Just Trek Podcast

In this gripping episode of the Trails & Tribulations series, I welcome Jose De La Rosa, a fellow SoCal peak bagger and hiking group leader, as he recounts a high-stakes rescue mission in the San Gabriel Mountains. After a successful group hike to Ontario Peak, Jose received a distress call from a friend who had slid down a canyon and was lost. What follows is an intense journey of leadership, teamwork, and determination as Jose and his friend Alfonso race against time and the elements to bring her back safely. The episode highlights critical lessons about the buddy system, staying calm in emergencies, and the importance of never being overconfident especially in challenging conditions. Jose's harrowing yet inspirational story underscores the unpredictability of group hiking adventures and serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience required when faced with unforeseen challenges.____________Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story!Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected] HAFA on http://instagram.com/hikingadventuresforallJoin HAFA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/hikingadventuresforallFollow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

Join us for an extraordinary reverse episode of the Just Trek podcast as we celebrate the monumental 100th episode milestone. Hosted by the insightful Jonathan Flores, aka "The Brown Naturalist," this special episode flips the script, putting the spotlight on the founder and voice behind the podcast, Justin 'Justroc' Rimon. Broadcasting from the breathtaking sunset at Sandstone Peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, Justin shares his heartfelt reflections on his journey, from his life-changing first hike to the creation and evolution of the Just Trek podcast and crew. The conversation covers memorable hiking experiences, top trails, and valuable outdoor tips. Delve into the emotional and motivational facets of Justin's story as he talks about connecting with the outdoor community, the challenges and triumphs of reaching a 100-episode milestone, and the transformative power of nature. It's a tribute to community, resilience, and the spirit of adventure that fuels us all.Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/JUST.TREKFollow our guest host Juan on https://www.instagram.com/__juanflowers__/ and https://www.instagram.com/_outadvplus_/#Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Support on Just Trek on http://patreon.com/justtrekListen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode I have LA based trekker, peak bagger, community leader, comedy magician, runner, and the founder of the 5AM Crew, Omar Covarubbias aka The Great Omar, join me on the show.We chatted about Omar’s wild first hiking memory, his evolution from being a professional magician to becoming a hiking leader, the formation and growth of the 5AM Crew in Griffith Park, his top trails in California, hiking hacks and outdoor tips, The Mt Baldy 5000 & Camp Baldy summer experience, his challenging ascent of Mt Whitney with Vamos Hiking Crew, and the one outdoor experience he would relive all over again. Omar shares valuable insights into leadership, community building, and the power of nature. This captivating episode highlights the inspiring journey of a man dedicated to elevating the well-being of his community through consistent early morning, sunrise hikes.Follow the 5AM Crew on http://instagram.com/the.5amcrew Follow The Great Omar on https://www.instagram.com/thegreatomar1/#Learn more about 5AM Crew on https://the5amcrew.com/Book The Great Omar for magic on https://thegreatomar.com/Follow Just Trek on https://instagram.com/JUST.TREKShop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

In this gripping episode of the Trails & Tribulation series, I welcome Missy Martinez, a fellow SoCal trekker, as she recounts her terrifying solo hike + trail run on San Gorgonio mountain - the tallest mountain in Southern California. During an adventurous descent, Missy loses her footing and slides down the side of the mountain, resulting in a dramatic fall and a night spent lost in a burn zone. Despite being unprepared, she miraculously self-rescues, traversing over 60 miles and into a different county before encountering her saviors. Drawing strength from memories of her late father, Missy's story is a powerful testament to resilience and the critical importance of preparation, as she highlights the essential gear that could have made a significant difference. Tune in for a tale of survival, the kindness of strangers, and the lessons learned from the wild.____________Have you ever experienced a survival moment or learned a tough lesson on the trail? Maybe you got lost, faced sudden weather, encountered wildlife, or found yourself pushed to your limits in ways you didn’t expect. Trails & Tribulations is the space where those stories come to life, inspiring and connecting the outdoor community. If any of these resonates with you, we'd love to hear YOUR story!Submit your story on https://tinyurl.com/47jdbvau for a chance to be featured or send us an email on [email protected] 10 Essentials Resources: https://tinyurl.com/4sxdny9u -- https://americanhiking.org/10essentials/Follow Missy on https://www.instagram.com/missymar17Follow Just Trek on IG https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek

On this episode, I have SoCal based trekker, backpacker, doctor, and all around adventure enthusiast, Dr. Shreya Reddy, join me on the show. For this show, we dove into Shreya’s recent trekking accomplishments — summiting Mt. Whitney and completing the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks Challenge. We unpack what inspired her to take on Mt. Whitney, the challenges she faced along the way — from altitude sickness and fatigue to freezing temperatures — and the deep personal reflections she had at the summit. We discussed which peaks she tackled in the Six Pack of Peaks Challenge and which one pushed her the most. Plus we even took a moment to reminisce about how we first met during an unforgettable full moon group hike adventure.Watch Youtube video version on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSdD0PMkU6wFollow Shreya on https://www.instagram.com/drreddyforabreakFollow Just Trek on https://www.instagram.com/just.trek/Support Just Trek on Patreon ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/justtrek⁠⁠Shop Just Trek merch on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net/shop⁠⁠Listen to more podcast episodes on ⁠⁠https://www.justtrek.net⁠⁠Want to send me a message? Email me at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ or DM on Instagram @just.trek