On this episode: our favorite episodes of 2023, format change, dogs, and another year in the books. It’s our reflections on the year past, and a look ahead at what’s next. In this Episode Top 3 Most Downloaded episodes from 2023 3 – Episode 86 – Carol Coyne on Thru-Hiking and Community 2 – Episode 87 – Nicole Antoinette on Writing, Hiking, and Self-Awareness 1 – Episode 83: Alicia Baker on Exploring Utah, Hiking with Dogs, and Guidebooks Our 2023 Highlights – A few of our favorite...

On this episode: sheds, map grids, busking in Spain, and 5-to-9 adventures. We are talking with Alastair Humphreys, named as National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for his work on the concept of microadventures. He’s had some big adventures, too, from cycling completely around the world in four years to canoeing 500 miles down the Yukon River. And along the way, he’s authored 14 books inspiring people to find room for adventure in their daily lives. The funny thing about going all the...

On this episode: Hiking podcasts, the days, and getting a doctorate in hiker trash. We’re talking with Collyn “Doc” Nielsen of Hiker Trash Radio. Hear how he got into hiking and backpacking, what inspired him to start his podcast, and the takeaways from recording over 300 episodes interviewing backpackers, thru-hikers and outdoor adventurers. In this Episode Hiker Trash Radio – Doc’s podcast MILE, MILE & A HALF – the John Muir Trail documentary that inspired many of Doc’s podcast...

On this episode: small successes, women porters, and the Himalaya. We’re talking with Marinel de Jesus and Sara Frenning about the Porter Voice Collective and their project for a women-led trek on the Great Himalaya Trail. Marinel is a digital nomad, founder of Brown Gal Trekker, Equity Global Treks and The Porter Voice Collective, where Sara is a researcher. Both joined us from Nepal, which wis the longest distance we’ve recorded a show from to date. In this Episode KM 82: The Porter Voices...

On this episode: the Colorado Trail, fighter planes, learning how to thru-hike, and Inspector Gadget. We invited Adam "Dreamer" Salinger back (he was in Episode 23) to share some of his most recent adventures, his approach to finding the best gear, and his new coaching and consulting services for long-distance hikers. In this Episode Yosemite Rim Loop The SF Bay Area Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Adam's trip report and photos from the Colorado Trail Alpine Adventure Coaching Litesmith Garage...

On this episode: maps, artificial intelligence, and lutefisk. We’re talking with Elizabeth Person of Everett, Washington, an illustrator and cartographer who creates beautiful ink and watercolor maps for trails, parks and much-loved outdoor spaces. We talk about how summer trips to North Dakota in her dad’s small plane led to her fascination with maps and geography, and how she turned her passion into a full-time business. In this Episode Metsker Maps in Seattle A look at Elizabeth’s...

On this episode: Yada-yada-yada, death vs thrash metal, lucha libra, and some pretty epic adventures. We sit down with Kristen and Ville Jokinen to talk about how they met scuba diving in Vietnam, went on to crew on a sailboat, thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, and ultimately biked from Alaska to Argentina — all with very little prior experience. They are currently on a book tour, and you can find where and when they will be in town on their website. In this Episode We Lost the Map – Kristen...

On this episode: California, Texas BBQ, fame, road trips, and negative YouTube comments. We’re talking with Josh McNair of California Through My Lens. Josh started out mainly blogging and sharing his photography, and while he still does all of that, today his focus is on his two YouTube channels. This is a great episode for anyone who loves a good road trip and finding hidden gems. In this Episode Climbing Mount Shasta – Josh and Jeff climbed together The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – How...

On this episode: post-hike lunch, dividends, and getting off the couch. We’re talking with Greg Sakowicz — Colorado resident, hiker, traveler and creator of FatManLittleTrail.com.  Greg started hiking after an injury got him thinking about his mental and physical health, and found a love for exploring trails and outdoor spaces well beyond his home in Colorado. In this Episode Summer update from Jeff, Saveria and Jason (or “Why episodes have been slow to go live?”). Coast to Coast Walk – 192...

On this episode: paralysis of analysis, burning your gear, and giving up social media. We’re talking with Nicole Antoinette— author, thru-hiker, former van lifer, and reformed indoor kid. Nicole is a recent Massachusetts resident, new puppy owner, PCT thru-hiker, and author of a new book How to be Alone – An 800-mile Hike on the Arizona Trail. In this Episode Thru-Hiking Will Break Your Heart – by Carrot Quinn, our guest on episode 44. The Arizona Trail – the hike which became the subject of...

On this episode: the Triple Crown, ceramics, corporate finance, and hot chocolate shots. We’re talking with Carol “Cheer” Coyne, thru-hiker and founder of THRU-r.com – a community for thru-hikers, trail angels, and those who would like to be.  Carol got hooked by the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge in 2017, and has since gone on to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and is currently finishing her Triple Crown on the Appalachian Trail.  In this Episode Six-Pack of...

On this episode: the Smokies 900-Miler, being a documentary star, and picking up litter and being a good steward. We’re talking with avid backpacker and public lands advocate Benny Braden. Benny is the founder and CEO of Responsible Stewardship, Inc., a 501(c)3 all volunteer, action based nonprofit organization that is dedicated to restoring public lands, outdoor spaces and communities that’s been affected by illegal dump site and litter irresponsibly left behind by others. In 2017 Benny set...

