Backpacker Radio #207 | Renee “She-ra” Patrick on the Blue Mountains Trail, Ground Truthing New Routes, & Consulting Trail Organizations

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are re-joined by friend of the show, Renee “She-ra” Patrick. She-ra is a triple crowner whose backpacking experience you heard all about in episode 44, today we catch up on all she’s been up to since last being on the show, including hikes on the Blue Mountains Trail, the Corvallis to Sea Trail, re-visiting the AT as a southbounder, and more. Renee also walks us through her latest endeavor and mission to help long-distance organizations improve the trail experience for hikers and to bring awareness to conservation efforts on trails across the country.

We wrap the show with things our parents told us that we’re now pretty sure is a lie, the triple crown of ways we’re turning into our parents, a few ways to save money in town as a thru-hiker, and more.

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Interview with Renee “She-ra” Patrick

• Renee Patrick Consulting
• Renee’s Blog
• Renee’s Instagram
• Long-Distance Trail Consulting | Hiker Survey
• Blue Mountains Trail | Greater Hells Canyon Council
• Greater Hart-Sheldon: Sagebrush Stronghold Story Map

Time stamps & Questions

00:03:28 – QOTD: What’s something your parents used to tell you that you’re now pretty sure is a lie?

00:06:30 – Introducing She-ra

00:07:05 – Catch us up on your last 4 years

00:08:48 – Tell us about the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon

00:10:20 – Discussion about managing the Oregon Desert Trail

00:12:30 – What kind of issues occur in that area?

00:14:11 – What is the number one challenge with building a trail?

00:16:00 – What’s your trail resume?

00:18:00 – What was it like hiking on the AT 20 years after your first thru-hike?

00:20:30 – What is your favorite thing about route hiking?

00:21:40 – Fuck Marry Kill: Trails, Routes, Consulting

00:22:28 – Do you have suggestions for approachable routes?

00:26:00 – What does the research look like for the first person to hike a route?

00:28:30 – What are common mistakes people make when starting routes?

00:32:10 – Tell us about the Corvallis to Sea Trail

00:37:20 – Discussion about the Three Sisters Trail and the Up North Loop

00:41:38 – If someone wanted to start their own trail, what roles do they need to fill?

00:47:16 – Can you estimate how long it takes to make a trail based on the mileage?

00:49:09 – What is a National Recreation Trail?

00:51:30 – Tell us about your consulting business

00:56:00 – Do you work with both trail organizations and hikers?

00:58:15 – What practical things can organizations recommend to hikers?

01:04:08 – Zach’s pitch idea for Renee

01:04:55 – Where can people fill out your survey?

01:05:56 – How do you narrow down your focus?

01:09:00 – Tell us about your logo design work

01:12:00 – Tell us about the dabbling you’ve done in GIS

01:15:28 – What parting messages do you have for the listeners?

SEGMENTS

Trek Propaganda

• Top 10 Ways to Save Money in Town by Eloise Robbins

Stupid Thing of the Week

Triple Crown of ways you’re turning into your parents

Mail Bag (artist mentioned)

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