Highwater Trek Co Podcast

Early Spring Stop In

Happy March Trekkies! Join us for our newest episode as we welcome the emerging salutations of Spring; including frogs and flowers, ticks and skunks. We discuss early spring conditions in the Ozarks that may require consideration before hitting the trails. We also discuss upcoming, hiking related events that are happening in our area. 
Plus, tune in to hear easy foraging tips for finding delicious wild foods in the earliest days of an Ozark Spring!
Follow us on:
Instagram @highwatertrekco
Facebook @highwatertrekco
Send your questions, comments, suggestions, stories, love letters, or hate mail to:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic

Nature and Mental Health

Sam and Katy are back from a much-needed break to tackle the tough subject of mental health, and the positive impact that actively engaging with nature can have.
 
 TW: Mental health, suicide
Join us as we explore the connection between wild spaces and mental wellness in general as well as the benefits more specific to hiking and backpacking. We discuss the long history behind the idea that nature holds health benefits, unravel some scientific theories, explore nature as a sensory experience, share some personal anecdotes, and present the science for your consideration.
We also discuss the obstacles of accessibility and diversity in the outdoors, and the growing epidemic of Nature Deficit Disorder in the children of this generation.
It was a beautiful thing to see the ways that this emerging body of scientific research supports the things we feel to be true on a soul level, and it's our sincere desire that you find some inspiration and hope in this episode.
Remember, sunshine on your shoulders is bliss, hiking is good for your brain, plants are your friends, and...bears. Don't forget about the bears.
Thank you for tuning in! As always, we're sorry and you're welcome!
 
Follow us on:
Instagram @highwatertrekco
Facebook @highwatertrekco
Send your questions, comments, suggestions, stories, love letters, or hate mail to:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic
*Because this was a research-heavy episode, we have created a separate home for the links to all of the resources and studies referenced in this episode*
YOU CAN FIND ALL THE LINKS HERE

The Georgia Section: The Good, Bad, and the Clammy

Join Katy and Sam as they reflect upon their section hike of the southernmost miles of the Appalachian Trail. Team Giggles reminisce about their favorite moments and most difficult challenges as they traversed the trail through Georgia and into North Carolina. 
Tune in to hear how our hosts found liberation from expectations in the woods of the Blue Ridge, and how inspirational they found the magic and kinship of trail community to be. Our duo also discuss their preparation processes, favorite campsites, and one the most important aspects of any backpacking trip: Food!
An honest retelling of the experience would not be complete without the admission of absolutely disgusting levels of personal clamminess. Gross. We apologize to anyone that was within a smellable range. 
Winter has made her presence felt here in the Ozarks. The snowfall, ice, and power outages have us serving up this episode a bit behind schedule. We want to thank you for your patience during our delay, and, as always, for listening.
Follow us on:
Instagram @highwatertrekco
Facebook @highwatertrekco
Send your questions, comments, suggestions, stories, love letters, or hate mail to:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic
Links from this Episode:
Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
FarOut
Ron's Shuttle Service
Injinji Toe Socks
Murphy's Chophouse
 
 

New Year New Gear

Is this lethargy, or relaxation?
Sam and Katy kick off their first episode of the New Year with a mini road trip.
Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, it's off to hike we go... Our quest takes us down a forest service road of dubious condition, down a lovely stretch of the Ozark Trail, and lands us right next to the Current River.
We talk about our new venture of trail adoption and the evolution of our gear as we continue to grow and adapt as backpackers.
A pack of hunting dogs serenades us, and Kenai lets her discontent be known.
Bear with us through some of the audio quirks; let it be known henceforth, that a vehicle moving down a rough forest service road isn't the best environment for recording. Who knew? Not us.
As always, thank you for tuning in! Stay tuned after closing music for bloopers.
You're welcome, and we're sorry.
 
Follow us on:
Instagram @highwatertrekco
Facebook @highwatertrekco
Send your questions, comments, suggestions, stories, love letters, or hate mail to:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic
Check out some of the companies we mentioned:
Paria Outdoor Products
River Country Products
Decathlon
MSR
Osprey
Big Agnes
Cascade Mountain Tech
Interested in adopting a section of the Ozark Trail? More info HERE
 

Cold Weather Safety

Greetings Highwater Trekkies! Welcome to the Highwater Trek Co podcast, where we discuss all things backpacking and hiking. In today's episode, our hosts discuss dealing with cold weather and stress the importance of the Triple P (Proper Prior Preparation.)  Tune in for tips and tricks to keep you comfy, cozy, and most importantly safe as you play in the frigid outdoors. 
Happy New Year to our dear listeners!
Instagram @highwatertrekco
Facebook @highwatertrekco
Send your questions, comments, suggestions, stories, love letters, or hate mail to:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic
LINKS:
Move Your DNA Podcast Ep 37 - Moving Through the Winter
10 Essentials for Backpacking

The Ozark Trail

The weather has been mush, and our brains are mush too. The wind is playing games and a joyriding airplane runs amok; flies amok? Amok, amok, amok.
Team Giggles struggled a bit to make it out the gate, but the 5th time's a charm. Join us for a conversation about the Ozark Trail, the Ozark Trail Association, volunteer work, and how you can get involved.
This incredible trail is a testament to the power of singular minds, dedicated hands, and the united vision of multiple organizations and individuals. It is truly an Ozark gem, and WE WANT YOU to experience the beauty and diversity it has to offer.
So add it to your bucket list, and if you live in the area, we hope you'll consider giving your time, talents, or dollars to help keep the maintenance and expansion moving full force. Teamwork makes the dream work, ya'll.
As always, thank you for listening. Stay tuned after closing music for bloopers. You're welcome, and we're sorry. 
 
Follow us on:
Instagram @highwatertrekco
Facebook @highwatertrekco
Send your questions, comments, suggestions, stories, love letters, or hate mail to:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic
LINKS:
Check out the  Ozark Trail's bangin' website!
Peruse the trails
Search and sign up for events
Become a Member
Donate
Adopt a Trail!

Gratitude and Goals

Join our hosts as they once again flail throughout the episode introduction, eventually focusing conversation on reflections of gratitude and intentions for the future. 
As we transition into winter and the holiday season, Highwater Trek Co reminisces about defining experiences that we are most grateful for. We also dream of the future; discussing goals closest on the horizon, and how we plan to achieve them.
We here at Highwater Trek Co hope that this changing season brings you much to be grateful for. We are eternally thankful for you, dear listeners.
Follow us on:
Instagram @highwatertrekco
Facebook @highwatertrekco
Send us questions, comments, critiques or stories:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic

We’re Back!

Team Giggles is back! It's a chatty one, folks, so strap in and grab a delicious beverage.
The lethargy is real, the breeze is blowing and the dogs are disruptive as we reconnect after a pretty long absence from each other, and our first hiatus from the show.
Sam talks about getting vertical and conquering a new challenge through an exciting new program in Missouri.
Katy yammers about river time and otters.
Feeling bored? Make it a drinking game!
Take a shot every time you hear Katy say "it's like" or "so yeah" or Sam says "I don't love heights".
Thank you for tuning in. We hope the randomness of life is hitting you right in the face. In a good way, of course.
 
Follow us on Instagram:
@highwatertrekco
Follow us on Facebook:
@highwatertrekco
Send us a line:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
 
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by the talented Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic or check out his website: www.peterjlehman.com 
 
Interested in becoming a part of Missouri's growing community of climbers? Check out these links for more info:
MO State Parks
Learn2 Climb
Beta Fund
Vertical Voyages
Ford Automotive Group Bronco Wild Fund
 
Other links:
She Moves Mountains
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Learn about the Current River

Taum Sauk Part 2

We were seeking redemption, and perhaps even revenge. Instead, the mountain Taum Sauk'd it to us.
Join hosts Katy and Sam for part 2 of the Taum Sauk saga as they recall their recent backpacking adventure through this 35 mile section of the Ozark Trail. 
Battling heat, spiders, brush, rashes, burrs, chafing, gnats, little water, and a plethora of rocks, Team Giggles faced down both physical and mental obstacles to once again complete the section.
Lessons were learned; some the hard way. 
And while the trail and conditions were difficult, the beauty of the wild surroundings could not be outshone. Gratitude rose, abounded, and flowed like the river. 
Follow us on:
Instagram @highwatertrekco
Facebook @highwatertrekco
Send us questions, comments, critiques or stories:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic
 
Interested in tackling the Taum Sauk section? 
MORE INFO HERE

Taum Sauk Part 1: The OG Experience

Sam and Katy recount the infamous OG experience with the Taum Sauk section of the Ozark Trail.
Join us as we revisit suppressed memories of our encounter with the time vortex in evil fae land, rocks, coldness & cruel dreams, rocks, night-hiking, rocks, teeth-clenching river crossings, rocks, pain & exhaustion, rocks, the unfortunate consequences of other hikers leaving a trace, gorges of rocks,  and our slow descent into madness.
Oh, and did we mention, rocks?
This was our very first backpacking trip together, and although it went awry...in just about every way it possibly could, there was beauty in the insanity, valuable lessons learned, and we found out together just how strong and resilient we can be. 
Follow us on:
Instagram @highwatertrekco
Facebook @highwatertrekco
Send us questions, comments, critiques or stories:
highwatertrekco@gmail.com
Theme song "Ozark Stomp" by Peter J. Lehman. Follow him on Instagram:
@peterjlehmanmusic
 
Interested in tackling the Taum Sauk section? 
MORE INFO HERE