Birds 101 with Alison Kondler: Bird Calls, Birding Tips, Bird Feeders, Myths, and More
Release Date: 12/16/2024
Thru-Hiking for 30 Years, Working for ALDHA-West, Six Moon Designs, & FarOut, and Ridgerunning with a Dog with Whitney "Allgood" La Ruffa (BPR #312)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Whitney La Ruffa, better known in the world of backpacking as “Allgood.” Allgood is the former president of ALDHA-West, the current Chief Revenue Officer at FarOut, and a certified backpacking OG—his first thru-hike dates all the way back to the early ’90s (some of you weren’t even alive then… which is weird). Since that first trek, Allgood has racked up an impressive list of trails, including the JMT, Wonderland Trail, Chinook Trail, Sierra High Route, PCT, CDT, and others. In this episode, we...
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Julia "Rocket" Sheehan on Her Social Media Fall from Grace, Quitting on a Thru-Hike, and Her New Book (BPR #311)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Julia Sheehan, known on trail, as Rocket. Julia is a thru-hiker, former Trek Vlogger, social media sensation, nurse, and now a published author. Julia details how impulsive decision-making lead her to the wonderful world that is thru-hiking, inspired in part by everyone’s favorite Hiking Viking. Rocket also shares how health issues ultimately forced her off-trail, the unsavory response she’s gotten from some in the social media sphere in light of “quitting” and subsequently...
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A Lifetime of Trail Maintenance: the Blackburn Trail Center, Building the AT Rollercoaster, and the Potomac AT Club with Chris “Trailboss” Brunton (BPR #310)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Chris Brunton aka “Trailboss”. Trailboss is a legendary force in the construction and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail, most notably, the infamous Rollercoaster section of the trail through Virginia. Trailboss enlightens us with some history of the trail, the process for procuring the trail’s corridor through that section, how he met his wife (CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy) Sandi Marra, why he dedicates his life to the AT, and much more. We wrap the show with a...
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Thru-Hiking with Your Sister, Triple Crowning without a Trail Name, and Tour du Mont Blanc with Jamie Lambert (BPR #309)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Jamie Lambert. We learn why Jamie doesn’t have a trail name, and why it’s definitely not Strap On, what it’s like to thru-hike with your sister- which she did on the PCT in 2018, what it is about thru-hiking that makes it so addictive for her- having taken on long hikes every year over the last 8 seasons, what it’s like to become social media famous, and much more. We wrap the show with an overview from day one of Trail Days, some new legislation that could result in...
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Lightning Safety and Myth Busting with NOAA Meteorologist Charlie Woodrum (BPR #308)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are giving you the lowdown on everything to do with lightning safety. We are joined by Charlie Woodrum who is the Preparedness and Resilience Lead with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service. We learn all about the biggest myths regarding lightning safety (including how metal trekking poles aren’t an added risk while backpacking), clear guidance on minimizing risk when caught in a thunderstorm, telltale signs of when the weather is going to turn, at what distance...
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Making Custom Packs, Setting FKTs, Escaping Death, and Starting an Outfitter with Jonathan "Janis Joplin" Thomas (BPR #307)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Jonathan Thomas, known on trail as Janis Joplin. Janis Joplin is a thru-hiker, FKT record holder, D1 collegiate track and field athlete, former news cameraman, Boston Marathon bombing survivor, CDT trail angel, and owner of Exotic Pax, an innovative, vest-style backpack for thru-hikers handmade in Chama, New Mexico. This episode covers a lot of ground, including the many times he’s narrowly escaped death, what is was like growing up in New Orleans, being a D1 collegiate athlete,...
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Working as a Death Doula and Managing Death Anxiety with Niki DiGaetano (BPR #306)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Niki DiGaetano, known on trail as Phoenix. In addition to being a long distance backpacker, the bulk of today’s conversation centers around Niki’s work as a death doula. We learn, of course, what that work entails, how her experiences working with those at the end of their lives have reframed how she lives hers, advice for those currently processing the death of a loved one, dealing with anxieties around death, and much more. We wrap the show with how the Appalachian Trail has changed...
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Live from Austin: Paul Magnanti, aka "PMags," on Hot Gear Takes, Public Lands, & Hiking the Southwest (BPR #305)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we’re coming to you live from Austin, Texas with our guest, Paul Magnanti, aka Mags, aka Pmags. A longtime co-host of The Trail Show and a triple crowner, Pmags has spent decades exploring trails across the country, with a special love for the Southwest. We dive into the future of public lands, hear some of his hot takes on gear, including his love for 100-weight fleece pullovers, his beef with sun hoodies, and where hikers tend to overspend, and get a look at his go-to "snivel gear."...
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Beginner Backpacking Mistakes 3.0 (BPR #304)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are bringing you yet another edition of beginner backpacking mistakes. Today’s panel includes the debut of Jess Stone, 2024 AT and LT thru-hiker, and The Trek’s Community and Marketing Manager. We bring you 9 brand new thru-hiking pitfalls to avoid, including tips on sending mail drops, how to avoid letting small problems turn into big problems, dealing with toxic off-trail relationships before departing, hydration tips, why you shouldn’t invite friends and family on your trip, and much more. We...
