Hikes and Mics Podcast

Ivan
  • 4.6 (23)
  • 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. 9h ago

    From Alaskan Glacier to Global Brand: GG Edwards on Building Gnara & Redesigning the Outdoors for Everyone

    Send us Fan Mail What does it take to redesign the outdoors for everyone? Gnara Co-Founder GG Edwards joins our Season 14 finale to share how a glacier in Alaska sparked a revolution in outdoor apparel. While guiding on the Mendenhall Glacier, GG faced a choice every woman in the backcountry knows too well: trek across crevasses and peel off layers in freezing temps, or risk dehydration. Instead, she asked a simple question — what if her fly worked like the guys'? That idea became the patented GoFly® zipper and the brand now known as Gnara (formerly SheFly). In this conversation, GG opens up about sewing prototypes in her Vermont dorm room, a Kickstarter that raised over $100K in a single day, surviving a factory collapse during the pandemic, and the bold rebrand from SheFly to Gnara. We dig into why 56% of women report a bathroom accident outdoors, the taboo Gnara is dismantling, and the customer stories that prove this is so much bigger than a zipper — from Yosemite climbing guides to a solo round-the-world sailor. Plus GG on mountain biking, ice climbing, and training for the NYC Marathon. Episode Links: Gnara on Instagram Gnara's Website Gnara on YouTube This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic 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.

    55 min
  2. Protecting Washington's Vanishing Shrub-Steppe | Cyrus Philbrick & Bridget Clark | Cowiche Canyon Conservancy

    Jun 1

    Protecting Washington's Vanishing Shrub-Steppe | Cyrus Philbrick & Bridget Clark | Cowiche Canyon Conservancy

    Send us Fan Mail What if Washington's most overlooked landscape isn't a towering evergreen forest — but a sun-baked sea of sagebrush bursting with far more life than you'd ever expect? Cyrus Philbrick and Bridget Clark of Cowiche Canyon Conservancy join us at Snow Mountain Ranch to talk about the shrub-steppe — the vanishing ecosystem this nonprofit land trust has spent 40+ years protecting across 8,000+ acres and 60+ miles of free trails just outside Yakima. We get into how a community-driven land trust grows acre by acre, from a defunct railroad through Cowiche Canyon to the recent Konnowac Pass acquisition. Cyrus walks us through the two-volcano geology that carved the canyon's basalt and andesite cliffs, while Bridget shares how this landscape thrives on a quarter of the west side's rainfall. We also dig into the work that keeps this place wild: the battle against invasive cheatgrass and scotch thistle, the volunteers and school kids who make conservation personal, and a commitment to equity through Spanish-language wildflower walks that open the outdoors to all of Yakima. Plus their must-do weekend hikes and when to catch peak wildflowers. If you've ever driven east of the pass and written off the sagebrush, this episode will change how you see it. Episode Links: Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Website Cowiche Canyon Conservancy on Facebook Cowiche Canyon Conservancy on Instagram This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic 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.

    47 min
  3. From McKinsey to Mount Everest: Tom French on Gap Years, Summiting at 60 & Reclaiming the Life You Left Behind

    May 25

    From McKinsey to Mount Everest: Tom French on Gap Years, Summiting at 60 & Reclaiming the Life You Left Behind

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a 33-year McKinsey career ends on Friday — and you're on an ice wall by Saturday afternoon? Tom French, author of The Gap Years: Climbing, Skiing, and the Journey Back, joins us to talk about trading his corporate corner office for crampons, summiting Everest under a full moon at 2:15 AM, and why it's never too late to reclaim the passions of your younger years. Tom's story begins with a childhood shaped by legendary mountaineer Willi Unsoeld — the first man to climb Everest's West Ridge — who literally taught Tom to climb at age eight. Decades later, after raising a family and building an elite business career, Tom didn't quietly retire. He launched a gap year that stretched into three and a half extraordinary years of ice climbing, cross-country ski marathons, and two Everest expeditions. We dig into his gripping turnaround at 26,000 feet on his first summit attempt, the remote Makalu Barun approach he took on his second, and what the emotional release at base camp — not the summit — truly taught him about achievement. If you've ever felt too busy, too old, or too settled to chase a dream, this episode is for you. Episode Links: Tom on Instagram Tom's Website Buy a copy of The Gap Years This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic 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 4m
  4. Seven Years, 10,000 Miles & One Film: Brendan Hall on Capturing the Soul of America's National Parks

    May 18

    Seven Years, 10,000 Miles & One Film: Brendan Hall on Capturing the Soul of America's National Parks

    Send us Fan Mail What if the most powerful story in a national park isn't the landscape — it's the people inside it? NYU-trained filmmaker, Explorers Club member, and director Brendan Hall joins us to share the journey behind Out There: A National Parks Story — a feature documentary seven years in the making, born from a post-graduation road trip across 10,000 miles of America's public lands. Brendan opens up about the Grand Canyon moment under the Milky Way that redirected his entire filmmaking career, how two friends with no plan found trail builder Gary in Acadia simply by asking a librarian, and why his relationship with Yosemite has evolved from a solo sunrise at Tunnel View to a surprise engagement in El Capitan Meadow. We cover the human tapestry behind the film: Jack Gladstone's Blackfeet stories at Glacier, photographer QT Luong's overlooked legacy, and a filmmaking philosophy built around accessibility over conquest. Brendan also reflects on his time as a selected crew member of the Dear Moon mission, what an Antarctica voyage with Neil deGrasse Tyson and William Shatner revealed about our planet, and how to carry hope in the face of ecological grief — from bleached coral reefs to smoke-filled wilderness. Out There has screened at 25+ festivals and 75+ community events nationwide. A screening tour and digital release with nonprofit partnerships are rolling out through 2026. Screenings & updates: outthere.film Episode Links: Brendan on Instagram Out There Film on Instagram Brendan's Website This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic 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
  5. Ditch the Shoes, Find the Trail | Ken Posner | Author of Chasing the Grid & Barefoot Peak Bagger Chasing 1,000 Mountains

    May 11

    Ditch the Shoes, Find the Trail | Ken Posner | Author of Chasing the Grid & Barefoot Peak Bagger Chasing 1,000 Mountains

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when you strip away the gear, the gadgets — and even the shoes? Barefoot Ken is here to show us. Meet Ken Posner, also known as Barefoot Ken — ultramarathoner, analyst, author, and the man quietly redefining what it means to connect with nature, one shoeless summit at a time. In this episode, Ken traces his journey from Chicago city kid to barefoot adventurer, sharing how a single book — Born to Run — inspired him to ditch his shoes at age 50 and never really look back. We cover it all: how the Catskills Grid (35 peaks × 12 months = 420 summits) became his modern-day pilgrimage, what it took to complete the John Muir Trail barefoot across three attempts, the meaning behind a barefoot summit of Tsoodzil — a sacred Navajo peak in New Mexico — and why his 1,000 Barefoot Mountains goal (currently at 632!) is more than just a number. Ken also opens up about his minimalist "stretch the rubber band" philosophy, what our hunter-gatherer ancestors can teach us about slowing down on trail, and the surprisingly honest Appendix C in Chasing the Grid — a full catalog of his lifetime running injuries and what they taught him. Episode Links: Barefoot Ken on Instagram Barefoot Ken's Website Barefoot Ken on X Purchase Chasing the Grid This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic 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 3m
  6. The Best Hikes Don't Require a Passport | Stephanie Pearson | National Geographic Explorer & Author of 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A.

    May 4

    The Best Hikes Don't Require a Passport | Stephanie Pearson | National Geographic Explorer & Author of 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A.

    Send us Fan Mail What makes a hike truly unforgettable? National Geographic Explorer, Outside Magazine contributing editor, and author Stephanie Pearson joins us to find out. Her new book, 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A. (out now), was born from one of the hardest seasons of her life — and launched with a lightning storm on the Maah Daah Hey Trail in North Dakota. In this conversation, Stephanie opens up about how her mother's passing, an emergency eye surgery in Sweden, and the stillness of COVID reshaped the way she sees the trails in her own backyard. We cover it all: redefining what a "hike of a lifetime" really means, managing overcrowded trails like the Kalalau Trail in Hawaiʻi and popular trails in Sedona, why the Superior Hiking Trail is tougher than it looks, what the Selma to Montgomery Trail taught her about American history, and why the Tahoe Rim Trail might be the perfect first through-hike. Stephanie also shares her thoughts on trail volunteerism, the grief of watching glaciers disappear, hidden gems across the Midwest, and why sometimes — the best hikes don't require a passport. 📖 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A. is available now at local bookstores, Amazon, and major retailers. Learn more at stephanieannpearson.com Episode Links: Stephanie on Instagram Purchase a copy of 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A. This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic 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.

    39 min
  7. Hiking the Grand Canyon Mid-Radiation: Alec Sills-Trausch on Surviving Cancer & Chasing Adventure

    Apr 27

    Hiking the Grand Canyon Mid-Radiation: Alec Sills-Trausch on Surviving Cancer & Chasing Adventure

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a cancer diagnosis becomes the spark that launches a full-time outdoor adventure career? This week on Hikes and Mics, I sit down with Alec — travel writer, photographer, and the force behind Explore with Alec, for one of the most honest and inspiring conversations we've had on the show.  Alec is a two-time cancer survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient whose brush with mortality completely redefined his relationship with the outdoors. From hiking across the Grand Canyon mid-radiation to summiting Mount Whitney on a whim, he turned adversity into a life built around adventure. In this episode, we talk about his first post-treatment backpacking trip with his dad in Sedona, why the hardest places to reach are often the most worth protecting, and what it's really like to build a business around the outdoors — late nights, protein bar dinners, and the Enumclaw Taco Bell included. Alec also takes us inside his most unforgettable wildlife encounters — from coastal brown bears in Alaska to mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park — and shares the networking tip that changed how he lands major clients like National Geographic Travel. Plus — we break down the biggest barriers keeping people out of nature and what creators like Alec are doing to close that gap. 🐻🎒 Episode Links: Alec on Instagram Alec on YouTube Explore with Alec website This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic 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 3m
  8. Hiking, Community & Cold Pints: Nicole on Reviving Hiking for Brews in the DMV

    Apr 20

    Hiking, Community & Cold Pints: Nicole on Reviving Hiking for Brews in the DMV

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when you combine a trailhead, a cold pint, and a community that refuses to leave anyone behind? You get Hiking for Brews — and this episode, we're sitting down with the woman who brought it back to life. Nicole is the organizer of Hiking for Brews, a DMV-based group drawing anywhere from 20 to 80 hikers across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Originally founded in Baltimore, Nicole revived the concept post-COVID when she moved back to the area and wanted to make friends the best way she knew how — on a trail. In this episode, we talk about the story behind her iconic watermelon tote cooler (a 1979 heirloom that's become her signature at every trailhead), why Hiking for Brews is built around connection over mileage, and how volunteer hike leads have helped the group scale from biweekly to near-weekly events. Nicole also shares tips for starting your own hiking group, how she avoids burnout as a leader, and why good hiking shoes will always be her non-negotiable. Plus — she drops some exciting personal news live on the podcast. 🍺🥾 Episode Links: Hikes for Brews on Instagram This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic 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
See All (193)

Trailers

4.6
out of 5
23 Ratings

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
    193
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hikes and Mics Podcast
  • Show Website
    Hikes and Mics Podcast

You Might Also Like