On this episode: Earth Month, wishcycling, ocean pollution, and sustainable packaging. We’re talking with Brook Hopper from A New Earth Project about something any of us who have purchased outdoor gear is familiar with: packaging… and how we can do so much better. In this Episode A New Earth Project – Sustainable packaging solutions. You can also follow them on Instagram @anewearthproject and check out their YouTube series. Wishcycling – “hoping” that item you put in the recycling bin is...

On this episode: favorite overcrowded hikes, booties, and hiking with dogs. We’re talking with Alicia Baker, hiker, trail runner, outdoor blogger and guidebook author currently based in Utah. She’s often seen on the trail with her golden lab therapy dog Charlie, and she’s currently training for her first 50k trail run. In this Episode 52 Hike Challenge – which led to Alicia writing Salt Lake City’s Best 52 Hikes Bryce Canyon Ultra Connect with Alicia Baker You can find Alicia on her website:...

On this episode: tortoise helicopters, misplaced vs lost, and names that sound like trail names, but aren’t. We’re talking with adventurer, triple-crown thru-hiker, and wildlife biologist Sage Clegg. We talk with Sage about her “name-name”, her path to thru-hiking — which also led to her working with desert tortoises — and building a life that allows her to prioritize outdoor adventure. In this Episode Grand Enchantment Trail in New Mexico/Arizona Outward Bound Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) –...

On this episode: mountain bike racing, the 80% rule, and trail maintenance. We’re chatting with professional mountain bike athlete, cycling coach and trail advocate Emma Maaranen. We talk with her about how she entered the world of professional racing, why she ended up started a new women’s mountain bike racing team, the chaos of a race start, the most important training day of the week, and much more. In this Episode Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) – getting a UCI pro license gets you...

On this episode: the Oregon Desert Trail, hikertrash, the Campmor catalog, and ground-truthing. We’re talking with Renee Patrick, self-identified as hikertrash who has been hiking for decades and is currently coordinator for the Oregon Desert Trail. Renee is a triple-crown thru-hiker with over 20 years of experience planning, hiking, and improving long-distance trails. She is an environmentalist and passionate outdoor enthusiast who believes that long-distance hiking can deepen our...

On this episode: thru-hiking, Wolff’s Law, stretching your hip flexors, and nose breathing. We’re talking with Lee Welton, PCT thru-hiker, physical therapist assistant, and personal trainer. We talk about how to train for completing long hikes injury-free. Lee “Flick” Welton thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in 2018. As he was preparing for the trek in 2017, he found that there weren’t a lot of great resources that focused on training for long distance thru-hikes, so he founded...

On this episode: cheese, cat motels, is math the worst subject, and bikepacking as a family. We’re talking with The Knoth Family: Rob, Dawn Rae, and Max. They’ve been bikepacking as a family for nine years, and spend about a month of nights camping outside each year on their year-round bikepacking trips… all while holding down full-time jobs and school. About The Knoth Family Find Dawn Rae on Instagram @dawnraek and Rob @robknoth. They invite you to reach out with any questions about...

On this episode: art school, communism, and being out in the wild. We’re talking with Patrick Dunn, climber and founder of OUT in the Wild, an organization that makes the outdoors more inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community and teaching technical climbing skills. About Patrick Haling from the infamous beaches of the Jersey Shore, Patrick moved to the west coast in search of adventure and queer community. After struggling to find the queer outdoor community he hoped for, he started OUT in the Wild...

On this episode: 2022, our favorite episodes, and plans for 2023. This is a shorter version — no guests — just Jason, Saveria and Jeff looking back on the past year and ahead to 2023. Become a Patron The Almost There Adventure Podcast is and will always be free. If you’d like to help us keep the lights on, we are now on Patreon, where you can support our work with a bus or two (or more) each month. Send us some green and help us keep the pod rolling!  Connect with us! Like Almost There on...

On this episode: Quiet quitting, rest, walks in nature, and sea turtles. We’re talking with Jill Rose, a life coach for women working in the realm of burn-out. She helps women find rest, which can seem to run counter to the active outdoor lifestyle, but is necessary to refuel the tank. We talk about the layers of rest, and how rest can help us be happier, better balanced and ultimately perform better in other areas of our lives. Before you do anything in the morning, get centered. Jill...

On this episode: Norman’s 13, rubrics, and 100 FKTs. We’re talking with Jason Hardrath, badass hiker, running, and collector of FKTs. Jason was a world-class triathlete until he went through the windshield in a car accident. Doctors said he’d have to leave that part of his life behind, and front that point, he was determined to come back. During his recovery he got to the point where he could hike. From hiking, he started peak-bagging. And soon, he was doing more technical climbs that...

On this episode: world premieres, documentaries, and the Colorado Trail. We’re talking with Jeff “Legend” Garmire, Dylan Harris and our very own Jason Fitzpatrick about their new documentary FREE OUTSIDE. On August 28, 2020, Jeff Garmire set out to break the unsupported Colorado Trail record. His goal was to hike 485 miles without resupply or outside assistance in under 9.5 days. No film crew had ever captured an unsupported record before. They would have no contact with Garmire for the...