How To Navigate Post-Trail Life

Welcome to our new and improved outdoor podcast! Trek Together Pod will be equal parts reflection and equal parts chaos. Today we choose chaos and discuss getting high off of toads, where Down East actually is, and much more. We hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more!    Articles Referenced:   Sonoran Desert Toad https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/environment/national-park-service-sonoran-desert-toads/  Bradford Washburn Expedition https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/bradford-washburn-explorer-cache-found-saint-elias/  East Coast Road Trips https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/advice/the-best-east-coast-road-trips/  BuzzFeed Quiz https://www.buzzfeed.com/blackwidow888/plan-a-camping-trip-and-i-will-tell-you-what-sauce-eyzg3apbp5

Welcome to the first episode of the "Trek Together Podcast." This is a rebranding of our original podcast, "Trail Talks" as we decided to change the name to expand our horizons with more outdoor community topics instead of only hiking related content. In this first episode we will be talking about the mental and physical struggles thru hikers face after completing a long distance trail, and our opinions on how to best cope with post-trail depression. 

Becca Bergstrom completed a northbound thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail back in 2019. She immediately caught the thru hiking bug and had big plans for 2020, until the world came to a stop. Over the past two years she has tackled trails like the Timberline Trail, Oregon Coast Trail and sections of the CDT all while fostering deeper relationships with her family, boyfriend and dog. This year she prepares to finish what she started and thru hike the Continental Divide Trail. In this episode we talk about how it’s important to stay in touch with the real world especially after a thru hike, why embracing the suck is not always the smartest option, and the best places to spray deet during mosquito season.

Jeff Garmire gives backpacking and thru hiking a whole new name. He is also a writer, blogger and marathon runner who pushes his body to the limits. After completing a thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail back in 2011, he decided to take his outdoor career to the next level. In 2016, he became the youngest person to complete a Calendar Year Triple Crown. In 2018, he completed the 7,000 mile Great Western Loop in under 7 months. He has over 17 trail records including multiple FKT’s. In this episode we talk about the importance of a positive mindset when facing hardship, how the younger generations are all about seeking out experiences, and why everyone should have a fun costume on trail.

Retha Charette is a hiker, writer and outdoor entrepreneur! After completing a thru hike of the Long Trail back in 2020, she decided to tackle the entire East Coast and do the Appalachian Trail in 2021. She has also traveled outside of the US and has climbed many mountains in countries like Japan, Tanzania, Peru and Chile. In this episode we talk about the importance of smiles over miles, how women are improving international communities, and the honest truth about full time traveling.

Cam Bostock completed a thru hike of The Bibbulmun Track back in 2021. After spending a year hiking around Tokyo and rediscovering his love for the outdoors, he decided to go full time as an Outdoor Content Creator. Although the Bibbulmun Track is over 1,000 KM (620 Miles), he decided to complete it with his friend in just 21 days. In this episode we talk about the Bibbulmun Track and why more people should check it out, what the hiking culture in Australia is like, and how much energy is actually put into being a full time content creator.

Elina Osborne completed a thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail back in 2019. After completing the trail, she produced a highly praised short film of the PCT called, “It Is The People”. After her adventures in the Western US, she went back to her home turf and completed a thru hike of the Te Araroa. She is currently releasing her journey of it on Youtube. In this episode we talk about the differences between trail communities on the PCT and TA, how cringey it can be looking back on old trail footage, and how the world is much bigger than just the trail.

Jupiter completed a thru hike of the 4,800 mile Eastern Continental Trail back in 2016. Since that awesome feat, he has completed the Ocean To Lake Trail, Sheltowee Trace Trail, Florida Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Arizona Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Long Trail and is currently preparing for the Pacific Crest Trail. In this episode we talk about why going ultralight is more than just a trend, how to become a contributing member of the hiking community, and his favorite Pokemon.

Nick Greene (Hollywood) completed a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail back in 2020. Not only was his goal to make it Maine, but he also took on the project to film a 7 episode documentary of his experience. You can find his documentary titled, “Pack & Soul” over on Vimeo. In this episode we talk about what it takes to film an outdoor documentary, how the Appalachian Trail gives you just a glimpse of the cultural diversity in America, and that if you can’t carry it in your backpack or in your soul, you don’t need it.

Julia Sheehan (Rocket) completed a northbound thru hike of the Appalachian Trail back in 2019. She was then ready for an adventure filled 2020 until the pandemic derailed her plans. In 2021, she completed the AZT, Art Loeb, and did a big section of the CDT. In this episode we talk about the struggles of looking one-dimensional as an online personality, how smaller long distance trails can be just as fulfilling as hiking over 2,000 miles, and that sometimes the things that are best for us are the things we don’t want to do.