Gary Sizer

I'm Gary Sizer, a.k.a. Green Giant, backpacker, amateur astronomer and writer. I am the author of Where's the Next Shelter?, the story of my 2014 thru hike and all of the incredible people I met along the way.

Posts

Episode 18: Family Hiking with Shoe Expert Damien Tougas (aka “Toe Salad”)

Episode 18: Family Hiking with Shoe Expert Damien Tougas (aka “Toe Salad”)

Maybe you've wondered, "What's the deal with those 'five finger shoes'?" (And shouldn't they be "five toe shoes"?) Or perhaps you're curious about minimalist footwear. You're in luck hikers! This week we have a trail runners expert on the line and we go in depth about shoe talk and so much more.

Oct 3, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Stories From The Trail Ep. 17 – O Dog Rollin’ with O’Ree Crittenden

Stories From The Trail Ep. 17 – O Dog Rollin’ with O’Ree Crittenden

In 2016 O'Ree Crittenden set out to hike the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail. This would be enough of a challenge for any of us, but

Sep 16, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Stories From The Trail Ep 16 – Live! When Marmots Attack!

Stories From The Trail Ep 16 – Live! When Marmots Attack!

In our first ever live streaming episode, you the listeners call in with questions, comments and of course, stories. Eventually we wind up on the

Aug 24, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Stories From The Trail Ep. 15 – Still Got Most Of It Left with Odie

Stories From The Trail Ep. 15 – Still Got Most Of It Left with Odie

Matthew "Odie" Norman is best known on the AT as the bus-dwelling, shaggy-faced creator of the Hiker Yearbook, an old-school hardback annual

Aug 10, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Stories From The Trail Ep. 14: Halfway There with Turnaround

Stories From The Trail Ep. 14: Halfway There with Turnaround

Back in Episode 9 we met Chris, who was beginning his Appalachian Trail thru-hike the following day. This is Chris's first long trail, and he's

Jul 26, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Stories From The Trail Episode 13: White Mountains Direttissima with Griffin Howard

Stories From The Trail Episode 13: White Mountains Direttissima with Griffin Howard

New Hampshire is home to 48 peaks over 4,000 feet. For hikers who collect patches, the "NH48" is awarded to those who have visited all 48 peaks.

Jul 10, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Stories From The Trail Ep 12 – AT Trail Days with Zach and Hiking Viking

Stories From The Trail Ep 12 – AT Trail Days with Zach and Hiking Viking

Worlds Collide! This year for Trail Days, Voldemort and I traveled to Damascus, a much longer trip for her! and recorded a joint episode with Zach

Jun 12, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Stories From The Trail Ep 11 – Mother’s Day Special: Miss Janet

Stories From The Trail Ep 11 – Mother’s Day Special: Miss Janet

The Appalachian Trail wouldn't be what it is today without Miss Janet. It doesn't take long for a new or aspiring thru-hiker to start hearing her

May 12, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Stories From The Trail Episode 10 – Daniel’s First Backpacking Trip!

Stories From The Trail Episode 10 – Daniel’s First Backpacking Trip!

Do you remember your first overnight backpacking trip? (Or are you looking forward to it?) Were you scared to sleep in the woods? Did you carry too

May 6, 2018 : Gary Sizer
Stories from the Trail #9 – Starting a Thru-Hike Tomorrow

Stories from the Trail #9 – Starting a Thru-Hike Tomorrow

If you were starting the Appalachian Trail tomorrow, what questions would you have? New AT hiker Chris Clevenger called the show the day before

Apr 10, 2018 : Gary Sizer