Podcasts Sports Wilderness Backpacker Radio #90 | Cindy Ross

#90 | Cindy Ross

Published: Dec. 22, 2020, 5:47 p.m.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we are joined by Cindy Ross.\xa0 Cindy is a bonafide renaissance\xa0woman.\xa0 She's published nine books, with two more on the way, she's a triple crowner, illustrator, and avid traveler. But, the bulk of our conversation today centers around Cindy's novel approach to raising children.\xa0 In a nutshell, Cindy and her husband believe that kids should fold into your lifestyle, and not the other way around, as evidenced by their family of four taking on the CDT in section hikes beginning when their kids were just toddlers.\xa0 Cindy schools us on experiential education, the trick to successful\xa0homeschooling, and why you shouldn't let kids get in the way of your adventurous pursuits.\xa0 Whether you have kids, are planning on it in the future, or not, I am confident you will enjoy our conversation.

We also do the triple crown of sauces, unveil 2020's naughty and nice lists, and hop in our time machines and prevent the development of two movies.\xa0

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Backpacker Radio Book Bundle\xa0

Thru-Hiking Coaching with Zach and Chaunce

How to Save Money for a Thru-Hike by Kelly Floro discount code: Use code: IPOOPED for 15% off.

True Thru-Hiker Shirt & Mug

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Interview with Cindy Ross

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00:03:36 - QOTD: What is the best book you\u2019ve read in 2020?\xa0

00:09:52 - Cindy Ross, will you tell us about your background?\xa0

00:13:58 - So you were a trail angel to your husband?\xa0

00:14:21 - How did you keep in touch with your husband? Did you have an initial romantic interest?

00:16:43 - Do you think getting the same injury is a symbol of romance?\xa0

00:17:13 - What years did you hike the AT?\xa0

00:17:25 - What did the AT look like in the \u201970s compared to now?\xa0

00:17:54 - How many people were you seeing on the AT?

00:18:06 - Was the trail as maintained as it is now?\xa0

00:18:33 - You did the AT in two halves? Where did you start each time?

00:18:56 - What was the typical demographic on the AT at the time?\xa0

00:19:16 - What was the hostel culture like?\xa0

00:19:43 - What were resupplies like?\xa0

00:20:23 - So you hiked the AT with a friend?

00:21:03 - Were there trail logs when you hiked the AT?

00:21:14 - Do you still have your gear?\xa0

00:22:05 - Your book is also a sketchbook right?\xa0

00:22:17 - What does your process look like?\xa0

00:22:37 - Did you make your own shelter?\xa0

00:22:44 - How did you know what to make?\xa0

00:23:44 - Did anyone want to buy the gear you made?\xa0

00:24:17 - What inspired you to continue the AT in \u201889?

00:24:44 - Did you end up liking the second leg more?

00:25:42 - Is there anything else you want to say about the AT? What differences do you notice between the AT in the late \u201970s and today?\xa0

00:27:10 - Do you think the ATC should institute a permit system?\xa0

00:28:34 - When was your PCT hike?

00:28:38 - What was the PCT like in \u201882 and \u201884?\xa0

00:28:58 - Who was \u201cwe\u201d on the PCT?\xa0

00:29:50 - Did you find people in the desert section of the PCT?\xa0

00:30:15 - Was the trail well marked at the time? Did you get lost?\xa0

00:30:58 - Through the desert, what were your longest water carries?\xa0

00:31:34 - Did you know what you were signing up for when you started the PCT?\xa0

00:31:54 - Did you dislike snow travel before the PCT?

00:33:29 - Were you carrying any devices to help you?

00:33:43 - Did you have anything like an InReach?\xa0

00:34:00 - What was it like to hitch in the \u201980s? Did people know what you were talking about when you said you were hiking the PCT?

00:34:54 - What did you tell people when you are hitching?\xa0

00:36:37 - How much do llamas cost?\xa0

00:37:41 - What are the advantages of llamas over horses?\xa0

00:38:21 - What\u2019s the maximum weight you can put on a llama? Specifically in terms of a kid?

00:39:14 - Did you know anything about llamas previously?

00:40:12 - Did you just borrow the llamas for the duration of the trail?

00:40:50 - How do you maintain a llama?

00:41:38 - How long do llamas usually live?

00:41:49 - Do you have any llama facts?\xa0

00:42:43 - Do you grow attached to llamas like you would a dog?\xa0

00:44:20 - When the llamas are walking do they have reins? How does that work?\xa0

00:45:40 - Do you just tie the llamas to a tree when they get to camp?

00:45:53 - Were there any first aid considerations for llamas?\xa0

00:46:43 - Did you ever have to worry about mountain lions?\xa0

00:48:37 - Do you still have llamas today?

00:48:52 - Are llamas lonely if they only have one?

00:49:12 - Can your goats carry gear?\xa0

00:49:30 - So the goats are just for companionship?

00:49:42 - How far can goats go?

00:50:10 - Can you tell us about the logistics of hiking with kids? How old were your kids on the CDT?

00:50:56 - Are there kid seats for the llamas?

00:51:29 - Did you have any hesitations about bringing your kids?\xa0

00:52:00 - Was sleeping with young kids an issue on the trail?

00:55:00 - How would the kids describe their experience?\xa0

00:55:37 - Can you offer a synopsis of what your kids wrote?\xa0

00:57:07 - Do your kids have tons of pets now?\xa0

01:01:37 - Was teaching your kids on the CDT in place of \u201cactual\u201d schooling?

01:02:55 - Was the Camino a cycling trip?\xa0

01:03:08 - Why are your kids so bright?

01:04:20 - How do you decide what is important to learn and what\u2019s not? How do you decide what to focus on for homeschooling?

01:06:12 - Did you worry about the kids socially?\xa0

01:08:59 - Do you think giving kids the ability to choose their schooling made them want to learn more?\xa0

01:09:47 - When Bryce wants to learn about tsunamis, did you also have to learn about tsunamis?

01:10:29 - What is your kid\u2019s relationship with technology today, since they grew up without TV?\xa0

01:11:29 - What is your take on parenting where screens are used so often?

01:15:08 - What advice do you have for other people wanting this lifestyle for their kids?\xa0

01:17:26 - Can you speak to the scientific studies about kids doing better in nature?\xa0

01:20:57 - Is there an audio version of your book?

01:21:16 - Can you define experiential education?\xa0

01:22:33 - Is there any risk of exposing your kid to stress?\xa0

01:24:30 - Are your kids still very outdoorsy?

01:24:50 - How old are your kids now?\xa0

01:25:02 - Was Sierra conceived in the place of her namesake?

01:25:47 - Can you really time the gender of your kid?\xa0

01:26:28 - Can you give us a rundown of your two new books coming out?\xa0

01:27:43 - Can you talk about some of the stories that inspired your book?\xa0

01:29:08 - Is it unanimous that the trail was the healing the veterans were looking for?\xa0

01:30:20 - Is there science to back up the efficacy of long-distance hiking and healing?

01:33:38 - What kind of carpentry skills did you have before building your log cabin?\xa0

01:35:19 - What are the metaphors people can take away from building a marriage while building a log cabin?\xa0

01:38:20 - Where should people go to hear more from you?\xa0

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Segments
Trek Propaganda\xa0

Triple Crown of Sauces\xa0

2020 Naughty and Nice List

How long is too long to leave up the holiday lights? And when should people take them down?\xa0

Mail Bag

5 Star Reviews

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