Backpacking & Blisters

Welcome to Season 2!!! In the season opener, Derek and Carl recap some things learned and relearned from their July trip. How important are group dynamics to backpacking? Is it ever too early to pack? Why is there always somebody who tries to compromise the plan? Does Derek know how to dry out his shoes and socks with a campfire? How many blisters did Carl get from wearing cotton socks through multiple rain storms? What happens when a ranger catches you carrying too few bear canisters? All these questions (and more) are addressed in one way or another. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net

In the final "between-the-seasons" episode Derek and Carl are joined by Tayson Whittaker from Outdoor Vitals. The main topics on the table include ultralight vs. comfort, ultralight vs. cost, down vs. synthetic, and...Luke Skywalker's real ability to survive a night with dead Tauntaun insulation. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

In the second of three "between seasons" episodes, Derek and Carl are in the midst of their annual trip. From inside their 4 man tent, they give a brief rundown of a variety of trail topics. Can one be too ultralight? Is it okay for the fittest member of a group to have the lightest pack? Is carrying a sword in a lightning storm wise? These are just some of the questions addressed by the crew. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

In this "between seasons" episode, Derek and Carl address taking kids, teenagers and pretty much anybody who would be considered high maintenance. If you are a kid, have kids, are going to have kids, or plan to take your grandkids, there should be quite a bit of helpful information provided. Carl also has interesting (and questionable) backpacking rite of passage and Derek dives in to his favorite subject as well. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

This is the Season Finale!!! Derek and Carl do a play on the literary conflicts by applying them to backpacking. Strangely, they all fit in one way or another. Carl interviews a special guest for one of the conflict topics. Also, what's in store for this podcast in the months to come? That is discussed.  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

Youtuber Spiguyver co-hosts with Derek and Carl this week. They compare canister and alcohol stoves as well as how to make hammocks part of a backpacking trip. Spiguyver offers other tips and tricks as an experienced backpacker along with a compelling story behind his trail name. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

In this Derek-driven episode, the relevance of the 10 essentials are explored. And what if you could only bring 4 of them? Does this relate to "Essentialitis"? You be the judge. By listener demand, Derek and Carl scratch the surface of some gear chat with their favorite piece/brand. And, gauntlets are thrown as they pose backpacking challenges to each other. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

Even the most prolific hikers have ailments from time to time. While simply managing it or toughing it out is an option, there are some "solutions" out there. This week Derek and Carl discuss some obvious and not-so-obvious methods to make the journey more comfortable. Also, do zipped up sleeping bags keep gas from escaping into the tent atmosphere? GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

What do you do (or depending on who's talking...what do you avoid) when you're on an island and a smoke monster is chasing you? Or really, when you're simply lost in the backcountry. With speical guest Knowlton (coming to us from Nepal), three scenarios are explored.  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

This episdoe features an interview with Jason Fitzpatrick from Mile Mile & a Half as well as Chris Smead (Chris is Awesome Productions). Both of them (along with Derek and Carl) give their 3 tips for tackling the long trail. Also, who is the ideal trail partner for such an endeavor?  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

One of the best parts about hiking is encountering wildlife. So how about a trip that enables you to find one of the most elusive creatures...the Sasquatch? Carl provides 3 tips and a specific trip plan for potentially finding a Bigfoot. Derek, on the other hand, uses his own research to debunk them entirely. Also, are Wookies just Bigfoot from a galaxy far far away and is Chewbacca actual video evidence? Those items are addressed as well.  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

Strange, weird and sometimes unfrotunate things happen out in the wild (or even just off the road). Derek and Carl share a few of the most unexpected and interesting stories they have come across.  One involves a dangerous shoe while another is entitled "When Fur isn't Enough". GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

While many of today's survival shows feature scenarios that most are unlikely to encounter (e.g. stumbling upon a drug cartel in Peru that was addressed in Dual Survival), there are some suvival-type circumstances that one could experience while hiking. Pulling from his vast survival knowledge (i.e. watching some different surival TV shows), Derek attempts to solve a couple of scenarios that Carl throws at him. Also, Carl's wife, Jessica, stops by for a segment where she handles her own scenario. Is the wisdom gleaned from this episode applicable to potential backcountry experiences? You be the judge! GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpac

Derek and Carl finally address the question they've been throwing out: how much weight can you save or how can you improve your backpacking experience with $100? Somehow one of the items mentioned addresses a potential issue with bears that have access to guns.  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

This episode includes a number of random tidbits from the release of the backpacking documentary to challenges to a couple of Derek's previous trivia questions. The main part of the episode explores whether it's better to hike with a group or to enjoy the convenience of solo travel.  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

While some doomsday preppers build bunkers others prepare for a disaster with bug out bags. Why not make avoiding disaster fun by turning the whole thing into a backpacking trip? Derek and Carl discuss a backpacking scenario with items commonly (and not-so-commonly) found in typical bug out bags, the best places to escape, and more! When you've gone hiking if you've ever wanted to simply stay out there, this topic will work too! GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

This week Derek and Carl address a whole variety of topics -- or a hodgepodge of topics. Stemming mainly from listener feedback, questions and comments the conversation ranges from previous episode follow-up to the drudgery of a particular camp chore to the criteria for expelling a group member...and more! GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

Only a small fraction of backpackers really venture off trail more than a mile or two. What does it take to really get away from trail highways in regard to gear and skills? Aside from the obivous item (the GPS), Derek and Carl tackle this topic along with some confusion over the Leave No Trace guidelines. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

What places are on your life list? What does it take to make them happen? What are the common barriers that prevent those trips from happening? Derek and Carl explore these topics share their life lists by trying to convince one another to make them happen. Not surpisingly, Derek includes one that has a 1 in a million chance to occurring.  GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear

Sometimes just getting to the trailhead is the biggest challenge of the trip. In this episode Derek and Carl explore some common and uncommon (but true) stories of trip sabotage. Guest host, Chris Wimberly, provides the voice of reason in attempts to prevent trips getting derailed in the future. In addition to the main topic, Derek and Carl finally tackle Steve's question about going ultralight on a budget. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content providers. https://www.patreon.com/backpackingandblisters To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Instagram and Facebook pages. @backpackingandblisterspodcast https://www.facebook.com/backpackingandblisters or email: hikercman@netscape.net Backpacking Gear Best Backpacking Gear Backpacking Trip Planning Hiking Gear Best Hiking Gear