Ultra runner and veterinarian Jake "Animal" Rastas joins Doc for some studio time to talk ultra running with Doc. Settle in and buckle up as Animal covers some serious territory, including discussions complications, the Fenix 6, bonking, Barkley aspirations, Backyard Ultras, embarrassing moments, the Georgia Death Race, mind games, the worst race, warm pickle juice, salty avocados, and the incredible benefits that surface when you have a willingness to suffer. Epic. (This is Part II. Be sure to listen to Part I.)

Ultra runner and veterinarian Jake "Animal" Rastas joins Doc for some studio time to talk ultra running with Doc. Settle in and buckle up as Animal covers some serious territory, including discussions complications, the Fenix 6, bonking, Barkley aspirations, Backyard Ultras, embarrassing moments, the Georgia Death Race, mind games, the worst race, warm pickle juice, salty avocados, and the incredible benefits that surface when you have a willingness to suffer. Epic. (This is Part I. Be sure to listen to Part II.)

Thru hiker Steve "Walmart" Yale joins Doc for some studio time to talk about the trail he's done six (!) times, the Appalachian Trail. Settle in and buckle up as Walmart shares where he got all his gear for the first hike in 2019 (yes, it's where you think he got it), unhealthy habits, good cries, night hiking in 80 mph winds, Eeyore, Hippie, the Dirty 30, carney talents, being fueled by Dr. Pepper and bacon grease, Tags, the Old Glory Challenge, bear encounters, Scatter, tragedies on and off the trail, and finishing up in knock-off Crocs. Epic. (This is Part II. Be sure to listen to Part I.)

Thru hiker Steve "Walmart" Yale joins Doc for some studio time to talk about the trail he's done six (!) times, the Appalachian Trail. Settle in and buckle up as Walmart shares where he got all his gear for the first hike in 2019 (yes, it's where you think he got it), unhealthy habits, good cries, night hiking in 80 mph winds, Eeyore, Hippie, the Dirty 30, carney talents, being fueled by Dr. Pepper and bacon grease, Tags, the Old Glory Challenge, bear encounters, Scatter, tragedies on and off the trail, and finishing up in knock-off Crocs. Epic. (This is Part I. Be sure to listen to Part II.)

Rocket and Stump dig deep into the real causes of extreme trail hunger, the hormonal chaos driving it, and the tricks thru hikers use to fight back. From metabolic ceilings to craving-driven pig-outs, this episode breaks down what really happens to your body and brain on the long trail.

Settle in and buckle up for this bonus episode off the usual trail. Dylan "Mister Six" Thomas tells Doc the story about his epic thru hike of a different type of mountain.

Thru hiker and founder of Trail Goods Co. Luke "Bus" Pearsall drops in for studio time with Doc to talk trail and the highs and lows of getting his company off the ground. Settle in and buckle up as Bus engages in a wide-ranging discussion of his eclectic past and the trail he followed to his current camp spot. Bus shares his thoughts on poor trail names, twice-tasted garlic pizza, backcountry charcuterie, South American kidnappings, Hiker Trash adjacency, signature meals, sauce guys, and his passion for food and feeding Hiker Trash. Epic. (This is Part II. Be sure to listen to Part I.)

Thru hiker and founder of Trail Goods Co. Luke "Bus" Pearsall drops in for studio time with Doc to talk trail and the highs and lows of getting his company off the ground. Settle in and buckle up as Bus engages in a wide-ranging discussion of his eclectic past and the trail he followed to his current camp spot. Bus shares his thoughts on poor trail names, twice-tasted garlic pizza, backcountry charcuterie, South American kidnappings, Hiker Trash adjacency, signature meals, sauce guys, and his passion for food and feeding Hiker Trash. Epic. (This is Part I. Be sure to listen to Part II.)

Triple Crowner Mike "Snazzy" Stone drops in for some studio time with Doc to talk trail and Type II Fun. Settle in and buckle up as Snazzy shares some good times (and bad) from the trails, including pizza addiction, feces wallpaper, getting naked at the monument, falling behind the bubble, 3,000 miles of solitude on the CDT, campsites with a view (and weather!), blisters on blisters, interesting tasting water in New Mexico, and why the last one to the monument wins. Epic. (This is Part II. Be sure to listen to Part I.)

Triple Crowner Mike "Snazzy" Stone drops in for some studio time with Doc to talk trail and Type II Fun. Settle in and buckle up as Snazzy shares some good times (and bad) from the trails, including pizza addiction, feces wallpaper, getting naked at the monument, falling behind the bubble, 3,000 miles of solitude on the CDT, campsites with a view (and weather!), blisters on blisters, interesting tasting water in New Mexico, and why the last one to the monument wins. Epic. (This is Part I. Be sure to listen to Part II.)

Rocket and Stump break down the unwritten social rules every thru hiker needs to know, from Leave No Trace and yielding etiquette to quiet hours in camp. This episode dives into the everyday norms that keep the long-trail community safe, supportive, and fun for everyone.

