Second Act Backpacking

EP 13: Stop Packing Your Fears

In Episode 13 of Second Act Backpacking, we’re talking about packing your fears. This episode starts with the story of my first solo backpacking trip, where I carried mo

Episode 12: Backpacker Origin Stories

Episode 12: Backpacker Origin Stories Everyone has a backpacking origin story. Some people find the trail early. Some come to it later. Some step away for years and eve

Trail Fails & Regrets: Backpacking Mistakes That Teach You

Backpacking social media makes it look like every trip is perfect: golden sunsets, clean gear, easy miles, and smiling hikers who never forget anything. But real backpack

The 10 Essentials for Backpackers: Carry It, Know It, Use It

The classic outdoor checklist becomes a stress test for the backpacking systems you already carry. The 10 Essentials have been part of outdoor education for generations,

EP9: Day Hiker to Backpacker — Making the Leap with Confidence

Are you a day hiker who keeps looking at longer trails and thinking, “Maybe it’s time to try backpacking”? Or maybe you used to backpack years ago, drifted into day hikin

Thru-Hiking, Backpacking, and Cutting Through the Noise

Somewhere along the way, backpacking content started to feel like it only counts if you quit your job, hike from Georgia to Maine, and know your base weight to the tenth

Old Guy Reviews Modern Backpacking Clothing Trends

In this episode of Second Act Backpacking, we take a practical look at modern backpacking clothing through the eyes of someone who remembers when 40 to 60-pound packs, he

Lost Without Your Phone? Navigation Skills Every Backpacker Still Needs

What happens if your phone dies, breaks, or disappears over the edge of a mountain overlook? In this episode of the Second Act Backpacking Podcast, we dig into one of th

Shakedown Success: Gear Tests, Trail Tales & Solo Safety

We're back from our shakedown trip with tales from the trail and lessons learned. This episode covers a short, low-stress overnight that tested gear, packing choices, and

Backcountry First Aid: Pack Smart, Not Heavy

In this episode of the Second Act Backpacking Podcast we continue the shakedown hike series with a clear, practical look at first aid for the trail — what injuries you’re

Don’t Skip This: Shakedown Trips & The 4 W’s of Backpacking Safety

In this episode of The Second Act Backpacking Podcast, we’re recording on the road and in the backcountry as we break down two critical topics every backpacker needs to u

Ultralight Backpacking vs Comfort: What Actually Works After 40

Ultralight backpacking dominates the conversation, but is it actually the best approach as you get older? In this episode, we break down the real trade-offs between weigh

How Old Is Too Old to Start Backpacking? | What Actually Matters

If you’ve ever thought about getting into backpacking but felt like you missed your window, this episode is for you. Likewise, if you're looking to return after a long hi