About this episode
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
