Backpacker Radio LIVE with Kyle Hates Hiking: A New Trail Mystery, Shaving Jabba's Beard, and Kyle's Reddit Haters
Release Date: 01/06/2025
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, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined yet again by Kyle O’Grady of Kyle Hates Hiking for our 2nd live podcast, recorded at the Skylark Lounge in Denver. This episode is action-packed. We kick off the episode by shaving Viking’s beard. The beard shaving is the ultimate entertainment, we encourage you to check this one out on YouTube.
Kyle then shares an exclusive trail mystery about a local Colorado man who disappeared while pursuing another man who also vanished under mysterious circumstances. We also talk shop about YouTube, discussing how Kyle has grown his channel to over half a million subscribers, and he breaks down some of the most intriguing mysteries he’s covered in the past year. And we take some questions from the audience.
We wrap the show by debating the largest animal we could take in a fight, the Triple Crown of Euphemisms for Masturbating, acknowledging the ceiling’s butt plugs, and much more.
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Interview with Kyle O’Grady
Time stamps & Questions
00:07:00 - The Shaving of the Beard
00:19:20 - Reminders: Subscribe to our newsletter, get tickets to our live show in Austin on April 17, and support us on Patreon!
00:20:53 - Introducing Kyle
00:23:30 - What has led to the growth in your channel over the past year?
00:26:55 - Kyle’s new outdoors mystery
00:56:15 - How many trail mysteries have you covered thus far? What are the themes?
01:01:28 - What are the meanest things people say about you?
01:03:15 - Discussion about Youtube thumbnails and strategy
01:05:55 - Do you really hate hiking?
01:11:20 - A second trail story from Kyle!
01:21:25 - When are you hiking the CDT?
01:23:10 - How long does each portion of a Youtube video take?
01:27:30 - How did your PCT miles go this year?
01:31:55 - Should hikers prepare their own missing posters?
01:35:10 - What are your favorite ultralight jerk pro tips?
01:40:28 - What inspired you to start your Youtube channel?
01:45:00 - What’s your most popular video and why do you think that is?
01:46:35 - What is your most overrated ultralight luxury?
01:48:05 - Are you planning to hike the AZT?
01:49:35 - Discussion about desert hiking
01:52:25 - How do you keep your hobby separate from your job?
01:55:50 - Stay Salty Question: What’s your hottest take in the world of backpacking?
Segments
QOTD: What’s the largest animal you could beat in a fight?
Triple Crown of euphemisms for masturbating
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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