Scout & Frodo - The Legendary Journey of the Pacific Crest Trail's Most Remarkable Trail Angels

In this episode, Jen and Dyana sit down with two of the most cherished figures in long-distance hiking: Barney and Sandy—better known on the trails as Scout and Frodo. At 73 years old, Scout recently completed the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail, adding to an already staggering list of accomplishments including the Triple Crown of Hiking: the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail. He’s also the author of Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail, a powerful account of his 2007 thru-hike with Frodo. The book was a finalist in the 2020 Banff Mountain Book Competition and has sold nearly 20,000 copies worldwide. But beyond their personal achievements, Scout and Frodo are best known for their unmatched generosity. As legendary trail angels, they’ve hosted over 8,000 Pacific Crest Trail hikers at their San Diego home, providing a launchpad for countless northbound journeys. Join us as we talk about adventure, community, aging with grit, and what it means to give back to a trail that has given so much.

Buy Barney's book: https://amzn.to/3S6Syno

Check out Barney's Website: barneyscoutmann.com

Barney's Instagram: @journeys.north

Learn More about the Eastern Sierra Land Trust - eslt.org/bushandbanter/

NOTABLE TIMESTAMPS:

0:42 Eastern Sierra Land Trust

4:41 Welcome, Scout and Frodo!

17:03 Scout's Triple Crown journey starting with the Pacific Crest Trail

24:26 How hosting PCT hikers came about

40:18 The meaning behind Scout's book, Journey's North

54:50 How the outdoors can make you like yourself

1:06:00 Advice from Scout and Frodo on why it's never to late to chase a dream

1:15:23 Advice for taking young kids backpacking

1:22:52 Scout and Frodo on the Pacific Northwest Trail

1:33:54 The importance of trail advocacy

1:40:40 Words to those about to start their first thru-hikes

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
• 0:42 Eastern Sierra Land Trust
• 4:41 Welcome, Scout and Frodo!
• 6:25 How Barney and Sandy got their trail names
• 12:31 How Scout and Starburst crossed paths
• 14:23 What prompted Scout and Frodo to start hiking
• 17:03 Scout's Triple Crown journey starting with the Pacific Crest Trail
• 19:12 Scout and Frodo's perspective of meeting new hikers at their house
• 24:26 How hosting PCT hikers came about
• 26:45 The individuals who touched Scout and Frodo
• 40:18 The meaning behind Scout's book, Journey's North
• 45:37 Scout's experience writing his book
• 50:21 A reading from Journey's North
• 54:50 How the outdoors can make you like yourself
• 1:01:04 Dyana's powerful and emotional experience on the Pacific Northwest Trail
• 1:06:00 Advice from Scout and Frodo on why it's never to late to chase a dream
• 1:11:04 Being a kid today and the importance of growing up outside
• 1:15:23 Advice for taking young kids backpacking
• 1:21:52 The breakthrough of Skeeter Bait
• 1:22:52 Scout and Frodo on the Pacific Northwest Trail
• 1:33:54 The importance of trail advocacy
• 1:38:36 What is next for Scout and Frodo and where you can connect and follow
• 1:40:40 Words to those about to start their first thru-hikes