In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to by LMNT, we are breaking down our recent hike of the Northville Placid Trail. Chaunce, Elise, and yours truly recently set out south from Lake Placid to trek as much of the trail as we could in a 5-day period. Spoiler alert- I was forced off trail first, Chaunce did the full thing, Elise split the difference between the two of us.

We give you a day by day breakdown of our trek, including a not so fun first day, a family fight on day two featuring a midday meltdown, our favorite moments from the trail (like an epic campsite off Long Lake) and much more. We also give you the rough and dirty on the NPT, including the distance, elevation gain, resupply options, terrain, water, etc yatta yatta.

We wrap the show with the triple crown of John Travolta movies, whether we'd prefer the perfect stick or the perfect rock, and a one-minute gear review!

LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.

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

Hikerkind: Use code “BPR15” for 15% off at hikerkind.com.

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Panel with Zach, Chaunce, and Elise

• Chaunce's Instagram
• Badger's Instagram
• Elise's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:00 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, join us in Denver on December 7th and apply to be a 2025 blogger!

00:09:40 - Introducing the NPT Panel

00:11:30 - Northville Placid Trail basics

00:13:30 - Hiking direction

00:15:05 - Day 1 of hiking

00:27:00 - Night 1

00:32:55 - Bugs, darkness, and mileage

00:42:30 - Day 2

00:47:45 - The family fight

00:58:00 - Night 2

01:02:15 - Day 3

01:06:40 - Zach’s incident

01:11:05 - Odds games

01:22:02 - Zach’s second incident

01:23:40 - Getting off trail

01:27:05 - Night 3

01:32:13 - Day 4

01:51:25 - Zach’s day 4

01:54:00 - Day 5

01:59:55 - Elise’s weird encounters

02:08:20 - Zach’s day 5

02:10:45 - Stay Salty: If you could turn any everyday activity into an Olympic sport, what would you win gold in?

Segments

QOTD: Would you rather find the perfect stick or the perfect rock?

Triple Crown of John Travolta Movies

One Minute Gear Reviews

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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