About this episode
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, the nepotism continues as I'm joined by my 2011 AT pal (drink), Melissa "Click" Goodwin. In addition to an extensive backpacking resume, Melissa is a professional photographer and the founder at Girl Gotta Hike, a guiding company for women based out of New York. We of course take a trip down memory lane- trading some of our favorite moments from the AT in 2011 (drink), we also talk about what it's like to thru-hike with a parent, how Melissa and her husband Donni make due with her being gone for such long stretches, some of the tricks behind the trade of food photography, and we learn all about Click's foray into becoming a professional hiking guide. We wrap the show with a brand new segment- who do you think you are I am of the week. IndexIQ: You no longer need to choose between supporting the environment and investing in your financial future. Visit clnretf.com today! Be sure to read IndexIQ information below before investing. Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code "littledonkeygirl" for 15% off at Gossamergear.com . Organifi discount code: Go to organifi.com/backpacker , use code "backpacker" and get 20% off your entire purchase. Enlightened Equipment: Save 10% off Enlightened Equipment's Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket with code "thetrek10" here . [divider] Interview with Melissa "Click" Goodwin Melissa Goodwin Photography Girl Gotta Hike Time stamps & Questions 00:03:38 - QOTD: There is an old man who lives deep in the forest. He's immortal and was born in the year 0. If you get to ask him one question, what do you ask? 00:06:30 - Welcome Melissa Click Goodwin 00:07:20 - Which hike, aside from the AT, would you do again? 00:10:12 - What does your body feel like at that elevation? 00:11:55 - The Himalayan Rescue Association 00:13:16 - The Wonderland Trail 00:13:57 - How many days did it take to complete? 00:14:51 - Section and day-hiking the AT 00:15:39 - What was Zach like when he was on the AT? 00:16:08 - At what point did Zach and Melissa meet on the AT? 00:16:50 - Okay…but what was Zach like when he was on the AT? 00:18:24 - Anything embarrassing about Zach? 00:20:20 - Do you ever get shit for aqua blazing? 00:21:47 - Was that a thing back in the day? 00:24:54 - What did you enjoy about hiking with your dad? 00:27:14 - What did you learn about your dad that you didn't know before the trail? 00:28:05 - Would you describe your relationship as being strong even before the AT? 00:29:44 - Did you share a water filter as well? 00:30:49 - Did you find any issues with using Aquamira? 00:31:35 - Any other points that were challenging when hiking with your dad? 00:33:45 - If you could go back and advise yourself and your dad on how to smooth out those edges, what would you recommend? 00:36:21 - Did you have any rules when it came to gear sharing? 00:38:09 - Do you feel like your mom became more comfortable with your dad hiking as time went on? 00:39:27 - How did your bond with your dad change after the AT? 00:42:34 - Talk through your photography setup while on trail 00:44:50 - Technology advancements since 2011 00:47:17 - What was your reaction to your fiancé going on a thru-hike? 00:49:03 - Was it stressful getting married right after the AT? 00:52:04 - Donny, how do you feel the AT changed Melissa? 00:55:59 - How do you handle Melissa being gone for other hikes? 01:00:03 - How did you profit off of photos from your hike? 01:01:56 - Plug your website: melissagoodwinphotography.com 01:02:07 - What was the Nat Geo assignment? 01:04:02 - What goes into good food photography? 01:05:14 - So you are actually preparing the meals? 01:06:50 - Do you modify the food before it's photographed? 01:09:44 - What's the craziest food trick that you've used? 01:11:00 - What's the most delicious thing you've ever shot? 01:14:54 - Can you recall the grossest thing you've shot? 01:16:55 - Walk us through " Girl Gotta Hike " 01:19:03 - What does it take to get a guide license? 01:19:32 - Did you need to take a test? 01:21:35 - Do you need insurance? 01:23:24 - Walk us through the evolution of "Girl Gotta Hike" 01:24:19 - What do you limit the hikes at? 01:25:14 - What's the typical age range you get? 01:27:00 - What's the most challenging part of running a guiding service? 01:31:15 - What goes into finding a good location? 01:34:25 - How many repeat hikers do you have? 01:35:22 - Tell me about the podcast side of your business 01:37:47 - Are you planning the hike for Chaunce? 01:41:46 - Would you rather be forced to live the same day over and over again for a full year or take 3 years off the end of your life? 01:42:32 - Would you rather have a hike planned for 15 people and 40 show up, or a hike planned for 15 and 0 show up? 01:44:47 - Would you rather be smacked in the face with a fish or farted on? 01:46:26 - Would you rather have one free year to go backpacking and never be able to go again, or have only one free week each year but get to go every year? SEGMENTS Trek Propaganda The PCT Thru-Hike Checklist: 29 Things To Do Before You Start Who do you think you are I am? 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @Paulybooyshallcross . Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify , Stitcher , and Google Play . Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek , Chaunce , Badger , and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Ausen McDaniel, Jason Lawrence, Christopher Marshburn, Sawyer Products, Brad and Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Patrick Cianciolo, Brandon Spilker and Matt Soukup. 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