Hikes and Mics Podcast

Ivan
  • 4.5 (21)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hikes & Mics is where the trail meets the conversation. Each week, host Ivan Orozco brings together hikers, backpackers, and outdoor adventurers to share the stories, lessons, and inspiration they’ve found in the great outdoors. From life-changing summits to quiet moments on local trails, our guests open up about how nature has shaped their journeys—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Every episode blends thoughtful storytelling with a dash of fun, closing out with our signature This or That: Hiking Edition lightning round. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer, a long-distance thru-hiker, or someone who simply loves the outdoors, this podcast is your campfire circle for connection, community, and adventure. New episodes drop every Monday—plus occasional bonus episodes on Fridays. Lace up your boots, plug in your headphones, and join us on the trail.

  1. S13 - Episode #07 - Anastasia

    1D AGO

    S13 - Episode #07 - Anastasia

    Send a text 🎻 Creativity, Courage & Kula Cloth: Finding Joy in the Wild with Anastasia Allison 🏔️✨ In this special milestone episode of Hikes & Mics, we’re joined by Anastasia Allison — founder of Kula Cloth, outdoor educator, former Washington State Park Ranger, professional violinist, and one half of The Musical Mountaineers. This conversation also marks a first for the podcast as our official video episode, now available on our YouTube channel alongside the audio release. Anastasia shares her deeply personal journey into the outdoors, reflecting on how hiking became a refuge during childhood bullying and how a life-changing road trip through the western national parks set the trajectory for her career. From her years serving as a law enforcement ranger on the Olympic Peninsula to serenading campers with her violin, Anastasia reveals how creativity, curiosity, and connection shaped her unconventional path. We dive into the unforgettable origin story of Kula Cloth — sparked by a memorable (and hilarious) Mount Baker mishap — and explore the fears, risks, and mindset shifts that led her to build one of the most recognizable pieces of Leave No Trace gear in the outdoor world. Anastasia also opens up about entrepreneurship, personal growth, and redefining confidence both on trail and in life. The conversation expands into The Musical Mountaineers, her viral project blending mountaineering, classical music, and breathtaking summit performances, along with powerful reflections on backpacking confidence, outdoor hygiene, presence, joy, and her now-legendary daily dance experiment. 🎧 Equal parts inspiring, thought-provoking, and wildly entertaining, this episode is a celebration of creativity, courage, and finding joy in unexpected places. Episode Links: Anastasia on Instagram The Musical Mountaineers on Instagram Kula Cloth on Instagram The Kula Diaries on Substack Kula Cloth Website Kula Cloth on YouTube This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics AllTrails+ I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier. Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership! Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app) Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

    1h 33m
  2. S13 - Episode #06 - Melanie (Poppi) & Dave (La Bamba)

    FEB 9

    S13 - Episode #06 - Melanie (Poppi) & Dave (La Bamba)

    Send us a text ❤️ Love on the Long Trail: Thru-Hiking, Partnership & Shared Miles with Melanie & Dave 🥾✨ In this special Valentine’s Day Week episode of Hikes & Mics, we’re joined by Melanie (Poppi) and Dave (La Bamba), a thru-hiking couple whose love story unfolded one step at a time across some of North America’s most iconic long trails. From the Pacific Crest Trail to the Colorado Trail, Arizona Trail, and beyond, their relationship has been shaped by shared miles, hard-earned lessons, and a deep love for life on trail. Melanie returns to the podcast alongside Dave, making his first appearance, as they share how they met on the PCT, built a friendship through trail miles, and eventually took a leap of faith that turned into a powerful partnership—both on and off the trail. They reflect on hiking through record snow years, flipping sections, reuniting unexpectedly in Washington, and tagging Canada together in a full-circle moment that still feels surreal. This conversation dives deep into what it’s really like to thru-hike as a couple—from navigating independence while hiking together to supporting each other through injuries and setbacks (including a tough season on the AZT). Melanie and Dave open up about learning to communicate through stress and exhaustion, and why trust, flexibility, and patience matter just as much as mileage and gear. We also share unforgettable trail moments—sunrise on Mount Whitney, spotting a rare Gila monster on the Arizona Trail, moose encounters on the Colorado Trail, and the magic of the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier. The episode closes with thoughtful advice for couples planning their first backpacking trip together and reflections on what keeps their shared adventures—and their relationship—strong. 🎧 Whether you’re a thru-hiker, a backpacking couple, or someone who simply loves a good trail love story, this episode is a reminder that some of the best journeys are the ones you share. Love still wins. 💛 Episode Links: Melanie on Instagram Dave on Instagram This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics AllTrails+ I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier. Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership! Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app) Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

