Casual Climbers: Unfit Hikers in the Carolinas
Podcast by two middle-aged, beginner hikers who travel upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina providing reviews, tips, tricks, and real information about the many hiking trails in the region. We cater to new hikers, people in less-than-perfect shape (like us), and those just looking for accurate information on difficulty, length, scenery, and experiences. This is a fun take designed to help inexperienced adventurers get outdoors.
Episodes

Sunday Jan 19, 2025
Sunday Jan 19, 2025
In this week's Trail Snacks episode, we discuss Wolf Creeks Falls Trail in Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. This short trail rewards you with a wonderful waterfall view.

Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
In today's full episode, we are back in South Carolina and discuss a short waterfall hike in Ellicott Rock Wilderness: Spoonauger Falls Trail. We also have a fun-fact about Hillbilly Day there in Mountain Rest, and review a set of ice cleat crampons to help keep your footing on those icy winter trails.

Monday Jan 06, 2025
Monday Jan 06, 2025
In our season 2 opener, we have a Trail Snacks episode where we discuss Oconee Loop at Oconee State Park in South Carolina. This 3+ mile trail is great exercise and would be spectacular in spring given the massive rhododendron thickets along the trail.

Monday Dec 30, 2024
Monday Dec 30, 2024
This week's episode is a year in review! We retrace our steps of the trails in the very first episode, talk about some of our favorite trails of the year, discuss some of the biggest events of 2024, and share our experiences doing this podcast.

Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
In this full episode, we are in North Carolina and discuss the Grandfather Mountain State Park's Grandfather Loop. We also have a super-sized fun-fact segment about Grandfather Mountain, and review a nice Scottish restaurant minutes from the park's entrance - The Tartan Restaurant.

Monday Dec 16, 2024
Monday Dec 16, 2024
In this week's Trail Snacks episode, we discuss Sinking Waters Trail in Warriors Path State Park in Tennessee. This fairly short trail is one of the few we may not recommend to listeners.

Monday Dec 09, 2024
Monday Dec 09, 2024
In today's full episode, we are in North Carolina and discuss the Whiteside Mountain Trail in Nantahala National Forest. We also have a fun fact about a daring rescue on the mountain in 1911, and review some battery powered warming gloves that are great for winter hikes.

Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
In this week's Trail Snacks episode, we are back in the Carolinas for the Yellow Branch Falls Trail in Sumter National Forest. This challenging trail ends in a breathtaking 60-foot cascade waterfall that is truly something to behold.

Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
In this week's full episode, we are in Kentucky and discuss two trails in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park: Object Lesson Road to Tri-State Peak Trail. We also have a fun fact about some amazing women who helped bring literacy to rural Kentucky in the early 1900s, and review the Dutch Treat, a great Dutch deli, bakery, and store in Rose Hill, Va.

Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
In this week's Trail Snacks episode, we are in Kentucky and discuss two trails in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park: Cumberland Falls Trails 4 and 6. These trails provide you with a spectacular view of the famous Cumberland Falls and an awe-inspiring rock formation.

About Us
Roy and Donna Padrick are Floridians who transported to upstate South Carolina and have fallen in love with the mountains and hiking. We are by no means experts nor are we in top shape, but we love the outdoors, hunting for that perfect waterfall, and sharing our experiences with others. We hope you find our podcast fun and informative and see us out on the trails!
Contact us by email here: casualclimberspodcast@gmail.com