Pretty Good at Talking

Pretty Good at Talking
Podcast Description
In 2018, the Strawbridge family - including four kids aged 11 to 16 - walked from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific Crest Trail. Their story is told in the book ”Pretty Good at Walking,” but a 2,650-mile journey creates more stories than one book can hold. Join author Vince Strawbridge as he sits down with the colorful characters who shaped his family’s adventure - from trail angels and fellow hikers to musicians and mountain guides. Each episode reveals a new perspective on shared moments from the trail, exploring how individual journeys intertwine to create the unique culture of the PCT. Whether you’re a long-distance hiker, an armchair adventurer, or simply love a good story, Pretty Good at Talking invites you to discover the community that makes the Pacific Crest Trail more than just a path through the wilderness.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show primarily focuses on themes of hiking adventures, personal growth, and community in outdoor settings, with episodes touching on diverse topics such as transformative hiking journeys, the challenges faced on the Pacific Crest Trail, and familial connections forged through shared experiences, as seen in conversations with hikers, trail angels, and family members.

In 2018, the Strawbridge family – including four kids aged 11 to 16 – walked from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific Crest Trail. Their story is told in the book ”Pretty Good at Walking,” but a 2,650-mile journey creates more stories than one book can hold. Join author Vince Strawbridge as he sits down with the colorful characters who shaped his family’s adventure – from trail angels and fellow hikers to musicians and mountain guides. Each episode reveals a new perspective on shared moments from the trail, exploring how individual journeys intertwine to create the unique culture of the PCT. Whether you’re a long-distance hiker, an armchair adventurer, or simply love a good story, Pretty Good at Talking invites you to discover the community that makes the Pacific Crest Trail more than just a path through the wilderness.
In this engaging conversation, Suvi, known as Miss MacGyver, shares her adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors. From her early experiences in Finland to her long hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail and Te Araroa, she discusses the influences that shaped her passion for nature. Suvi reflects on her hiking culture experiences, daily routines on the trail, and her impressions of the stunning landscapes of Washington and Oregon. Her insights into the hiking community and the joy of exploration resonate throughout the discussion. In this conversation, Suvi and Vince share their memorable experiences on the Pacific Crest Trail, discussing encounters with fellow hikers along the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, highlighting the differences in terrain and hiking culture. Suvi shares her experiences in the Alps, the challenges posed by weather, and the growing popularity of the Hexadrek trail in Europe. They also touch on future hiking plans and reflect on the storytelling in Vince’s book, including some humorous moments regarding accents and cultural perceptions.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Suvi: The Adventurous Spirit
01:21
Early Influences: Nature and Adventure
03:06
First Long Hike: Te Araroa Experience
04:26
Choosing the Pacific Crest Trail
06:27
First Impressions of the PCT
11:00
Trail Culture and Community
17:19
Daily Life on the Trail
20:57
Washington vs. Oregon: Trail Experiences
27:12
Memorable Encounters on the Trail
30:58
Unexpected Connections and Shared Experiences
33:52
Resupply Challenges and Trail Logistics
36:26
The Beauty of the Sierra Nevada
40:14
Weathering the Storm: A Hiker’s Perspective
42:46
Summiting Whitney: Decisions and Reflections
43:37
Southern California: A Different Trail Experience
46:00
Finishing Together: A Joyful Conclusion
49:28
Adventures and Expectations
50:21
Exploring the Great Himalaya Trail
52:02
Hiking the Pyrenees and Continental Divide Trail
53:58
Comparing Trails: PCT vs CDT
56:01
Alps vs American Trails
01:00:20
Weather Challenges in the Alps
01:03:43
The Growing Popularity of the Hexadrek
01:06:29
Future Adventures and Plans
01:10:01
Reflections on the Book and Experiences
01:12:39
Thoughts on the Appalachian Trail

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