Off You Pop!

Jason Perkins — U.S. Army veteran, cofounder of Blisterpop, and the guy who helped shape the soul of this brand — sits down to talk about the part of service most people never see: the quiet fight that happens after the uniform comes off.This conversation moves through the real terrain of the veteran transition: identity shock, the pressure to look squared away, the moments when you realize you’re not okay, and the slow, stubborn climb back toward purpose. Jason shares how the trail became the first place he could breathe again — a space with structure, challenge, and no need to pretend.We talk about the outdoors as medicine, the early days of Blisterpop, and why veterans uniquely understand the ethos behind big‑day adventure: grit, pacing, mission, and meaning. If you’re a veteran listening, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone — and that there’s a place out here where your strength still matters.We close with a direct message to anyone feeling stuck or missionless, plus a simple first step for getting back into motion.Featured in this episode:The unseen weight veterans carry after serviceIdentity shock and the “I’m not okay” momentThe trail as recovery, not recreationHow military structure shaped Blisterpop’s systemsWhy adventure gives veterans a place to belong againA message to veterans who need a place to startAbout BlisterpopBlisterpop Adventures builds humanscale epics — guidebooks, itineraries, and narrative systems that make big adventures feel possible. We blend storytelling with evidence‑based logistics so hikers can step into mythic, meaningful days without feeling overwhelmed.Explore the full canon at: www.blisterpopadventures.comFeatured Challenge: T5 — Tahoe Five PeaksThe T5 is one of the hardest single‑day hiking challenges in America:50+ miles, 13,000+ ft of gain, five iconic Tahoe summits, one continuous push.  It’s grit, altitude, pacing, and story — all in one day.Full guide + formats: www.tahoe5peaks.comVeteran DiscountAs a thank‑you to those who’ve served, veterans receive 20% off all Blisterpop challenges and guidebooks.Use code: VETERANS20Support the show

Petersen Mountain is supposed to be a moderate Great Basin peak — a clean ridge, a steady climb, a local’s summit. But mountains don’t care about reputations. They care about conditions, weather, and the line you choose.In this Story Pop episode, we step into a day where Petersen became something entirely different. Snow at the base. Wind ripping across the ridge. Clouds dropping visibility to fifty feet. And instead of taking the standard two‑track, you went off‑trail — straight up the canyon wall from Mud Spring, into the whiteout, onto a ridge that felt more alpine than desert.We explore how a moderate mountain becomes a hard one, how the Blisterpop Difficulty Scale flexes when conditions shift, and why Petersen’s geology — a quartz‑rich, fault‑lifted volcanic spine — creates a landscape that feels ancient, mineralized, and wild. We talk about the wildlife that moves quietly through its canyons, the isolation that defines the North Valleys, and the way weather can turn a familiar peak into a full‑value adventure.This is Petersen Mountain.This is how difficulty changes.This is Story Pop.Off you pop.For moe hiking adventures: www.blisterpopadventures.comSupport the show

Tule Peak doesn’t look like much from the basin floor — a quiet volcanic rise above the sagebrush, a radio tower, a ridge, nothing dramatic. But the Great Basin loves to hide its teeth, and the moment you start climbing, Tule Peak reveals what it really is: a short, steep, wind‑scoured punch of effort that hits far harder than it looks.In this Story Pop episode, we step into the grit, gradient, and volcanic ribs of Nevada’s Tule Peak and use its deceptively tough profile to explore how the Blisterpop Difficulty Scale uncovers the real shape of a climb. Tule Peak scores a 47 out of 100 — HARD — not because it’s long or technical, but because it’s honest. It’s steep. It’s loose. It’s exposed. And it never gives you a break.If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t just want to look at a mountain but wants to feel it under your feet, this one’s for you.BlisterBlog: BlisterPop Difficulty ScaleSupport the show

Cactus to Clouds is one of the most dramatic vertical journeys in the United States — a 20‑mile, 10,795‑foot ascent from the desert floor of Palm Springs to the granite summit of Mount San Jacinto. In this Story Pop episode, we step out of the guidebooks and into the lived experience of that climb.This is the day that begins behind the Palm Springs Art Museum at 3 a.m., in warm desert darkness, and ends above 10,800 feet in cold alpine wind. A day defined by heat, grit, pacing, altitude, and the psychological crucible of the Skyline Trail. A day where cactus gives way to conifer, where the city lights fall away, and where every step feels like a negotiation with the mountain.If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to climb from desert furnace to alpine sky in a single push, this episode is your companion on the trail.Off you pop.Link: https://blisterpopadventures.com/us02-san-jacintoSupport the show

Mt. Tohakum is the high point of Nevada’s Lake Range — a remote, volcanic sky‑island rising straight out of the Black Rock Desert. In this Story Pop episode, we take you on a 10.5‑mile out‑and‑back with 4,500 feet of gain to a summit that once stood above the shoreline of the ancient Lahontan Sea.This is a mountain with no trail, no shade, and no crowds. Just volcanic rock, desert wind, and pronghorn moving across the playa like ghosts. Along the way, we explore the geology of the Lake Range, the Ice Age ocean that shaped the basin, the Northern Paiute history woven into the landscape, and the gold‑rush mythology that still clings to its canyons.Tohakum isn’t a famous peak — it’s a quiet one. A mountain built from fire, carved by uplift, brushed by ancient waves, and climbed today by the few who know it’s there.If you’re drawn to remote summits, big desert climbs, and the kind of silence that rearranges your thoughts, this episode is your companion on the ridge. It's a mountain you've never heard of, but you wish you did.Off you pop.www.blisterpopadventures.comSupport the show

Most hikers don’t get hurt because the mountains are dangerous — they get hurt because the mountains are honest. In this episode, we break down the 10 real reasons people get into trouble on the trail, using the US21 as our guide: Cactus to Clouds, Rim‑to‑Rim, Whitney, the Presidential Traverse, the Pemi Loop, and more.No fear. No drama. Just clarity.You’ll learn how falls actually happen, why heat and cold are the quiet killers, how people get lost even on “easy” trails, what altitude really does to your body, and how ego and drift turn small mistakes into big problems. Each danger comes with practical, real‑world prevention strategies you can use on your next hike.If you want to take on big days with big respect — and come home with quiet confidence — this is your episode.Off you pop.Visit our website: www.blisterpopadventures.com Support the show

The Bigelow Pop is a wild, quietly powerful ridgewalk above the lakes of Maine — a 16–18 mile traverse across the Horns, Avery Peak, West Peak, and Cranberry Peak. In this episode, we take you from the soft morning forest of East Flagstaff Road to the airy granite spine of the Bigelow Range, where wind, wilderness, and wide‑open views shape the day. This is a route built on quiet strength: steep climbs, exposed ridges, remote terrain, and the calm, steady confidence that grows with every mile.You’ll hear the story of this North Woods classic — the logistics, the risks, the human history, the atmospheric landscape, and the psychological engine that turns a rugged traverse into a meditation. We break down how to stage your morning in Stratton, how to move through the ridge like a narrative arc, how to manage exposure and weather, and how to stay present when the day gets steep.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over ease, who wants a story worth telling, and who feels the pull of wild, quiet, deeply human days in the mountains, the Bigelow Pop is waiting.US21. The Bigelow Traverse.  A wild ridgewalk above the lakes of Maine.  Off you pop.www.blisterpopadventures.comSupport the show

The Pemi Pop is a full‑day circuit through the wild granite heart of New Hampshire — a 28–32 mile journey across Franconia Ridge, Garfield Ridge, South Twin, Guyot, Bond, and the iconic fin of Bondcliff. In this episode, we walk the entire loop from the quiet dawn miles of Lincoln Woods to the mythic wilderness moments high above the Pemigewasset. This is a route shaped by depth: long climbs, exposed ridges, rugged technical sections, and the quiet, meditative miles that define the Pemi.You’ll hear the story of this legendary loop — the logistics, the risks, the human history, the atmospheric landscape, and the psychological engine that turns a big day into a deeper one. We break down how to stage your morning in Lincoln, how to move through the ridge like a narrative arc, how to manage the wilderness corridor, and how to stay present when the day gets long.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over ease, who wants a story worth telling, and who feels the pull of big, wild, immersive days, the Pemi Pop is waiting.US20. The Pemigewasset Loop.  A circuit through the wild granite heart of New Hampshire.  Off you pop.www.blisterpopadventures.comSupport the show

The White Mountains Pop is a full‑day march across the roof of New England — a 20+ mile traverse over the granite spine of the Presidential Range. In this episode, we take you from the dark forest at Appalachia Trailhead to the wind‑scoured summits of Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce. This is a route shaped by weather: wind that knocks you sideways, fog that erases the world, and granite that demands presence with every step.You’ll hear the story of this mythic traverse — the logistics, the risks, the human history, the atmospheric landscape, and the psychological engine that turns a hard day into a reckoning. We break down how to stage your morning in Gorham, how to move through hours above treeline, how to read the ridge like a narrative arc, and how to weather whatever the mountain gives you.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over ease, who wants a story worth telling, and who feels the pull of big, exposed, wind‑carved days, the White Mountains Pop is waiting.US19. The Presidential Traverse.  A march across the roof of New England.  Off you pop.www.blisterpopadventures.comSupport the show

In this personal, cinematic Story Pop, Philip takes you inside the day he climbed Mt. Whitney — the highest peak in the Lower 48 — in just 10½ hours with three friends, a September weather window, and a chance encounter with a man known only as Crazy Jack, who has summited Whitney more than 200 times.It’s a story about preparation, altitude, friendship, and the strange magic of a mountain that meets you exactly where you are. From the permit win during the April release (“the second‑chance window”) to a training arc in the Ruby Mountains, to the headlamp start at Whitney Portal at 2 a.m., this episode follows the emotional arc of the climb — the switchbacks, Trail Crest, the summit, the descent, and the lessons the mountain leaves behind.If you’ve ever dreamed of doing something big in a single day, this one’s for you. Off you pop.Learn more at: www.blisterpopadventures.comSupport the show

El Cajon Mountain is one of the steepest, most deceptive, most psychologically demanding day hikes in Southern California — and in this live journey episode, we take you onto the rollers, and up the spine of a mountain that never stops taking and never stops teaching.This is a real‑time walk through a February gut‑check: early‑season legs, early‑season lungs, and a route that climbs, drops, climbs again, and punishes anyone who underestimates it. You’ll hear the grades, the grit, the pacing decisions, the hydration calls, and the mental resets that make El Cajon a 66/100 on the Blisterpop Difficulty Scale — a “Very Hard” Pop that feels like a training run for Cactus to Clouds.This is not a highlight reel. This is not a polished recap. This is the climb as it happened — steep, exposed, relentless, and honest.If you’re training for a big day, building your early‑season engine, or just want to understand why El Cajon is the San Diego mountain that humbles everyone at least once, this episode is your companion on the trail.Off you pop.Support the show

In this special episode of Off You Pop, we pull back the curtain on what makes a Blisterpop Guide more than a PDF — it’s a complete adventure system. Philip breaks down how to use your guide to plan smarter, hike safer, and get more meaning out of every big day. You’ll learn the Three Steps to Ready, how to read a route like a story, how to use risk management as your safety net, and why local intel matters more than you think. We also explore how guides are continuously updated using real field reports, environmental shifts, expert insight, and community feedback — making every guide a living, evolving resource. Whether you’re a first‑time Blisterpop hiker, a creator looking to build better content, or a brand curious about partnering with a motivated outdoor community, this episode shows you how to unlock the full power of the Blisterpop system. When you’re ready… off you pop.Contact Information for Influencer and Vendors:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/BlisterPop/ Support the show

The Adirondacks Pop takes you across the legendary Great Range Traverse — one of the most demanding, dramatic, and iconic single‑day routes in the East. This episode drops you into the dark forests of Keene Valley at 4 a.m. and carries you peak by peak across the rooftop of the Adirondacks: Wolfjaws, Armstrong, Gothics, Saddleback, Basin, and finally Mount Marcy.This is a story about endurance — the kind you earn one slab, one ladder, one ridge, one breath at a time. You’ll move through root‑tangled forest, exposed rock, airy ridgelines, and billion‑year‑old alpine stone as the day unfolds in chapters. Along the way, we explore the human history of the High Peaks, the psychology of long‑form effort, and the quiet transformation that happens when you keep going long after your legs want to stop.If you’re listening to this, you’re already the kind of person who seeks the bigger version of your life. The Adirondacks Pop is your invitation to step into it.www.blisterpopadventurers.comUS18 — The Great Range Traverse  A climb across the rooftop of the Adirondacks.  Off you pop.Support the show

If you’ve ever wanted to take on a big mountain day — a real Pop — but didn’t know how to train for it, this episode is your starting line. BIG DAY HIKE TRAINING is a free, outdoor‑only, community‑driven program designed to build the legs, lungs, and confidence you need for a big day in the next 3–6 months.In this episode, we break down the full training system:HIKE for aerobic base, HIKE X for strength and durability, HIKE MAX for weighted power and resilience.You’ll learn why all training happens outdoors, why the weekend adventure is non‑negotiable, how periodization works, and how the program scales for beginners, intermediates, advanced athletes, and runners. You’ll also hear why runners must hike to stay injury‑free, and how to use this structure to grow into your Pop.This is my personal training plan — the exact system I use — scaled and shared with the Blisterpop community. It’s self‑guided, self‑paced, and built on clarity, consistency, and your own judgment.If you’re ready to train with purpose, join the Facebook group, pick your mountain, and start building your big‑day engine. Facebook Community: BlisterPop AdventurersOff you pop.Support the show

The Catskills Pop is one of the most rugged, humbling, and quietly mythic traverses in the Northeast — a full day on Devil’s Path, where steep scrambles, moss‑covered ledges, and shadowed forest corridors test your presence as much as your legs. In this episode, we walk the steep, ancient spine of the Catskills from Prediger Road to Spruceton Road, moving through immediate hand‑over‑hand climbs, narrow ledges, atmospheric hemlock forests, and the iconic summits of Indian Head, Twin, Sugarloaf, Plateau, and West Kill.This is a route that doesn’t care who you are — only how you show up. It’s a day shaped by humility: slowing down when the rock demands it, staying focused when the scrambles stack up, and finding your rhythm in the quiet, moss‑draped miles of the western Catskills. Along the way, we explore the human history of the range, the mood and mystery of the terrain, the logistics of a point‑to‑point traverse, and the psychological architecture that turns a hard hike into a story you carry.If you’re listening to this, you’re already the kind of person who seeks meaning over ease. The Catskills Pop is your invitation to step into a bigger version of your life — one ledge, one breath, one ridge at a time.Full route. Full honesty. Full humility.www.blisterpopadventures.comOff you pop.Support the show

A climb from lake to sky — this episode takes you from the dark, humid shores of Fontana Dam to the sacred summit of Kuwohi, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Appalachia Pop is a journey through continuity: ecosystems, cultures, centuries, and the long, rolling spine of the Smokies themselves.In this guide, we walk the full Fontana → Kuwohi ascent: humid hardwoods, rhododendron tunnels, classic AT ridge miles, high meadows, and the cool, moss‑covered spruce‑fir zone that leads to the summit. Along the way, we explore Cherokee history, the emotional architecture of the route, risk and weather strategy, and the psychological engine that makes this climb feel mythic but human.If you’re listening, you’re already halfway there. You’re the kind of person who seeks meaning, who chooses effort over ease, who wants a story worth telling. The Appalachia Pop gives you that story — a full‑day ascent through the living archive of the Smokies.US16. A climb from the lakeshore to the roof of the Smokies.www.blisterpopadventures.comOff you pop.Support the show

The Pisgah Pop is grit made physical — 30 miles across the wild, humid, ridgerunning spine of the Art Loeb Trail. In this episode, we take you from the dark hardwood forests of Davidson River to the glowing quartzite of Shining Rock, across the iconic balds of Black Balsam and Tennent Mountain, and down into the quiet woods of the Daniel Boone Camp.You’ll hear the story of this Southern Appalachian epic: the humidity, the fog, the roots, the wind, the balds, and the deep internal shift that happens when you choose to keep moving long after the day gets hard. We break down the route, the risks, the weather, the logistics, the human history, and the psychological architecture that makes US15 a true test of endurance.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over ease — who wants a story worth telling — the Pisgah Pop is waiting. www.blisterpopadventures.comOff you pop.Support the show

In this first episode of the UK Six Peaks series, we step behind the scenes into the part of adventure no one ever talks about — the months of planning, modelling, ferry meltdowns, and logistical choreography that turn a wild idea into something real. Recorded in January from Reno, this is the blueprint for a challenge that spans six countries, three islands, and a 72‑hour clock.We break down the origins of the Six Peaks, why this version is different, and how the route takes shape when ferries, flights, weather windows, and geography all fight for control. From Cork to Carrauntoohil, from Glasgow to Ben Nevis, from Manchester to the Isle of Man, this episode reveals the architecture of an adventure that is equal parts mountain and movement.We also explore the deeper purpose behind the attempt — raising money for Beating Breast Cancer with Success through Sarah’s Story — and how giving a challenge meaning changes the way you prepare for it.If you’ve ever wondered how to design a big adventure, or you’re dreaming up a Pop of your own, this episode shows you how the story really begins: long before the first summit, in the quiet, obsessive, beautiful work of preparation.www.blisterpopadventures.comOff you pop.Support the show

A journey along the edge of the world. In this episode of Off You Pop, we walk the legendary Kalalau Trail on Kauaʻi’s Nā Pali Coast — an 11‑mile coastal pilgrimage carved into volcanic cliffs above the Pacific. You’ll move through rainforest, red‑dirt ridgelines, ancient valleys, and finally arrive at Kalalau Beach, a place that feels mythic the moment you see it.This episode blends cinematic storytelling with practical guidance: permits, pacing, heat strategy, river crossings, and how to move through the exposed cliff sections with clarity instead of fear. Along the way, we explore the cultural history of the coast, the psychology of presence, and why this route has become one of the most transformative one‑day adventures in the US21.If you’re the kind of person who chooses meaning over ease, who wants a story worth telling, and who feels the pull of wild coastline and big landscapes — the Hawaii Pop is waiting.US14. The Kalalau Trail. A journey along the edge of the world.www.blisterpopadventures.comOff you pop.Support the show

In this Story Pop episode, Philip shares the unfiltered truth of his failed attempt at the Death Valley Pop — the brutal ascent from Shorty’s Well to Telescope Peak. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a story about heat, navigation mistakes, fitness mismatch, and the moment a big dream meets a bigger mountain.You’ll hear how the day began below sea level in the dark, how the route unraveled in the braided washes of Hanaupah Canyon, and how every wrong decision compounded the grade, the heat, and the effort. Philip breaks down the exact moment he realized he wasn’t going to make the summit — and what it felt like to turn around, descend in silence, and sit with the truth of the day.This episode explores the deeper psychology of failure: how small errors cascade into big consequences, how confidence erodes when the terrain stops making sense, and how ambition sometimes outpaces preparation. .If you’ve ever had a day go sideways in the mountains, or if you’re preparing for your own US21 journey, this episode is a reminder that failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s part of the path.Learn more about the US21 and the Death Valley Pop at:www.blisterpopadventures.comStory Pop: How I Failed Shorty’s Well to Telescope Peak.Off you pop.Support the show

Step into one of the most cinematic loops in the Pacific Northwest. The Olympic Pop — a full-day journey through rainforest, meadows, and the sweeping High Divide — is a route built on contrast: mist and sunlight, moss and granite, stillness and scale. In this episode, we guide you through the entire 18‑mile High Divide / Seven Lakes Basin Loop with the signature Blisterpop blend of warm authority, mythic storytelling, and practical clarity.You’ll move from the moss-draped quiet of the Sol Duc Valley to the wide-open ridge above Seven Lakes Basin, where Mount Olympus and the Blue Glacier rise across the valley like a world apart. Along the way, we break down logistics, risks, pacing, weather windows, and the emotional architecture of the day — giving you the confidence to take on one of the most beautiful and balanced routes in the US21.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning, chooses effort over ease, and wants a story worth telling, the Olympic Pop is waiting. Off you pop.www.blisterpopadventures.comSupport the show

Step into one of the most mythic alpine traverses in North America.  The Cascades Pop — the Enchantments Through‑Hike — is a full‑day passage through granite, lakes, and legend. From the quiet forest at Stuart Lake to the turquoise Core Zone beneath Dragontail Peak, this episode walks you through every emotional beat of the journey: the first glimpse of Colchuck, the steep ascent of Aasgard Pass, the white‑granite basins of the Upper Enchantments, and the long, sun‑soaked descent toward Snow Lakes.This is not just a hike. It’s a story you step into.In this episode, we explore:• Why the Enchantments matter — and why they stay with you  • The landscape you’re entering: granite walls, alpine lakes, golden larches  • The logistics and risks of a point‑to‑point wilderness traverse  • A immersive walkthrough of the route  • The deeper theme of US12: Wonder  If you’re listening, you’re already the kind of person who seeks meaning, effort, and a story worth telling.  When you’re ready to rise into the high country and cross Aasgard Pass…  Off you pop.www.blisterpopadventures.comSupport the show

Mt. St. Helens isn’t just a climb — it’s a walk into the story of a living volcano. In this episode of Off You Pop, we take you from the quiet forest of Climber’s Bivouac to the boulder fields, ash slopes, and the jagged crater rim of US11: the Helens Pop.You’ll learn why this route is a Blisterpop classic, how the 1980 eruption reshaped the landscape, and what it means to climb through a place defined by destruction and renewal. We break down the full route — forest warmup, hands‑on boulder scrambling, the loose pumice grind, and the final push to the steaming crater rim — with the pacing, psychology, and clarity you need for a safe, meaningful ascent.If you’ve ever wanted to stand on the edge of creation, this is your guide.  US11. Mt. St. Helens. A climb into the mouth of a volcano.Plan your Pop at blisterpopadventures.com.Support the show

A loop through granite cathedrals and glacial lakes — the Teton Pop is one of the most complete alpine days in North America. In this episode, we walk the full Paintbrush–Cascade Canyon Loop: the quiet shoreline of String Lake, the waterfalls and wildflowers of Paintbrush Canyon, the turquoise bowl of Holly Lake, the steep climb to Paintbrush Divide, the descent into the amphitheater of Lake Solitude, and the long, flowing return through Cascade Canyon.You’ll learn why this route matters, how to stage your day from Jackson, what risks to respect (snow, weather, wildlife), and how to move through the high country with confidence. We break down the full narrative arc of the loop — from the first steps in the forest to the moment the entire Teton Range opens beneath you on the Divide.If you’re looking for a single‑day adventure that blends alpine drama with accessible beauty, this is your Pop. A journey through granite, glaciers, and one of the most iconic mountain basins in the country.Explore more Pops at blisterpopadventures.com.Support the show

The Glacier Pop takes you onto one of the most iconic traverses in North America: the Highline Trail. This episode walks you through the full narrative arc of the day — from stepping onto the cliffside ledge at Logan Pass to moving along the Garden Wall, resting at Granite Park Chalet, and descending to The Loop with the Continental Divide at your back.You’ll learn why the Highline is more than a hike: it’s a psychological journey through exposure, beauty, and perspective. We break down the landscape, the logistics, the weather patterns, and the risks that shape this route, giving you the clarity you need for a confident, meaningful day in Glacier National Park.If you’re drawn to big views, big feelings, and the quiet courage of moving through wild places, this Pop delivers. When you’re ready to walk the spine of the continent… off you pop.Support the show

Longs Peak isn’t just a mountain — it’s a rite of passage.  In this Off You Pop episode, we take you step‑by‑step through the Keyhole Route: a climb that begins in quiet forest, rises into alpine tundra, crosses the jagged Keyhole, and weaves through the Ledges, the Trough, the Narrows, and the Homestretch before topping out at 14,259 feet.You’ll learn why this route matters, how to stage your day from Estes Park, what risks define the climb, and how to move through each section with clarity and confidence.  This episode blends cinematic storytelling with practical, field‑ready guidance — plus the psychological architecture that helps you imagine your future self standing on the summit.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over ease, who wants a story worth telling, and who’s ready to step through the gates of the mountain… the Rocky Mountain Pop is waiting.US8.  Longs Peak.  A climb through the gates of the mountain.When you’re ready… off you pop.Support the show

The Tahoe Five Peaks Challenge — the T5 — is one of the hardest one‑day peak challenges in America. Five summits. Fifty miles. More than thirteen thousand feet of climbing. And a tour of the Tahoe Basin in a single push.In this episode, we walk the entire challenge together: the peaks, the strategy, the logistics, the landscape, and the psychology behind why the T5 exists. You’ll learn the four official versions of the challenge — the T5 Trail Run 24, the T5 24‑Hour Hike, the T5 Weekender, and the T5 One‑a‑Day — and how to choose the one that fits your style.We break down each summit in order: Mt Rose in the dark, Granite Chief at dawn, Tallac as the emotional midpoint, Freel as the highest and hardest, and Genoa Peak as the final push under the stars. You’ll hear how to pace the day, how to manage transitions, how to fuel, and how to keep your head in the game when fatigue sets in.The T5 isn’t just a physical challenge — it’s a tour of the entire Tahoe Basin, a pilgrimage through volcanic ridges, granite spires, alpine lakes, and high‑desert escarpments. It’s a test of planning, grit, humility, and heart. And when you finish, you understand something about yourself that you didn’t know at Mt Rose.If you’re ready to take on the Tahoe Five Peaks Challenge — in one day, two days, or five — this episode gives you the full blueprint. Five summits. One day. One basin. Off you pop.Learn more or register your attempt at: www.tahoe5peaks.comSupport the show

In this episode of Off You Pop, we take you on a walkthrough of the Aspen Pop — the legendary Four Pass Loop around the Maroon Bells. This is one of the most iconic alpine circuits in North America: a 27‑mile, four‑pass odyssey through wildflower basins, glacial valleys, red‑rock spires, and the high, thin‑air world of the Elk Mountains.You’ll move through the entire emotional and physical arc of the loop:• The quiet, pre‑dawn start at Maroon Lake  • The steep climb to Buckskin Pass — your commitment point  • The wildflower explosion of West Maroon Basin  • The exposed ridgelines of Frigid Air Pass  • The dramatic switchbacks above Snowmass Lake  • The final push over Trail Rider Pass — the psychological crux  • The long, rolling descent back to the Bells  Along the way, we explore the geology, human history, logistics, risks, and weather patterns that define this high‑alpine route.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over mileage, story over stats, and transformation over ease, this episode will show you exactly why the Aspen Pop is one of the crown jewels of the US21.Learn more or book your Aspen Pop at:www.blisterpopadventures.comUS7: Aspen Pop. A circuit through the high wild heart of the Elk Mountains. Off you pop.Support the show

In this episode of Off You Pop, we take you on a full, cinematic walkthrough of the Yosemite Pop — the legendary climb up Half Dome via the Mist Trail. This is one of the most iconic single‑day ascents in America: a 16‑mile journey through roaring waterfalls, steep granite, deep forest, and the famous cables that lead to Yosemite’s most unforgettable summit.You’ll move through the entire emotional and physical arc of the route:• The cool, dark start at Happy Isles  • The roar and spray of Vernal and Nevada Falls  • The quiet reset of Little Yosemite Valley  • The steep granite world of the subdome  • The hand‑over‑hand ascent of the Half Dome cables  • The 360° Sierra panorama from the summit  • The long, glowing descent past the waterfalls  Along the way, we explore the geology, human history, logistics, risks, and psychological beats that make Half Dome a true rite of passage. Woven throughout the episode are the Blisterpop identity cues and future‑self hooks that help you see yourself on this route — not someday, but soon.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over mileage, story over stats, and transformation over ease, this episode will show you exactly why the Yosemite Pop belongs on your US21 journey.Learn more or book your Yosemite Pop at:www.blisterpopadventures.comUS6: Yosemite Pop. A climb through waterfalls, granite, and sky. Off you pop.Support the show

In this episode of Off You Pop, we pull back the curtain on one of the biggest creative decisions in the Blisterpop universe: how we chose the 21 hikes that define America and make up the US-21 series.This isn’t a list episode. It’s a story episode — the origin of the US‑21. We walk through the criteria, and the logic behind building a national challenge that’s epic but human‑scale. You’ll hear why certain routes made the cut, and how each Pop earned its place as a chapter in a larger American narrative.If you’ve ever wondered how to design a challenge that feels iconic, inclusive, and transformative — or if you’re preparing to take on your first Pop — this episode gives you the full story behind the story.Learn more or start your US‑21 journey at:www.blisterpopadventures.comEpisode: How We Chose the 21 Hikes That Define America.Off you pop.Support the show

In this episode of Off You Pop, we take you on a full, cinematic walkthrough of the Zion Pop — a canyon‑to‑rim ascent that begins on the floor of Zion Canyon and rises all the way to the high plateau above 7,000 feet, with the iconic Angels Landing ridge woven into the heart of the day.You’ll move through the entire narrative arc of the route:• The cool, shadowed start at The Grotto  • The steep climb to Scout Lookout  • The chains, exposure, and pure presence of Angels Landing  • The quiet reset of Refrigerator Canyon  • The long, rising switchbacks of the West Rim  • The slickrock benches, ponderosa forest, and high‑country silence  • The calm, triumphant finish at Lava Point  Along the way, we explore the geology, human history, logistics, risks, and emotional beats that make this one of the most dramatic single‑day ascents in the Southwest. And woven through the episode are the deeper psychological hooks that define the Blisterpop ethos — identity, future‑self imagination, narrative gravity, and the quiet challenge that invites you into a bigger version of your life.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over mileage, story over stats, and transformation over ease, this episode will show you exactly why the Zion Pop belongs on your list — and why it might be the most complete day in the US21.Learn more or book your Zion Pop at:www.blisterpopadventures.comUS5: Zion Pop. A sky‑high traverse into the heart of Zion. Off you pop.Support the show

Most people will tell you not to hike the Grand Canyon in July. They’re not wrong.In this Story Pop episode, I take you inside the day I dropped into the canyon at the peak of summer heat — a Rim‑to‑River‑to‑Rim push that became far more intense, humbling, and transformative than I ever expected. This isn’t a guide. This isn’t advice. This is a lived experience: the heat, the mistakes, the pacing battles, the water strategy, the moments of doubt, and the exact decisions that kept the day safe when the canyon turned the temperature up to brutal.If you’ve ever wondered what it really feels like to take on the Grand Canyon in the hottest month of the year — or why that day became the origin story for the Blisterpop planning system — this episode pulls you straight into the heart of it.A story about heat, humility, and the canyon that teaches you who you are.Story Pop: How I Survived the Grand Canyon in July. Off you pop.Support the show

Step into one of the most iconic single‑day adventures on Earth. In this episode of Off You Pop, we take you through the full Rim‑to‑Rim journey across the Grand Canyon — a descent through a billion years of rock, a crossing of the Colorado River, and a climb back into the sky on the far side.This isn’t just a route breakdown. It’s a cinematic, immersive walkthrough of the canyon’s geology, history, risks, logistics, and emotional arc. From the cold darkness of the North Rim to the heat of the Box, from Phantom Ranch to the final switchbacks of Bright Angel, this episode gives you the clarity, confidence, and narrative framing to take on one of the greatest endurance hikes in North America.If you’re the kind of person who seeks meaning over mileage, story over stats, and transformation over ease — this one’s for you.Support the show

