Zach

Owner / Editor-in-Chief at thetrek.co. AT (2011) + PCT (2017) thru-hiker. Author of Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials, resources focused on mentally preparing people for a thru-hike. Named The Top Hiking and Outdoor Blogger by USA TODAY. AKA Badger or the Good Badger. Will dance if provoked. If you're planning on thru-hiking in the future, I encourage you to check out my Personal AT Coaching Page.

Posts

Backpacker Radio Episode #13: The Trail Days Show! Ft. The Real Hiking Viking, Gary Sizer, and Megan Thompson

Backpacker Radio Episode #13: The Trail Days Show! Ft. The Real Hiking Viking, Gary Sizer, and Megan Thompson

"Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is just section hiking the earth." - The Real Hiking Viking If Comic Con and Burning Man had a

Jun 12, 2018 : Zach
Backpacker Radio Episode #12: Niki “Bionic Woman” Rellon, First Female Hiker To Complete the Appalachian Trail on Prosthetic Leg

Backpacker Radio Episode #12: Niki “Bionic Woman” Rellon, First Female Hiker To Complete the Appalachian Trail on Prosthetic Leg

Niki "Bionic Woman" Rellon is the first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail on a prosthetic leg.  This is just the tip of the

Jun 6, 2018 : Zach
Trail Correspondents Episode #8: The Biggest Surprises (Pt II)

Trail Correspondents Episode #8: The Biggest Surprises (Pt II)

When backpacking through the backcountry for months on end, there's one thing that can be relied upon: expect the unexpected.  Today's

Jun 4, 2018 : Zach
Trail Correspondents Episode #7: The Biggest Surprises (Pt I)

Trail Correspondents Episode #7: The Biggest Surprises (Pt I)

When backpacking through the backcountry for months on end, there's one thing that can be relied upon: expect the unexpected.  Today's

May 28, 2018 : Zach
Backpacker Radio Episode #11: Thru-Hiking Nutrition with Katie Gerber and the Best Sleeping Bags for Thru-Hiking

Backpacker Radio Episode #11: Thru-Hiking Nutrition with Katie Gerber and the Best Sleeping Bags for Thru-Hiking

Today's episode is all about how to eat right on and off trail.  We are joined by thru-hiker and soon-to-be certified holistic

May 16, 2018 : Zach
Trail Correspondents Episode #6: The First Week on Trail (Part 2)

Trail Correspondents Episode #6: The First Week on Trail (Part 2)

? Today we hear from the 2nd batch of our thru-hikers about a week into their journey.  You can find the first part of this here. 2018

May 14, 2018 : Zach
Backpacker Radio Episode 10: Ballflap & His Soggy Igneo, PCT Trail Angel Frodo, and the Best Tents for Thru-Hiking

Backpacker Radio Episode 10: Ballflap & His Soggy Igneo, PCT Trail Angel Frodo, and the Best Tents for Thru-Hiking

? Backpacker Radio celebrates its double digit episode birthday (?) with a bonus interview from Pacific Crest Trail super trail angel,

May 9, 2018 : Zach
Trail Correspondents Episode #5: The Night Before (Part 2)

Trail Correspondents Episode #5: The Night Before (Part 2)

Today we check in with the other half of our trail correspondents during a excitement and/or diarrhea filled period of their journey- the

May 3, 2018 : Zach
Backpacker Radio Episode #9 – Hey Girl from Sounds of the Trail, Boots vs. Trail Runners, and Near-Death Experiences in the Smokies

Backpacker Radio Episode #9 – Hey Girl from Sounds of the Trail, Boots vs. Trail Runners, and Near-Death Experiences in the Smokies

If you've listened to Sounds of the Trail, you already know today's guest.  Backpacker Radio is joined by Laura "Hey Girl" Johnston- an

Apr 24, 2018 : Zach
Trail Correspondents Episode #4: The First Week on Trail (Part I)

Trail Correspondents Episode #4: The First Week on Trail (Part I)

Episode number 4 of our Trail Correspondents series comes directly from the trail!  Our hikers were tasked with interviewing a fellow

Apr 19, 2018 : Zach