Hikes and Mics Podcast
Hikes & Mics is where the trail meets the conversation. Each week, host Ivan Orozco brings together hikers, backpackers, and outdoor adventurers to share the stories, lessons, and inspiration they’ve found in the great outdoors. From life-changing summits to quiet moments on local trails, our guests open up about how nature has shaped their journeys—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Every episode blends thoughtful storytelling with a dash of fun, closing out with our signature This or That: Hiking Edition lightning round. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer, a long-distance thru-hiker, or someone who simply loves the outdoors, this podcast is your campfire circle for connection, community, and adventure. New episodes drop every Monday—plus occasional bonus episodes on Fridays. Lace up your boots, plug in your headphones, and join us on the trail.
Hikes and Mics Podcast
S14 - Episode #02 - Jared “Snackbox” Champion
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Snacks, Stories, and the Trail That Changed Everything
**The first half of the episode Jared's microphone came from his iPods, the second half is from his condenser microphone.**
What happens when a college writing professor trades plagiarism cases for backcountry trails? You get Jared Champion, aka Snackbox, one of the most thoughtful voices in the outdoor storytelling space.
In this episode, Jared shares how motorcycle road trips through National Parks first sparked his love of the outdoors, leading to a deep dive into backpacking on the Colorado Trail and a life-changing pivot away from academia. We unpack the origin of his legendary trail name (earned on the JMT, snack wrappers included), and explore how he channeled his passion for writing into founding Backcountry Champions Creative Studio, a nonprofit helping outdoor adventurers turn their trail experiences into published books.
We talk about the anthology More Than Hope: Lessons from the Colorado Trail, a PCT book coming out this summer, and Jared's unique process for helping first-time authors find the specific, personal stories only they can tell.
We also get into the deeper stuff: why storytelling builds community, why the outdoor space needs more diverse voices, and why hiking hasn't gotten old for him the way everything else has.
Plus, his ambitious plans to link the High Sierra Trail and the John Muir Trail in one epic trip, and a hard take on earbuds vs. nature sounds that you won't want to miss.
Episode Links:
Jared on Instagram
Outside Comfort Zone YouTube
Backcountry Champions Creative Studio
This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys
Follow us on Instagram, @Hikesandmics
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Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app)
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