Hiker Trash Radio
Society & Culture
About
Join Doc and his guests on Hiker Trash Radio, the outdoor adventure podcast that takes you on a myriad of trails. With interviews from thru hikers, skydivers, adventure athletes, big wall climbers, and more, each episode is packed with trail talk, gear tips, and hilarious misadventures. And if you thought the great outdoors was all sunshine and rainbows, think again! Tune in for tales of blistered feet, helicopter evacuations, and Type II Fun that will make you appreciate the comforts of home. Settle in and get ready to trade the city for the wilderness. It's time to embrace the suck!
Episodes
- Living Up to the Hype - Brad "Sheep Dog" Barber (Part II)
Thru hiker Brad
- Living Up to the Hype - Brad "Sheep Dog" Barber (Part I)
Brad "Sheep Dog" Barber joins host Doc for Part I of a discussion about his upcoming Continental Divide Trail thru hike. Topics include his experiences with Vertigo, water strategies, and past hikes like the Great Basin Loop.
- Starting at the Bottom - David "Remy" and Sally Ann "Beacon" Mertens (Part II)
David "Remy" and Sally Ann "Beacon" Mertens share their plans for a 2025 Appalachian Trail thru hike with their four children, who are aged 9, 11, 14, and 15.
- Starting at the Bottom - David "Remy" and Sally Ann "Beacon" Mertens (Part I)
David "Remy" and Sally Ann "Beacon" Mertens are interviewed about their plan to thru hike the Appalachian Trail in 2025 with their four children, who will be aged 9, 11, 14, and 15 at the time.
- The Barkley: A Love Story (Trailer)
Hiker Trash Radio presents 'The Barkley: A Love Story,' a three-part audio documentary about the Barkley Marathons. Despite its difficulty, with only 26 finishes in 40 years, the series explores the reasons behind the participants' persist…
- The Logbook - The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Doc reviews The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien for The Logbook segment on Hiker Trash Radio.
- The Weight of History - Kirk Ward "Solo" Robinson (Part II)
Kirk Ward "Solo" Robinson, a thru hiker, historian, and author, speaks with Doc about trail life, Type II Fun, and the topic of Hiking Through History.
- The Weight of History - Kirk Ward "Solo" Robinson (Part I)
Kirk Ward "Solo" Robinson, a thru hiker, historian, and author, joins Doc to discuss trail life, Type II Fun, and the subject of Hiking Through History.
- Gloriously Ruined - Greg "Chudy" Lester (Part II)
Greg "Chudy" Lester shares details about his 1992 Appalachian Trail (AT) thru hike, his 2022 Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Flip Flop, and his ongoing Continental Divide Trail (CDT) LASH. The discussion is hosted by Doc.
- Gloriously Ruined - Greg "Chudy" Lester (Part I)
Greg "Chudy" Lester shares details about his 1992 Appalachian Trail thru hike, his 2022 Pacific Crest Trail Flip Flop, and his current work on the Continental Divide Trail.
- The Barkley: A Love Story (Teaser)
This audio documentary explores the Barkley Marathons, a race in eastern Tennessee that almost no one finishes. Over forty years, it has only been completed twenty-six times, lacking GPS, aid stations, and a published start time, yet forty…
- The Logbook - The Long Walk by Richard Bachman/Stephen King
Doc reviews The Long Walk by Richard Bachman/Stephen King.
- Dirtbag Rich - Blake Boles (Part II)
Blake Boles, author and adventurer, joins host Doc to discuss self-direction and pursuing one's passions. This is the second part of their conversation.
- Dirtbag Rich - Blake Boles (Part I)
Blake Boles, author and adventurer, joins the host to discuss taking charge of your life and pursuing your passions. This is the first part of the conversation.
- Real Texas Romance - Charlie "Freestyle" Gandy and the xTx Trail (Part II)
In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, thru hiker Charlie "Freestyle" Gandy talks with host Doc about his creation of the xTx Trail, which crosses Texas.
