In this episode of Walking Distance presented by The Trek and hosted by Blissful Hiker (Alison Young), we are joined by Tamra Neblett-Hemmila, a 28-year-old long distance backpacker from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Tamra also happens to be black, Latina and Muslim; she was quite visible on the CDT this past season, practicing her faith by wearing a sport hijab on trail. If she seemed “uncommon” on the trail, her story is universal to hikers.

Blissful Hiker covers how Tamra practiced her faith on trail, trail magic on the CDT, and the emotions and practicalities of quitting a long distance trail.

Garage Grown Gear discount code: Use code “distance10” to save 10% at garagegrowngear.com. 

Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code “walkingdistance” to save 15% off your cart at GossamerGear.com.

Interview with Tamra Neblett-Hemilla

2:48 - Where was your winter shakedown hike for the CDT and what was it like?

3:54 - You mentioned your husband Eli, and we actually met through him. He mentioned his wife was hiking the CDT alone; why did you go alone and how did that effect your relationship dynamic?

5:34 - Did you take a Garmin In-Reach and check in with Eli that way?

6:00 - So you’re in contact every day, but you’re still alone out there. And the CDT is probably the most difficult long trail in the U.S.; why did you start there?

6:49 - Do you have a trail name? And how did you get the name?

8:00 - Did you make your own meals for yourself before you jumped into the trail?

8:35 - I did see a recipe on your Facebook, a tuna hot dish. So Minnesota! What’s in it?

9:12 - So, Tamra, you are black, Latina, and Muslim. Did you meet many people that looked like you on trail?

9:58 - So you did wear a hijab, a sport hijab on trail. I’m curious about that, where did you get yours?

10:30 - For those of us who aren’t knowledgeable, what is the purpose and importance of the hijab in the Muslim faith?

11:33 - How did your hijab fit on your head and how did it feel?

12:10 - What else did you wear on your hike?

12:42 - Do you think there are misconceptions about Muslim women being athletic? Did you find in your faith that there’s a resistance to women being athletic or being alone in the outdoors?

14:31 - What were the reactions from people you met and other hikers? 

16:00 - So you mentioned timing your breaks for prayer every day. Did you take a prayer rug? And did you need to orient yourself towards Mecca every time?

16:43 - I’m curious about how it felt to pray every day outdoors; did you feel like it was more intentional or more intense for you?

19:42 - I wanted to go back to your hike experience and what your favorite parts were. What was your experience of New Mexico?

21:37- You mentioned the Gila River, and I believe that’s where you met someone who I met on the PCT, Crazy Eyes? And he offered you this type of trail magic that only happens from one hiker to another, what was that like?

In this episode of Walking Distance presented by The Trek and hosted by Blissful Hiker (Alison Young), we are joined by Tom Smith, a professor of wildlife sciences at Brigham Young University in Utah. Initially Smith’s research specialities included bighorn sheep and caribou, but when he began working at Katmai National Park in Southwest Alaska, he shifted to studying the most common animal there: bears. In the last 20 years, Smith has conducted research in Alaska, India, and in bear country in the lower 48 states. 

Blissful Hiker covers why it’s important to have bear deterrent, rules of thumb about making noise while on the trail, methods to bear-proof a campsite, and explains what conventional bear wisdom still holds true.

Garage Grown Gear discount code: Use code “distance10” to save 10% at garagegrowngear.com. 

Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code “walkingdistance” to save 15% off your cart at GossamerGear.com.

Interview with Tom Smith

2:00 - Introduction to ‘bear country’ and Tom Smith

3:42 - What are your thoughts on Timothy Treadwell, and his involvement in Katmai National Park with bear environmentalism?

5:12 - Our podcast is for hikers and backpackers, and to help people feel safe and capable outdoors. One thing you’ve already mentioned is bear deterrent, so could you break down what bear spray is and how to use it best?

9:00 - I’ve read articles about people spraying bear spray around their tent, which is definitely not the correct use. Is there data on that?

12:00 - Does bear spray train bears to stay away from humans? Is there any data that bears might associate the pain of bear spray with humans if they experience it?

