441 Gear Fails, Hurricane Hiking & Snakes in Camp

The backpacking meetup happened… and somehow we ended up carrying coolers into the backcountry, eating Philly cheesesteaks and Oreo balls, relocating a snake named Sheila, dealing with gear failure, and trying to beat a tropical storm out of the woods.Just another normal weekend.This week on The Backpacking Podcast, John and Jeremiah recap the latest meetup at Big South Fork before jumping into another round of Backpack or Send It Back.First up: a 3.2-ounce ultralight jacket that costs $195 but doesn’t come seam sealed, followed by possibly one of the strangest pieces of backpacking clothing we’ve seen yet—down sleeves. Useful ultralight innovation… or gear nobody asked for?Then in Animal Encounters, we meet one of the biggest bears we’ve ever seen: Katmai National Park’s appropriately nicknamed “Honky Chonk Bear Donk-a-Donk.” Yes, that is apparently what we’re calling her.In Hiker News, we congratulate former guest and ultrarunner Jeff “Free Outside” Garmeyer on getting married—sleeveless tuxedo and all—before diving into the chaos surrounding the Moab 240. Flash flooding, deep mud, sleet, high winds and severe weather stranded roughly 70 runners and volunteers overnight and ultimately forced organizers to cancel the race. Thankfully, everyone was safely evacuated.And finally…The Neighbor Update is officially its own segment.Jeremiah gives the latest on the ongoing situation with his neighbor’s dog after animal enforcement finally got involved—and we may actually be moving toward a solution.Maybe.Stick around until the end for the latest version of The Backpacking Podcast theme song, this time with a little Disney-inspired flair.🎒 The Backpacking Podcast with Jeremiah Stringer and John Kelly — backpacking gear, trail stories, hiking news, outdoor culture, questionable decisions, and whatever else happens when we start talking.📧 Send us your stories, gear finds, pro tips, guest ideas, animal encounters, and show suggestions:[email protected]👍 Like the episode, subscribe, and let us know what YOU would backpack or send back.#Backpacking #Hiking #BackpackingGear #UltralightBackpacking #Moab240 #HikerNews #KatmaiNationalPark #Bears #OutdoorGear #ThruHiking #Camping #TheBackpackingPodcast

Outdoor Vitals Resolve Down Anorak: https://alnk.to/cwX2fyNMeetup AllTrails Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/creator-meetup-route-to-camp-a0671d7?u=i&sh=luwlk4Permit Link: https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/permits.htm🥾 IN THIS EPISODE💰 Backpacking Upgrades for Pennies or FreeWe take on five ideas from a list of 42 low-cost backpacking upgrades, including using fishing line for repairs, keeping your pillow in place with a T-shirt, trimming unnecessary gear, and intelligently downsizing your first aid kit. We also debate whether an $80 tree table deserves a place at camp.🏞️ The Government Hates the Outdoors?We discuss changes to Bears Ears National Monument, public land conservation, and new recreation surveys being conducted in Daniel Boone National Forest. What does this mean for outdoor access, privacy, and the future of our public lands?📰 Hiker NewsMeet the Great Colorado Route, a massive Colorado hiking route connecting existing trails, and hear why one school's 50-mile Appalachian Trail backpacking requirement is getting our attention. We also discuss the proposed Chiricahua National Park designation in Arizona.🐻 Animal Encounters: Bear Trouble in TennesseeWhy have dozens of bears been euthanized following human-bear conflicts in the Smokies region? We talk about irresponsible wildlife feeding, unsecured food and garbage, and why keeping wild bears wary of humans matters.😳 Jeremiah's Neighbor UpdateThings take a serious turn in Jeremiah's ongoing story about his neighbor's aggressive dog. Hear the latest developments and why the situation has become so frightening.🎒 Plus: Outdoor Vitals' Resolve Down Anorak jacket, our upcoming Big South Fork meetup, Kentucky's legendary Ale-8-One soda, plenty of laughs, and a special rockabilly version of the Backpacking Podcast theme song at the end!

Meetup AllTrails Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/creator-meetup-route-to-camp-a0671d7?u=i&sh=luwlk4This week on **The Backpacking Podcast**, John and Jeremiah are back with backpacking news, questionable gear, wildlife encounters, and plenty of opinions along the way.We kick things off with our first-ever **Pro Tip** segment: if you’re hiking with people who are faster than you, make sure YOU have the car keys. 😂Then things get serious in **Hiker News** as we discuss the disappearance of well-known hiker **Chris “Mischief” Phillips**, a double amputee who has logged thousands of miles on trails across the country.In **Animal Encounters**, we break down the terrifying story of a black bear that climbed through a 17-year-old girl’s bedroom window in Durango, Colorado—and then came back a second time. We also take a look at Colorado’s massive **I-25 wildlife overpass**, where officials have reported a dramatic reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions.Then it’s time for **Backpack or Send It Back**, where we dig through a collection of ultralight backpacking gadgets and decide what actually deserves a spot in your pack. Windscreens, cord spools, pot lids, bear-bag toggles, sport caps, folding utensils, refillable lighters, titanium sporks and more all go before the court.Some of it gets a thumbs up.Some of it definitely needs to be sent back.Finally, **That Don’t Make No Sense** takes us into the strange world of overnight Amazon deliveries. Is getting a package at 4:00 in the morning incredibly convenient—or is sending gig drivers onto strangers’ porches in the middle of the night asking for trouble?Let us know where you land on these stories and gear picks in the comments!🎒 **The Backpacking Podcast** with Jeremiah Stringer and John Kelly — backpacking gear, hiking news, trail stories, outdoor culture, and everything else that happens when backpackers start talking.📧 Send us your backpacking pro tips, guest ideas, pictures, theme-song ideas, and show suggestions at:[email protected]👍 Like the episode, subscribe, and join us for the next one!#Backpacking #Hiking #BackpackingGear #UltralightBackpacking #HikingNews #ThruHiking #BackpackingPodcast #BlackBear #Wildlife #OutdoorGear #CampingGear #TheBackpackingPodcast

