In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by social media and YouTube sensation, Liz “Handstand” Kidder. Liz is a thru-hiker, vlogger, dreadlock artist, former skydiving fanatic, and a handstand-expert. Liz gives us her full story, including the events that lead to her becoming sober in 2014, how she nearly died in a horrifying skydive gone wrong, how the internet got way too much into her biz almost immediately into her thru-hiking journey, the time she donated a kidney, and we make her choose which trail reigns supreme between the AT and PCT- for which she does not hesitate to pick a winner.

We wrap the show with why you shouldn't wear underwear on a thru-hike, a call for 2026 Blogger applications, which is better- hiking steep and short and long and steady, I offer a REPEAT stupid thing of the week, and we do the triple crown of things we'd step in barefoot.

Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKFALL15” at topoathletic.com.

Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.

Ka’Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker.

[divider]

Interview with Liz “Handstand” Kidder

• Liz's Instagram
• Liz's Youtube
• Liz Kidder Studio

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:15 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:08:40 - Introducing Liz

00:12:50 - Where’s the most epic place you’ve done a handstand?

00:15:10 - Do you have tips for someone who wants to get better at handstands?

00:17:10 - What was your introduction to the world of backpacking?

00:21:05 - What is the New Hampshire uniform?

00:22:00 - Tell us about skydiving

00:31:00 - How as the first week on trail?

00:32:40 - Had you done any social media prior to the AT?

00:34:50 - What was the drama?

00:36:35 - At what point were you hooked by the AT?

00:38:24 - Why did you end the AT in a more sour mindset than the JMT?

00:39:40 - How did the trail change you?

00:43:24 - Tell us about donating your kidney

00:52:10 - Tell us about your career

00:55:35 - How do you create dread locs?

00:57:20 - Do you get a lot of business through hiking?

01:00:10 - Tell us about the Annapurna Circuit

01:04:35 - How did the Annapurna Circuit compare to your other hikes?

01:06:45 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail

01:07:45 - How has the PCT experience compared to the Colorado Trail?

01:12:00 - Tell us about the scary moments in the Sierra

01:22:24 - Tell us about the Tehachapi challenge

01:30:20 - Tell us about spraining your ankle

01:38:30 - How did you feel about going home during trail?

01:40:51 - Are you still on a continuous footpath?

01:45:00 - Did you capture either of the sprains on camera?

01:47:45 - Do you like the PCT or the AT first?

01:50:11 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack?

Segments

Trek Propaganda

• Day 93: The Katahdhin Stream Campground Miracle Arrives by Anniversary and the Historian
• Why You Shouldn’t Wear Underwear on Your Thru-Hike by Kelly Floro

QOTD: Would you rather hike 2 miles uphill with no switchbacks, steep grade, or 5 miles uphill with switchbacks, moderate grade?

Stupid Thing of the Week

Triple Crown of things you’d step on/in barefoot

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

[divider]

Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.

Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter

Leave us a voicemail!

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.

Advertise on Backpacker Radio

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, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns

A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.