backpacking and Alan’s 5-to-7-pound base weight on the Appalachian Trail. What?!
42:10: People pack for their fears. Leave fear behind and your pack will get lighter.
43:30: Adventure Alan backpacked once with a 50-pound backpack, but only one time because he hated it.
46:10: There is no substitute for getting out. Our legwork is just to show up.
47:00: Adventure Alan turns 60 this year, and his advice to people getting a late start in the outdoors is to just show up and do it. The first two steps on the trail are the hardest; it gets easier once you’re moving.

Next Episode: Liz “Snorkel” Thomas Takes on Budgeting for a Thru-Hike

Liz Thomas stands in a meadow holding out a hand of freshly picked blueberries. She's wearing gators, tights, a rain jacket around her waist, and is loaded down with a heavy backpack.

In episode 7 of the Out and Back podcast, Shanty tackles the financial costs of a thru-hike with long-distance hiker, author, and former Appalachian Trail record holder Liz Thomas. Known as “Snorkel“ in the trail community, Thomas gives an honest and realistic picture of a thru-hiking budget. Whether hiking the Appalachian Trail or the John Muir Trail, expect to spend thousands of dollars on gear, food, travel expenses, and resupply luxuries, like hamburgers and ice cream. From gear replacements to town stops, tap into Thomas’ experience to find out where you can save money so you can stay out on the trail longer. Also, find out how and why Shanty blew his budget in the first half of his Appalachian Trail thru-hike last year and what he did to make up for it on the last half of the hike.

Snorkel also tells us that thru-hiking doesn’t have to be a wilderness experience. Snorkel advocates for staying active even when your trail is a paved sidewalk surrounded by mountainous skyscrapers. The creator of 100-mile hiking routes through 13 U.S. cities from Los Angeles to Seattle, Snorkel says the best part of urban trekking is getting to see neighborhoods you never knew existed, stopping in and visiting friends along the way, and getting to eat delicious food for every meal. One of her routes focuses on sampling all the breweries in Denver. While not the most economical thru-hike, Snorkel says these trips are culturally rewarding and provide a unique way to experience the hustle and bustle of any metropolis.

Snorkel’s latest adventure includes editing the website Treeline Review, a conglomeration of gear-review articles from outdoor adventurers and experts who help you buy the right gear the first time around. Read her book Long Trails, Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike and her recent Falcon Guide, Hiking Waterfalls Southern California: A guide to the Region’s Best Waterfall Hikes, released in November 2019.

Learn more about Liz Thomas on her blog and follow her on Instagram.

Last Episode: Lifestyle Overland

Take a ride with Lifestyle Overland’s Kevin and Sarah McCuiston in Out and Back podcast’s episode 5. Known for their full-time overlanding adventures, the McCuistons casually stepped into the sport when they were “looking for something to do” in rural New Mexico. Surrounded by public lands and sprawling open space, the couple quickly became obsessed with the freedom they felt on the backroads. They loved overlanding so much that they ditched the traditional 9-to-5 grind and took up residence on America’s lesser known trails, almost instantly becoming famous for their travels to wild places in their Toyota 4Runner “Silver.”

Lifestyle Overland's Toyota 4Runner "Silver" and a hitch is parked behind a sign reading "Arctic Ocean." The ocean is visible in the background.

You won’t want to miss this episode as Kevin and Sarah discuss their transition from conventional life to full-time overlanding, taking up a nomadic life with their young daughter Caroline in tow. They talk about the nearly 800-mile Enchanted Rockies Trail they created in the beginning of their overlanding career, and their northern trip through Canada, Alaska, and beyond the Arctic Circle. Of course, like any good overlander, the McCuistons dive into the details of their rig, explaining why they chose a Toyota 4Runner instead of the vehicle they thought they wanted. Sarah gives her tips for traveling long distance with a toddler, and Kevin talks about their favorite meal out on the road. Together, they explain how to break into the sport of overlanding by seeking out trips on local trails and using the 4WD vehicle you already own.

Learn more about Lifestyle Overland in episode 5 of the Out and Back podcast. Follow the McCuistons on their Lifestyle Overland Instagram page and YouTube channel, and listen to their brand new podcast Campfire Confessions. You can also join Lifestyle Overland on Patreon to get exclusive content.

If you’re wanting more, tune into Out and Back’s earlier episodes with long distance hiker the Real Hiking Viking, PCT record-setter Heather Anderson, hike/bike adventurer the Blackalachian, and backcountry navigator Andrew Skurka.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

In 2019, host Andrew Baldwin completed a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. After five months on the trail, Baldwin returned home to pursue a career in voice acting. A friend of the Gaia GPS company, Baldwin was a natural choice for hosting the Out and Back podcast.

