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Backpacker Radio

The Trek
Appalachian Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
Thru-Hiking
Hiking
Electrolytes
Trail Culture
Backpacking
Colorado Trail
Gossamer Gear
Continental Divide Trail
Mental Health
Triple Crown
Outdoor Recreation
PCT
Hiking Gear
Ultralight Backpacking
Te Araroa
Backpacking Gear
Alaska
Wildlife

From the Appalachian Trail to the Pacific Crest and everything in between. Backpacker Radio is a show all about the wonderful world that is thru-hiking and long distance backpacking. Co-hosts, Zach "Badger" Davis and Juliana "Chaunce" Chauncey muse on the backpacking life and the latest from the trail every other week. Topics include but are not limited to news, trail culture, interviews, gear, ad... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes400Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
WildernessSports

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Artwork for Backpacker Radio

Latest Episodes

Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com

Segments

Epic Dreams

Processing

Trek Propaganda

• Teen Hiker Dies in Grand Canyon National Park Amid Extreme Heat by Katie Jackson

• Why You Should Ne... more

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Caleb "Meatball" Adcock, a professional photographer and thru-hiker who completed the AT last year and is currently midway through the CDT... more

Segments

Nasty Celebrity Encounters

Tribute to Bill Jensen

Trek Propaganda: After 22,000 Miles of Thru-Hiking, This Is One of the Biggest Mistakes I See Beginners Make by Peg Leg

QOTD: Do people face the shower head when they shower?

Trip... more

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jeremy Phoenix aka Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen, aka Javos, a Navajo-born, Amish-country-raised, REI-employed, grave-digging, Princeton-attending th... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Jeremy Phoenix
Thru-hiker known as Smitty; CT in 15 days, PCT, AZT, and multiple records
Independent adventurer/Trail figure
Episode: Falling 35 Feet Free Soloing, Hiking the CT in 15 Days, and What It Means to Be Navajo in America with Jeremy "Smitty" Phoenix (BPR #363)
Matthew Hengst
Adventurer known as Masochist, guest on the episode
Independent adventurer
Episode: Stalked by a Mountain Lion, a 25-Foot Fall in the Sierra, and Canoeing 2,400 Miles Down the Mississippi with Matthew "Masochist" Hengst (BPR #362)
Liz Crandall
Former US Forest Service field ranger, activist and podcast host
Rangers of the Lost Park
Episode: Fired from the Forest Service by DOGE, Public Lands Advocacy, and Finding Joy in a World of Bad News with Liz Crandall (BPR #358)
Stephen Palazzo
Army veteran, thru-hiker, PeakBagger, known as Near Miss
US Army / Hiker and Peak Bagger
Episode: Negotiating with Al-Qaeda, Drill Sergeant Secrets, and Healing from War on the AT with Stephen "Near Miss" Palazzo (BPR #357)
Becca Beckham
Becca Beckham, trail name Little Bag, Peace Corps veteran and thru-hiker
Becca Beckham/Individual
Episode: Big Podcast News, Swimming with Hippos, Peace Corps, and the GR20 with Becca "Little Bag" Beckham (BPR #356)
Katie Sunrise Lance
Professional triathlete and thru-hiker
Former Civil Engineer, Tennessee Valley Authority
Episode: Why This Pro Triathlete Quit Her Job to Hike the Appalachian Trail with Katie "Sunrise" Lance (BPR #355)
Claire Marmot Dumont
Thru-hiker and geographer; map maker and writer for The Trek; Fulbright recipient who did Jordan Trail research
The Trek; Jordan Trail project
Episode: Finding Thru-Hiking Community, the Jordan Trail, and Bigfoot Trail Mishaps with Claire "Marmot" Dumont (BPR #354)
Megan Rascal Wilmarth
Triple Crowner, ultrarunner, and former crew chief for Tara Dower's AT FKT
Independent/Trail community
Episode: Dodging Death on the CDT, Crewing Tara Dower's AT FKT, and Triple Crowning with Megan "Rascal" Wilmarth (BPR #353)
Mills Kelly
Historian, author, and educator
George Mason University (former), author of A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail
Episode: A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail with Mills Kelly (BPR #352)

Hosts

Zach Badger Davis
Co-host of Backpacker Radio and related Trek network programs; long-time host with broad trail- and gear-focused content.
Juliana Chauncey
Co-host known for introducing segments, driving conversation, and providing trail- and culture-focused commentary.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • Missing Chaunce

    This is an excellent and entertaining podcast with genuine thru-hikers, not just people who go out for the weekend. This podcast has the best guests, too.

    Two things worth mentioning. First, co-host Chaunce is leaving Denver and will no longer be a regular on the podcast. I miss her already. I especially enjoyed Chaunce’s women’s only podcasts (how else could I learn to try to be less creepy or threatening on the trail?).

