Jeff Garmire is only 30 years old but has already backpacked over 30,000 miles since 2011.  It all began with a 55-pound backpack at the start of the Pacific Crest Trail and from there, he was hooked. His first thru-hike led to a second, shortly after college and then even when he began his career, he started looking for ways to explore nature and the world. A few notable achievements are 15-speed records on long-distance hiking trails, the calendar year triple crown, the great western loop,  AND climbing all 58 of Colorado's 14,000' peaks.  His book, Free Outside shares his journey completing the Triple Crown which means thru hiking the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Tail and the Pacific Crest Trail  in one year through 4 seasons.  

Show Notes:

00:00 

• Jeff Garmire reads an excerpt from his book “Free Outside”

1:30 

• Drea introduces Jeff Garmire and his impressive biography

2:50 

• Jeff talks about the excerpt he read which talks about crossing a cold, nearly frozen river in Maine swimming across naked during the winter season. 
• Jeff talks about stripping naked, using a dry bag to get across the river. 

8:07 

• Jeff defines the meaning of thru-hiking

8:56 

• Jeff tells us what travel means to him.  He explains what he believes is the difference between a vacation and travel.  

10:00 

• Drea asks Jeff if he goes on vacation.  

11:19 

• Jeff and Drea discuss why they love traveling “uncomfortably” 

14:15 

• Jeff tells us why he began this journey to backpack and thru hike the Triple Crown (The Appalachian Trail AKA the AT, The Continental Divide AKA the CDT, and the Pacific Crest Trail AKA the PCT in one calendar year.
• He talks about the beginning of it all the progression to attempting the Triple Crown 
• He talks about meeting people who were doing the PCT when he was younger. 
• He took off Spring Term of college and decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.  He talks about the lessons he learned during the PCT when he was a very novice. This became his obsession
• He talks about the transition into attempting the Triple Crown - All of the “Stepping Stones” to get there. 

17:55 

• Jeff elaborates on meeting those initial PCT hikers that introduced him into the world of thru hiking. 
• He talks about his perspective on how hungry they were.  He tells the story of watching one of the PCT hikers slab a ton of mayo.  
• Jeff now related to the PCT hikers he met when he was younger.  He talks about a time when he got kicked out of an All You Can Eat Buffet that he stopped at while he was trying to complete the Appalachian Trail. 

21:07 

• Jeff talks about some of the fears of doing the Triple Crown

22:25 

• Jeff talks about getting charged by a Grizzly Bear. Jeff shortly after the near bear attack, encounters Mules he decided to become momentary friends with.

25:45 

• Jeff discusses some of the additional challenges he faced while on the trail. 

26:58 

• Jeff tells a story about losing gear on the trail 

28:41

• Jeff used a tarp as a Shelter for much of the Appalachian Trail which some people due to decrease the weight.  The Appalachian Trail has shelters but many times they are filled up so it was a risk - He discusses that experience.  
• Jeff talks about switching to a tent because of the cold and also because of mosquitoes
• Drea talks about her experience in Big Pine, CA and the attack of the mosquitos. 

32:00 

• Jeff talks about the importance of DUCT TAPE!

33:57

• Jeff talks about the 2 most valuable things he learned during his travels

35:43 

• Drea asks about Jeff’s mental endurance

38:20 

• Drea asks Jeff what his most fulfilling moment was during his treks

40:00

• Jeff shares with us the most meaningful he met while he went traveling.  He talks about this man “Little Buddah” he met at 20 years old on the PCT that helped him on the trail. He fell in love with the community because on the trail, “people take care of one another.”

42:53 

• Jeff talks about the most valuable thing he learned - Flexibility and the balance of Rigidness. 

46:16  

• Jeff shares his favorite hike or trail 
• Nolan’s 14 

48:17 

• Tips and Tricks to do the Great Western Loop or the Nolan’s 14

49:45

• Jeff shares the journey of writing a book from a blog to writing a book

53:56 

•  Jeff’s advice to a “jeff” out there who would like to do the PCT

54:22 

• Jeff shares some of the sacrifices he’s made to pursue his dream

55:29 

• Jeff shares his next goal - The Barkley Marathon

59:22 

• Jeff shares the one thing he takes with him when he travels 

60:00

• Jeff shares the one piece of advice he would share to a younger him. 

61:00 

Find Jeff on 

www.freeoutside.com

www.facebook.com/freeoutside

www.twitter.com/thefreeoutside

www.instagram.com/thefreeoutsidse

www.backpackingroutes.com