In each Out and Back episode, Shanty strives to bring you conversations with people who spend an extraordinary amount of time outdoors. Listen in as Shanty taps into each backcountry expert’s superpower so that you can take their knowledge and experience with you on your next adventure.

July 22, 2020

A Gaia GPS map shows points of interest, restaurants, and amenities near Tibbetts Valley Park in Issaquah, WA.

App Updates Gaia GPS New Features

Find 4×4 Roads and Points of Interest Quicker with Latest Updates to Gaia Topo

by Mary Cochenour July 14, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

Gaia Topo now displays color-coded points of interest, more 4×4 roads when the map is zoomed out, and larger labels, badges, and contour markers when the map is zoomed in. Whether traveling through a city or on the hunt for a campsite on a rugged dirt road, these new improvements make the map easier to read, helping you find features and services quicker than ever. Plus, seeing more 4×4 roads on a larger viewing field of the map makes planning out the details of your trip a snap.

Color-Coded Points of Interest

Quickly find urban features and attractions with new color-coded amenity labels on Gaia Topo. Hotels and lodging labels now appear in bright blue, museums in purple, hospitals and medical clinics in red, and stores, gas stations, and other town amenities in orange. The colors allow you to scan the map and easily find the services you need.

When rolling into town after a long adventure, you can now pull up Gaia Topo and look for the exact type of business or service offered around you. Simply scan the map for color-coded gas stations to fill up your tank, search for stores for a quick resupply of food, or hit up the museum for a bit of culture before your next outing to nature.

View More 4×4 Roads and Larger Map Labels, Badges, and Contour Markers

The new updates to Gaia Topo make dirt roads visible when you zoom out on the map. That means when you are viewing a large area of the landscape, you’ll see more 4×4 roads without having to zoom into the map to see if those roads exist.

Also, when you zoom further in, the map’s labels, badges, and contour markers get larger. These makers become easier to read as you zero in on a specific spot on the map.

Gaia Topo Improvements Automatically Updated

Completely redesigned in early 2020, the new Gaia Topo combines world-class cartography with industry-leading download speeds and size. Hand-curated and rich with details, Gaia Topo is constantly updated as technology and information from map sources evolve. These latest updates will appear automatically when you open up the map in the Gaia GPS app or on a desktop computer. Any portion of the Gaia Topo map that had been downloaded earlier will need to be downloaded again for the updated changes to appear.

Access to Gaia Topo is available for free on gaiagps.com or in the app on Android or iOS. Purchase a membership to download and take the map offline. A Premium Membership includes all the maps from the Gaia GPS catalog, from USGS Topo to USFS Recreation Maps and hundreds of National Geographic Trails Illustrated titles, as well as satellite imagery and weather layers. With a premium membership, you can download these maps to your device and use them in the field, far away from cell service.

July 14, 2020

Kevin, Sarah, and their daughter Caroline smile at the camera

Adventures Gaia GPS Offroading Out and Back Podcast User Profiles

Shift Gears Today with Lifestyle Overland on the Out and Back Podcast, Episode 5

by Mary Cochenour July 8, 2020

written by Mary Cochenour

Take a ride with Lifestyle Overland’s Kevin and Sarah McCuiston today in Out and Back podcast’s episode 5. Known for their full-time overlanding adventures, the McCuistons casually stepped into the sport when they were “looking for something to do” in rural New Mexico. Surrounded by public lands and sprawling open space, the couple quickly became obsessed with the freedom they felt on the backroads. They loved overlanding so much that they ditched the traditional 9-to-5 grind and took up residence on America’s lesser known trails, almost instantly becoming famous for their travels to wild places in their Toyota 4Runner “Silver.”

Lifestyle Overland's silver Toyota 4Runner and trailer parked in front of the Arctic Ocean sign.

You won’t want to miss this episode as Kevin and Sarah discuss their transition from conventional life to full-time overlanding, taking up a nomadic life with their young daughter Caroline in tow. They talk about the nearly 800-mile Enchanted Rockies Trail they created in the beginning of their overlanding career and their northern trip through Canada, Alaska, and beyond the Arctic Circle. Of course, like any good overlander, the McCuistons dive into the details of their rig, explaining why they chose a Toyota 4Runner instead of the vehicle they thought they wanted. Sarah gives her tips for traveling long distance with a toddler and Kevin talks about their favorite meal out on the road. Together, they explain how to break into the sport of overlanding by seeking out trips on local trails and using the 4WD vehicle you already own.

Learn more about Lifestyle Overland in episode 5 of the Out and Back podcast. Follow the McCuistons on their Lifestyle Overland Instagram page, YouTube channel, and listen to their brand new podcast Campfire Confessions. You can also join Lifestyle Overland on Patreon to get exclusive content.