    1h 2m
  3. S13 - Episode #05 - Alexandrie of Black Hikers Explore

    FEB 2

    S13 - Episode #05 - Alexandrie of Black Hikers Explore

    Send us a text 🌿 Belonging on the Trail: Motherhood, Healing & Community with Alexandrie 🥾🤍 In this powerful and deeply grounding episode of Hikes & Mics, we’re joined by Alexandrie, founder and organizer of Black Hikers Explore, for a conversation about how hiking, motherhood, and community-building can come together to create spaces of healing, belonging, and joy in the outdoors. Born and raised in Haiti, Alexandrie shares how her earliest experiences in nature were rooted not in recreation, but in survival—a foundation that shaped her relationship with the outdoors long before she ever stepped onto a marked trail. After moving to the U.S. and rediscovering hiking in New York and New Jersey, she began to notice a familiar absence on the trail: people who looked like her. That realization became the spark behind Black Hikers Explore, a community centered on representation, accessibility, and culturally aware outdoor experiences. We dive into how Alexandrie intentionally designs beginner-friendly, inclusive hikes—from pre-hike circle introductions and realistic mileage planning to prioritizing connection over pace, metrics, or gear culture. She breaks down the real barriers many BIPOC communities face in outdoor spaces, including representation gaps, safety concerns, cost of gear, and access, and shares tangible ways she helps people move past those hurdles and feel confident showing up on trail. A central thread of this conversation is motherhood and mental health. Alexandrie speaks candidly about navigating postpartum anxiety and depression, and how daily time in nature—sometimes just 30 minutes near water or trees—became essential to her healing, emotional regulation, and sense of self. She also shares why she brings her children everywhere, from hiking Mount Tammany to biking, canoeing, surfing, and even camel trekking through the Sahara Desert, where her toddlers famously fell asleep mid-ride. 🎧 This episode is a powerful reminder that the outdoors doesn’t have to be intimidating or exclusive—it can be a place of care, culture, and coming home to yourself. Episode Links: Follow on Instagram @blackhikersexplore Black Hikers Explore Website This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics AllTrails+ I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier. Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership! Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app) Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

    53 min
  4. S13 - Episode #04 - Ketul Patel

    JAN 26

    S13 - Episode #04 - Ketul Patel

    Send us a text 🏔️ Leadership at Altitude: Hiking, Resilience & Reflection with Ketul Patel 🥾📘 In this episode of Hikes & Mics, we’re joined by Ketul Patel—author, hiker, and business transformation leader—for a powerful conversation about the intersection of hiking, leadership, resilience, and self-reflection. Ketul is the debut author of A Journey of Elevation, a book inspired by his life-changing 12-day trek to Everest Base Camp—an experience that reshaped not only how he hikes, but how he leads and lives. What began as a casual idea among friends quickly evolved into a full-scale expedition demanding intense physical preparation, mental discipline, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Ketul shares how training for altitude, managing ego, and aligning heart, mind, and body became essential—not just on the trail, but in navigating high-stakes leadership, business transformation, and moments of disruption. We dive into unforgettable moments from the Himalayas: standing in quiet reflection at a mountain monastery at sunrise, navigating a dangerous mudslide in darkness and rain, and adapting to a “Plan C” route when weather shut down flights into Lukla. Ketul reflects on the importance of trusting guides and Sherpas, leading with humility under pressure, and how shared resilience made the journey possible—parallels he draws directly to corporate leadership, supply-chain challenges, and organizational change. This conversation is as much about the inner journey as the physical climb. Ketul explains why Everest Base Camp wasn’t the true summit, how disconnecting from constant digital noise brought clarity, and why everyone—hiker or not—needs their own “base camp moment” to reset, recalibrate, and move forward with intention. 🎧 If you’re drawn to big goals, meaningful challenges, and the lessons that only come from stepping far outside your comfort zone, this episode will resonate deeply. Episode Links: A Journey of Elevation website Ketul on LinkedIn Ketul on Facebook Purchase “A Journey of Elevation” on Amazon A Journey of Elevation on goodreads This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesan AllTrails+ I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier. Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership! Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app) Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

