4.7 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 20 November 2023
⏱️ 145 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Matt Berger known on trail as Sheriff Woody. If you like plants, oh boy, are you in luck today because Sheriff Woody is an experienced thru-hiker and a trained botanist who’s packed to the gills with fun flora facts. We learn about some of the standout plant species along each of the triple crown trails, how to know if a berry is edible or deadly, some of the rarest flowers along the triple crown trails, interesting facts about cacti, pine cones, and trees along these trails, and much, much more. Even if you aren’t a plant person, we are guaranteeing 100% satisfaction with this interview or your money back.
We wrap the show with our favorite grocery impulse buys, a shoutout to Kelly Floro who recently completed the Pyrenean Haute Route, a Triple Crown of mid life crisis hobbies, our preferred noise to mask a public dump, and more.
Vargo Outdoors: Use code “BACKPACKERRADIO” for 20% off at vargooutdoors.com.
Zoleo: Use code “BACKPACKERRADIO” for free device activation.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Darn Tough: Use code “DTLOVE-BACKPACKERRADIO” for 10% off plus free shipping at darntough.com.
RTIC Outdoors: Shop at rticoutdoors.com.
[divider]
Interview with Matt “Sheriff Woody” Berger
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:51 - Reminders: Come to the Hiker Meetup on December 1 at Improper City, check out our new website, and watch this episode on YouTube!
00:10:09 - Introducing Sheriff Woody
00:11:26 - What’s your background?
00:13:00 - What’s your favorite bug?
00:15:35 - How did your parents feel about you luring insects into your yard?
00:16:45 - When did you decide to pursue horticulture and what is the career path like?
00:18:37 - What’s the difference between botany and horticulture?
00:20:55 - Tell us about your Appalachian Trail hike in 2012
00:26:30 - What alpine plants are there on the northern part of the AT?
00:30:41 - Do you have to study Latin during horticulture/botany training?
00:33:45 - What can you tell us about the plant naming process?
00:35:55 - What exciting plant species are on the AT but not on the other main trails?
00:40:00 - Discussion about improving blight resistance in American chestnut trees
00:44:37 - Can you tell us about the hemlock woolly adelgid?
00:47:06 - What are some of the worst invasive species along the AT?
00:50:40 - What are your favorite plants along the PCT?
00:54:15 - Tell us about poodle-dog bush
00:59:38 - What other plants have utility for thru-hikers?
01:03:24 - Do people harvest ginseng on the AT?
01:04:30 - What should people familiarize themselves with to be able to confidently identify a plant?
01:08:06 - Do you have a favorite berry along the PCT?
01:10:00 - What are some standout cactus species along the PCT?
01:12:38 - What are some fun plants that are easy to identify?
01:16:24 - What plants do you see in northern California?
01:18:33 - Is it hard for you to hike big miles if you’re looking at plants all the time?
01:20:18 - What type of camera do you normally use?
01:23:29 - Tell us about iNaturalist
01:32:00 - What are the standout plants along the CDT?
01:35:33 - How would you rank the Triple Crown trails according to plants?
01:37:20 - Tell us about pine cones
01:41:05 - What are your top 3 favorite plants you’ve seen while hiking?
01:43:44 - Fuck Marry Kill: American chestnut, pygmy poppy, alpine spring beauty
01:44:44 - Do you have a favorite tree?
01:47:39 - If you were a flower/tree/insect, what would you be and why?
01:49:33 - Are there any other tools or apps you’d recommend for aspiring naturalists?
01:52:27 - Tell me about your botany road trip
01:55:29 - Are there specific plants at risk from climate change along the Triple Crown trails?
01:57:42 - Where can people go to keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Kelly Floro's Pyrenean Haute Route Blog
QOTD: What’s the most surprising impulse buy you’ve made while grocery shopping recently?
Triple Crown of mid life crisis hobbies
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
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Click on a timestamp to play from that location
0:00.0 | In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by the trek, we are joined by Matt Berger, known on trail as Sheriff Woody. |
0:07.0 | If you like plants, who boy, are you in luck because Sheriff Woody is an experienced through hiker and a train botanist who's packed the gills with fun flora bats. |
0:17.6 | We learned about some of the stand-out plant species along each of the Triple Crown Trails, |
0:21.6 | how to know if a Berry is edible or deadly, |
0:24.7 | some of the rarest flowers along the Triple Crown Trails. |
0:27.4 | Interesting facts about cacti, pine cones, and trees along these trails and much much much more. |
0:36.2 | Even if you aren't a plant person we are guaranteeing 100% satisfaction with this |
0:40.7 | interview for your money back. |
0:42.8 | We wrapped the show with our favorite grocery store impulse buys. |
0:46.1 | A shout out to Kelly Floro, who recently completed the Pyreneum-Hout route, which I'm sure |
0:50.8 | I didn't say correctly, a triple crown of midlife crisis hobbies, our |
0:54.5 | preferred noise to mask a public dump and much more. But first, I am thrilled to |
1:00.8 | introduce our next sponsor which is a brand that has been a part of my pack and through hikes dating back to 2017. |
1:07.4 | Vargo creates lightweight titanium backpacking gear that is simple, innovative, and functional. |
1:13.0 | The Vargobot 700 was with the every step of the way during my through hike of the PCT and every |
1:19.0 | backpacking trip since. |
1:21.0 | The Vargu Bot is extremely lightweight, weighing less than five ounces, and transfers heat quickly and evenly, making it the perfect pot for your cookware setup. |
1:31.0 | But this just scratches the surface for why the bot kicks so much |
1:34.2 | epp. But because the bot features a screw-top lid, it's the ideal option for the |
1:39.7 | cold sovers of this world. Dump your dehydrated meal and the appropriate amount of water |
1:44.5 | into the bot, screw the lid closed, insert time, |
1:47.7 | and voila, dinner is ready. |
... |
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