Cam Bostock - Reliving the Adventures on the Pacific Crest Trail, Te Araroa, Kilimanjaro, and the Australian Bush

In this episode, Jen and Dyana chat with Australian adventurer and thru-hiker Cam Bostock—best known for his stunning outdoor exploration videos and epic long-distance hikes. Based in Western Australia, Cam has taken on some of the world’s most iconic trails, including New Zealand’s 1,864-mile Te Araroa Trail, the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the U.S., Mount Kilimanjaro, and countless rugged routes across Australia. All the while, he’s been documenting his journeys for hundreds of thousands of followers. Cam brings a fresh, cinematic perspective to life in the wild. Tune in as we explore his most unforgettable trail moments, the mindset behind solo adventure, and how the outdoors has reshaped his view on life.

Follow Cam on Instagram - @cambostock

Follow Cam on YouTube - @CamBostock

Cam's Podcast - The Life Outside Podcast

Cam's business - Optiventure

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

3:37 Welcome, Cameron Bostock!

14:46 Cam's favorite trails in Australia

20:31 Cam's experience on the Te Araroa Trail

25:41 Why the Pacific Crest Trail stands out to Cam as his greatest adventure

31:21 Cam's first steps on the PCT vs his last steps

41:56 The sections on the PCT that impacted Cam and Jen the most

50:03 Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the hilarious origin story of Team Spud, and dealing with altitude sickness

58:23 Cam's top 3 pieces of gear

1:02:10 Advice on how to stay connected to loved ones during long trips

1:08:26 Cam answers questions from the public (Carr Boyd, hiking as a business, scariest encounter in the bush, planning/gear/itineraries)

1:26:38 Cam's biggest lessons learned from the outdoors

1:30:02 What is next for Cam and where to follow along

Where to find and support Bush & Banter:

• Follow Bush & Banter on Instagram: @bushandbanter
• Visit Bush & Banter's website: www.bushandbanter.com
• Join Bush & Banter's Patreon community: patreon.com/bushandbanter
• E-mail Bush & Banter: bushandbanter@gmail.com
• Follow Dyana on Instagram: @dyanacarmella
• Follow Jennifer on Instagram: @thewhimsicalwoman

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 3:37 Welcome, Cameron Bostock!
• 8:02 Hiking culture in Australia
• 11:09 What to expect when hiking Australian trails
• 14:46 Cam's favorite trails in Australia
• 20:31 Cam's experience on the Te Araroa Trail
• 25:41 Why the Pacific Crest Trail stands out to Cam as his greatest adventure
• 31:21 Cam's first steps on the PCT vs his last steps
• 35:36 The challenges Cam faced on the PCT
• 41:56 The sections on the PCT that impacted Cam and Jen the most
• 45:44 Cam's incredible backflip on the summit of Mount Whitney
• 50:03 Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the hilarious origin story of Team Spud, and dealing with altitude sickness
• 55:47 How altitude sickness has affected Cam through his various summits
• 58:23 Cam's top 3 pieces of gear
• 1:02:10 Advice on how to stay connected to loved ones during long trips
• 1:08:26 Cam answers questions from the public (Carr Boyd, hiking as a business, scariest encounter in the bush, planning/gear/itineraries)
• 1:21:25 All about Optiventure
• 1:26:38 Cam's biggest lessons learned from the outdoors
• 1:30:02 What is next for Cam and where to follow along