10 Questions with "Hike Yeah" podcast host Alex Head: Part 1

Alex and Shane at Olallie Butte

As technology continues to evolve, the way in which we gather information about our interests has changed as well. The internet has become a tool many of us use to research and fact find about a litany of topics, to include hiking.

With the advent of the world wide web, online radio and podcasts have become an increasingly viable source for information, as well as entertainment.

Alex Head is the creator and host of the popular Portland based podcast, Hike Yeah on PDX.FM. Each week Alex interviews a different guest about a variety of hiking related topics relevant to Portland and the Northwest.

I recently hiked up to Devil's Rest in the Gorge with a couple of friends, including Alex. He was kind enough to answer some questions about hiking and his show.

What got you started hiking?

"I always played outside, so I guess that’s where it started. My family didn’t go on hiking or camping trips, but we did visit National Parks and take short day hikes. I think what got me really into hiking was moving to Portland and seeing such variety and so many opportunities to go exploring.

A few years ago or so I got really interested in long-distance backpacking. I’m still not sure whether that activity actually fits my personality, but I’m really fascinated by people pushing themselves and being alone and having wild and crazy adventures and all that. I started hiking around here pretty seriously so that I could work toward that. I’m not a bona fide long-distance hiker, but I’m pretty serious about hitting the trails. I like testing myself, and hiking is one way to do that."

What's your favorite hike?

"Hard to say. I like lots for lots of different reasons. This is a cop out."

Where do you go hiking most often?

"I’ve done Angel’s Rest, Multnomah-Wahkeena Loop, and Tom, Dick and Harry more than any other hikes."

Of all the positives that hiking has to offer, what are its foremost attributes for you?

"It’s hard but there’s a payoff. Hiking is hard both mentally and physically. It’s tough to plan your schedule and do prep stuff and wake up early and hike steeply uphill. On longer trips, it’s tough to go long stretches without seeing anybody. But like I said above, I like testing myself. Hiking is immensely rewarding both for the sense of accomplishment as well as for the joy of exploring and seeing cool stuff."

What’s the hike you most want to do that you haven't done yet?

"Colorado Trail. I’ve done about a third of it (150 of 470 or so miles), but I really want to finish it. There are loads of other hikes or areas on my to-explore list. In the Northwest, this includes Eagle Cap, Steens Mountain, the North Cascades, the Olympics, Goat Rocks, and the Central Oregon Cascades."

Have you had any odd or interesting occurrences while hiking?

"I’ve met some really interesting people. I saw a bear. I lost a toenail (after I got back). I’ve jumped off a lot of stuff. I’ve watched the sun rise and set. I’ve been completely alone at times and in a crowd at others. I remember virtually all of it, but there aren’t a ton of moments that stand out for being odd or interesting. I guess that means all the moments are odd or interesting—they’re certainly different than living in a city and going to work in an office."

Part 2 of my interview with Alex will be available here next Monday.

"Hike Yeah" airs live every Friday at 2 pm PST on PDX.FM. You can subscribe to Alex's podcast on Itunes by clicking here.

For more of Adam's writing, reviews, and photography, visit AdamSawyer.com.