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
The Tables Turn: 4 Years of Hikes and Mics | Tami Interviews Ivan | Berg Lake Trail Anniversary Special
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🎙️ Four years ago, Hikes and Mics started with a folding table, a mic, and total strangers at trailheads. Now, closing in on 200 episodes, the tables get turned — literally. For this anniversary special, my longtime guest and friend Tami (@tamionthetrail) takes over as host, interviewing me lakeside on the third night of a four-day trek on British Columbia's Berg Lake Trail.
I get into why I started this podcast in the first place — from missing the outdoors during a stint in Phoenix to recording strangers at trailheads before going virtual. Then it's my closest call yet: turning back a Mount Adams summit attempt in deteriorating snow, including a scary moment post-holing through the snowpack on the descent, and the months-long chase of cancelled permits that finally landed back-to-back nights at Whitehorn, Berg Lake, and Kinney Lake. Plus Union Creek Falls, the short waterfall hike that actually got me hooked on hiking, my slow shift to an ultralight setup, why Hawaiian shirts are now trail staples, and my now-infamous "Berg Lake Ramen Bomb" backpacking meal.
Tami and I also run a round of Season 15 This-or-That questions, with a few more to come, plus a bonus mailbag segment answering listener-submitted community questions.
Four years, one flipped mic, and a whole lot of trail talk.
🎧 Subscribe to Hikes and Mics and follow @hikesandmics for new episodes every week.
Episode Links:
Mount Robson Provincial Park
This episode was Produced by Tami while on the Berg Lake Trail, follow her on Instagram @tamionthetrail
This episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic
AllTrails+
I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier.
Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership!
Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app)
Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists
Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.
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