#130 | Melissa "Click" Goodwin

Published: Dec. 16, 2021, 5:27 p.m.

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.\xa0 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.\xa0 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.

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Interview with Melissa \u201cClick\u201d Goodwin

Time stamps & Questions

00:03:38 - QOTD: There is an old man who lives deep in the forest. He\u2019s 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\xa0

00:07:20 - Which hike, aside from the AT, would you do again?\xa0

00:10:12 - What does your body feel like at that elevation?

00:11:55 - The Himalayan Rescue Association\xa0

00:13:16 - The Wonderland Trail\xa0

00:13:57 - How many days did it take to complete?\xa0

00:14:51 - Section and day-hiking the AT

00:15:39 - What was Zach like when he was on the AT?\xa0

00:16:08 - At what point did Zach and Melissa meet on the AT?\xa0

00:16:50 - Okay\u2026but what was Zach like when he was on the AT?

00:18:24 - Anything embarrassing about Zach?\xa0

00:20:20 - Do you ever get shit for aqua blazing?\xa0

00:21:47 - Was that a thing back in the day?\xa0

00:24:54 - What did you enjoy about hiking with your dad?\xa0

00:27:14 - What did you learn about your dad that you didn\u2019t know before the trail?\xa0

00:28:05 - Would you describe your relationship as being strong even before the AT?\xa0

00:29:44 - Did you share a water filter as well?\xa0

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?\xa0

00:36:21 - Did you have any rules when it came to gear sharing?\xa0

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?\xa0

00:42:34 - Talk through your photography setup while on trail

00:44:50 - Technology advancements since 2011\xa0

00:47:17 - What was your reaction to your fianc\xe9 going on a thru-hike?

00:49:03 - Was it stressful getting married right after the AT?\xa0

00:52:04 - Donny, how do you feel the AT changed Melissa?\xa0

00:55:59 - How do you handle Melissa being gone for other hikes?\xa0

01:00:03 - How did you profit off of photos from your hike?\xa0

01:01:56 - Plug your website: melissagoodwinphotography.com\xa0

01:02:07 - What was the Nat Geo assignment?\xa0

01:04:02 - What goes into good food photography?\xa0

01:05:14 - So you are actually preparing the meals?\xa0

01:06:50 - Do you modify the food before it\u2019s photographed?

01:09:44 - What\u2019s the craziest food trick that you\u2019ve used?\xa0

01:11:00 - What\u2019s the most delicious thing you\u2019ve ever shot?\xa0

01:14:54 - Can you recall the grossest thing you\u2019ve shot?\xa0

01:16:55 - Walk us through \u201cGirl Gotta Hike\u201d\xa0

01:19:03 - What does it take to get a guide license?\xa0

01:19:32 - Did you need to take a test?\xa0

01:21:35 - Do you need insurance?\xa0

01:23:24 - Walk us through the evolution of \u201cGirl Gotta Hike\u201d\xa0

01:24:19 - What do you limit the hikes at?\xa0

01:25:14 - What\u2019s the typical age range you get?\xa0

01:27:00 - What\u2019s the most challenging part of running a guiding service?

01:31:15 - What goes into finding a good location?\xa0

01:34:25 - How many repeat hikers do you have?\xa0

01:35:22 - Tell me about the podcast side of your business

01:37:47 - Are you planning the hike for Chaunce?\xa0

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

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