When you go to your local outdoor store or shop online you find the usual big name gear companies that dominate the market. Derek and Carl have 5 up and coming gear companies that you may or may not have heard of before that can help make your trip better. For ultralighters to newbies to budget conscious folk to clothing wearers to people who eat food...there's something for everyone! Also Derek and Carl get into a minor argument about trivia (shocking).

Rakaia Designs even quoted Derek from this episode. Check them out!

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Twitter Account: @BackpackingBli1

or email:  hikercman@netscape.net

This is not your typical list of backpacking skills. Youtuber Kevin Outdoors joins the show to provide some insight on a few skills that will make your trip better. Derek and Carl then chip in with a couple of their own unexpected trail talents. Also, Derek administers a trivia that causes some controversy. 

Check out Kevin Outdoors' Youtube Channel. He's got some great stuff!

Twitter Account: @BackpackingBli1

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Derek and Carl are joined in this episode by the Trust the Trail podcast.

Please check out our Death Hike video!

Twitter Account: @BackpackingBli1

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or email:  hikercman@netscape.net

It's time to start putting trips on the calendar! Whether you're an experienced planner or it's your first crack at it, Derek and Carl explore a variety of strategies and considerations when putting the pieces together. Joined by expert Victoria Livschitz from RightonTrek.com, issues for the time-crunched traveler, the hesitant explorer and/or the hiker who simply needs some good plans and structure are also addressed.

Also check out EXO Protein Bars and use BACKPACKING as a coupon code to save 15%!

Please check out our Death Hike video!

Twitter Account: @BackpackingBli1

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or email:  hikercman@netscape.net

Just how dirty is too dirty? Just how smelly is too smelly? What should we really bring in our toiletry kits and what can we leave at home? These questions and more are answered (or an attempt is made to answer them) by Derek and Carl. 

Also check out EXO Protein Bars and use BACKPACKING as a coupon code to save 15%!

Please check out our Death Hike video!

Twitter Account: @BackpackingBli1

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message either our Facebook page.

or email:  hikercman@netscape.net

Since it's Christmas week Derek and Carl have an abbreviated episode. For those that have listened since toward the beginning or those that have gone back to listen to most of the back episodes we've got a trivia challenge. Listen to this episode to play along, get some hints, or just for fun.

Take the trivia quiz here.

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There's more to blister prevention than simply wearing the right socks. Derek and Carl give a thorough explanation of how to find the right footwear in order to keep your feet happy. There's A LOT to consider and there is A LOT of unhelpful information out there. This episode is an attempt to sift through all of that. Also, Derek shares a story involving Nalgene shrapnel.

Also check out EXO Protein Bars and use BACKPACKING as a coupon code to save 15%!

Please check out our Death Hike video!

Twitter Account: @BackpackingBli1

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message either our Facebook page.

or email:  hikercman@netscape.net

There's a piece of gear that almost everyone brings with them on every trip. Sometimes it's used sparingly and sometimes it's not used at all. Derek and Carl try to make you rethink this often neglected item with 20ish ways to use it creatively. Also, Derek challenges Carl in trivia on how to use other items...like sweat-soaked socks.

Also check out EXO Protein Bars and use BACKPACKING as a coupon code to save 15%!

Please check out the newly released Death Hike video!

New Twitter Account: @BackpackingBli1

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message either our Facebook page.

or email:  hikercman@netscape.net

Problems out on the trail range from minor annoyances to major issues. And some are more likely to be solved than others. Derek and Carl tackle problems shared by fellow adventurers in this episode and try to come up with realistic and reasonable solutions. Carl also shares some of his own minor problems and challenges Derek to come up with solutions.

Also check out EXO Protein Bars and use BACKPACKING as a coupon code to save 15%!

Please check out the newly released Death Hike video!

New Twitter Account: @BackpackingBli1

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message either our Facebook page.

or email:  hikercman@netscape.net

Derek's Red Peak Pass trip from the days of yore keeps getting referenced (mainly by him). This is Derek's account of what he calls a "death march." The concept of the death march and how it may or may not apply to trips you have been on is also discussed. Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Please check out the newly released Death Hike video!

New Twitter Account: @BackpackingBli1

Also check out EXO Protein Bars and use BACKPACKING as a coupon code to save 15%!

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message either our Facebook page.

or email:  hikercman@netscape.net