12:50 - I’m a bit embarrassed to share this story, but last July I was in Glacier National Park, and I hiked alone at dawn in bear country. I didn’t see any bears, but I was playing with fire, wouldn’t you say?

17:22 - Glacier rangers told me that bears are curious, and that bear bells and some other noises like singing might actually attract them. What do you know about that?

19:32 - People who go on long distance trails, for instance I was on the Continental Divide Trail, often hike alone. I wonder if there’s a rule of thumb about making noise if you’re alone and you want to ward bears off?

22:24 - You said something really interesting, that in Yellowstone or Glacier the bears are more aggressive than on the coastline of Alaska, for instance. Why is that?

26:53 - We’ve spoken a lot about food storage on Walking Distance, from cooking and eating away from where you camp, using a bear can, and pack away smelly items. But you’ve mentioned other things that aren’t as obvious, such as not using very smelly shampoo, and that gas canisters can attract bears.

33:47 - Let’s shift to bear encounters; as you’ve said, most bears are risk averse, and they don’t want to fight with us. But in the rare instance that a bear is charging you, what do you do?

36:50 - How do you bear-proof a campsite?

39:40 - Would you even use your bear-proofing methods in Montana?

41:40 - The most s

In this episode of Walking Distance presented by The Trek and hosted by Blissful Hiker (Alison Young), we are joined by Cindy Ross, a Triple-Crowner, writer, artist and speaker, and Travis Johnston, a Triple-Crowner and veteran. Cindy Ross has authored books about her own adventures on the trail, but her newest, Walking Toward Peace, highlights 25 veterans and their stories of the trail. Cindy and her husband run a nonprofit called River House PA that helps veterans suffering from trauma. Travis is a veteran who became a Triple-Crowner after serving in Afghanistan, starting with hiking the Appalachian Trail in the memory of Zach Adamson, his friend and assistant gunner.

Blissful Hiker covers the stories of veterans in Cindy’s book Walking Toward Peace, Travis’s experience hiking as a veteran, and how healing the outdoors can be.

Garage Grown Gear discount code: Use code “distance10” to save 10% at garagegrowngear.com. 

Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code “walkingdistance” to save 15% off your cart at GossamerGear.com.

Interview with Cindy Ross

1:38 - Background on Cindy Ross

2:50 - How did you get started in working with veterans outdoors?

3:57 - How did you go about chronicling the stories of these veterans?

4:45 - Was trusting each other an issue?

6:40 - You introduce several ideas in the book Walking Toward Peace, from veterans about hyper-engagement while walking trails in particular. Can you talk about that?

8:20 - In the book you introduce us one by one to these people using the trails, and one person is Earl Shaffer, the first person to hike the AT, who made mindfulness a thing before it was a thing. One thing you talk about that I found interesting, is that people go outdoors to heal and accept the past, not to forget.

9:50 - I also found Eileen’s story interesting in your book. She didn’t need to get away from her combat experience necessarily, she needed to recreate the sense of being focused and purposeful. I found that surprising, that she needed the trail for some type of reason to be.

11:17 - I know I’ve quoted you saying that “the puzzle pieces don’t fit coming back,” as after doing two thru-hikes, I know I’ve felt very strange coming home, like everything else has stayed the same, but you’ve changed.

11:38 - You bring up the idea that nature instills awe in us, in a manner that disallows arrogance and entitlement. Do you think that kind of awe helps vets who are suffering from PTSD or guilt?

13:19 - How have the vets changed you and your attitude towards trails?

Interview with Travis Johnston

17:45 - Background on Travis Johnston

18:26 - Can you talk about Zach Adamson?

21:33 - You said there are differences between military veterans and thru-hikers, in what ways?

22:30 - Would you say it was the people you met that led you to hike the Appalachian Trail y

In this episode of Walking Distance presented by The Trek and hosted by Blissful Hiker (Alison Young), we are joined by Dan Purdy, a professional backpacking guide for Wildland Trekking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Ali Carr, an outdoor adventure writer and founder and CEO of Basecamp, an outdoor job organization.. Dan traded in his engineering desk job for a career in guiding backpacking trips in 2018, starting by volunteering in Norway through a Workaway position. Ali started the group Basecamp, which now has over 20 thousand members, and is also the co-host of the podcast Outdoor Dream Jobs. 

