In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by thru-hiker and Trek Writer, Katie Jackson, known on trail as Double Dip. Katie gives us an in depth breakdown of her recent thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, including why she advocates that hikers not take the Creede cutoff, her experience of a wild storm so intense that lightning struck and killed nearby cows, the challenge of losing her hiking partner early on, hiking on an injured foot for hundreds of miles- and how it was miraculously healed in some hot springs, waking up to grizzles in her camp, and much more. Katie also gives some of her backpacking hot takes, including how the Colorado Trail is superior to the JMT.

We wrap the show with whether it'll be possible to thru-hike the AT in 2025, the incredible phenomenon that is Frito feet, my new depressing thing of the week, and the triple crown of places where a long trail should exist.

Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 

Trailbrush: Use code “TREK20” for 20% off trailbrush.com. 

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Interview with Katie “Double Dip” Jackson

Time stamps & Questions

00:02:46 - Reminders: Help us make Jabba shave his beard, support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, join us in Denver on December 7th and apply to be a 2025 blogger!

00:07:55 - Introducing Katie

00:08:40 - What’s your outdoors origin story?

00:11:15 - What’s your 9 to 5?

00:14:24 - Would you recommend consulting to people interested in thru-hiking?

00:16:05 - How does your engineering brain manifest while hiking?

00:18:37 - Did you plan anything on the Colorado Trail that you did not plan for the CDT?

00:19:30 - How many boxes did you send yourself on the CDT?

00:21:35 - What other regrets do you have from hiking the Colorado Trail?

00:27:07 - How did your eating strategy evolve over the CT?

00:31:00 - Discussion about the Cochetopa section of the CT

00:36:12 - What led you to the John Muir Trail in 2023?

00:38:02 - Which trail is better between the CT and JMT?

00:40:00 - Why didn’t you love the Winds?

00:41:18 - Was your dad okay with you doing the CDT in 2024?

00:42:10 - Did you ever have any issues with satellite messages not going through?

00:43:35 - How was New Mexico?

00:44:40 - Tell us about losing your hiking partner early on

00:49:54 - Would you feel comfortable starting the CDT alone now?

00:52:45 - How was the water in New Mexico?

01:02:45 - How would you rate New Mexico 1 out of 10?

01:05:00 - How much snow did you encounter?

01:08:10 - When did you use your ice axe?

01:10:30 - Were most people getting beaten up?

01:14:30 - What advice do you have to avoid silly mistakes?

01:18:35 - What were your top 5 snacks?

01:21:20 - Discussion about Katie’s backpack

01:23:25 - Tell us about the next stretch of trail and your foot injury

01:26:45 - What was the diagnosis from the doctor?

01:28:35 - Story about stopping in Granby

01:33:00 - How did your foot eventually heal?

01:35:40 - Tell us about taking the cutoff around Rocky Mountain National Park

01:36:50 - If you did the CDT again, would you do any different alternates?

01:38:45 - Did you experience judgment because you hadn’t done another long trail before?

01:42:00 - Discussion about unsolicited advice

01:43:30 - How was the mental aspect of the trail compared to your expectations?

01:45:00 - Tell us about Wyoming and adding whimsy to the trail

01:48:25 - Why didn’t you love the Winds?

01:49:27 - Tell us about the Idaho-Montana border

01:51:50 - Would you do the trail again SOBO?

01:53:05 - Tell us about almost getting hit by lightning

02:01:20 - What was the best trail magic of the CDT?

02:05:05 - Tell us about the Montana section

02:06:37 - How did you manage your long distance relationship?

02:08:10 - Did Montana meet your expectations?

02:11:50 - Did you see any grizzlies?

02:14:47 - What was it like to get to the terminus?

02:17:36 - Kumo Question: What is your favorite book and why?

02:20:17 - Where can people follow you?

Segments

Trek Propaganda

QOTD:  Do you know about Frito feet?

Depressing Thing of the Week

Triple Crown of where a long trail should be

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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