In this special bonus episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc welcomes back Anna 'Magic' McKinney-Smith, the podcast's 2025 PCT Correspondent, who has successfully completed the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Recorded two months after finishing the trek, Anna shares her insights and experiences, from the high challenges of Northern California's burnt areas to the relatively easier terrains of Oregon and the rugged beauty of Washington. Doc and Anna discuss the ups and downs of her journey, including mosquito-infested regions, the camaraderie of trail towns, and the mental resilience needed to complete such an extensive hike. They also touch on the bittersweet emotions of finishing the trail and adjusting back to normal life, while contemplating future hiking adventures. This episode is packed with trail tales, practical tips, and deep reflections on the long hike experience.

Thru hiker and author Jared "Snackbox" Champion joins Doc in the Hiker Trash Radio studio to talk some trail and Type II Fun. Settle in and buckle up as Snackbox discusses his experience on the Colorado Trail; his nonprofit, Backcountry Champions; and his book, More Than Hope, Lessons on the Colorado Trail. During the wide-ranging discussion, Snackbox covers old man territory, bear encounters, redneck transformations, passes and storms, dumbo ears, the Narnia Zone, Details, poor man's pad thai, rage quitting, outside vs. inside, trail proposals, and a thru hike of the Colorado Trail using only gear from 1974. An instant classic. (This is Part II. Be sure to listen to Part I.)

Thru hiker and author Jared "Snackbox" Champion joins Doc in the Hiker Trash Radio studio to talk some trail and Type II Fun. Settle in and buckle up as Snackbox discusses his experience on the Colorado Trail; his nonprofit, Backcountry Champions; and his book, More Than Hope, Lessons on the Colorado Trail. During the wide-ranging discussion, Snackbox covers old man territory, bear encounters, redneck transformations, passes and storms, dumbo ears, the Narnia Zone, Details, poor man's pad thai, rage quitting, outside vs. inside, trail proposals, and a thru hike of the Colorado Trail using only gear from 1974. An instant classic. (This is Part I. Be sure to listen to Part II.)

Thru hiker Chris "Mouse" DiFranco joins Doc in the studio to talk about the 4,000 trail miles he put under his feet in 2025. Settle in and buckle up as Mouse tells it like it is, including his childhood in Medford, Massachusetts, the PCT, two Caminos, Seven, Wind, two days of tacos, partial kidnappings, murderous hitches, Ugly Stick, Stealth, the Madeira Crossing, Greenhorn, Tardy, leaf peeping, filtering water on the Florida Trail, Havasupai, and how to hike 4,000 miles on two continents in 270 days. An instant classic. (This is Part II. Be sure to listen to Part I.)

Thru hiker Chris "Mouse" DiFranco joins Doc in the studio to talk about the 4,000 trail miles he put under his feet in 2025. Settle in and buckle up as Mouse tells it like it is, including his childhood in Medford, Massachusetts, the PCT, two Caminos, Seven, Wind, two days of tacos, partial kidnappings, murderous hitches, Ugly Stick, Stealth, the Madeira Crossing, Greenhorn, Tardy, leaf peeping, filtering water on the Florida Trail, Havasupai, and how to hike 4,000 miles on two continents in 270 days. An instant classic. (This is Part I. Be sure to listen to Part II.)

Rocket and Stump unpack the challenge, history, and logistics behind the elusive Calendar Year Triple Crown. Discover what it takes to attempt all three major US long-distance trails within a single year, and hear about the hikers who've made history.

Triple Crowner and ECT completer Jacob Pepper joins Doc for some studio time to share one of the most epic adventures out there! Settle in and buckle up as Pepper talks about completing the Triple Crown, hiker brain, processing power, hiking from the Keys to Newfoundland, Lucky 13, Yellow Blazing guilt, Blueprint, accountability, powering up with caffeine and death metal, mystery illnesses, fun with poison sumac, Wanderer, and how you can push beyond the limit and do anything. Epic.

Thru hiker and CPTSD survivor Jocelyn "PBS" Smith joins Doc in the studio to cover some crisis moments on the trail as well as announce her next big project. Settle in and buckle up as PBS discusses 116-degree rescues in the Grand Canyon, cold soaking trials, rare squirrels, multi-use wipes, baguettes with cheese, cop poaches, Sparkle, Pegleg, 1,700 miles of hiking on torn ligaments, grandioso life conclusions, and her 2026 border-to-border Calendar Year Triple Crown attempt. Epic. (This is Part II. Be sure to listen to Part I.)

Thru hiker and CPTSD survivor Jocelyn "PBS" Smith joins Doc in the studio to cover some crisis moments on the trail as well as announce her next big project. Settle in and buckle up as PBS discusses 116-degree rescues in the Grand Canyon, cold soaking trials, rare squirrels, multi-use wipes, baguettes with cheese, cop poaches, Sparkle, Pegleg, 1,700 miles of hiking on torn ligaments, grandioso life conclusions, and her 2026 border-to-border Calendar Year Triple Crown attempt. Epic. (This is Part I. Be sure to listen to Part II.)