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On this episode, I am joined by LA based backpacker, thru-hiker, outdoor adventurer, content creator, and model Vanessa Villegas, aka "Pockets" who shares her journey from competitive gymnastics to discovering the healing power of nature during one of the most challenging chapters of her life. What started with a pair of hiking shoes and a newfound passion for the outdoors eventually led to adventures across the Trans-Catalina Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, and ultimately one of her biggest accomplishments yet: a 21 day southbound thru-hike of the legendary John Muir Trail through California's breathtaking Sierra Nevada. Vanessa takes us inside this incredible journey, from navigating rugged mountain passes and unpredictable High Sierra weather to the highest highs, lowest lows, wildlife encounters, unexpected trail angels, and an emotional finish atop Mount Whitney. We also talk about her preparation, backpacking gear and trail hacks, and the unforgettable people and experiences she encountered along the way. Beyond the miles, Vanessa reflects on resilience, trusting yourself, hiking your own hike, and finding freedom and connection in the outdoors. This conversation is filled with adventure, personal growth, inspiration, and a deep appreciation for the mountains. Follow Vanessa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thelittlehiker Watch Vanessa's JMT Youtube Series on https://www.youtube.com/@Thelittlehiker Follow Just Trek on Instagram @just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on JustTrek.net/shop Become a Just Trek Patron member on Patreon: patreon.com/justtrek Listen to more podcast episodes on JustTrek.net Want to send me a message? Email me at [email protected] or DM on Instagram @just.trek.

On this episode, I am joined by SoCal based ultra trail runner, outdoor adventurer, and trail running mentor Daisy Martinez, aka Elements of Daisy, who returns to the Just Trek Podcast nearly six years after her first appearance. We catch up on Daisy's journey over the past several years and the challenges that forced her to rebuild her strength, endurance, and confidence - ultimately leading to one of her biggest adventures yet: solo trail running the 72 mile High Sierra Trail from Whitney Portal to Crescent Meadow. Daisy takes us inside the journey, from summiting Mount Whitney to pushing deep into the Sierra backcountry for approximately 42 hours with no sleep. We talk about the highs and lows, sleep deprivation and hallucinations, nutrition and gear, wildlife encounters, trail angels, and the moments that tested her both physically and mentally. Beyond the miles, Daisy reflects on resilience, trusting herself, and continuing to chase those "big crazy dreams" while we still have the opportunity to do them. This conversation is filled with adventure, inspiration, and one seriously wild journey across the High Sierra. Follow Daisy on https://www.instagram.com/elementsofdaisyWork with Daisy & Get Resources:https://v2.stan.store/elementsofdaisy Follow Just Trek on Instagram @just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on JustTrek.net/shop Become a Just Trek Patron member on Patreon Listen to more podcast episodes on JustTrek.net Want to send me a message? Email me at [email protected] or DM on Instagram @just.trek.

In this solo episode special, I head to California's Eastern Sierra to take on Mount Agassiz, standing at 13,899 feet in the legendary Palisades region above Bishop Pass — a mountain that sits just 101 feet shy of fourteener status but delivers an experience every bit as massive. After an incredible summer that already included Cloud's Rest in Yosemite and Mount Langley as my second California 14er, I thought my Sierra adventures were finished. Then a message from my friend changed everything, and one last big mountain objective before summer's end was set in motion. What followed was nearly 15 hours on the trail, a brutal ascent through a massive talus field with relentless alpine winds, and a descent that demanded even more than the climb — complete with unexpected encounters, a serious accident that brought search and rescue into the picture, and hard-earned lessons about gear, community, and respecting the mountains that don't carry the famous numbers. But this episode goes beyond the miles and summits. It's a story about a mountain that humbled me, about composure under pressure when things go wrong in the backcountry, and the realization that sometimes the most unforgettable adventures are the ones sitting just below the threshold everyone talks about. This is my journey into the Palisades. This is Mount Agassiz. Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Support Just Trek on Patreon on https://www.patreon.com/justtrek Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this volume of the Trails & Tribulations series, I chat with Luis, aka Mr. Traveler, an experienced international trekker and founder of the Vamos Hiking Crew, about two frightening high altitude incidents involving his longtime friend Carlos that unfolded nearly two years apart on Rainbow Mountain in Peru and Acatenango in Guatemala. Luis takes us high into the Peruvian Andes, where what should have been a straightforward trek above 15,000 feet quickly became alarming as Carlos began showing increasingly serious signs of altitude sickness. Nearly two years later, history frighteningly repeated itself on the slopes of Guatemala's Acatenango. This time, the situation became even more severe, forcing Luis and his group to confront the possibility of an emergency evacuation in a remote environment with limited rescue options. Through both experiences, Luis shares valuable lessons about recognizing warning signs at altitude, proper training and acclimatization, pacing, hydration and fueling, resisting summit fever and group pressure, and knowing when it's time to turn around. This is a story about friendship, leadership, humility, and one of the most important lessons we can carry into the mountains. The summit will always be there, but getting yourself and your people home safely comes first. Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story! Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected] Follow Mr Traveler & Vamos Hiking crew on https://www.instagram.com/mrtraveler.me https://www.instagram.com/vamoshikingcrew Listen to Mr. Traveler's award winning guest episode (Top Spotify Episode of 2025): https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YBdj8szyhwqkHxWsoJxVu Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/ Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠ Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this solo episode special, I head deep into California’s Sierra Nevada to take on two incredible peaks that live in the shadow of their more famous neighbors: Cloud’s Rest and Mount Langley. Just 2 weeks apart, I day hiked Cloud’s Rest in Yosemite, standing at 9,926 feet and looking down on Half Dome, a summit I’ve completed twice - before heading to the Eastern Sierra for a massive 22+ mile journey to the 14,032-foot summit of Mount Langley. Seven years after standing on top of Mount Whitney for my first California 14er, I was now standing on its neighboring 14er, looking back at Whitney from an entirely new perspective. Along the way, I share the full adventure from car camping and acclimating high in the Sierra to the breathtaking Cottonwood Lakes, New Army Pass, brutal high-altitude summit pushes, alpine cold plunges, a failed water filter, and some unforgettable encounters with fellow hikers and friends. But this episode goes beyond the miles and summits. It’s a story about perspective, looking back at mountains that represent earlier chapters of my life, seeing them through completely different eyes, and discovering that sometimes the most unforgettable adventures are waiting beyond the bucket list... in the shadow of giants. Learn more about hiking Cloud's Rest: https://hikingguy.com/hikes/clouds-rest/ Learn more about hiking Mt Langley: https://tinyurl.com/yn886km3 Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Support Just Trek on Patreon on https://www.patreon.com/justtrek Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this volume of the Trails & Tribulations series, I chat with Gina Franco, a SoCal based marathon runner, breast cancer survivor, and new to hiking convert, about her first Colorado 14er attempt on Mount Shavano (14,230 ft) with her 18 yr old son Dylan - a summit push that turned into a life threatening descent just two weeks before this recording. Gina shares how receiving a Mount Whitney permit inspired the mother-son duo to dive headfirst into hiking only four months earlier, tackling Southern California peaks before traveling to Colorado to continue their training. What began as a carefully planned first fourteener quickly unraveled as altitude, dehydration, summit fever, and a fast-moving afternoon thunderstorm combined into a perfect storm of events. Racing to get below treeline, Gina caught her toe on a steep boulder step and was launched headfirst into the rocks, suffering a severely broken wrist, a broken elbow, a concussion, cracked rib, and multiple facial injuries while five miles from the trailhead. With only her son beside her, Gina recounts the terrifying moment she believed she was going to die on the mountain, the critical decision to activate a Garmin inReach SOS, and the incredible kindness of Colorado Fourteeners Initiative trail crew members who helped guide her safely off the mountain. Along the way, she shares invaluable lessons about turnaround times, why experienced Colorado hikers aim to be back below treeline by noon, how dramatically altitude changes hydration and pacing, why most hiking accidents happen on the descent, and the importance of knowing how to use your emergency communication devices before you ever need them. This is a story about resilience, preparation, humility, and the life-saving lessons that can emerge from one of the hardest days you'll ever experience in the mountains. Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story! Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected] Follow Gina Franco on https://www.instagram.com/runner_girl_g Check out the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative more on https://www.14ers.org/ Weather resources: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/ https://www.noaa.gov/ Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/ Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠ Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, I am joined by a SoCal based outdoor adventurer, solo backpacker, traveler, community builder, outdoor creator, and founder of Les Ventures - Melanie Daisy. We dive into Mel's outdoor roots from boulder hopping in the Mojave Desert with her mom as a kid to discovering trail maintenance in Laguna Canyon as a source of healing during a difficult divorce. That connection to the land sparked her solo backpacking journey and ultimately led to the creation of her backpacking group Les Ventures. Mel shares how solo backpacking became a love letter to herself - proving she could take care of herself in the wild. She also talks about cowgirl camping under the stars, living nomadically out of her car, and building a community where people of all ages come together to adventure, connect, and heal through nature. Mel opens up about embracing her Yaqui/Perpetua and Viking heritage, earning the trail name "Xena," her favorite trails across the country, summiting Mount Whitney in early June by breaking trail through the snow covered 99 switchbacks, completing Cactus to Clouds twice, solo female backpacking safety, and her powerful experiences visiting Native Nations across the U.S., including walking the Trail of Tears barefoot in Arkansas. Whether you're healing from something difficult, thinking about your first solo adventure, or simply need a reminder that the mountains are always calling, this conversation is filled with resilience, inspiration, and a deep love for the outdoors and reverance of the land. Stay Updated with Melanie & Les Ventures on social media: https://www.tiktok.com/@les.ventures https://www.instagram.com/camp.letsventure https://www.instagram.com/meldaisyg Lean more about Les Ventures on https://www.lesventures.net/ Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Become a Just Trek Patron member on https://www.patreon.com/justtrek Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, I sat down with a bunch of damn Fools! And what I mean by that is they’re all participants of the legendary Fool’s Traverse Challenge. Back on Saturday, June 13th, our good friends over at TRVRS Outdoors hosted their infamous Fool’s Traverse — an absolutely brutal 11 peak endurance challenge through the mountains of the Mount Baldy region. If you’re a longtime listener of the pod, this adventure might already sound familiar. I actually dedicated an entire solo episode to my first attempt back in 2021 on Episode 40. This year, I wanted to approach the challenge a little differently and be more strategic. Instead of waking up in the middle of the night and driving into the mountains, I decided to camp at Manker Flats Campground the evening before. The plan was simple: get a good night’s rest, wake up already on the mountain, and walk straight over to the check-in table at 2am. As it turned out, a few friends and fellow trekkers had the exact same idea. Before we knew it, our neighboring campsites turned into a mini pre-adventure gathering filled with good conversations, laughs, and all the nervous excitement before a massive mountain challenge. Luckily, I had my mobile podcast setup with me because, as you know, you gotta stay ready rocksteady. I grabbed the gear, hit record, and captured an impromptu campsite conversation before we all stepped into the peak-bagging abyss. Joining me around camp were Denise & Matt Graves, Warren Hikes, Seth, and myself. We talked about how each of us discovered the Fool’s Traverse, what inspired us to take on one of Southern California’s toughest mountain endurance challenges, our favorite sections and peaks along the route, and the mindset needed to tackle something this intense. Stick around until the end of the episode to find out how each of us performed on challenge day and to hear my personal trek reflections from another unforgettable Fool’s Traverse experience. Follow the Camp Fool's Crew: https://www.instagram.com/warrenhikes https://www.instagram.com/lost_on_a_planet https://www.instagram.com/denisebgraves https://www.instagram.com/mattgraves https://www.instagram.com/justroc Follow TRVRS Outdoors on https://www.instagram.com/trvrsoutdoors Check out TRVRS Outdoors trip reports, apparel, and gear on https://www.trvrsoutdoors.com/ Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Become a Just Trek Patron member on https://www.patreon.com/justtrek Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, I sit down with LA based visual artist, illustrator, climate strategist, birder, wildlife photographer, and outdoor adventurer Valeree Catangay at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Los Angeles, California. Val takes me through