    50 min
  5. S13 - Episode #03 - Angela & Russ

    JAN 19

    S13 - Episode #03 - Angela & Russ

    Send us a text 🏔️ Exploring Banff, Kananaskis & the Canadian Rockies with Angela & Russ 🐻🥾 In this episode of Hikes & Mics, we’re joined by Angela and Russ—an Alberta-based outdoor couple who live just outside the Canadian Rockies and spend all four seasons immersed in Banff, Kananaskis, Canmore, and beyond. After first connecting on the trail in Banff, this conversation dives deep into what it truly means to live, hike, and adventure in one of the most iconic mountain regions in the world. Angela, born and raised in Calgary with the Rockies always on the horizon, shares how early family trips—and formative time spent hiking in the Alps—shaped her lifelong connection to the outdoors. Russ reflects on how moving to Calgary transformed hiking from a casual pastime into a way of life, expanding into wildlife awareness and year-round mountain pursuits like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and mountain biking. Together, they explain how the outdoors became more than recreation—it became home. We talk candidly about Banff’s popularity boom, how they balance iconic locations like Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and Larch Valley with quieter, lesser-known routes, and why Kananaskis Country may be one of the most underrated hiking destinations in Alberta. Angela and Russ also share insider tips on timing larch season, navigating shuttle systems, and avoiding crowds without missing the magic. Wildlife encounters take center stage—from grizzly bears near the Banff sign to bobcats and lynx wandering through their neighborhood—sparking real-world conversations about bear spray, distance, preparedness, and staying calm in bear country. We also explore uniquely Canadian adventures like bike rafting, where mountain biking meets packable rafts, and winter hikes to the Ink Pots, where geothermal pools steam against snowy backdrops. The conversation stretches beyond Canada to Iceland, upcoming plans for the Tour du Mont Blanc, and a highly anticipated Mount Robson & Berg Lake backpacking trip—highlighting how global travel deepens appreciation for the landscapes at home. 🎧 Whether you’re planning a trip to Banff, curious about hiking in bear country, or looking to explore beyond the “Top 10” trails, this episode is packed with grounded wisdom, humor, and four-season inspiration. Episode Links: Angela on Instagram This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, AllTrails+ I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier. Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership! Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app) Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

    54 min
  6. S13 - Episode #02 - Micah

    JAN 12

    S13 - Episode #02 - Micah

    Send us a text 🌋 Geysers, Wolves & the Stories Beneath Our Boots with Micah 🐺🏔️ In this episode of Hikes & Mics, we’re joined by Micah — geologist, educator, and Museum Manager for the City of Farmington, New Mexico — for a powerful, story-rich conversation about geology, wildlife, public lands, and what it truly means to understand the landscapes we hike through. Micah shares how his love of the outdoors began in Washington State, bivy camping on summits in the Olympics and Cascades with his father, planting the seeds for a lifelong passion that eventually carried him to Yellowstone National Park. Over eight summers and two winters, Micah immersed himself in one of the most geologically dynamic places on Earth, becoming part of the legendary world of geyser gazing — and eventually serving as President of the Geyser Observation and Study Association (GOSA), helping preserve over a century of geothermal data. We dive into unforgettable Yellowstone moments, including chasing the rare, explosive Fan & Mortar geyser system at sunset with his tight-knit crew, the “Sput Brigade,” and guiding a young girl to her first real-life wolves, when the Wapiti Lake Pack erupted into a valley-wide howl that brought everyone to tears. From there, Micah reflects on his time at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and how learning to tell stories — not just share facts — led him to his current role blending science, conservation, and community through museum and park education in New Mexico. We also talk about Micah’s viral wolf-pack Instagram reel, the magic of shared discovery through a spotting scope, and why geology, wildlife, and public-lands education are deeply intertwined. 🎧 This episode is a reminder that hiking isn’t just about reaching a destination — it’s about understanding the world beneath our boots, the life around us, and the stories written into every landscape. Episode Links: Micah on Instagram The Geyser Observation and Study Association Fan and Mortar Geysers 8/12/2014 Eruption  This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics AllTrails+ I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier. Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership! Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app) Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

