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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
Wildlife
Long-Distance Backpacking

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 weeklyEpisodes400Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
WildernessSports

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Artwork for Backpacker Radio

Latest Episodes

Segments

Minus33 Sun Hoodie Review

Trek Propaganda: How To Deal With Wildfire Smoke on a Thru-Hike by Katie Jackson

QOTD: What one song would you play on repeat for your enemy as a form of psychological warfare?

Lowdown Thing of the Week

T... more

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Taylor Santa, aka Hamilton, a thru-hiker who completed the Appalachian Trail in 2017 before returning to complete both the Florida Trail a... more

Segments

Trail News: Shrinking National Monuments

Trek Propaganda:

• How to Get From Denver to Waterton Canyon in Under $30 and 4 Hours by Jackson Mauser

• 8 Trail Foods I Never Got Tired of, Even After 22,000 Miles by Peg Leg

QOTD: I... more

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Steven of My Life Outdoors, a gear-obsessed backpacker who grew his YouTube channel to over 1.2 million subscribers through high-production gear br... 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

Katie Doubledip Jackson
Senior writer at The Trek, expert on trails and related news
The Trek
Episode: Trail News: Shrinking National Monuments, Easy Colorado Trailhead Access, Egypt vs. Aliens, and the Best Disney/Pixar Movies
Shawn Mahoney
Hiker known for carrying Larry the Log
Episode: From Near-Death Sepsis to Triple Crowning while Carrying Larry the Log with Shawn Mahoney (BPR #368)
Tina Curran
Accomplished thru hiker, Skurka guide, climber, and Denali expedition participant
Independent adventurer
Episode: Why the PCT is Boring, Hitting SOS on the CDT, and Summitting Denali with Tina "Cash Money" Currin (BPR #367)
Katie (author)
Prolific writer featured on the episode
Episode: Jolly Gear Sun Hoodie Review, Sounds that Trigger Happiness, and Water Filter Science
Andrew Livingston
Owner of Marion Outdoors and outfitter along the AT; Bob Peoples Award winner
Marion Outdoors
Episode: Losing 150 Lbs, An All-Time Poop Story, and Theater Hacks for Content Creators with Andrew Livingston aka Coach from Marion Outdoors (BPR #366)
Caleb Adcock
thru-hiker and professional photographer
Brand collaborations with Hyperlite, Jetboil
Episode: Getting Charged by a Moose, a Month of CDT Solitude, and Going Pro as a Hiking Photographer with Caleb "Meatball" Adcock (BPR #364)
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)

Hosts

Zach Davis
Host of Backpacker Radio (co-host) with a long-running presence in trail storytelling and gear discussions
Juliana Chauncey
Co-host and long-time contributor, known for interviewing style and trail culture coverage

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings
  • Drunken Noodles

    Spicy show needs its own trail name

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    97Gamecock
    United Statesa month ago
  • Amazing… just dont talk geeky

    I have finally caught up after two years of listening, sadly just to have Chaunce leave 😫. This podcast is entertaining, educational, and full of surprises. Just one complaint… as a dedicated Star Wars fan it was painful to listen to the triple crown of Star Wars characters.. and chaunce explain the story… she wasn’t completely wrong but still not quite right. Other than that love the girl talk episodes and more Jess would be nice. Love it! Will continue listening!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vic Lani
    United States2 months ago
  • Love listening to this podcast but the audio needs work

    Listening to this in car the audio mixing is often very rough. Even when not in my car guests and hosts are all different volumes. Often one is way louder and someone is way too quiet. If they could fix this audio issue podcast would be perfect. I love the content though keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LavDad
    United States2 months ago
  • Maybe it will be better after the host that says “uhhhmmm” all the time moves on from podcasting.

    This podcast would be about 20mins shorter if you removed all the “uhhhmmmm…” vocal tics. To be fair sometimes it’s “ahhmmm”

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Tnprime
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are often compelling and diverse, spanning top hikers to photographers.
Listeners praise the show's authentic trail stories and gear insights.
Some listeners note audio quality and pacing issues, but content remains engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

FarPointe Sun Cruiser Review, Favorite Thru-Hiking Memories, Losing Your Spoon vs. Your Shelter, and Movies Everyone Loves that You Hate
Q: Would you rather on day one of your through hike, lose your shelter and have to always cowboy camp on the AT or lose your spoon and have to eat all meals with only your hands?
Lose your spoon by far, as sleeping in shelters is more feasible than constantly cowboy camping, and the longer you're on the trail the more annoying it becomes to eat with hands.
From Near-Death Sepsis to Triple Crowning while Carrying Larry the Log with Shawn Mahoney (BPR #368)
Q: How has carrying a log affected Shawn's health and hiking performance?
The log is physically demanding, shifting loads and causing shoulder wear, but Shawn notes weight management, frequent shoulder switches, and strong legs as compensations; he also attributes significant health improvements to consistent training after his near-fatal sepsis episode.
From Near-Death Sepsis to Triple Crowning while Carrying Larry the Log with Shawn Mahoney (BPR #368)
Q: What inspired the creation of Larry the Log and how did it evolve?
Shawn explains it started as a military training aid to work on balance and center of gravity, then evolved into a hiking companion that helped with training and endurance across trails; it became a narrative device that attracted fellow hikers and supporters.
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.

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 outdoors podcast centers on thru-hiking culture, gear, trail news, and interviews with people living the trail life. Episodes blend deep-dive conversations with practical gear talk, trail-by-trail storytelling, and cross-network promos, often featuring standout guests such as professional photographers, outfitter-owners, and renowned long-distance hikers. The show balances technical discussions (weight, tents, sleep systems) with personal narratives from the road, making it a comprehensive listen for hikers, outdoor professionals, and brand collaborators exploring lifestyle, endurance, and trail economies. Notable is the emphasis on Triple Crown trails, trail journalism, and a vibrant, banter-heavy host dynamic that keeps con... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Backpacker Radio?

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How many listeners does Backpacker Radio get?

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What are the audience demographics for Backpacker Radio?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Backpacker Radio has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Backpacker Radio are there?

Backpacker Radio launched 9 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.

How do I contact Backpacker Radio?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Backpacker Radio?

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What guests have appeared on Backpacker Radio?

Recent guests on Backpacker Radio include:

1. Katie Doubledip Jackson
2. Shawn Mahoney
3. Tina Curran
4. Katie (author)
5. Andrew Livingston
6. Caleb Adcock
7. Jeremy Phoenix
8. Matthew Hengst

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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