In this episode, Dr. Katie Dudley and Dr. Brian Peterson discuss through hiking and the experiences and challenges associated with long-distance trails like the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. They also touch on the impact of tourism on these trails and the issues of crowding and ecological impact. The conversation includes humorous anecdotes about tourists' encounters with wildlife and headlines related to tourism in national parks. Dr. Peterson shares his insights on the evolving culture of through hiking and the desire for solitude among hikers.

The conversation in this part focuses on the management of national parks and the impact of human activities on wildlife and the natural soundscape. Dr. Peterson discusses his research projects with the National Park Service, including the analysis of flights and the development of air tour management plans. He emphasizes the need for managing overflights to protect the natural soundscape and wildlife. The conversation also touches on the importance of education and setting goals that have a probability of failure, such as participating in ultra marathons. In this conversation, they discusses the accessibility of ultra marathons and the impact of social media on outdoor activities. He also explores the issue of overcrowding in national parks and offers tips for being a responsible tourist.

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