Meetup AllTrails Link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/creator-meetup-route-to-camp-a0671d7?u=i&sh=luwlk4Outdoor Vitals Mountain Pursuit Line: https://alnk.to/dLmgnji📧 Send us your photos, guest ideas, and ridiculous theme-song genre combinations:[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])Welcome back to The Backpacking Podcast! This episode has a little bit of everything: backpacking news, gear, ridiculous outdoor stories, Appalachian Trail discussion, Trail Court, and one of the most ridiculous boating stories we've told yet.We kick things off talking about Outdoor Vitals gear and the Mountain Pursuit line before getting into our Sub Pick of the Week — a vintage backpacking photo that shows just how different hiking looked decades ago.Then things get serious with a disturbing story about **5,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilling from a data center into a New Jersey waterway** and a conversation about data centers, technology, and their growing impact on the outdoors.Next up: Yellowstone. And apparently people have been throwing some absolutely bizarre things into Yellowstone's hydrothermal features — including camera lens covers, sunglasses, toys, coins, retainers, and other random objects. More than 20,000 pieces of trash were reportedly collected during a record-setting cleanup effort.Then we get into **Hiker News**, including the future of shelters and campsites along the Appalachian Trail. Could some aging AT shelters eventually be replaced with tent pads or other camping options? We talk about the history, usefulness, problems, and culture surrounding Appalachian Trail shelters.And then things get weird.We introduce **Poop Talk**, talk about "pooping with a view," explore some incredible backcountry privies, and discuss the unique experience of using an outdoor bathroom with absolutely no privacy.Finally, it's time for **Trail Court** — involving a broken boat, two jet skis, a giant camping chair, a marina slip, and a situation that definitely deserves a courtroom.Plus, we talk about our upcoming Hiker Awards, listener-submitted theme song ideas, backpacking stories, and more.If you love backpacking, hiking, camping, Appalachian Trail stories, outdoor gear, hiker news, trail culture, and a healthy amount of ridiculousness, you're in the right place.

GPS Pin For Parking Meetup (Oct 9th-11th, 2026): https://maps.app.goo.gl/7NFAWh3hv4ajryKN6Trail Map From Car to Campsite (1.3 miles): https://www.ccl-bsf.com/mapsCharit Creek Lodge Website: https://www.ccl-bsf.com/Gear, hiker news, trail trends, and a little “poop with a view” — this episode of The Backpacking Podcast has a bit of everything!We’re checking out the 3FUL water filter and other gear, talking about what’s happening on the trails, looking at the biggest gear trends of 2026, and, if there’s time, we might be talking about some animal encounters.Trails, campfires, good conversations, bad jokes. 🥾🏕️🐻

GPS Pin For Parking Meetup (Oct 9th-11th, 2026): https://maps.app.goo.gl/7NFAWh3hv4ajryKN6Trail Map From Car to Campsite (1.3 miles): https://www.ccl-bsf.com/mapsCharit Creek Lodge Website: https://www.ccl-bsf.com/In this episode, we explore humorous and practical aspects of backpacking, including gear reviews, funny anecdotes, and safety tips for encounters with wildlife. Join us for a lighthearted yet informative discussion perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

