Trail Correspondents: S5 Episode 3 | The Trail Begins

One week down, and the honeymoon phase now officially collides with reality. Our 2026 Trail Correspondents check in from the AT, PCT, and CDT after their first week on trail, sharing sore bodies, emotional highs and lows, unexpected surprises, and the early signs of who’s settling into trail life… and who’s wondering what they’ve gotten themselves into.

Listen to this Episode

Correspondent Roster

In this episode, we hear from:

• Logan Hannah – Instagram
• Parrish “Quip” McWhorter – Instagram
• TJ McQuiston – Instagram
• Chris Becraft – Instagram
• Jessica “Hellman” Bagnell – Instagram
• J Michael Shaw, II – Instagram
• Scott Anderson – Facebook
• Sorrel “Team Ultraheavy” Perka- Instagram
• Danny Nelson – Instagram
• MacKenzie “Wilt” Wieder – Instagram

Sponsor

Trail Correspondents is presented by Altra. Use code “TREK10” for 10% off at checkout at altrarunning.com

Connect

Questions, comments, or just want to say hi? Email us at [email protected].

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Credits

Hosted, produced, and edited by Andrew “Shanty” Baldwin (Instagram). Trail Correspondents is a production of The Trek.