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Graduating Army Ranger School and Thru-Hiking After 30+ Years in the Military with Jay "Meat Grinder" France (BPR #303)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Atheltic, we are joined by Jay “Meat Grinder” France. Meat Grinder is a thru-hiker, author, and 31-year veteran of the Air Force, having completed 10 deployments and graduated from Army Ranger School in the process. Jay details his military background, including some key similarities and differences relative to thru-hiking, how he used vlogging as a way to stay in touch with his sons on trail, and the hilarious blood nipple origin story of his trail name. Meat Grinder also recently served as a volunteer...
info_outlineIn today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Alison Kondler, an Audubon Master Birder—or as we like to call it, a certified bird guru. Alison wows us with her eerily accurate bird calls and shares her immense birding knowledge. We chat about the rarest birds you can spot in Colorado, the best apps for bird identification, why the American Ornithological Society (AOS) is renaming North American birds that are named after people, how to squirrel-proof your bird feeder, tips for turning your yard into a borderline bird sanctuary, and she finally settles the debate on whether birds are in fact government drones. If you’re a bird lover—or even bird curious—this episode is for you.
We wrap the show with a lively debate about whether thru-hiking belongs in the Olympics, the triple crown of underrated wildlife, a former guest obliterating the Arizona Trail FKT, and a generous dose of shameless self-promotion.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.
Holiday Book Bundle: Get Badger & Chaunce’s signed book package here.
Sierra Club Outings: Use code “BACKPACKER” for $100 off at outings.sierraclub.org.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
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Interview with Alison Kondler
Time stamps & Questions
00:03:30 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and apply to be a 2025 blogger OR vlogger!
00:11:14 - Introducing Alison
00:11:50 - What is an Audubon Master Birder?
00:13:45 - What does someone do with this certification?
00:15:10 - Was your family very into birds?
00:16:07 - When did you first interact with birds?
00:17:10 - What’s the outcome of interacting with birds?
00:20:30 - How long did it take you for your calls to be indistinguishable from birds?
00:22:20 - Can you make other animal sounds?
00:25:19 - What are the most common birds you’ll hear in Colorado?
00:27:45 - What are the rarest birds you’ll hear in Colorado?
00:29:40 - Discussion about the common ages of birders
00:30:37 - What’s your take on the movie The Big Ear?
00:31:50 - How do you prove that you’ve seen all the birds you claim?
00:32:57 - What Colorado birds would people travel from out of state to see?
00:33:50 - What’s your take on pet birds?
00:34:17 - Which birds are the asshole birds?
00:35:44 - What’s the easiest bird call to teach to others?
00:37:40 - How do you pick the right bird feeder for your yard?
00:39:35 - On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you stand on squirrels?
00:41:45 - What is the prettiest bird call?
00:43:20 - Bird call trivia
00:45:35 - How do you get rid of woodpeckers on your house?
00:47:40 - What’s your view on crows?
00:49:30 - Are you familiar with bird folklore?
00:51:05 - Bird call trivia round 2
00:53:05 - Why is the American Ornithological Society changing the names of many birds?
00:57:55 - What’s some hot gossip in the bird world?
00:59:20 - What makes a good area to go birding?
01:00:45 - What are some fun facts about ducks?
01:02:10 - Fuck Marry Kill: Ducks, geese, swans
01:03:50 - Aside from Colorado, where else do you love to watch birds?
01:05:00 - What’s your best bird story?
01:07:00 - Discussion about rescuing birds
01:08:55 - What’s the best birding app?
01:10:30 - Are there any endangered birds in Colorado?
01:11:50 - Are there any organizations dedicated to preserving birds?
01:12:48 - Do you think there’s more to owls than meets the eye?
01:13:40 - Do you think birds might be drones?
01:15:10 - What makes the best bird ecosystem in your backyard?
01:16:47 - Discussion about European starlings
01:19:16 - What bird product is a total scam?
01:21:45 - Any good tips for hummingbird feeders?
01:23:58 - If you could pick one bird to fill the world with, which one would you pick?
01:24:20 - Do you have a strong stance on wind turbines?
01:25:30 - How can people minimize harm to birds in their yard?
01:26:30 - Tell us about your social media following
01:27:53 - What are the best flowers for hummingbirds?
01:29:20 - What are the most common questions you get on social media?
01:31:01 - Kumo Question: What is the strangest dream you’ve ever had?
01:32:32 - What upcoming events are you hosting?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
- Nick Fowler Decimates Fastest Known Time on the Arizona Trail by Katie Jackson
- The Backpacker and Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50 by the Editors
QOTD: Should thru-hiking be an Olympic sport?
Triple Crown of underrated wildlife
Mail Bag (Wade’s Adventures)
5 Star Review
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