    Second, I like that this podcast has real hikers, not just weekenders. I... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RomeBurns
    United Statesa month ago
  • 🥺🥺🥺🥺

    idk how i’m gonna be able to listen without chaunce 😭😭😭😭

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    chillhiker
    United Statesa month ago
  • A very encouraging podcast

    Hi Chauncey and Zach,

    With Chauncey leaving the show, I wanted to send a thank you that is probably a couple of years overdue.

    Backpacker Radio was a big part of what inspired me to hike the PCT in 2024. During the trail, I went through some of the hardest emotional and physical challenges I’ve ever faced. After leaving my trail family to attend a wedding and then returning to the trail, I struggled with loneliness, altitude, and more tears than I think I’ve cried at any other point in my life... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beckymarie.r7
    Canadaa month ago
  • Cccc

    cccc

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SAM is usually right
    United Statesa month ago
  • Mediocre hosts ruin this podcast

    I am a hiking and backpacking fanatic and really wanted to love this podcast, but the hosts always seem to be ill-prepared. Their interviews are excruciatingly bad. Chaunce in particular is laughably bad…her questions are so unfocused and idiotic and she seems more intent on dropping the F bomb and constantly interrupting the guests and her co-hosts. What a waste - because the subject matter is often interesting - but she makes it pretty much unlistenable.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    DJean28
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans value the depth and variety of guests, from endurance athletes to trail historians and artists.
Listeners praise the hosts' storytelling and banter, noting the show's mix of humor and gear/trail insight.
Some feedback calls for more focused discussions on safety and evidence-based health/nutrition topics.
Overall, reviews highlight consistent entertainment, practical tips, and a strong sense of community.
Listeners appreciate sponsor reads that feel relevant to hikers and outdoor gear shoppers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Falling 35 Feet Free Soloing, Hiking the CT in 15 Days, and What It Means to Be Navajo in America with Jeremy "Smitty" Phoenix (BPR #363)
Q: What was the craziest moment on trail for you?
The remote ice-slope near Mount Whitney during the PCT run, where I had to choose between a risky down-climb and an icy traverse, resulting in a near-slip collapse but I managed to recover and continue.
Walking the Portuguese Camino with Her Parents to Honor Her Late Brother with Elise "Sauce" Ott (BPR #361)
Q: What prompted the fundraising angle around Curtis's story?
The family used NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) as a support and awareness channel, aiming to educate and reduce stigma around schizoaffective disorder, while also honoring Curtis's memory through a walk in the Camino and public storytelling to help others facing similar struggles.
Walking the Portuguese Camino with Her Parents to Honor Her Late Brother with Elise "Sauce" Ott (BPR #361)
Q: How did hiking with your parents influence the experience?
Hiking with her parents made it a slower, more relaxed pace focused on family connection and shared memory, while still offering opportunities for social interaction with other pilgrims and the chance to practice Spanish and absorb European countryside life.
Walking the Portuguese Camino with Her Parents to Honor Her Late Brother with Elise "Sauce" Ott (BPR #361)
Q: Tell us about landing on this Camino and the basics of the route.
The Coastal Route starts in Porto, threads through northern Portugal into Spain, and ends at Santiago de Compostela, with most parties walking about 13 days and relying on a service for lodging and logistics; it's a relatively accessible Camino with lots of sea views and a mix of towns and rural sections.
Fired from the Forest Service by DOGE, Public Lands Advocacy, and Finding Joy in a World of Bad News with Liz Crandall (BPR #358)
Q: What exactly happened with DOGE and the firing process, and how did it feel to receive the news?
Emails indicating a broad, blanket firing strategy were initially thought to be spam, but eventually confirmed as real; the firing announcement came on Presidency weekend, triggering a flood of emotions and a sense of disbelief.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Backpacker Radio

What is Backpacker Radio about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running, lighthearted yet information-rich show focused on long-distance hiking, thru-hiking culture, gear, and trail life. Episodes mix personal adventure stories, practical trail tips, interview-style deep dives with notable hikers, endurance athletes, and trail-community contributors, along with banter, pop culture tangents, and sponsor reads. The format tends to balance motivational, nerdy, and practical angles, making it a go-to for aspiring hikers, current thru-hikers, and outdoors enthusiasts seeking community-friendly insights and entertaining storytelling. A standout is the strong emphasis on community, trail ethics, and the human side of long journeys, often featuring guests with diverse backgrounds from engineers who becam... more

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How many episodes of Backpacker Radio are there?

Backpacker Radio launched 8 years ago and published 400 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Backpacker Radio?

Recent guests on Backpacker Radio include:

1. Jeremy Phoenix
2. Matthew Hengst
3. Liz Crandall
4. Stephen Palazzo
5. Becca Beckham
6. Katie Sunrise Lance
7. Claire Marmot Dumont
8. Megan Rascal Wilmarth

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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