Episode 80: Renee ”She-ra” Patrick on the Value of Long-Distance Hiking

On this episode: the Oregon Desert Trail, hikertrash, the Campmor catalog, and ground-truthing. We’re talking with Renee Patrick, self-identified as hikertrash who has been hiking for decades and is currently coordinator for the Oregon Desert Trail.

Renee is a triple-crown thru-hiker with over 20 years of experience planning, hiking, and improving long-distance trails. She is an environmentalist and passionate outdoor enthusiast who believes that long-distance hiking can deepen our relationship with the landscapes and environmental issues that desperately need more advocates

 

In this Episode

• Oregon Desert Trail – A 750-mile route that traverses some of the most spectacular natural areas of the state’s dry side, including the Oregon Badlands Wilderness, Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Steens Mountain, the Pueblo Mountains and the Owyhee Canyonlands.
• The Peace Corps (unintentionally) helped prepare Renee for long-distance hiking
• Appalachian Trail – Renee’s first thru-hike
• Pacific Crest Trail – One of her favorite distance trails
• Wonderland Trail
• Arizona Trail
• Continental Divide Trail – Capped off her Triple Crown
• Apps: FarOut Guides and Gaia GPS
• Blue Mountains Trail and Renee’s article on the history of the trail.
• Ground truthing: the facts that are found when a location shown on a map, air photograph, or satellite image is checked on the ground (i.e. hiked), as validation.
• And while the newsprint Campmor catalog may be a memory, the company is still around online.

Connect with Renee Patrick

• She-ra Hikes – Her personal website
• Renee Patrick – Long Distance Trail Consulting – Renee provides insight and services to help long-distance trail organizations and developers to improve the hiking experience and inspire action on behalf of the environment.
• You can find her on Instagram @wearehikertrash

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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.