EPISODE · Aug 11, 2025 · 47 MIN
The Wonderland Trail: A 90-Mile Crash Course in Backpacking
from Free Outside · host Jeff Garmire
I finally got Allison Powell—producer, ultrarunner, and now bonafide backpacker—on the podcast to talk about her first solo thru-hike: the Wonderland Trail. Spoiler alert: she tried to bring hummus, carrots, and a full picnic on a 90+ mile, three-day solo trip around Mount Rainier. But somehow, despite a heavy pack, trail math struggles, and losing her travel mug to the forest gods, she pulled it off.Consider supporting my fundraising efforts for the Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/JeffATFollow Allison online: https://www.instagram.com/allisonhpowell/In this episode, we break down how a seasoned ultrarunner transitions (read: suffers) into backpacking, what she learned about weight, gear, solo hiking, and bear hangs, and how her view of thru-hiking shifted after 14-hour days of nothing but walking, couscous, and waterfalls. This is an honest, hilarious, and pretty relatable first-time thru-hiker story—and maybe even a cautionary tale.Brought to you by:👕 Janji – for the gear that won’t get you arrested⛺ Garage Grown Gear – for the ultralight life☕ CS Coffee – because walking 30 miles a day is better caffeinatedChapters00:00 Introduction to the Wonderland Trail Adventure05:32 The Challenges of Backpacking Alone11:29 Lessons Learned from the Journey17:11 Navigating the Trail and Overcoming Obstacles23:15 Final Thoughts and Future PlansSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at [email protected] the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside
What this episode covers
I finally got Allison Powell—producer, ultrarunner, and now bonafide backpacker—on the podcast to talk about her first solo thru-hike: the Wonderland Trail. Spoiler alert: she tried to bring hummus, carrots, and a full picnic on a 90+ mile, three-day solo trip around Mount Rainier. But somehow, despite a heavy pack, trail math struggles, and losing her travel mug to the forest gods, she pulled it off.Consider supporting my fundraising efforts for the Trevor Project: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/JeffATFollow Allison online: https://www.instagram.com/allisonhpowell/In this episode, we break down how a seasoned ultrarunner transitions (read: suffers) into backpacking, what she learned about weight, gear, solo hiking, and bear hangs, and how her view of thru-hiking shifted after 14-hour days of nothing but walking, couscous, and waterfalls. This is an honest, hilarious, and pretty relatable first-time thru-hiker story—and maybe even a cautionary tale.Brought to you by:👕 Janji – for the gear that won’t get you arrested⛺ Garage Grown Gear – for the ultralight life☕ CS Coffee – because walking 30 miles a day is better caffeinatedChapters00:00 Introduction to the Wonderland Trail Adventure05:32 The Challenges of Backpacking Alone11:29 Lessons Learned from the Journey17:11 Navigating the Trail and Overcoming Obstacles23:15 Final Thoughts and Future PlansSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at [email protected] the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside
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The Wonderland Trail: A 90-Mile Crash Course in Backpacking
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