On this episode of the Out and Back podcast, hiker and guide book author Scott Turner shares how to make the most of a one-day visit to a national park. He gives insider tips on how to get off the beaten path, and what time of year to visit certain parks. Turner also runs through everything you should bring in your pack to have fun and stay safe on a day hike.
Podcast
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Fidgit and Neon have spent the past five years traveling backpacking, biking, and paddling their way across South and Central America, Mexico, and the United States on a non-motorized tour. In this episode of the the Out and Back podcast, get the inside scoop on their trip, Her Odyssey. Learn how they dreamt up the trip, how to navigate foreign cultures, and tips for staying safe while backpacking abroad. They also share heart-warming stories about locals they’ve met along the way and how their contrasting personalities serve their expedition mission in unique ways.
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Wilderness ranger Mary Cochenour conquered her fear of solo backpacking, only to discover she was not alone after all. She was being stalked! Tune into the Out and Back podcast to hear Mary recount this thrilling tale. Mary reveals how this sketchy incident inspired her to keep backpacking solo. And she shares insight on how and why to face your fears.
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The longest thru-hike in the US is currently being created and tested. Join American Perimeter Trail mastermind Rue McKenrick from a town stop in western Michigan on this episode of the Out and Back Podcast. McKenrick shares what inspired this 12,000-mile project, his vision for the trail, and his crazy encounters along the way.
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Get the inside scoop on Justin “Trauma” Lichter’s ground-breaking thru-hike adventures on Out and Back this week. Trauma delves into getting stalked by lions in Africa, hiking 2,000 miles across the Himalayas, and thru-hiking the PCT in winter. He shares his trove of knowledge about international resupply logistics, winter navigation, and finding what it takes to push your own limits.
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Tune into the Out and Back podcast for a talk with Liz “Snorkel” Thomas about thru-hiking budgets and urban backpacking. As a pro hiker, author, and expert gear reviewer, Snorkel shares her tips on how to cut costs on the trail and unearths the secret costs no one thinks about. The Queen of Urban Hiking also talks about creating and completing thru-hikes through 14 US cities. Tune in to hear about her weirdest trail food cravings, and her favorite thru-hike ever.
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Ultralight backpacking trailblazer Adventure Alan Dixon goes beyond the gear lists to recount one of the most harrowing outdoor mishaps of his career. He also talks about the one thing you can leave at home to make your pack lighter, his preference for hiking shorter high routes rather than slaying miles on long-distance trails, and why everyone should get outside today.
The best ultralight backcountry food can be made right in your kitchen with dried ingredients bought from the local grocery store. Tune into our conversation with Aaron Owens Mayhew, a registered dietitian who founded Backcountry Foodie, a backpacking meal planning service. Owens Mayhew explains that the old rule of packing two pounds of food per day can be broken with careful and creative menu planning. Plus you won’t want to miss her break-down of macros, enlightening us to the perfect ratio of carbs, fats, and protein to carry us through those long days on the trail.
Tune into the Out and Back podcast for a talk with Will “Akuna” Robinson. An army vet and the first Black man to complete the thru-hiking Triple Crown, Akuna shares how hiking helped him recover from PTSD and depression. He opens up about hate he has experienced on social media, how outdoor brands can be better allies to people of color, and how he handles an overwhelming number of media requests during this time of racial reckoning.
Meet Kevin and Sarah McCuiston of Lifestyle Overland in episode 5 of the Out and Back podcast, presented by Gaia GPS. The McCuistons quit the 9-to-5 grind a few years ago to take up a nomadic lifestyle on the backroads in North America. Learn about their transition to full-time overlanding, their tips for traveling long distance with a toddler, and their trusty rig — “Silver,” a Toyota 4Runner towing a Turtleback Trailer. Kevin also talks about his favorite camp meal and Sarah discusses why she has taken over as the primary driver in Lifestyle Overland adventures. Tune in today to learn more about their tips on how to get rolling in the sport of overlanding.