her Long Beach roots, how Animal Planet and Tree Musketeers sparked her love for nature, and a formative Earth Watch scholarship trip to Texas studying whooping crane ecosystems. She shares how birding became a grounding practice during a tough season of life and naturally led her into wildlife photography, plus how her plein air painting community, Warrior Painters, makes her hyper-aware of light, weather, and seasonality. We also get into her Coastal Connections zine inspired by the Audubon Coastal Leadership Program, practical ways to plug into LA’s environmental community, her favorite local spots (Anza-Borrego, Sepulveda Basin, Ballona Wetlands), her Brower Youth Award and UCLA Environmentalists of Color Collective work, her sustainability role at Earth Justice, completing the Sierra Club Wilderness Travel Course, and birding and travel experiences in Peru and the Philippines. Follow Valeree on IG: https://www.instagram.com/valereeplants https://www.instagram.com/valoutdoors https://www.instagram.com/valereecat Lean more about Valeree and support her work on https://www.valereecatangay.com/ Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Become a Just Trek Patron member on https://www.patreon.com/justtrek Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, I sit down with LA based outdoor adventurer, award-winning writer/editor, and Basecamp Outdoor founder/CEO Ali Carr at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Ali takes me through her Southern California outdoor roots - skiing Big Bear, camping, backpacking - then how a year in New York City led her to Outside Magazine and a mountain-filled life in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She breaks down how Basecamp Outdoor is an inclusive digital community connecting outdoor brands with industry curious job seekers through its Facebook group, newsletter, events, office hours and brand interviews, the Career Collective, and the Base Camp Match job board, plus what she’s seeing in hiring and why intentional networking beats “spray-and-pray” applications. Ali also shares standout adventures (Grand Teton, Smith Rock, Patagonia), local gems (Red Rock/Topanga, Chantry Flats/Sturtevant Falls, Cedar Grove, Leo Carrillo tide pools), her Outside story on her father’s disappearance at sea, surviving cancer in 2023, and her new birth doula project, Wild Grace. Stay Updated with Ali Carr, Basecamp Outdoor, and Wild Grace on IG: https://www.instagram.com/chasingalicarr https://www.instagram.com/basecampoutdoorjobs https://www.instagram.com/lovewildgrace Sign up for Basecamp Outdoor Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/4kskrukf Join Basecamp FB Group: https://tinyurl.com/4whchwye Learn more about Basecamp Outdoor on https://www.wearetheoutdoorindustry.com/ Learn more about Wild Grace on https://www.lovewildgrace.com/ Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Become a Just Trek Patron member on https://www.patreon.com/justtrek Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this volume of the Trails & Tribulations series, I chat with Tyler Wagoner, a San Diego native and new-to-hiking convert, about his Mount Whitney redemption push on June 24th, 2024 - a 22-mile day hike to the tallest peak in the continental U.S. (14,504 ft) that turned into repeated close calls. Tyler shares how he was turned back in 2023 at Trail Camp after being told he was ill-equipped for snow and cold, then returned in 2024. Tyler's second Whitney attempt had tribulations stacking up from the parking lot to the summit and all the way back down. A 21-hour battle with some genuinely terrifying moments and hard-earned lessons that you'll want to hear. Tyler is a San Diego-based hiker who caught the hiking bug in 2022 and has been going hard ever since — and his Whitney story is one for the books. What starts as a solo pre-dawn push quickly turns into an epic story that involves a bold wildlife encounter before the hike even begins, a sketchy icy section on the notorious 99 switchbacks, and a race against a weather system that the outdoor store in Lone Pine had predicted almost to the minute. The summit itself delivers one of the most surreal and spine-tingling moments you'll hear on this show. And then the descent — that's where things really unravel. Multiple setbacks stack up one after another, pushing Tyler to his absolute limit before he finally makes it back to his car deep into the night. He also shares key lessons on gear, preparation, and the one rule every Whitney hiker needs to know before they ever step on that trail. This is a story about perseverance, humility, and the kind of experience that turns a hiker into a lifetime student of the mountains. Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story! Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected] Follow Tyler Wagoner on https://www.instagram.com/tyler_on_trail Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/ Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠ Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, I’m joined outdoors in Palos Verdes, California by Corbin Pickett (@outdoorswithcorb), also known as “Brotha Nature” — a SoCal trekker, outdoor creator, community builder, board member of Black Men Hike LA, and founder of Kuji Hiking Crew. We talk about his earliest outdoor memories, how the 52 Hike Challenge became a life changing spiritual “walkabout” while he lived in Atlanta, and how Black Men Hike LA helped him find brotherhood and community after returning to SoCal. Corbin shares what it’s like navigating outdoor spaces as a Black man, the origin of his trail name, and practical tips on safety, preparedness, and easing into camping. We also highlight his favorite SoCal trails, recap his Moab trip with Black People Who Hike, and chat about his spring adventure to Big Pine Lakes and Tahoe Rim Trail thru-hike supported by an ALDHA scholarship. Follow Corbin on https://www.instagram.com/outdoorswithcorb Follow Black Men Hike on https://www.instagram.com/blackmenhikela Follow Kuji Hiking Crew on https://www.instagram.com/kujihikingcrew Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this volume of the Trails & Tribulations series on the Just Trek podcast, I welcome back Juan Flores (Outdoor Adventures+, Nature’s Palette, Urban Youth Nature Project) as he recounts first attempt of big bad, Iron Mountain in the San Gabriel Mountains near Bridge to Nowhere in December 2021. Starting at midnight on a 16 mile out-and-back, Juan and his friend encounter mountain lion chirps ahead and behind around 2AM while two women in their group push far ahead. After reaching the summit around 7AM, the brutal descent turns dangerous: Juan is left behind, runs out of water after starting with two liters, becomes lost on a false trail without a map, and collapses exhausted with miles remaining until a stranger with a dog finds him. It took 16 grueling hours for him to complete this trek and he shares key lessons on carrying more water, downloading maps, not relying on guides, and staying over-prepared. Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story! Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected] Follow Juan Flores on https://www.instagram.com/__juanflowers__ https://www.instagram.com/_outadvplus_ Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/ Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠ Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, I release the exclusive recording from the show’s fourth live podcast at the Just Trek Pod's 6 Year anniversary celebration at Happier Cafe along the LA River in Frogtown, Los Angeles. I reflect on launching the podcast during the March 2020 pandemic shutdowns to amplify outdoor voices, then moderated a live panel featuring Rolland Tizuela (Camp Anthropology/Camp Homies), Nikki Taylor “Adventure Pea” (Way Out Wild), and RJ Soria (TRVRS Outdoors). The group discusses what sparked their love for the outdoors, how their platforms prioritize education and backcountry safety, balancing risk with pushing limits, and practical preparation including mapping tools, practicing with gear at home, and building inclusive communities. Audience Q&A covers conservation through relationship with public lands, trail work groups, and recommendations for apps, maps, and beginner-friendly ways to start hiking. We'd like to thank our community partners: Happier Cafe, TADAA Coffee, Happier Camper, Parks Project, KEEN, Topo Designs, HEST, HIGHLANDER, JuneShine, Pabst Light, and Parch. Follow our guest panelists on IG: www.instagram.com/campthropology www.instagram.com/adventure_pea www.instagram.com/wayoutwild_ www.instagram.com/trvrsoutdoors Support Just Trek on Patreon www.patreon.com/justtrek Shop Just Trek merch on https://www.justtrek.net/shop Listen to more podcast episodes on https://www.justtrek.net Want to send me a message? Email me at [email protected] or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this episode, I share my most unforgettable adventure yet: my first major international trek with the Just Trek Crew in Guatemala, hiking Volcán Acatenango for a front-row view of Volcán de Fuego erupting. I break down how this dream trip finally came together, our crew lineup, and our day-by-day itinerary from landing in Guatemala City and exploring Antigua to the Ox Expeditions briefing and gear prep. I recount the relentless climb through shifting landscapes, the dust, cold, altitude, and the brutal “double whammy” push to Fuego Ridge—where the clouds finally opened and we watched cinematic explosions and lava flows light up the night. After skipping the 4 a.m. summit, we descended, reset in Antigua, visited Hobbitenango, recorded a quick crew recap, and even caught Fuego erupting again during rooftop dinner. RSVP to the Pod 6 Year Anniversary Party in Los Angeles on https://tinyurl.com/2p62j22z Follow Ox Expeditions on http://instagram.com/oxpeditions Book your Volcano Trek w/ Ox Expeditions on https://oxexpeditions.com/ Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/just.trek Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠ Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠ Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek