In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Spencer McKee, the Director of Content and Operations for OutThere Colorado. If you’ve been to Colorado and have Instagram, you’ve likely already come across Spencer’s videos - he’s mastered the art of packaging interesting Colorado news stories, culture, and fun facts into short form video content through OutThere’s social media channels.

Spencer shares some of his favorite standout outdoor rec stories from the great state of Colorado with us, including what's underneath Cheeseman Park, the legend of Rattlesnake Kate, Colorado's active volcano, the most underrated mountain towns, best hidden gem restaurants, breweries, and the truth behind his obsession with flannels. 

We wrap the show with a call for the next host, editor, and producer of Trail Correspondents, some severe damage sustained by a beloved Appalachian Trail hostel, why thru-hiking is your next career power move, and we're joined by Elise for the segments, including the triple crown of things that make our lives easier.

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Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek.

Ka’Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker.

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Interview with Spencer McKee

• OutThere Colorado Website
• OutThere Colorado Instagram
• Spencer's Instagram
• UpaDowna Website

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:20 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek or to run Trail Correspondents, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:09:07 - Introducing Spencer

00:12:06 - How’d you land in Colorado?

00:13:45 - What led you to OutThere?

00:16:50 - How do you reach Coloradans successfully?

00:17:25 - What’s up with the flannels?

00:18:50 - What did you do when you first joined OutThere?

00:22:10 - Do you like doing deeper dives or more new-style comments?

00:24:10 - What does your typical week look like now?

00:26:13 - Are you Colorado famous?

00:30:00 - What are some of the more outlandish stories you’ve covered?

00:33:29 - Tell us about Rattlesnake Kate

00:37:05 - Is there any competition between OutThere and other news outlets?

00:41:00 - What type of story frequently comes across your desk?

00:46:25 - What are some of your hidden gem restaurants in Colorado?

00:50:42 - Tell us about other fun festivals in Colorado

00:58:15 - True or False: There’s an active live volcano in Colorado

00:59:55 - Do you ever cover concerts for work?

01:07:40 - What’s up with the Denver airport?

01:15:05 - Are there any other good Colorado conspiracies?

01:19:00 - Discussion about the Big Thompson flood

01:20:40 - Does Colorado Springs deserve to be ranked as the 3rd best city in the country?

01:26:45 - What are the most underrated mountain towns?

01:28:26 - What Colorado animal are you most afraid of?

01:36:04 - Have you heard any wild cow stories?

01:43:50 - How have you not done all the 14ers yet?

01:48:25 - Rapid Fire Colorado Questions

02:05:00 - Discussion about OutThere feedback

02:07:30 - Back to Rapid Fire

02:21:00 - Discussion about animals, mainly racoons

02:23:20 - Rapid Fire Colorado Trivia

02:25:40 - Tell us about UpaDowna

02:28:25 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack?

Segments

Trek Propaganda

• Appalachian Trail Damaged, Standing Bear Hostel Evacuated Amid Flash Flooding by Katie Jackson
• Why Thru-Hiking Is Your Next Career Power Move (Advice from an Ex-Amazon Recruiter) by Chloe “Chickpea” Jacobs

QOTD:  What’s a common phrase you recently learned you were saying incorrectly?

Wedding Dress Thing of the Week

Triple Crown of things that we do to make our lives easier

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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