    49 min
  7. S13 - Episode #01 - Tina

    JAN 5

    S13 - Episode #01 - Tina

    Send us a text 🎬 Season 13 Premiere — Tina Grimm: From Outlast to Thru-Hiking, Healing & Rediscovering Strength in the Mountains 🏔️✨ For the Season 13 premiere of Hikes & Mics, we’re joined by Tina Grimm — model, artist, thru-hiker, and contestant on Season 2 of Netflix’s survival series Outlast — for a deeply moving conversation about identity, resilience, and the transformative power of wilderness. Tina shares how growing up with a survival-minded father sparked her lifelong love of the outdoors, and why the trail allows her to show up as her truest, most grounded self beyond cameras, modeling, and expectation. She opens up about overcoming childhood hip dysplasia, how that experience shaped her grit on long miles and demanding terrain, and how time in the mountains became a sanctuary for healing after trauma. We also explore the emotional and psychological realities of competing on Outlast in the Alaskan wilderness — from team dynamics and inner battles to the unseen moments that never make it to screen — and how that experience changed the way she approaches challenge and trust. Tina reflects on thru-hiking the John Muir Trail with her husband, the lessons from her first solo backpacking trip, and the beautiful intersection of creativity and adventure in her upcoming debut novel, Meet Me in the Mountains — a love-and-nature story rooted in vulnerability, real trail experiences, and personal rediscovery. 🎧 Whether you’re a hiker, storyteller, survivor, or dreamer, this episode is a powerful tribute to courage, community, and the way the outdoors helps us rewrite what we believe is possible. Episode Links: Tina on Instagram Tina on Facebook Tina on YouTube GrimmCreationsArt on Instagram GrimmCreationsArt on Etsy This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics AllTrails+ I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier. Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership! Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app) Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

    1h 25m
  8. S13 - Bonus Episode - Stephen

    12/29/2025

    S13 - Bonus Episode - Stephen

    Send us a text 🏔️ Season 13 Bonus Episode — Stephen’s Road to Denali: Blue-Collar Mountaineering, West Coast Peaks & The Power of the Journey ❄️🥾 In this special Season 13 bonus episode, returning guest Stephen takes us inside his relentless, months-long push to prepare for Denali — the highest peak in North America — by launching a full-scale mountaineering campaign across the U.S. West Coast. From expedition-style living on Mount Shasta, steep technical routes on Mount Hood, and a humbling, windswept retreat on Mount Whitney, to a confidence-building summit of Mount Rainier and a powerful solo push on Mount Adams, Stephen shares how each mountain became a training ground for systems, pacing, cold-weather efficiency, and mental resilience. He reflects on the harsh realities of what climbers call “blue-collar mountaineering” on Denali — heavy sled pulls, back-to-back cache carries, fixed-line ascents, brutal weather windows, and the quiet psychological battles that unfold high on the mountain. Through it all, Stephen opens up about how the experience reshaped his understanding of grit, humility, success, and why the journey often matters more than the summit itself. We also dive into his training philosophy, non-negotiable gear planning, and the discipline of the 1,000-feet-per-hour rule, along with the lessons he continues to carry from iconic climbs like Rainier, Hood, Adams, Shasta, Whitney, and Kilimanjaro as he moves forward on his pursuit of the Seven Summits. 🎧 Whether you’re a day hiker, backpacker, or aspiring mountaineer, this episode is a powerful look at endurance, vulnerability, and what it truly takes to chase big mountains. Episode Links: Stephen on Instagram Stephen on Facebook This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics AllTrails+ I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier. Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership! Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app) Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

    51 min
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About

Hikes & Mics is where the trail meets the conversation. Each week, host Ivan Orozco brings together hikers, backpackers, and outdoor adventurers to share the stories, lessons, and inspiration they’ve found in the great outdoors. From life-changing summits to quiet moments on local trails, our guests open up about how nature has shaped their journeys—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Every episode blends thoughtful storytelling with a dash of fun, closing out with our signature This or That: Hiking Edition lightning round. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer, a long-distance thru-hiker, or someone who simply loves the outdoors, this podcast is your campfire circle for connection, community, and adventure. New episodes drop every Monday—plus occasional bonus episodes on Fridays. Lace up your boots, plug in your headphones, and join us on the trail.

Information

  • Creator
    Ivan
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    177
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hikes and Mics Podcast
  • Show Website
    Hikes and Mics Podcast

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