Zach Davis, the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Trek and co-host of Backpacker Radio, joins Maddie Pellman on Who Runs This Park: Park Enthusiasts Edition. Zach has built a career at the intersection of storytelling and adventure, creating a thriving media platform dedicated to the thru-hiking and long-distance backpacking community. In this episode, Zach shares his personal journey—from tackling the Appalachian Trail as his first-ever backpacking trip to becoming a leading voice in the outdoor space.

We dive into the mental and emotional aspects of thru-hiking, the unexpected challenges on trail, and the evolution of The Trek and Backpacker Radio. Zach talks about his experiences writing Appalachian Trials and Pacific Crest Trials, the importance of community in outdoor culture, and the power of in-person storytelling through in-person podcast recordings, live shows and hiker meetups.

Whether you’re an aspiring thru-hiker, a longtime trail enthusiast, or just love a good adventure story, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and inspiration.

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Who Runs This Park is produced by Maddie Pellman with music by Danielle Bees.