You might already know her from YouTube or Instagram, where she goes by “The Hungry Hiker,” but if you aren’t familiar yet, meet Kathleen Neves!

When and how did your passion for hiking begin, and why did you choose the name “The Hungry Hiker?”

I really started getting into hiking and backpacking about 10 years ago. I kept finding that it was hard to find other people who wanted to go hiking as much as I wanted to. I got tired of being canceled on and having to wait around, so I started building up my skills and confidence to get out on trail for solo hikes.

My first big hike was the Grand Canyon Rim-To-Rim hike (25 miles in one day) in 2015. I had spent months and months researching, planning and training for that trip. On the plane ride home, I decided that I was going to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail and I was going to do it alone. I went on to thru-hike the PCT solo in 2018.

The concept for The Hungry Hiker was created on trail towards the end of my PCT thru-hike in 2018. When I got off trail, I knew I wanted to create a YouTube Channel, but wasn’t sure what I was going to make videos about. I knew that whatever I did, I wanted it to be centered around hiking and getting out on trail and while I was thru-hiking, I was always hungry. So I decided to come home and start a YouTube Channel where I made videos about the food I loved eating out on trail because I was a hiker who’s always hungry, which eventually turned into me being “The Hungry Hiker.”

In addition to featuring the food I love to eat out on trail, I also love creating videos for my YouTube Channel showing how I plan some of my epic adventures, the gear I use when I’m out there and feature some of the crazy trips I’ve been on over the years.

What are some of your favorite places that your hikes and treks have taken you?

Hands down, my most favorite place to go hiking is in the Grand Canyon. Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail stole my heart so since my first thru-hike in 2018, I’ve gone out and section hiked all of the Washington sections of the PCT over the last four years.

Last year (2022), I went on my first international trek ever which was to Nepal to see Everest Base Camp. I fell in love with Nepal and look forward to planning another trek there again soon.

If you could only take one kencko smoothie flavor for the rest of your hikes, which one would it be and why?

This one is hard because I have so many favorites, but I think the beet reds is my all-time favorite because I always feel so good after drinking this one.

Why did you initially decide to try kencko?

I was introduced to kencko by a friend of mine who thought it would be an easy (and tasty) solution to get more fruits and veggies when out on trail. I do a lot of long-distance backpacking and carrying fresh fruits and veggies is impossible because they’re so heavy and hard to take backpacking. Kencko smoothies weigh next to nothing, only need a little water and pack in 2.5 serving of fruits and veggies each. It was a no brainer for me. I fell in love with kencko smoothies so much that I drink one a day, even when I’m off trail!

When do you usually find yourself grabbing a smoothie during a hike?

Breakfast. It’s hard for me to get up and eat breakfast in the morning when I’m hiking, but drinking a kencko smoothie is easy and tasty. I can even drink one while I’m hiking!

What are three hiking tips you would give to anyone wanting to get into solo hiking? 

• Start small: in the beginning aim for hikes with low mileage and minimal elevation change

• Pick a well-traveled, popular trail: Even if you’re out there alone, you won't feel alone

• Always tell someone where you’re going: go a step further and leave your trip itinerary at home or with someone you trust

Are there any insights you’ve gathered along your health journey you’d like to share with more people?

Food is fuel. Part of your training for a big backpacking trip should be to know your fuel gauge and figure out how many calories a day your body will need while you’re out on trail hiking. Then, when you’re packing your food for a trip, pick nutritionally dense foods – foods that pack a lot but don’t have a lot of water weight. This is part of why kencko smoothies are so perfect for the trail. They’re lightweight and nutritional, so instead of having to carry heavy fresh foods, you can pack kencko smoothies that are just as nutritional and weigh much less.

Check out my video here on some of the things I like to pack!

What advice would you give to someone in helping them stay nourished during a hike or trekking adventure?

I learned that usually the first couple of days of being out on trail, I’m never as hungry as I think I’ll be, but the longer I’m out on trail, the hungrier I get. Always pack the meals and snacks you love. Otherwise, you won’t eat them, and they’ll be dead weight in your pack.