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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 weeklyEpisodes390Founded8 years ago
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WildernessSports

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Latest Episodes

Segments

Ways to Die

Trek Propaganda: Hikers Discover Human Remains Near Vermont Appalachian Trail by Kelly Floro

QOTD: What celebrity names can you never remember?

Triple Crown of the worst gifts to give young kids

Parenting Thing of the... more

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Liz Crandall, a former US Forest Service field ranger who was fired by DOGE last February and has since transitioned into advocacy, activi... more

Segments

Geography Quiz

Smells Associated with Health Issues

Trek Propaganda: 7 All-Too Common Signs of Entitlement I've Noticed in the Thru-Hiking Community by Peg Leg

QOTD: Why does a sawyer filter last a lifetime but you're supposed to sw... more

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Stephen Palazzo, aka Near Miss, an Army veteran, thru-hiker, and peak bagger who has completed the AT, CDT, AZT, and Colorado Trail, summited all 5... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Dr. Freeborn Mondello
Physical therapist, Run Free PT founder
Run Free PT
Episode: The Ultimate Thru-Hike Training Plan: Strength, Cardio, Protocols, and Common Injury Prevention with Dr. Freeborn Mondello (BPR #351)
Mallory Weston
Artist, metalsmith, professor; inaugural CDTC/ATC residency
Colorado/Appalachian Trail residencies
Episode: Working Art into a Thru-Hike: Inside the ATC and CDTC Artist Residencies with Mallory Weston & Leslie Boyd (BPR #350)

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
  • Chaunce is sexist

    Big fan of the show but Chaunes sexist views often get overlooked. She calls herself “old fashioned” so I shouldn’t be shocked. According to her taking out the trash is “a guys job.” And in a recent episode she thought it was okay for a mother to thru-hike but not so much the father. She said that would be a good time for the child and father to “bond” while the mother is on vacation. You think bonding isn’t happening when the mother is home? She’s had other comments about men dealing with bears... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    TeufeIhunden
    United Statesa month ago
  • I am a fan

    I love listening to your podcast. I look forward to each episode and love listening on my way home from work.

    I have learned tips and tricks for being on the trail. I live in San Diego and I am a local hiker, but one day hope to find myself doing the PCT. Maybe when I retire.

    I really enjoy this podcast! Thank you for making me laugh and drawing me in.

    BTW, the leach scene is in the movie Stand by Me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Escarb78
    United Statesa month ago
  • Let’s me go hiking in my head

    While stuck in LA traffic or trapped in my man box at work, I listen to your adventures and it helps me escape for a while. Interesting guests, a great balance of humor and info. Thanks for keeping me from totally losing my mind

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ddmansprty
    United Statesa month ago
  • Stick to hiking

    I am writing to thank you for the hiking content but ask that you try to keep your very wrong thoughts on medicine/health/nutrition to yourselves. At the very least you could provide a main stream health provider on to provide fact/evidence based advice. Some of the very wrong advice on vitamins/supplements could actually be harmful. For example daily ( in town) electrolytes is wasteful at best and renal toxic at worst. I have learned so much from you all about hikes and gear I just wish the ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    homeskillet503
    United States2 months ago
  • Release the files

    Leaving a 5 star review because I still need to hear the REAL episode #349

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hexx111
    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.

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.
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 does the career ladder look like for someone in your role, and what were the GS levels you advanced through?
Liz explains the progression from GS3 as a volunteer to GS6 as a permanent employee, highlighting how promotions depend on openings, experience, and networking, and how the system also involves probationary periods and political factors.
Big Podcast News, Swimming with Hippos, Peace Corps, and the GR20 with Becca "Little Bag" Beckham (BPR #356)
Q: Tell us how you got the trail name Little Bag and what it signified.
Becca explains it came from her early pack size on the PCT and the nickname became a badge of the minimalist approach she embraced early in her through-hiking journey.
Finding Thru-Hiking Community, the Jordan Trail, and Bigfoot Trail Mishaps with Claire "Marmot" Dumont (BPR #354)
Q: What is the elevator pitch for the Jordan Trail?
The Jordan Trail blends front country access with backcountry exploration, traversing four bio-regions and offering a rich mix of landscapes—desert canyons, Dead Sea views, and Petra—while foregrounding how local communities live with and shape the land, making land ethics central to any through-hike there.
Why This Pro Triathlete Quit Her Job to Hike the Appalachian Trail with Katie "Sunrise" Lance (BPR #355)
Q: How did your athletic path lead you to the Appalachian Trail?
Her transition from engineering to elite triathlon and eventually thru-hiking began with a steady climb through multiple endurance sports, then a realization that a forced break after a breakup and a professional season could be channeled into long-distance hiking as a path to clarity and balance.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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

Where can I find podcast stats for Backpacker Radio?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Backpacker Radio. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Backpacker Radio and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Backpacker Radio get?

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What are the audience demographics for Backpacker Radio?

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How many subscribers and views does Backpacker Radio have?

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.

Which podcasts are similar to Backpacker Radio?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Backpacker Radio:

1. Backpacking Light Podcast
2. Mighty Blue On The Appalachian Trail: The Ultimate Mid-Life Crisis
3. Outside Podcast
4. Adventure Sports Podcast
5. The Backpacking Podcast presented by Outdoor Vitals

How many episodes of Backpacker Radio are there?

Backpacker Radio launched 8 years ago and published 390 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Backpacker Radio from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Backpacker Radio?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Backpacker Radio. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Backpacker Radio?

Recent guests on Backpacker Radio include:

1. Liz Crandall
2. Stephen Palazzo
3. Becca Beckham
4. Katie Sunrise Lance
5. Claire Marmot Dumont
6. Megan Rascal Wilmarth
7. Mills Kelly
8. Dr. Freeborn Mondello

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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