#168 | Section Hiking vs. Thru-Hiking: Defining Each Style, Benefits and Drawbacks, and Who They're For

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are bringing you another panel episode. Today we are joined by Backpacker Radio regular, Clay Bonnyman Evans aka Pony to compare and contrast thru-hiking and section hiking. We go deep, focusing largely on the benefits of each of these styles of hiking, who they're for, what we have personally gained from them, and much more. If you're curious about whether you should hit the pause button on your life and take a half year to meander in the mountains, this episode will hopefully serve you a ton of value. And, as always when Pony is studio, this one is delightfully wild.   Gossamer Gear: Use code "backpackerradio" for 15% off at gossamergear.com.  Organifi: Use code "backpacker" for 20% off at organifi.com/backpacker. Minus33: Use code "backpacker22" for 15% off at minus33.com. Enlightened Equipment: Use code "ultralight10" for 10% off Enlightened Equipment's Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket at enlightenedequipment.com. Panel with Badger, Chaunce, and Pony Tom Turcich (and His Pup) Set to Complete 7-Year Around-the-World Walk Next Month by Clay Bonnyman Evans Leave us a voicemail! Time stamps & Questions 00:05:03 - QOTD: What's the stupidest thing you've done this week? 00:20:05 - Reminders: Apply to be a blogger for 2023! 00:20:32 - Introducing the panel topic 00:22:30 - Panelist's hiking experiences 00:23:55 - Discussion of the definition of section hiking 00:26:05 - Chaunce's Thru-Hiking Pro #1 00:28:25 - Zach's Thru-Hiking Pro #1 00:31:40 - Pony's disclaimer about section hiking 00:34:02 - Pony's Thru-Hiking Pro #1 00:38:15 - Chaunce's Thru-Hiking Pro #2 00:46:18 - Zach's Thru-Hiking Pro #2 00:57:44 - Pony's Thru-Hiking Pro #2 01:02:00 - Chaunce's Thru-Hiking Pro #3 01:05:55 - Zach's Thru-Hiking Pro #3 01:06:50 - Discussion of friends and trail families while thru-hiking 01:09:05 - Pony's Thru-Hiking Pro #3 01:12:10 - Chaunce's Section Hiking Pro #1 01:17:48 - Zach's Section Hiking Pro #1 01:20:56 - Pony's Section Hiking Pro #1 01:26:40 - Chaunce's Section Hiking Pro #2 01:27:30 - Zach's Section Hiking Pro #2 01:30:05 - Chaunce's Section Hiking Pro #3 01:32:48 - Pony's Section Hiking Pro #2 [divider] Check out our sound guy @headnodculture. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Jason Lawrence, Christopher Marshburn, Sawyer Products, Brad and Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Patrick Cianciolo, Paul Packman Sealy, Matt Soukup, Jason Snailer, Greg Mac,  Tracy "Trigger" Fawns, Mike Poisel, and Kristina Diaz. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Liz Seger, Cynthia Voth, Emily Brown, Dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven.