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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
SportsWilderness

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Artwork for Backpacker Radio

Latest Episodes

Segments

Sun Hoodie Review: Outdoor Research AstroMan

Trek Propaganda:

• Hike naked day (Day 61) by Gerjan "Hungry" Hertgers

• 20 Strange Things Thru-hiking Can Do to Your Body That Nobody Talks About by Livvy Weld

• The Triple Crowner... more

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Tina Currin, aka Cash Money, a Triple Crown thru-hiker, Andrew Skurka guide, park ranger, wilderness EMT, and Guinness World Record holder.

In t... more

Segments

Sun Hoodie Review: Jolly Gear

Trek Propaganda: 2026 AT Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite Gear So Far by Katie Jackson

QOTD: When was the last time you were in a tornado warning?

Switchback Recap

Triple Crown of sounds that trigger ... more

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Andrew Livingston, aka Coach from Marion Outdoors and host of the Chafed Outdoors podcast.

In this one, Coach tells the story of losing ... 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 (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)
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)

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 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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.

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

Where can I find podcast stats for Backpacker Radio?

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How many listeners does Backpacker Radio get?

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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?

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

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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. Katie (author)
2. Andrew Livingston
3. Caleb Adcock
4. Jeremy Phoenix
5. Matthew Hengst
6. Liz Crandall
7. Stephen Palazzo
8. Becca Beckham

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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