Hike Essentials

Staff Sgt. Andrea Okrasinski and Staff Sgt. Ema Donlagic are U.S. Army Soldiers and Instructors with the Army Mountain Warfare School in Vermont, specializing in missions with extreme weather and mountainous terrain. 

They share their best tips for winter hiking based on their cold weather experiences in Vermont and elsewhere. 

We cover:

• Smart layering
• Taking care of your feet
• Hydration 
• And much more!

Learn more:

Army Mountain Warfare School
https://www.moore.army.mil/Infantry/AMWS/

Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills book
https://www.mountaineers.org/books/books/mountaineering-the-freedom-of-the-hills-9th-edition-1

Cold Weather Hiking Tips (REI)
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/cold-weather-hiking.html#:~:text=Make%20sure%20your%20clothing%20and,if%20you%27re%20feeling%20chilly.

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Lauren hiked France's thru hiking trail called the Hexatrek over the summer. She was the first North American woman to thru hike the trail. In this episode she shares some of her on trail experiences and we chat a little bit about the PCT and some of her other backpacking adventures.

"The HexaTrek is a 3034 km trail, linking 14 of the most beautiful natural parks and crossing France from the Vosges to the Pyrenees. Following the mountain ridges, crossing the most beautiful valleys and stopping in the most picturesque villages, the HexaTrek is 500 points of interest, unmissables, and natural wonders visible from the trail. The 6 stages of the HexaTrek will lead you through the most beautiful parks of the French territory." (hexatrek.com)

Connect with Lauren:

Instagram: @laurenroerick
TikTok: @laurenexplores
YouTube: @laurenroerick
Website: www.laurenroerick.com

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Nick shares his summer hiking from Springer to Harper's Ferry. He hiked 1000 miles also wearing one of my Hike hats. We chat about what it is really like on trail and the lessons he took back afterwards. This conversation inspired me and I know it will inspire you. On trail or off trail, Nick's story will resonate with you. 

Connect with Nick "Show Me": 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nthew3/

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Dane shares all the information about his and his hiking partner's summer thru hike of the Art Loeb Trail. 

We break down each day and chat about the planning and reality of this hike. Dane has lots of tips and resources that everyone can use whether they are looking at a day hike or thru hike of this trail. 

If you have questions about the trail, reach out to Dane at 

dane(dot)schuckman(at)gmail(dot)com

Resource links: 
 

• Pisgah Map Co. - 
• Antigravity Gear ALT trail guide
• Reviewing Leave No Trace principles
• YouTube - Unfettered Footsteps - Hiking the Art Loeb Trail: Logistics & Planning
• The Trek - Blog post by Jessie Robinson - Guide to Hiking the Art Loeb Trail in One Weekend
• Facebook’s Art Loeb Trail group

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Troy Zohner has hiked all of the 115 designated high peaks in the Northeast. These include the high peaks of the Adirondacks, Catskills, Green Mountains and White Mountains. 

 In this episode he shares some of the highlights of hiking in the Adirondacks, including his recent hike of  Lake George’s Tongue Mountain Range.  Troy is also an avid blogger of his hikes and you can find those on his web site Tomcat’s Outdoor Adventures  here.

Also head over to check out Tomcat’s Outdoor Adventures on Facebook. 

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Jessica and Jen share their summer road trip around Lake Superior. The Lake Superior Circle tour covers 1,300-miles around the world’s largest freshwater lake.  

In this episode you'll find their pro tips on 

• Camping 
• Visiting essential beaches
• Navigating currency exchange 
• Being prepared
• Winging it!

They also touch on their upcoming Maryland A.T. section hike and a few of their other fun and not-so-fun adventures.

Connect with Jessica:
@pagecats

Connect with Jen:
@jennythetrailhead
@truenorthexp


Links to some of the places mentioned:

https://canalpark.com

https://lakesuperiorcircletour.info

https://lakesuperiorcircletour.info/location/little-girls-point-county-park-beach/

https://www.fortsuperiorcampground.com

https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/pancakebay

https://lakesuperiorcircletour.info/location/wawa/

https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/rainbowfalls

https://lakesuperiorcircletour.info/location/sleeping-giant-provincial-park/

https://www.theoutbound.com/canada/hiking/hike-to-the-sea-lion-of-sleeping-giant-provincial-park

Plan your Lake Superior Circle Tour here!

Connect with Hike:
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Twitter: @thehikepodcast
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Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Lori gets asked some hiking related questions from her daughter. She graciously agreed to be put on the spot and behind the mic.  Thank you, C!

Links to some of the items mentioned

Favorite Areas to hike:
GSMNP Clingman's Dome Bypass Trail, Jump Off Trail, Charlie's Bunion
Central Cascades Bachelor Mountain & Coffin Mountain, Battle Ax
Hike's Season 1 episode on The 10 Essentials
One of Hike's favorite Protein Balls recipes
Treeline Review - Best Water Bottles for Hiking of 2023
Treeline Review - What to Wear Winter Hiking
Yaktrax vs Microspikes - which is better?

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Aaron of Backcountry Foodie shares how she's expanded her business to include a Hiker Resupply service. This hiking season was a success and she is going to move forward with more options in 2024, including working to certify her kitchen as commercial.

During our chat, we talk about the benefits of having someone else do hiker resupply, her methods, PCT days and more.

Listen to our 2021 episode here

Learn more about the Tour du Mont-Blanc

Connect with Aaron/Backcountry Foodie:
https://backcountryfoodie.com/

Backcountry hike resupply service info -
https://backcountryfoodie.com/resupply-service/

Instagram: @backcountry_foodie
https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_foodie/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/backcountryfoodie

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Original episode aired February 13th, 2019

Stacia shares her personal experiences of being on the Appalachian Trail and how it helped her grow and find purpose in life.

Anyone who is planning a section or thru hike or has done one will find that listening to her story gives a candid and honest perspective that gets to the heart of why we hike. Stacia reflects on overcoming obstacles, pushing her body to its limits and the bonds of her trail family as she set out to reach Katahdin.

What she discovered along the way is that the Appalachian Trail is more than the number of miles you hike or what you check off on the list. The trail changed her life. Through Stacia's story, we get to understand what it really means to find Katahdin.

Connect with Stacia on Instagram

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com

Lee, trail name Boots, shares information about his annual Hike for Healing. This year the hike will be on June 19th on Segment 1 of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Listen in to learn how you can bring awareness to this issue and be an ally by supporting the hike. 

"Hike for Healing is an annual hike promoting ongoing awareness to strive towards healing of divisions. Why? Because humanity is imperfect. Racism, inequity, cultural insensitivities, social injustices, and even subtle prejudices are quite real and unfortunately play a role in everyday life. These are not political problems, these are human problems." - Bootsonthetrail.com

Connect with Boots:
bootsonthetrail.com
All the social links and news can be found at https://linktr.ee/bootsonthetrail

Instagram: @bootsonthetrail
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx3N7038qJrQF9tVztx7xGw

Connect with Hike:
Instagram: @thehikepodcast
Twitter: @thehikepodcast
Facebook: @thehikepodcast
Email: hikepodcast@gmail.com