Blissful Hiker covers how Dan transitioned from engineer to backpacking guide, the different types of positions that are encompassed by the outdoor industry, and gets practical tips on how to break into the industry.

Garage Grown Gear discount code: Use code “distance10” to save 10% at garagegrowngear.com. 

Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code “walkingdistance” to save 15% off your cart at GossamerGear.com.

Interview with Dan Purdy

1:30 - Background on Dan Purdy

2:50 - How did you get started in the industry when you were in Norway?

4:15 - Talk about that first trip you shadow guided. That was when you realized your passion, right?

6:43 - You mention a lot that you’re very new not just to guiding, but to being in the outdoors. A lot of people want to know how to get a job as a guide, and I didn’t know that the guiding field is very competitive. Did you know that when you started?

8:09 - What’s your favorite part of the profession? And what are the most difficult parts?

9:45 - On a guided hike in Peru, I was amazed that our guide was never in a bad mood, always caring and present. But I’m sure that he has bad moods, because he’s a human being.

11:30 - I was going to ask you about your tips on how to write a resume and get into the profession. But maybe a more important question for people hoping to be guides is if they have the persona and temperament for it?

14:00 - One certification you mentioned is WEMT (Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician), and that sounds really involved and expensive. Can you talk about certifications and how important they are?

15:45 - Do you have tips for folks writing resumes for outdoor jobs?

Interview with Ali Carr

20:00 - What is Basecamp?

20:36 - How did you get interested in starting this networking hub?

21:40 - Is finding a job in the outdoor industry different from finding a job in any other industry?

23:56 - I noticed that people put their candidacy on the Facebook group. How does that work?

25:52 - This podcast is supporting backpackers and hikers and walkers. So I wanted to do this episode because lots of our audience would love to work in the outdoors. But the outdoor industry needs people in all places, so you need to think outside the box in terms of what it means to work in the industry.

28:09 - What are some of the most interesting positions you’ve seen come through Basecamp recently?

29:17 - W

In this episode of Walking Distance presented by The Trek and hosted by Blissful Hiker (Alison Young), we are joined by Rebecca Olson, a team leader volunteer with King County Search and Rescue in Washington State, and Steve McClure, a board member of The Mountaineers, an alpine club and nonprofit in Seattle. The Mountaineers, founded in 1906, has trademarked the 10 Essentials and offers a book that’s called the ‘bible’ of mountaineering.

Blissful Hiker covers how to use search and rescue services if needed, the 10 essentials and how to plan a hike, plus in depth gear recommendations that cover the 10 essentials.

Garage Grown Gear discount code: Use code “distance10” to save 10% at garagegrowngear.com. 

Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code “walkingdistance” to save 15% off your cart at GossamerGear.com.

Interview with Rebecca Olson

0:59 - Introduction to Rebecca Olson

2:44 - What happened in your own ski accident that led to you becoming a search and rescue team leader?

4:20 - I imagine that most of our listeners know what search and rescue (SAR) is, but can you describe what you do?

5:10 - This is important to understand for hikers, to imagine that the person coming to rescue you is walking to you, so it takes some time.

6:18 - What are the majority of problems that you receive?

7:20 - Do you have any search and rescues that stand out to you?

8:40 - That should teach us to make sure we have the 10 essentials anytime we go out, and to ask ourselves “could I spend the night?” because most of us don’t do that.

10:40 - These two people sound very lucky, and made the good decision to hunker down when the found a good spot. But you also do recovery, if you need to transport someone who has died in the backcountry. What is that like?

12:23 - Is doing recovery hard on you?

13:08 - You mentioned two situations where people pushed themselves too far or didn’t have the right gear, but accidents do happen. What should you do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation outdoors or have an accident?

14:55 - What are some of the key things that people have done that led to their survival, in your experience?

17:04 - During COVID, there has been an increase of use in the backcountry, especially people that aren’t as experienced. You said there has been an increase in calls during these past two years. Do you think there’s a responsibility of hikers to not call if they really don’t have to?