- Real Texas Romance - Charlie "Freestyle" Gandy and the xTx Trail (Part I)
Charlie Gandy, creator of the xTx Trail, which crosses Texas, discusses its creation in this episode of Hiker Trash Radio.
- Dark Miles - Hike the Good Hike with Jesse "Boston Mule" Cody (Series Premiere)
This episode features Jesse "Boston Mule" Cody, founder of Hike the Good Hike, sharing his story of overcoming severe mental health struggles by hiking 2,200 miles. It details his life before the hike, a turning point in the Southern Appal…
- The Logbook - The Road by Cormac McCarthy
In this episode of The Logbook on Hiker Trash Radio, Doc discusses Cormac McCarthy’s novel, The Road.
- Not Ghostwriting My Life - Becky "Serendipity" Jensen and No Man's Land (Part II)
Becky "Serendipity" Jensen, author and thru hiker, discusses her memoir "No Man's Land" and her experiences on the Colorado Trail with host Doc. Information on mental health resources is provided.
- Not Ghostwriting My Life - Becky "Serendipity" Jensen and No Man's Land (Part I)
Becky "Serendipity" Jensen, thru hiker and author, talks with Doc about the Colorado Trail and her memoir "No Man's Land." The episode may contain triggering topics, and resources for mental health support are recommended.
- Classic Doc: Triple Crowner - Scrapbook (March 2021)
In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, Doc interviews Scrapbook, a Triple Crowner who began his long-distance hiking journey at 18. They discuss his experiences preparing for the Pacific Crest Trail, his trail highlights, and his ranking of…
- Style Points - Ryan Wichelns and Trails Magazine (Part II)
Ryan Wichelns, editor-in-chief of Trails Magazine and a multi-genre adventurer, joins Doc in the studio to discuss a different journey.
- Style Points - Ryan Wichelns and Trails Magazine (Part I)
Ryan Wichelns, editor-in-chief of Trails Magazine, joins host Doc to discuss his experiences in this first part of their conversation.
- The Logbook - The Dirtbag's Guide to Life by Tim Mathis
This episode of Hiker Trash Radio features Doc's breakdown of Tim Mathis's book, 'The Dirtbag's Guide to Life'. The discussion is part of 'The Logbook' series.
- Hiker Trash Adjacent - Nina Banducci (Part II)
Doc interviews Nina Banducci, a former guide and adventurer, in the second part of this episode.
- Hiker Trash Adjacent - Nina Banducci (Part I)
This episode features an interview with Nina Banducci, who is described as a former guide and hiker trash adjacent. The interview is conducted by Doc.
- Put Away Your Friggin' GPS - Max King (Part II)
This episode features ultra runner Max King, a two-time competitor in the Barkley Marathon. Hosted by Simplecast.
- Put Away Your Friggin' GPS - Max King (Part I)
Max King, an ultra runner and two-time Barkley Marathon competitor, is interviewed by Doc.
- Classic Doc: Big Wall Climber Amity Warme (July 2021)
Big Wall climber Amity Warme joins Doc to talk about the experiences of climbing 3,000-foot vertical walls. They cover climbing techniques, challenges, and specialized equipment such as Porta-ledges.
- The Logbook - Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Doc explores Jon Krakauer's 'Into Thin Air,' a book detailing a perilous journey to the Roof of the World, in this episode of The Logbook.
- Learning the Hard Way - Cody Taylor (Part II)
Part II of 'Learning the Hard Way' features a conversation between Doc and fitness coach Cody Taylor, founder of New Normal.
- Learning the Hard Way - Cody Taylor (Part I)
Doc interviews fitness coach Cody Taylor, founder of New Normal, in the first part of their conversation.
- More than Boots and Dirt - Tami "Songbird" Asars (Part II)
In Part II, author Tami "Songbird" Asars discusses her experiences as an unintentional Triple Crowner, trail dynamics, and her book 'Long Lost' with host Doc.
