Briana DeSanctis and the American Discovery Trail

Bruce and Maggie Tate join Doc in the Hiker Trash Radio studio to talk about The Great Loop, a 6,000-mile journey through the waterways and lakes of the eastern U.S. Settle in and buckle up as the two cover the highlights and lowlights of their up-close experience with America, including living on a 29-foot Ranger Tug for nine months, shifting power dynamics, dockmageddon, dolphins, tragedy on the water, crotch pots, big waves, and being of assistance when needed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and thru hiker Jack McClure drops into the studio to discuss what happened when he and his wife Alana took their 9-month-old on a PCT thru hike last year. Settle in and buckle up as Jack shares how a kid from suburban Chicago with zero outdoor adventure experience ended up living in Arctic Alaska and planning a PCT thru hike with his young family. During the conversation, Jack talks about tucking tail in the Brooks Range, baby shake down hikes, sharing hiking poles, the real Lost Coast, trail-related relationship stressors, drinking with wolves, and the value of epi pens on the trail. Epic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus episode, Doc debates Carl Mandrioli, host of the Backpacking and Blisters podcast, on what is the world's toughest race. Doc advocates and defends the Barkley Marathons, and Carl does the same for the Eco Challenge. Stuntwoman and TV host Alice Ford weighs into the fray as the guest moderator and judge. Settle in and buckle up as Doc and Carl dust off their high school debating skills and duke it out, and Alice does her best to filter through the heated rhetoric and come up with a winner. Epic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Educators, packers, and outfitters Arnold "Smoke" Elser and Eva (maybe "Itchy") Maggi join Doc in the studio to talk about a labor of love seven decades in the making: Hush of the Land: A Lifetime in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Settle in and buckle up as Smoke and Eva share insights and stories from Smoke's 70 years of working outdoors in Montana. During this engaging conversation, you'll hear about 19-year-old Smoke's journey from high school graduation in Ohio all the way to Montana, Smoke's Packing Class at the University of Montana, night herding, cave crawls, grizzly encounters, the benefits of packing and outfitting (real chocolate cake instead of dehydrated), and some very interesting answers to the Hiking Poll. You don't want to miss this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thru hiker Sam "Shade" Carter joins Doc in the Hiker Trash Radio studio to talk some trail. Settle in and buckle up as Shade, just like he did in 2023, covers some serious ground. Listen in as he discusses a ridiculous base weight, unicycling, emergency blankets, lessons learned on the trail, Bitcoin, Guthook, Barrel Roll, Hiker Trash moments, Megatrash Pop Tart, and what exactly happened out there last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maggie "Mariposa" Konopasek and Kyle "Bits" Ott provide a PCT hike update from Kennedy Meadows! With 700 miles complete, the duo share their experience so far, complete with expectations, prep, staying with Scout and Frodo, snakes, sky islands, and a very, very unpleasant experience with sweet potatoes. Tune in and take notes if a hike of the iconic PCT is in your future! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thru hiker and author Chris "Mrs. Ion" Woodside sits down with Doc in the studio to talk some trail. Settle in and buckle up as the author and historian shares the wonder of gore tex, moldy books, freezing legs, the danger of hiking poles, love and chaos, phones on the wall, resilience, the Eight-Legged Thing, meeting your real self, learning, transformation, and the importance of having the experience you need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren "Magic Eight Ball" Rump and Kris "Buttercup" Townsend sit down with Doc to talk about CureSearch and its fundraiser, Ultimate Hike, which raises money for pediatric cancer research. Settle in and buckle up as Eight Ball and Buttercup range far and wide in this episode, including discussions of bathtub spaghetti, Half Dome lies, squirting in the right spot, rival hiking clubs, cheating on the hiking poll, motorcycle hitches, the Baton Memorial Death March, and emotional, goose bump moments while raising money to change lives. Unforgettable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tune in for a brand new style of bonus episode! Doc gives you a fascinating glimpse into the personality of some of your favorite guests by asking . . . The Last 10! This week's volunteers are thru hikers and authors Renee Miller and Tim Beissinger! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Triple Crowner and casually employed marine biologist Garry "Phish Out of Water" Teesdale takes a breather to join Doc in the Hiker Trash Radio studio to kick off Season 8 of the podcast. Settle in and buckle up as Phish relates how he was finally able to break free from the Golden Handcuffs of business ownership so he could pursue he true passions. During this far ranging conversation, Phish shares stories from his Triple Crown hikes, finally being able to make choices without worry, the process of letting go, living with less, soul adventuring, Hiker Trashdom, food and food disposal, and completing the Great Western Loop via the Hayduke Trail. An epic start to Season 8! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices