Episode 34: Maggie Slepian on Backpacking and Writing About the Outdoors

On this episode: cats in small children’s clothing, glamour versus reality, and what exactly is a thru-hike? We’re talking with another awesome woman of the outdoors as part of Women’s History Month: Maggie Slepian, hiker, writer, outdoors person and cat dresser.

Show Notes

• 02:00 – How Jason almost knows Maggie (involves the Colorado Trail and an FKT)
• 06:00 – Backpacking, Thru-hiking, and trail cred
• 14:00 – Finding peace in backpacking without fear of judgement (it’s not about how fast or far you go)
• 16:25 – Backpacking is not all sunshine and unicorns (and how do we accurately portray our outdoor experiences on social media?)
• 26:45 – Signs on summits
• 34:30 – Maggies pandemic project: Backpacking Routes
• 41:42 – How hard it is to make a living as a freelance outdoor writer
• 44:00 – What happens in your “dream 2021?” Four thru-hikes: one in each season.
• 46:15 – When does a backpacking trip become a thru-hike? (And does it really matter?!)
• 60:01 – Where you can find Maggie online

Mentioned in this Show

• The Colorado Trail, and Jeff “Legend” Garmire‘s FKT
• You’re Still a Backpacker Even if You’re Not Thru-Hiking
• The Triple Crown: The PCT, CDT and AT
  As of the end of the 2018 application period, there have been a total of 396 recognized triple crowners.
• Why Is it So Hard to Honestly Portray Backpacking on Social Media?
• Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
• The Wonderland Trail
• A plethora of signs on Strawberry Peak
• BackpackingRoutes.com
• Trans-Catalina Trail
• American Hiking Society
• GaiaGPS

Find Maggie Online

• maggieslepian.com
• Instagram: maggie_slepian
• backpackingroutes.com

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Our Co-hosts

• Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
• Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen  web: AdventurUsWomen.com
• Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker  web: SoCalHiker.net

Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music. 

The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.