- More than Boots and Dirt - Tami "Songbird" Asars (Part I)
Tami "Songbird" Asars, a Triple Crowner and author, joins Doc for a discussion on her experiences as an unintentional Triple Crowner, including trail name confusion, sock mishaps, and her book 'Long Lost'. This episode covers how thru-hiki…
- Classic Doc: Michael Wardian - Outsider of the Year
Michael Wardian, recognized by Outside Magazine as one of their 2020 Outsiders of the Year and described as a prolific distance runner, speaks with Doc about FKTs, running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, winning a 262.5-…
- The Logbook - The Trail Provides by Miller Hollstein
In this episode of The Logbook, titled "The Trail Provides," Doc discusses Miller Hollstein's work.
- Preventative Catholes - Claire "Honeybee" Damon (Part II)
This episode features an interview with Claire “Honeybee” Damon, a thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail from Wisconsin. She discusses her diverse plans for 2026.
- Preventative Catholes - Claire "Honeybee" Damon (Part I)
Claire “Honeybee” Damon discusses her thru-hiking experiences on the AT and PCT with Doc. She also shares her plans for 2026.
- Carry the Weight - Jean-Paul Courville (Part II)
This episode features a conversation with retired Marine SgtMaj Jean-Paul Courville about comparing military structure to trail routines, the difficulties of recounting Appalachian Trail experiences to non-hikers, and the overlooked challe…
- Carry the Weight - Jean-Paul Courville (Part I)
In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, Doc interviews retired Marine Jean-Paul "Ibex" Courville about his 2,200-mile solo thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2022. They discuss how the trail served as a personal audit to process combat me…
- Classic Doc: Bonus Episode - The High Trips
This bonus episode of Classic Doc features host Doc discussing the High Trips of the Sierra Club. The podcast is hosted on Simplecast.
- The Logbook - As Far As the Eye Can See by David Brill
This episode of Hiker Trash Radio's "The Logbook" features a discussion of David Brill's AT hiking classic, "As Far As the Eye Can See."
- New Material - Liz "Night Owl" Pfeifer (Part II)
In part two, Liz Pfeifer details her 2025 AT thru-hike preparations, including managing anxiety and overcoming an ankle sprain. She also shares insights on solo safety, marriage logistics, women-focused glam-packing trips, hiking hacks, an…
- New Material - Liz "Night Owl" Pfeifer (Part I)
Liz Pfeifer, an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker and guide, shares her experiences transitioning from personal hiking to motivating clients. She discusses her strengths, weaknesses, favorite gear, guiding on the AT and in Yellowstone, and her…
- The Next Hundred Words - Johanna "Press Pass" Garton (Part II)
Johanna Garton, author and coach, joins Hiker Trash Radio to discuss her book 'Edge of the Map,' which completes her mother's research on mountaineer Christine Boskoff. The episode covers her journey, relationships, search and rescue effor…
- The Next Hundred Words - Johanna "Press Pass" Garton (Part I)
Host Doc interviews journalist and author Johanna Garton on Hiker Trash Radio. They discuss high-altitude research, coaching, the value of the process, and lessons learned from female mountaineers.
- Classic Doc: Closing a Chapter - Jared Campbell and the 2024 Barkley Marathons
Jared Campbell, who has finished the Barkley Marathons four times, discusses his 2024 race experience with Hiker Trash Radio. He covers his preparation, difficult moments during his eight attempts, his favorite experiences, and specific ev…
- The Logbook - Take Less, Do More by Glen Van Peski
Doc reviews Glen Van Peski's book 'Take Less, Do More' on Hiker Trash Radio's The Logbook.
- The Silk Road Project - Ria and the 20,000 KM Run (Part II)
Ultra-runner Ria discusses her 20,000 KM journey from Vladivostok to Lisbon on Hiker Trash Radio. She covers extensive preparations, the role of community and volunteers, and shares insights from previous ultra-running experiences, includi…
- The Silk Road Project - Ria and the 20,000 KM Run (Part I)
This Hiker Trash Radio episode features ex-Silicon Valley ultrarunner Ria discussing her 20,000 km Silk Road run project. She shares her path from depression to endurance feats, preparation, vital gear, and insights into the mental and phy…