James Appleton on Hiking and Peakbagging in the Adirondacks
Backpacker Radio
Zach Davis
4.7 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 14 October 2024
⏱️ 124 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by James Appleton. James is a walking encyclopedia on all things Adirondacks, hosting a podcast dedicated to the park, having authored a book about its lore, and he serves as a hiking guide throughout the region. James gives us the rundown on these rugged 46ers, including superlatives like his favorite, the most underrated, the most overrated, and the best for beginners. He also provides a primer on the Northville-Placid Trail, shares the best and worst times to experience the park, and offers an overview of the Lake Placid 9’er, a challenge he created. James also gives us the lowdown of how awkward it is to be on a film set during a sex scene.
We wrap up the show with the news of Hurricane Helene's historic destruction throughout the southern Appalachias, and how people can contribute to the relief and recovery efforts, the triple crown of commercials (including how our editor's dad is the commercial GOAT), whether you'd rather find cockroaches or a body in your attic, and the full rundown of going to Buffalo for the MNF Bills game.
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.
Duer: Get 20% off your first purchase at shopduer.com/backpacker.
[divider]
Interview with James Appleton
Time stamps & Questions
00:06:15 - Reminders: Join us in Denver on December 7th! Apply to be a 2025 blogger and support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content!
00:12:05 - Introducing James
00:12:53 - What was your introduction to the outdoors?
00:15:27 - What are the hot spots in Lake Placid?
00:18:05 - Tell us about the Blue Line Bakery
00:20:00 - Tell us about working in the film industry
00:23:00 - What’s the coolest movie you’ve worked on?
00:24:30 - Tell us about working on a sex scene
00:27:25 - Is it difficult to hike peaks with a lot of muscle on your upper body?
00:31:30 - Discussion about Adirondack hiking culture
00:36:20 - What are the most common 46ers to start off with?
00:38:35 - Do you need map and compass skills?
00:40:31 - Tell us about the Lake Placid 9er
00:42:20 - What led you into losing weight and how did it work for you?
00:44:57 - What was your guilty pleasure snack?
00:46:30 - Was it hard to workout while cutting carbs out?
00:48:27 - What are the highlights of the Northville Placid Trail?
00:53:00 - Discussion about James’ podcast
00:54:42 - What equipment do you bring onto the trail for recording audio?
00:56:00 - Do you have free time?
00:59:41 - What goes into becoming a guide?
01:02:03 - What are your favorite peaks to hike?
01:04:00 - Which peaks do people put off hiking?
01:05:00 - What’s the best peak for beginners?
01:06:15 - What are some underrated mountains that are not 46ers?
01:07:00 - What peak have you done the most?
01:08:00 - What’s the wet season in the Adirondacks?
01:09:40 - What are the shelters like on the NPT?
01:12:20 - When should people visit the Adirondacks if they had any week of the year?
01:13:35 - When are hikers normally done with the NPT by?
01:16:00 - Discussion about bugs
01:18:06 - Do you have plans to hike in other areas?
01:21:15 - Tell us about your upcoming book
01:22:40 - Can you give us a quick campfire story?
01:26:31 - Stay Salty Question: What’s your outdoors hot take?
01:28:00 - Where can people keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Want To Help AT Communities Recover From Hurricane Helene? Here’s How by Kelly Floro
QOTD: Which would you rather find living in your attic, 1000 roaches or a person?
Triple Crown of commercials
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
Road Trip Update
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Ben Love, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bonnie Ackerman, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | A quick note before we jump into today's episode. As you know at the end of September Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage across much of southern Appalachia including several AT Trail towns including Hot Springs, Damascus, and Irwin. |
| 0:13.0 | According to the ATC, this is the biggest natural disaster to ever hit the Appalachian Trail |
| 0:18.0 | and its entire 100 year history. |
| 0:21.0 | Right now, we don't know the full extent of the damage to the trail itself, but that's very secondary to the safety and well-being of the people living in these areas. businesses, roads, and landmarks were erased and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this historic storm. |
| 0:36.0 | That said, well wishes aren't enough. |
| 0:39.0 | We, the Trek, are committed to being a part of the recovery effort. |
| 0:42.0 | We've already published a few articles on how you can get involved, including trust to organizations for donations and volunteer opportunities. |
| 0:50.0 | We've also hosted a fundraiser which brought in over $5,000 for a trio of relief efforts, |
| 0:56.0 | and a massive thank you to everyone who participated in that. |
| 0:59.1 | As of this recording, the region is still just in survival mode and it'll take some time before |
| 1:04.0 | rebuilding can even begin but we'll continue to keep you updated on how you can help |
| 1:08.5 | both the communities and the trail as the information becomes available to us. |
| 1:13.3 | Okay, to the show. |
| 1:15.4 | In today's episode in a backpack already |
| 1:16.8 | represented by The Trek brought to you by Element. |
| 1:18.6 | We are joined by James Appleton. |
| 1:20.5 | James is a walking Encyclopedia on all things at Arundex, hosting a |
| 1:24.7 | podcast dedicated to the park, having authored a book about its lore, and he serves |
| 1:29.1 | as a hiking guide throughout the region. James gives us his rundown on these rugged 46ers including |
| 1:34.7 | superlatives for his favorite, the most underrated, the most overrated, and the best |
| 1:38.9 | for beginners. He also provides a primer on the Northville Plazaacid Trail, shares the best and worst times to experience the park, and offers an overview of the Lake Placid-Niner, a challenge created. |
| 1:50.0 | James also gives us the low down on how awkward it is to be on a film set during a sex scene. |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in -122 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Zach Davis, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Zach Davis and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.