10 million followers: How a reluctant rescue cat became a hiking icon

An adventure filmmaker and his black cat now reach more than 10 million people online.

The pair, known for clips of the cat hiking and climbing in remote locations, started in 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. JJ Yosh, who had spent nearly a decade filming travel shows for Discovery and TLC, did not want a pet. His landlord presented him with a box of rescue kittens and an ultimatum: take one or they would be put down. Yosh chose the black kitten, initially naming him Diablo.

The early days were difficult. The cat yowled and bolted out of the door into the foothills, an area known for mountain lions. Yosh found the animal hiding under a rock and brought him back inside. A friend suggested renaming the cat Simon, a name that resonated with Yosh because it was his childhood imaginary friend. He changed the name that same afternoon.

Yosh kept his travel schedule, and Simon joined him. During the first hike, the cat quit halfway. Yosh placed him on his shoulder, where the cat settled. This led to the creation of the "Backpacking Kitty" persona. Yosh bought shoulder pads to protect his skin. Over nine years, Simon learned to hike, climb, paddle, and snowboard. The internet reacted strongly to the footage, with many viewers initially believing the clips were fake. By 2019, Simon had become a viral sensation. Today, the cat's social media account has a larger following than Yosh's.

Yosh describes a specific incident in Kansas that changed his perspective. While shooting a project near Kanopolis, the heat and humidity caused Simon to overheat. The cat slipped his leash and disappeared into a field of low shrubs. With no cell service, Yosh searched for hours. He eventually crawled on his hands and knees, thinking like a small creature seeking shade. He found Simon tucked under a single shrub, the only shade for 100 yards. Yosh wrote that the day was both a tragedy and a miracle.

The experience forced Yosh to rethink his lifestyle. He had built his career around independence and avoiding the need to return home. Simon required him to check the weather for two, carry extra water, and alter expedition routes. The cat has traveled to 11 different countries, including a trip to Guatemala where he climbed a volcano. Yosh notes that he has canceled and rerouted trips to accommodate the animal's needs.

Yosh says the relationship taught him to be present and to care for someone else. He no longer views himself solely as the rescuer. He acknowledges that while he saved Simon from euthanasia in 2016, the cat also saved him from a life of solitude. The filmmaker now identifies as someone who checks on his companion constantly, a shift from his previous definition of freedom.

Yosh continues to film the expedition series OUT THERE alongside Simon. He has shot in 51 countries. The pair remains active on social media, where they share updates from their travels. Yosh says he is glad he changed the cat's name from Diablo. He credits Simon with teaching him how to stay.