Meet our Season 5 trail correspondents

A note before we begin: One of our Season 5 follow-up correspondents, Ian MacLurg, passed away on the PCT near Anza on April 9. Ian was a Trek blogger and trail correspondent whose voice and spirit meant a lot to this community. We publish a tribute to Ian and our thoughts remain with his family and friends. We will miss him.

TOAfter a brief pause, Route correspondents is back for season 5, bringing a new group of hikers and a new series of trail stories.

Each season, we follow a handful of hikers as they hike the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. They come from different backgrounds and stages of life, but they all delve into the same thing: walking for months, living simply, and figuring things out as they go.

The podcast is our way of staying connected to that experience. Twice a month, our correspondents check in from the trail and share what long-distance backpacking is really like. They not only show the highlights, but also the long days, the doubts, the small victories and the routines that shape life on the trail.

Through their voices, Route correspondents it becomes something of a direct line to the trail: an honest, evolving record of what it means to spend a season hiking.

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And with that, meet our Season 5 trail correspondents!

danny nelson

Trail name: “No comments” Also known as “NoCo”

Path: Continental Divide Trail

After leaving his engineering job to move up to the PCT, NoCo returned home with a new perspective. Now, he’s responding to the pull of the road once again, braving the rugged and daunting CDT in search of a more meaningful life.

sage bradford

Trail name: ““Pika”

Path: Appalachian Trail

Pika, an experienced hiker and trail builder, returns to the long life of the trail once again, drawn to the pace, challenge and creativity that comes with it.

Sorrel Perka

Trail name: “Team Ultraheavy,” although Sorrel is looking for a new name for the route!

Path: Pacific Crest Trail

After completing the Colorado Trail in 2018, Sorrel returns to a long trail to celebrate his health and see how far he can push himself in this next chapter of life.

clay nemo

Trail name: “«Pip Skweek»

Path: Appalachian Trail

Moving away from a life dedicated to meeting expectations, PipSkweek delves into the unknown to discover who he is and what awaits him out there.

TJ McQuiston

Path: Appalachian Trail

After traveling 18,900 miles across the U.S., TJ is guided by a simple philosophy: carry light, walk steadily, and trust in God.

Scott Anderson

Path: Pacific Crest Trail

Recently retired from a 30-year law enforcement career, Scott takes on the PCT as a lifelong dream and a meaningful way to transition into the next chapter of his life.

Chris Becraft

Trail name: “Vibes»

Path: Pacific Crest Trail

At 61 years old, Vibes is still chasing big goals, driven by a love of pushing his limits and proving that it’s never too late to pursue something ambitious.

mackenzie again

Trail name: “Wither»

Path: Continental Divide Trail

In his quest to complete his Triple Crown, Wilt brings a love of movement, creativity and everyday joy. Walking the CDT is part of her commitment to investing in herself, her dreams and her happiness.

Parrish McWhorter

Trail name: Sophism

Path: Appalachian Trail

Quip, a comedian turned aspiring hiker, is swapping city life for the trail after becoming fascinated by hiking stories. Reading about others’ experiences was not enough; she wants to take the path herself and find out what it’s like firsthand.

Jessica Bagnell

Trail name: «Man from hell»

Path: Pacific Crest Trail

After getting hooked on backpacking during a short trip, Hellman went all out. Now, after the AT hike, you’re heading west for your next big adventure.

Michael Shaw II

Path: Pacific Crest Trail

J Michael, a self-proclaimed “Hiking Unfluencer,” brings humor, chaos, and honesty to the trail, proving that you don’t have to take yourself too seriously to take on something big.

The fifth season is just beginning. Keep going The walkor subscribe to Trail Correspondents at Apple Podcasts, Spotifyor wherever you listen.

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