A silver 4Runner and a roof-top tent camped in a valley overlooking the toe of a glacier, mountains in background

Episode 5 Highlights: Lifestyle Overland Tours the West

02:50 – Introduction to Kevin and Sarah
4:32: Regular life before becoming Lifestyle Overland
8: 25: Kevin and Sarah describe the difference between overlanding, wheeling, and crawling.
11:10 – Getting their first rig, and why they’re not traveling in it right now
14:00 – Why they decided to purchase a Toyota 4Runner instead of the vehicle they thought they wanted
16:40 — How their rig “Silver” came to be.
17:40 – Making the transition to FULL-TIME overlanding
19:00 – How their YouTube channel “Lifestyle Overland” unintentionally became a hit
23:10 – Taking it next level to full-time overlanding
29:15 – Advice for basic vehicle maintenance/modification understanding prior to getting into overlanding
31:10 – Who drives the 4Runner most of the time? It’s not Kevin!
33:05 – Vehicle care and maintenance
36:12 – How they use Gaia GPS to plan their adventures
36:52 – How the McCuistons keep their young daughter Caroline entertained on the road without screens
40:50 – What Lifestyle Overland is doing during COVID-19 restrictions
44:50 – The Enchanted Rockies Trail, Lifestyle Overland’s perfect long-distance route for beginners
49:08 – The North Country Loop — from the Grand Canyon to as far north as you can drive in Alaska
51:00 – Favorite places to travel
54:00 – Advice for people wanting to get into overlanding
55:40 – The basic gear you need to start overlanding.
58:10 – Favorite camp food
58:55 – Craziest scenario they’ve ever been in
1:00:10 – If they could anywhere right now, where would it be?
1:00:45 – Where to find the best cinnamon rolls in the world!

Next Episode: Adventure Alan Dixon Ditches the Gear Spreadsheet and Explores the Deeper Meaning of Hiking

Adventure Alan Dixon wearing a backpack and holding trekking poles and smiling at the camera

Episode 6 of the Out and Back podcast brings a deep conversation with Adventure Alan Dixon, who inspires all of us to put “two feet on the trail” and get out there.

A trailblazer of ultralight backpacking and author of one of the most popular and comprehensive backpacking websites, Dixon is widely known for his spec-heavy, detail-oriented backpacking gear reviews and expert advice on all things backcountry. But in this interview, Dixon leaves behind his engineer background and the spreadsheets of grams and ounces to show us a more vulnerable side.

Dixon recounts one of the most harrowing mishaps of his outdoor career, bringing him to hallucinations and the brink of death. He talks about the “controlled chaos” of his upbringing that made him love high adventure in the outdoors. Although an early adopter of the most extreme versions of ultralight backpacking, Dixon tells us that you don’t need to wait until you have the perfect gear or are in better shape or get moving on the trail. He says there is no better time than now to get on the trail and start hiking.

Tune in to episode 6 to learn more about Adventure Alan’s backpacking philosophy, including the one thing you need to leave behind in order to lighten the load in your pack. Check out his website at www.adventurealan.com and follow him on his Facebook or Instagram accounts to tap into his gear reviews, backpacking trip reports, and expert backpacking tips.

Last Episode: the Blackalachian, Daniel White Talks about How Adversity Fuels His Fire to Keep Moving

the Blackalachian Daniel White giving the peace sign and smiling at the camera, wearing a backpack with green hills in background

It’s not too late to go back and check out the last episode of the Out and Back podcast with Blue Ridge Outdoors 2020 Hiker of the Year Daniel White. Known as the Blackalachian in the outdoor community, White tackled his first thru-hike in 2017 when he turned to the Appalachian Trail to get away from a bad break up and burn out at his job.

The AT left White craving a more culturally significant experience and he turned his focus to the Underground Railroad Trail. After teaching himself how to bikepack, the Blackalachian set off on a powerful experience that took him from Alabama to Canada, retracing the secret routes that slaves took in 19th century to seek freedom in the north. After that epic adventure, White jumped the Atlantic to hike across Scotland and complete the Camino del Norte, a pilgrimage journey along the northern coast of Spain.

White takes us through his unique trips and tells us what its like being only one of two Black thru-hikers he saw on the trail during his AT hike. He also describes instances of racism on the trail and gives insight into why the outdoors can feel like an unwelcoming place to Black people. Tap into the Blackalachian’s YouTube channel to learn more about his trips. Get exclusive content from the Blackalachian on Patreon. Follow the Blackalachian on Instagram and Facebook.

Meet the Host: Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin

July 8, 2020

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