EPISODE · Nov 10, 2025 · 35 MIN
Mother Appalachia - Bill "Big Willy Dawg" Zyckowski (Part I)
from Hiker Trash Radio · host Bleav + Doc
In this episode of Hiker Trash Radio, host Doc welcomes thru hiker Bill "Big Willy Dawg" Zyckowski, to discuss his journey on the Appalachian Trail. BWD shares his experiences of hiking, from the humorous origins of his trail name to the challenges he faced, including dealing with injuries and the mental toll of the trail. They delve into BWD's background as a former street cop, his inspiration to start hiking from watching YouTube videos, and his structured approach to the trail. The episode covers topics like essential gear, best trail sections, hiker trash moments, hitchhiking stories, and favorite trail towns. Listeners get a detailed and engaging look into the world of thru hiking with insightful anecdotes and practical advice. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What this episode covers
Appalachian thru hiker Bill "Big Willy Dawg" Zyckowski joins Doc in the studio to talk about his relationship with Mother Appalachia. Settle in and buckle up as Big Willy Dawg shares how his unstructured childhood led to his structured service in the Army and a career in law enforcement. Following his retirement, BWD found himself adrift, at the bar, divorced, and in pain, and in this episode, he discusses the sequence of events that led to the Appalachian Trail and the process of healing. An instant classic. (This is Part I. Be sure to listen to Part II.)
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Mother Appalachia - Bill "Big Willy Dawg" Zyckowski (Part I)
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