The Backpacking Podcast

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:[backpackingpodcast@gmail.com](mailto:backpackingpodcast@gmail.com)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.