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 #47: Peter Bakwin of FastestKnownTime.com

Backpacker Radio #47: Peter Bakwin of FastestKnownTime.com

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we're joined by Peter Bakwin, co-creator at fastestknowntime.com. We dive deep on all things FKT

Sep 29, 2019 : Zach
Trail Correspondents Episode #18 | Standout Thru-Hiker Stories

Trail Correspondents Episode #18 | Standout Thru-Hiker Stories

Grab a seat next to the rocking chair because today's show will feature some stories from the backcountry. We instructed our hikers to share

Sep 6, 2019 : Zach
Badger’s Long Trail Gear List

Badger’s Long Trail Gear List

After hiking an 80-mile section of the AT, the first 30% of the Oregon Coast Trail, a 100-mile section of the CDT (which was supposed to be the

Sep 6, 2019 : Zach
Backpacker Radio #46: Anish Is Back(!), the Impact of Vloggers on the Trail Community, and Cinnamon Court 2.0

Backpacker Radio #46: Anish Is Back(!), the Impact of Vloggers on the Trail Community, and Cinnamon Court 2.0

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, I sit down to chat with record holder, trail legend, author, and Backpacker

Sep 5, 2019 : Zach
Trail Correspondents Episode #17 | Wildcard II (Group 2)

Trail Correspondents Episode #17 | Wildcard II (Group 2)

In our previous episode, our first group of hikers weighed in on a wide array of subjects from their thru-hikes. Today's episode comes from

Sep 3, 2019 : Zach
Trail Correspondents Episode #16 | Wildcard II (Group 1)

Trail Correspondents Episode #16 | Wildcard II (Group 1)

Today's episode brings us our second wildcard, and our first from the trail. I gave our correspondents a blank canvas for which they can paint

Aug 27, 2019 : Zach
The Wind River High Route: A Fully Incomplete Q&A

The Wind River High Route: A Fully Incomplete Q&A

Eearlier this month, I, along with everybody's favorite Viking who walks good, along with his longtime buddy, Lt. Cookoo Bird, set out to complete

Aug 22, 2019 : Zach
Backpacker Radio #45: Chaunce Hiked the AT (Drink), Badger’s WRHR Hike, and Our Upcoming Road Trip

Backpacker Radio #45: Chaunce Hiked the AT (Drink), Badger’s WRHR Hike, and Our Upcoming Road Trip

The cinnamon is connected for good. Or for bad. But undoubtedly, for the foreseeable future. Chaunce and Badger go deep on the rest of her

Aug 20, 2019 : Zach
Trail Correspondents Episode #15 | The Social Dynamics of a Thru-Hike (Group 2)

Trail Correspondents Episode #15 | The Social Dynamics of a Thru-Hike (Group 2)

Social dynamics on trail. In our previous episode our group one hikers gave us insight on how their hiking groups have evolved over the

Aug 4, 2019 : Zach
Badger’s Wind River High Route Gear List

Badger’s Wind River High Route Gear List

Next week, Jabba, Lt. Cookoo, and I will be attempting to hike Andrew Skurka's Wind River High Route.  I say attempt because I learned on the

Aug 1, 2019 : Zach