GPS Pin For Parking Meetup (Oct 9th-11th, 2026): https://maps.app.goo.gl/7NFAWh3hv4ajryKN6Trail Map From Car to Campsite (1.3 miles): https://www.ccl-bsf.com/mapsCharit Creek Lodge Website: https://www.ccl-bsf.com/Season 7 comes to an end with one of our wildest and most packed episodes yet! We talk backpacking, hiking, trail conditions, upcoming meetups, outdoor adventures, crazy trail stories, and some of the biggest backpacking and outdoor news making headlines.We also take a look at the upcoming YouTuber backpacking meetup in the Big South Fork area of Tennessee, including the campsite, Charit Creek Lodge, Twin Arches, Slave Falls, Needle Arch, hiking plans, camping logistics, and what people can expect from the October 9–11 meetup.Then things get painful as we talk about one of the unavoidable hazards of spending time outdoors: CHIGGERS! We share some brutally itchy experiences with chigger bites, poison ivy, outdoor work, and the realities of spending time in the woods.We also discuss a controversial tree-cutting case involving Savage Gulf State Park, including allegations that trees were illegally cut to improve the view from a nearby private property.One of the most inspiring stories in the episode is the incredible accomplishment of 91-year-old Dale “Greybeard” Sanders, who completed the Appalachian Trail in under a year.And then we turn to some serious outdoor news, including the recent Grand Canyon flash flooding, trail and river closures, rescues, deaths, missing hikers, and the devastating flooding affecting Nepal and Tibet. We discuss what makes flooding in mountainous terrain so dangerous and take a look at some incredible footage of the destruction.We also tackle one of the eternal backpacking questions: how much should you actually pay a shuttle driver? We discuss mileage, gas, vehicle wear and tear, remote roads, and why a backpacking shuttle can cost significantly more than you might expect.Finally, we have another update on the ongoing neighbor/pit bull situation before wrapping up Season 7 and looking ahead to a brand-new Season 8.🥾 Whether you're into backpacking, hiking, camping, trail adventures, outdoor news, Appalachian Trail stories, or just enjoy hanging out with fellow hikers, there's something here for you.Thanks for watching and supporting the show!0:00 Season 7 Finale Begins1:14 Season 8 Is Coming!1:49 Photo & Guest Submissions2:50 Backpacking Pick of the Week4:12 Heat Wave & Dad Mode7:43 The 2026 YouTuber Backpacking Meetup10:04 Camping, Food & Cherret Creek Lodge12:18 Getting to the Campsite13:10 Cherret Creek Lodge & Backpacking Memories16:15 Big South Fork Hiking Plans18:35 The Hike & Chigger Disaster25:21 The Savage Gulf Tree-Cutting Case29:16 91-Year-Old Completes the Appalachian Trail32:34 Grand Canyon Flood Update35:57 Catastrophic Flooding in Nepal & Tibet39:40 Watching the Flood Footage42:21 How Much Should You Pay a Backpacking Shuttle?45:05 What Backpackers Smell Like 😂49:59 The Neighbor & Pit Bull Update52:09 Season 7 Comes to an End#Backpacking #Hiking #Camping #AppalachianTrail #OutdoorAdventure #BigSouthFork

In this episode, John Kelley and Jeremiah Stringer explore a wide range of topics from AI and social media controversies to outdoor adventures and environmental policies. They share personal stories, current events, and practical advice, making it a must-listen for outdoor enthusiasts and curious minds alike.

Outdoor Vitals Tern Merino Wool Hoodie & Tee: https://alnk.to/bEmXZ6eIn this episode, we sit down with retired park ranger Kristy Slaven to hear some of the strangest, funniest, and most unbelievable experiences from her time working in and around the great outdoors.From bizarre encounters with people in the wilderness to mysterious situations and stories that sound almost too strange to be true, Kristy shares what life was really like as a park ranger. If you've ever wondered what park rangers actually deal with, what can happen in the woods, or what kinds of strange people and situations they encounter, you're going to enjoy this conversation.In this episode:🏞️ What life is really like as a park ranger🌲 Strange encounters in the wilderness😳 The story of the naked man❓ The mystery surrounding a missing nun🚨 Unusual situations park rangers have to handle🥾 Life, work, and adventure in the outdoors😂 Funny, bizarre, and unforgettable stories from the fieldWhat is the strangest thing you've ever experienced in a park or out in the wilderness? Let us know in the comments!00:00 - A Naked Man & a Missing Nun01:35 - Meet Retired Park Ranger Kristi Slaven05:10 - What Does a Park Ranger Actually Do?10:02 - Life Working in the Parks15:18 - The People You Meet in the Wilderness20:36 - The Naked Man Story27:42 - Strange Things Park Rangers Deal With33:48 - The Missing Nun Mystery41:10 - Unforgettable Stories From the Job47:35 - What It's Really Like Working Outdoors53:20 - The Funniest & Craziest Moments58:05 - Final Thoughts👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, hit LIKE💬 Share your craziest outdoor story in the comments🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more conversations, stories, and fascinating guests!#ParkRanger #ParkRangerStories #MissingPerson #WildernessStories #OutdoorStories

What if the thing you thought was just a legend actually changed the way you look at the wilderness?In this episode, we dive deep into Bigfoot, strange encounters, backpacking, camping, the wilderness, and the unsettling stories that make you question what might really be out there. What starts as a conversation about Bigfoot quickly becomes a fascinating look at the experiences, evidence, and questions surrounding one of the most famous mysteries in the world.Joining the conversation is Michael Kirkpatrick (MK Ultra) as we talk about Bigfoot sightings, unexplained encounters, what people have experienced in the woods, and why the subject continues to fascinate—and frighten—so many people.Whether you're a Bigfoot believer, skeptic, backpacker, hunter, outdoorsman, paranormal enthusiast, or simply curious about unexplained phenomena, there's plenty here to make you think.⚠️ After this conversation, you might never look at a dark trail or campsite the same way again.Michael's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UBmF8IUlXjKXBvIL10Sgg