18:45 - Rebecca Olson’s top tips for avoiding rescue or surviving in the backcountry.

Interview with Steve McClure

20:00 - Steve McClure reads The Mountaineers 10 Essentials Limerick

21:35 - Background on the 10 Essentials

22:55 - Paradoxically, taking everything you need to be safe and comfortable in case of emergency can lead to injury. The trick is to balance the load to be able to travel quickly, but still have the essentials.

23:50 - You refer to the 10 essentials as the sacred scrolls for mountaineers. You did a pop qui

In this episode of Walking Distance presented by The Trek and hosted by Blissful Hiker (Alison Young), we are joined by Shalin Desai, a Triple Crowner and Vice President of Advancement at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), and Aer Parris, a 2015 PCT thru-hiker who identifies as queer and gender neutral. Desai is also the first person of South Asian descent to become a Triple Crowner, and he also identifies as queer. After their 2015 thru-hike, Parris began blogging for REI, often writing about inclusivity on the trail and advocating for marginalized communities hoping to fit in in the outdoors.

Blissful Hiker covers recent efforts for diversity, equity and inclusion, if marginalized communities need advocacy to get outdoors, and how different identities impact hikers on the trail.

Garage Grown Gear discount code: Use code “distance10” to save 10% at garagegrowngear.com. 

Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code “walkingdistance” to save 15% off your cart at GossamerGear.com.

Interview with Shalin Desai

0:56 - Trail experiences are infinite, because they’re all so personal. I was never looking to find a ‘tribe’ or have my identity acknowledged, but for the trail community to let me have my trail experience.

1:50 - More about Shalin Desai

3:20 - How were you introduced to the outdoors?

4:46 - You identify as a queer man. How did you find your trail family, or how did you find your chosen family before hitting the trail?

5:44 - Did you ever have any encounters on your thru-hikes that were disturbing?

8:29 - I wanted to ask you about the affinity groups. You’re the first person to introduce the idea of affinity groups for the ATC. Why is it important and how does it work?

12:15 - Is it a concern though that affinity groups might further prejudice and fear of the “other”?

13:00 - Diversity, equity and inclusion - every company and organization talks about these words. What do you think are the biggest hurdles as far as trails and the outdoors now?

Interview with Aer Parris

17:40 - Aer Parris’ take on fitting in on trail and how to be more inclusive is a bit different. They discovered that it’s less about changing how we speak to people who are marginalized, and more about how we understand them.

19:26 - Aer Parris started their 2015 thru-hike articulating their identity.

20:30 - What does it mean to be visibly queer on trail? 

22:05 - Was the reason you tried to ‘pass’ as cis on the trail because of safety concerns?

23:10 - Did you ever have any experiences that you considered dangerous or disturbing?

23:25 - Your tagline is “Words have the power to change the world. I use mine for forces of good. Sincere, sometimes snarky.” What do those words mean to you?

25:30 - Tell me about your advocacy journalism for REI; it’s called Uncommon Path. Do you choose your own topics, and what’s the most important to you?

26:30 - Why do you feel that marginalized communities need advocacy to enjoy the outdoors?

28:50

In this episode of Walking Distance presented by The Trek and hosted by Blissful Hiker (Alison Young), we are joined by Sophia Garber, a 24-year-old Appalachian Trail thru-hiker and vlogger, and Second Chance Hiker, aka Cory. Every morning Sophia writes “be the sunshine” with sharpie on her arm, a phrase that comes from her friend Cristal; she met Cristal working at the Ulman House, a nonprofit for young adults with cancer. Her mantra reminds her to find meaning and joy in things that can be dark; Sophia has dedicated her hike to Cristal’s memory. 

Cory, Second Chance Hiker, started hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to lose weight after being inspired by Jessica Mills, better known as Dixie on Youtube. Originally, Cory didn’t want to share his story until he lost weight, but his vlogs became very successful. Since his PCT hike, Cory has hiked the Velebit Mountain Range in Croatia as well as the most difficult portion of Florida Trail through the swamps.