Episode Summary — Mt. Whitney: A Summit Above the ContinentClimb to the highest point in the Lower 48 in this immersive, cinematic walkthrough of the Mt. Whitney Pop. In this episode, Philip takes you from the dark pines of Whitney Portal to the thin‑air summit at 14,505 feet — a full‑value alpine ascent defined by granite, altitude, and the slow, steady work of climbing into the sky.You’ll move through each segment of the route — Outpost Camp, Mirror Lake, Trail Camp, the 99 Switchbacks, Trail Crest, and the summit ridge — while learning the history, geology, logistics, and psychological beats that shape this iconic day. This is a story about altitude, grit, pacing, and the moment you step onto the roof of the continent and see the Sierra stretch to the horizon.If you’re looking for a challenge that’s mythic but achievable, a summit that means something, and a day you’ll talk about for the rest of your life, the Whitney Pop is waiting.Off you pop.Support the show

Climb from the desert furnace to the alpine sky in one of the greatest vertical day hikes in America. In this episode, Philip takes you step‑by‑step through the legendary Cactus to Clouds route — a 10,000‑foot ascent from the warm darkness behind the Palm Springs Art Museum to the granite summit of Mount San Jacinto.You’ll hear the story of the Skyline Trail, the ecosystems you’ll cross, the human history woven into the mountain, and the logistics that make this Pop both demanding and deeply rewarding. From the brutal heat of the lower mountain to the cool pines of Long Valley and the emotional final push to the summit, this episode is a complete narrative walkthrough of US2 in the Blisterpop US21 Series.If you’re looking for a challenge that’s epic but achievable — a day that tests your pacing, preparation, and heart — Cactus to Clouds is a journey you’ll never forget.Off you pop.www.blisterpopadventures.comSupport the show

In this On the Pop episode, Philip takes you into the Virginia Range in Nevada for a training hike up "Clark’s Crack" — a steep, scrappy, no‑nonsense line that locals whisper about and newcomers underestimate. It’s part workout, part proving ground, and part meditation on why we chase the hard stuff long before the big Pop arrives.You’ll hear the crunch of volcanic rock, the wind cutting across the ridgeline, and the breath‑by‑breath reality of climbing a route that doesn’t care about your plans. This is where fitness meets mindset, where preparation becomes identity, and where the Sierra‑front desert teaches its own lessons about grit, pacing, and humility.If you’ve ever wondered what training for a major Pop actually looks and feels like — the terrain, the effort, the headspace — this episode drops you right into the heart of it. A raw, honest, from‑the‑trail look at the work behind the epic.Off you pop.Support the show

The Death Valley Pop is the purest expression of what Off You Pop stands for: a single‑day ascent from the lowest heat to the highest cold, climbing from Shorty’s Well below sea level to the summit of Telescope Peak at 11,043 feet. No shade. No water. No shortcuts. Just a raw, vertical journey through one of the most extreme landscapes on Earth.This Pop takes you from the furnace floor of Death Valley, through the ancient geology of Hanaupah Canyon, up the exposed ridgeline above Shorty’s Mine, and into the cool alpine world of bristlecone pines and high‑country wind. It’s a route shaped by miners, carved by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and defined by the stark beauty of the Panamint Range.With a demanding shuttle, a brutal lower mountain, and a transcendent summit, US1 is a challenge that rewards preparation, humility, and heart. It’s not technical—but it is honest. It’s a story you earn step by step, breath by breath, from darkness to daylight to the edge of the world.If you want a Pop that feels mythic but achievable—one that will stay with you long after the dust settles—this is the one. From the bottom of Death Valley to the top of the Panamints, in a single unforgettable push.When you’re ready… Off You Pop.Support the show

Episode 1 — The Blisterpop Adventure Origin Story and the US‑21In the debut episode of Off You Pop, Philip pulls back the curtain on Blisterpop Adventures—how it started, why it exists, and what it means for anyone who’s ever looked at a map and felt that spark. This is the origin story of a new kind of adventure framework: one built to make epic, bucket‑list hikes human‑scale and achievable.You’ll hear how Blisterpop was born from years of planning, testing, and saying yes to big days in the mountains. You’ll learn what a “Pop” is, how the challenge system works, and why the US‑21—twenty‑one of the greatest day hikes in America—is the backbone of the first season.Part personal story, part manifesto, part invitation, Episode 1 sets the tone for everything to come: real routes, real logistics, real stories, and a community built around the belief that you don’t need to be elite to do something epic. You just need a framework… and a nudge.If you’re ready to step into a bigger version of your life—one day, one trail, one Pop at a time—this is where your story starts. Off you pop.Support the show