Katie "Oats" Houston on the Appalachian High Route, Lone Star Trail, and Breaking Out in the Outdoor Industry

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Sawyer Products, we are joined by Katie “Oats” Houston. Oats is a solo thru-hiker, who’s completed the AT, Colorado Trail, Lone Star Trail, and most importantly for today’s recording, the 330-mile Appalachian High Route. We dive deep into the Appalachian High Route’s details, including the standout sections, resupply strategy, the best months to hike it, standout stops in Asheville (where Katie is from), and much more. Katie also shares some tips for breaking out as a freelancer in the outdoor industry, which is especially relevant, as she is also a contributor for The Trek and formerly the head of our social media. We wrap the show by teasing our next live podcast- hint, it’s not in Denver, Badger has a hilarious and misfortunate wild animal encounter at my house, the triple crown of conversations you don’t get to on trail, and a listener voicemail / tick PSA. Sawyer Products: Check out Sawyer’s Permethrin Pump at REI. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.  LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 50% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com. [divider] Interview with Katie “Oats” Houston Katie's Instagram Katie's Trek Profile Katie's Website Time stamps & Questions 00:03:57 - Reminders: We’re coming to Austin, TX! Support us on Patreon and check out our Backpacker Radio hats in the Trek’s store! 00:08:30 - Introducing Oats 00:09:05 - How did you get into the outdoors and the Trek? 00:10:04 - How did you get your trail name? 00:13:22 - Why did you decide to hike the AT? 00:16:32 - Were you the first person to do the Appalachian High Route? 00:19:06 - Can you give us an overview of the Appalachian High Route? 00:25:22 - What’s the route like elevation-wise? 00:28:20 - What are the towns and resupplies like? 00:30:50 - What do you know about the geology of the southern Appalachians? 00:36:01 - What are the highlights of Asheville? 00:40:00 - Could a first time hiker do the Appalachian High Route? 00:41:45 - What did you use for navigation? 00:43:50 - How did you pick to go clockwise? 00:45:46 - Tell us about the hiking you did in Texas 00:46:51 - Do you have tips about thinking through things while thru-hiking? 00:50:00 - Give us your rating and elevator pitch for the Lone Star Trail 00:55:26 - Discussion about the aggressive dogs on the Lone Star Trail 00:57:00 - Discussion about Big Bend National Park 00:59:05 - What are your tips for breaking into the outdoor industry? 01:04:28 - What are different ways to find outdoor industry jobs? 01:06:40 - Walk us through a typical week at Sawyer 01:08:08 - What are your tips for pricing your skills? 01:13:00 - How much freelance work do you do now? 01:14:55 - Give us Sawyer’s background 01:20:57 - Where can people keep up with you? Segments Trek Propaganda: Why I Always Carry a Bear Canister When Thru-Hiking by Moose Juice QOTD: How long would you watch a loading screen before aborting all the info you entered/work you did/progress you made to start over? Scary Thing of the Week Pooping in the Woods Update Triple Crown of conversations you don’t get into on trail Listener Voicemail Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/. Leave us a voicemail! 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 Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Bonnie Ackerman, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Keith Dobie Jr, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.