Blissful Hiker covers the logistics of vlogging while hiking, how the internet influences the hiking experience, both positively and negatively, and being vulnerable online.

Garage Grown Gear discount code: Use code “distance10” to save 10% at garagegrowngear.com. 

Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code “walkingdistance” to save 15% off your cart at GossamerGear.com.

Walking Distance is sponsored by John Reamer and Associates. Go to www.johnreamer.com to learn more.

Interview with Sophia Garber

1:00 - Introduction to Sophia

2:25 - Where did “be the sunshine” come from, and who is Cristal?

3:30 - Why did you decide to be a vlogger?

5:50 - How has social media and YouTube impacted your hike?

7:02 - You’re putting yourself out there and you’re completely public on YouTube. Do you ever have second thoughts about putting your experience into the public forum?

8:30 - How do you balance being in the moment during your hike and bringing people along for the ride?

9:37 - What’s your editing process? You do take your time and add music, what’s that like?

10:28 - You had to stop vlogging for a few days because you got injured and it was raining, and you said you were sad. How do you approach sharing your feelings on the vlog?

13:20 - It seems that you don’t want to vlog just to show the trail, but you want to show what’s beyond the trail. What do you want viewers to get out of the vlog?

Interview with Second Chance Hiker/Cory

15:42 - What’s it like to be a public figure on the trail?

17:30 - Introduction to Second Chance Hiker

19:05 - Who do you envision talking to while you’re vlogging?

19:45 - It seems like a large jump, coming from being isolated with few friends to having so many followers on social media. How did you cope with that change?

20:45 - It’s amazing that you have a good support system with your ex-wife and your family. I imagine she also emotionally supported you through you

In this episode of Walking Distance presented by The Trek and hosted by Blissful Hiker (Alison Young), we are joined by Gabe Joyes, an ultramarathoner and sponsored athlete, and Ryan Ghelfi, an ultramarathoner and endurance athlete coach. Joyes lives in Lander, Wyoming, near the Wind River Range, and nabbed the FKT (Fastest Known Time) for the Wind River High Route last September, completing it in 47 hours. Ghelfi has several FKTs under his belt and owns the company Wilderness Fastpacking in Ashland, Oregon. 

Blissful Hiker covers what FKT and fastpacking means, the physical endurance as well as mental challenges both entail, and how backpackers can incorporate faster movement into their trips if they choose.

Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code “walkingdistance” to save 15% off your cart at GossamerGear.com.

Walking Distance is sponsored by John Reamer and Associates. Go to www.johnreamer.com to learn more.

Interview with Gabe Joyes

1:02 - Running isn't just intense exercise, it’s also a great way to cover distance and see terrain. 

1:40 - Introduction to FKT (Fastest Known Time) and the Wind River High Route

3:45 - Joyes considered himself a hiker and backpacker before he considered himself a runner; ample time became more of an issue later in life, so he decided to run.

4:40 - How do you choose gear? What about traction?

6:49 - You mention that you have a watch to track your progress, but you have no support out there. It’s a pretty dangerous route to be out there completely isolated, don’t you think?

7:41 - Is part of the FKT not having support, not even having someone running with you?

8:04 - You scouted the route and knew where you were going, but did the route change because of snow from the first time you were there?

9:22 - You had a full moon, and that’s incredible that you timed it just right to have that. But you still have to run at night, what’s that like?

10:10 - Do you miss seeing the views as they are during the day?

10:42 - It’s not just a physical challenge, not being able to stop if you want to beat the record, but a mental challenge of always needing to be focused on where you are and the route. That must be exhausting.

11:52 - You talked a bit about hallucinations; on the trail once I asked another hiker if they heard the loud country music, and they replied that it was a waterfall! Had you experienced that before?

12:45 - You have quite the diary from your two days, and I’m wondering how you remember every step on the route. Do you listen to anything while you’re running?

13:32 - As a backpacker, I have always had a “problem” with FKTs in trying to determine what the point of them are? I didn’t want to ask it that obnoxiously, but maybe I should, what is the point for you?

Interview with Ryan Ghelfi

16:56 - What is fastpacking?

18:40 - Introduction to fastpacking

19:36 - What’s the difference between f