#215 | Heidi Nisbett on Her Thru-Hiking Art, Being a Hiking Guide, and A Wild Rescue Story from the CDT

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08/21/23 • 162 min

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In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Heidi Nisbett aka Sketch. Heidi is a thru-hiker, hiking guide, and an exceptionally talented artist, having recently been commissioned to paint a giant mural at the Trail Center in Damascus. Heidi gives us the lowdown on why she loved the Foothills Trail, the Superior Hiking Trail, Pinhoti Trail, and more. We also go in-depth on Heidi's journey as an artist, how she fell in love with it as a kid, fell out of love with it post-college, and rekindled the flame during her time hiking the AT. She shares her top advice to aspiring trail-focused artists, we learn about a CDT thru-hike that went wildly awry, and we chat the best and worst beer styles. This is another fun chat guaranteed to bring a smile to your head.

We wrap the show with reasons why the Florida Trail is actually awesome, I'm shamed for liking things I'm good at, we do a triple crown of hiking things we just don't get, a Florida Man segment, and much more.

Visit Iceland with Chaunce and Badger: Registration is live for our 2024 trip to Iceland. Come and hike to glaciers, waterfalls, and secret lagoons with your favorite podcast hosts. More info here!

Range Meal Bars: Use code “THETREK” for 20% off at rangemealbar.com.

RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com.

PACT Outdoors: Use code “TREK20” for 20% off and free shipping at pactoutdoors.com.

[divider]

Interview with Heidi Nisbett

Time stamps & Questions

00:03:05 - Reminders: Chaunce is unwell & we’re still collecting poop stories for our book. Send your story here!

00:08:54 - Introducing Heidi Nisbett

00:09:42 - Is it safe to say you’re a beer connoisseur?

00:09:55 - What’s the style of beer you’re into now?

00:10:07 - Do you have a favorite wheat beer?

00:10:24 - What is your trail name and the origin?

00:11:10 - Why didn’t you like the name Picasso?

00:11:56 - What did Picasso do for art history?

00:12:45 - Were you sketching at all shelter logs?

00:13:58 - How long do the paintings take you?

00:14:58 - Was it hard to maintain a social group if you stop to paint?

00:15:40 - Do most people break up with art after their degree?

00:20:07 - When did art stand out as something you were talented in?

00:20:50 - Do you come from artsy people?

00:22:58 - At what point were you getting positive feedback on your art?

00:23:40 - What role did social media play as you re-entered the art world?

00:26:13 - What happens between your art career and hiking the AT?

00:29:11 - How does a paint and sip class work?

00:30:44 - What tips do you have for amateur artists?

00:34:00 - Tell us about your style of art now

00:35:08 - How would you describe the style of art?

00:37:36 - How did you transition from art girl to hiking girl?

00:40:28 - What was your hiking experience prior to the AT?

00:42:06 - Tell us about the evolution of your art as you hiked along the AT?

00:44:46 - How did you decide to make your art your full-time business after hiking?

00:47:20 - What draws people in the most?

00:48:40 - How do you overcome imposter syndrome?

00:49:50 - Tell us about your work with the ATC

00:52:52 - Was that your first mural?

00:54:40 - How does it work when painting around features in the room?

00:55:44 - Is this the piece of art that has consumed the most amount of your time?

00:55:52 - What is the second longest?

00:56:51 - What’s the most popular piece of art?

00:57:22 - What do you mail most often?

00:59:07 - How do you determine what to turn into a sticker?

01:00:23 - Have you asked if the Pinhoti has any mural needs?

01:02:10 - How was the Pinhoti?

01:04:30 - Why pick the Pinhoti over other trails?

01:05:48 - How does the difficulty compare to the AT?

01:06:54 - Is there a bad time of year to hike the Pinhoti?

01:08:01 - Would you pick Pinhoti or Superior Hiking Trail?

01:09:42 - How was the Foothills Trail?

01:11:57 - What’s the hiking culture in North Carolina?

01:12:56 - Are you familiar with the Overmountain ...

Visit Iceland with Chaunce and Badger: Registration is live for our 2024 trip to Iceland. Come and hike to glaciers, waterfalls, and secret lagoons with your favorite podcast hosts. More info here!

Range Meal Bars: Use code “THETREK” for 20% off at rangemealbar.com.

RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com.

PACT Outdoors: Use code “TREK20” for 20% off and free shipping at pactoutdoors.com.

[divider]

Interview with Heidi Nisbett

Time stamps & Questions

00:03:05 - Reminders: Chaunce is unwell & we’re still collecting poop stories for our book. Send your story here!

00:08:54 - Introducing Heidi Nisbett

00:09:42 - Is it safe to say you’re a beer connoisseur?

00:09:55 - What’s the style of beer you’re into now?

00:10:07 - Do you have a favorite wheat beer?

00:10:24 - What is your trail name and the origin?

00:11:10 - Why didn’t you like the name Picasso?

00:11:56 - What did Picasso do for art history?

00:12:45 - Were you sketching at all shelter logs?

00:13:58 - How long do the paintings take you?

00:14:58 - Was it hard to maintain a social group if you stop to paint?

00:15:40 - Do most people break up with art after their degree?

00:20:07 - When did art stand out as something you were talented in?

00:20:50 - Do you come from artsy people?

00:22:58 - At what point were you getting positive feedback on your art?

00:23:40 - What role did social media play as you re-entered the art world?

00:26:13 - What happens between your art career and hiking the AT?

00:29:11 - How does a paint and sip class work?

00:30:44 - What tips do you have for amateur artists?

00:34:00 - Tell us about your style of art now

00:35:08 - How would you describe the style of art?

00:37:36 - How did you transition from art girl to hiking girl?

00:40:28 - What was your hiking experience prior to the AT?

00:42:06 - Tell us about the evolution of your art as you hiked along the AT?

00:44:46 - How did you decide to make your art your full-time business after hiking?

00:47:20 - What draws people in the most?

00:48:40 - How do you overcome imposter syndrome?

00:49:50 - Tell us about your work with the ATC

00:52:52 - Was that your first mural?

00:54:40 - How does it work when painting around features in the room?

00:55:44 - Is this the piece of art that has consumed the most amount of your time?

00:55:52 - What is the second longest?

00:56:51 - What’s the most popular piece of art?

00:57:22 - What do you mail most often?

00:59:07 - How do you determine what to turn into a sticker?

01:00:23 - Have you asked if the Pinhoti has any mural needs?

01:02:10 - How was the Pinhoti?

01:04:30 - Why pick the Pinhoti over other trails?

01:05:48 - How does the difficulty compare to the AT?

01:06:54 - Is there a bad time of year to hike the Pinhoti?

01:08:01 - Would you pick Pinhoti or Superior Hiking Trail?

01:09:42 - How was the Foothills Trail?

01:11:57 - What’s the hiking culture in North Carolina?

01:12:56 - Are you familiar with the Overmountain ...

Previous Episode

#214 | Tisha McCombs, Executive Director of the Colorado Trail Foundation

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined by new Executive Director at the Colorado Trail Foundation, Tisha McCombs. Tisha gives us a rundown on her journey to becoming the head at the CTF, what her vision is for the Colorado Trail moving forward, all that goes into maintaining the CT and where help is most needed, and much more. We also chat a bit about the role mountain biking plays into sustaining many trails throughout Colorado, what her top advice is to aspiring adventurers - coming from the perspective of an adventure and life coach, and a fuck marry kill of the sections of the Colorado Trail.

We wrap the show with a triple crown of ways to insult thru-hikers, a review of the updated version of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite from a former guest of the show, and a new segment, plug me.

PACT Outdoors: Use code “TREK20” for 20% off and free shipping at pactoutdoors.com.

Visit Iceland with Chaunce and Badger: Registration is live for our 2024 trip to Iceland. Come and hike to glaciers, waterfalls, and secret lagoons with your favorite podcast hosts. More info here!

Range Meal Bars: Use code “THETREK” for 20% off at rangemealbar.com.

Gossamer Gear: Use code “TAKESHELTER20” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.

RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com.

[divider]

Interview with Tisha McCombs

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:02 - Reminders: Find us on YouTube and Patreon

00:06:03 - Introducing Tisha McCombs

00:06:24 - Does Tisha give us Mims vibes?

00:07:22 - Packing resupply boxes

00:13:16 - Walk us through your previous work prior to your new role with the CT

00:15:45 - Check out the CTF store

00:16:45 - Should we treat this as trading cards?

00:17:37 - Between CA and CO, what are some National Park recommendations you’d give?

00:19:20 - Tell us about your other non-profit experience

00:20:04 - Were you responsible for the Palisade Plunge?

00:20:50 - Were you primarily managing people at COPMOBA?

00:21:37 - What are some of the challenges with volunteer work?

00:23:36 - Have there been any oopsies with volunteers?

00:25:08 - Are the trails for hikers as well, or only mountain bikers?

00:25:46 - Is there any tension between mountain bikers and hikers?

00:29:24 - Do mountain bikers think e-bikers are lazy?

00:29:46 - How much do e-bikes and dirt bikes impact trails compared to mountain biking?

00:33:36 - What are the rebates that CO is giving on e-bikes?

00:36:30 - If you could only bike or hike the rest of your life, what would you pick?

00:37:15 - How does the spine injury impact wearing a backpack?

00:38:35 - Do you have a favorite pack that helps?

00:39:41 - The CT is a multi-purpose trail. How do you make decisions that benefit all uses?

00:43:34 - Do you get funds from dirt bike tags?

00:45:19 - How does trail maintenance differ between mountain biking and hiking?

00:46:33 - What would you like to do differently as the new Executive Director of the CTF?

00:51:53 - What type of money does it take to maintain trails?

00:59:15 - Why do you think there is so much interest in making the CT the best maintained trail in the US?

01:02:18 - How do you increase volunteer interest?

01:06:26 - Did you go through similar feelings with your son?

01:08:09 - Did you ever get resistance from your son when trying to bring him to your activities?

01:11:17 - What are some specific needs of the CTF?

01:15:17 - What’s one of the best trail crew meals you’ve had?

01:16:22 - If options were endless, what would you do for the CT?

01:17:40 - What logistics would go into removing road walks?

01:18:55 - What are your two other wishes for the CTF?

01:21:59 - Are there any transportation recommendations?

01:22:58 - What about park & ride options?

01:24:01 - Are there apps for private parking spaces?

01:26:16 - What are top business ideas for someone who wants to offer value to the trail?

01:29:18 - Is there anywhere along the trail to do mail drops?

01:31:39 - Is there a shut...

Next Episode

#216 | Sara "Tide Walker" Leibold on 10,000 Solo Human-Powered Miles, Rowing the Mississippi River, and Working at ESPN

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Sara Leibold. Sara is a solo adventurer, thru-hiker, writer, and vlogger with more than 10,000 human-powered miles under her belt. Her adventures include several thru-hikes, for which we zoom in on her hikes of the AT, Benton MacKaye, and most recently, the Hayduke. We also learn about her wild adventure of rowing the length of the Mississippi River, from source to sea. And we get a run down on Sara's many odd jobs, including ridge running on the AT, working in production for ESPN, and more.

We wrap the show with sad news of an AT hiker who turned up deceased in Vermont, the triple crown of worst appetizers, and what petty hills we are willing to die on.

But first.

Visit Iceland with Chaunce and Badger: Registration is live for our 2024 trip to Iceland. Come and hike to glaciers, waterfalls, and secret lagoons with your favorite podcast hosts. More info here!

Range Meal Bars: Use code “THETREK” for 20% off at rangemealbar.com.

RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com.

Interview with Sara Leibold

Time stamps & Questions

00:03:38 - Reminders: We’re still collecting poop stories for our book. Send your story here! Join us on Patreon for more chaos!

00:07:27 - Welcoming Sara

00:08:01 - How did you get your trail name, Tide?

00:8:48 - Tell us about your Master’s thesis

00:10:14 - Why focus on the Arizona Trail?

00:11:41 - Were you able to capture cause and effect?

00:12:50 - Did your interest in low impact travel stem from your graduate program?

00:13:45 - How do you define low impact travel?

00:14:38 - Is there a style of outdoor adventure that’s lower impact?

00:15:08 - Who did you pull your low impact inspiration from?

00:15:50 - Can you give us your trail resume?

00:18:30 - When was your AT start and finish date?

00:19:29 - What put the AT on your mind?

00:20:00 - Did you complete it in four months?

00:20:26 - Did you have a light pack at least?

00:20:38 - What was the response to doing the AT in 2011?

00:21:44 - Did you let your hair grow throughout your hike?

00:22:00 - Any big highlights from the AT?

00:22:47 - Tell us about your river trip

00:23:54 - What was your sport in college?

00:24:10 - Tell us about the Suwannee river

00:24:40 - What was it like traveling with your dad?

00:25:17 - Did you do the full length of the river?

00:25:40 - How did you plan for your river trip?

00:26:30 - Tell us about the Natchez Trail bike ride

00:27:19 - How long did it take you?

00:27:44 - Are you a fast swimmer as well

00:28:10 - Are all of your trips intentionally low impact?

00:29:09 - What brought you back to that AT after your bikepacking trip?

00:30:56 - Did you encounter a lot of weekend warriors?

00:32:04 - What type of crash course tips could you give a new hiker?

00:33:20 - What is that smell experience like?

00:35:12 - What’s the turnover rate for ridge runners?

00:36:36 - How often did you encounter bears in the Shenandoah?

00:38:03 - What are the redeeming qualities of ridgerunning?

00:40:10 - Do you have housing for ridgerunning?

00:40:34 - What’s the time commitment?

00:41:57 - Do you have insider names or terminology?

00:44:59 - What was the best culinary experience of the Camino?

00:46:24 - Tell us about the Anna Purna Circuit?

00:37:31 - What was drawing you to international hikes?

00:48:07 - Did you ever feel a pull to go do the PCT or CDT?

00:49:15 - How did you sustain a lifestyle of year-round hiking and traveling?

00:50:12 - Did you ever have doubts living your lifestyle?

00:51:56 - Do you have any advice for people stuck in the comparison phase?

00:53:09 - Do you foresee yourself settling for a different lifestyle?

00:55:13 - Where do you think you gained your independence?

00:56:13 - Tell us about your source-to-sea adventure

00:58:18 - What did you do for butt padding?

...

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