Stay ConnectedFrom the Appalachian Trail to the Pacific Crest and everything in between. Backpacker Radio is a show all about the wonderful world that is thru-hiking and long distance backpacking.
Co-hosts, Zach “Badger” Davis and Juliana “Chaunce” Chauncey muse on the backpacking life and the latest from the trail every other week. Topics include but are not limited to news, trail culture, interviews, gear, advice, and all you can eat buffets.
Copyright: © The Trek
Segments
Minus33 Sun Hoodie Review
Trek Propaganda: How To Deal With Wildfire Smoke on a Thru-Hike by Katie Jackson
QOTD: What one song would you play on repeat for your enemy as a form of psychological warfare?
Lowdown Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of cliche Instagram captions
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Taylor Santa, aka Hamilton, a thru-hiker who completed the Appalachian Trail in 2017 before returning to complete both the Florida Trail and Continental Divide Trail in 2024.
In this one, we dive into Hamilton taking shots of pop and energy drinks every two hours on the night shift before quitting her job to hike the AT, surviving 30 miles of chest-deep swamp walking on the Florida Trail, getting bitten in the face by a fake service dog at a Chama bar, her sudden, blister-inducing allergy to Leukotape, a near-miss lightning strike that instantly killed a cluster of cows right in front of her group in Idaho, a wild night in Dubois that involved $3 VFW craft beers and charm-talking a cowboy out of his hat, and the secret to reading over 100 books in a single year.
We wrap the show with a guide to dealing with wildfire smoke on trail, picking the ultimate torture song to play on repeat for your mortal enemy, a Triple Crown of cliche Instagram captions, how I used my kids to escape a ticket, and a mailbag praising the forgotten greatness of Nerds Ropes.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15HIKE" at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.
Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 40% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Taylor "Hamilton" Santa
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:15 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, apply to work for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:08:20 - Introducing Hamilton
00:10:40 - How did you get into the outdoors?
00:12:50 - Discussion about being a soda quality control tester
00:19:12 - What's the worst Pepsi product?
00:20:45 - How much soda have you consumed since leaving this job?
00:22:00 - Tell us about your first time on the AT
00:27:00 - Discussion about Hamilton's foot issues
00:28:25 - Where did you and Katie meet?
00:31:00 - What are some standout stories from the AT?
00:34:55 - How did you end up on the Florida Trail next?
00:40:30 - Discussion about Hamilton's time on the Florida Trail
00:45:10 - Tell us about the starting the CDT
00:48:04 - What went wrong on the CDT in 2021?
00:54:45 - Glue facts
00:59:30 - Tell us about your redemption on the Florida Trail in 2024
01:04:50 - How did the Florida Trail compare to the AT?
01:05:45 - How did it feel to start the CDT with trail legs?
01:07:10 - What are your tips for surviving the boot heel?
01:10:00 - Discussion about water quality in New Mexico
01:13:50 - Was it harder for your body or brain to deal with transitioning to the CDT?
01:16:25 - How much did you dread Colorado knowing how it went previously?
01:23:20 - What was the worst moment in that experience?
01:30:00 - How did you decide to get off trail temporarily on the CDT?
01:34:07 - How did it feel to get back on trail after your break?
01:36:14 - How did you know it was the right decision to take that break?
01:41:00 - Tell us about being drunk with a cowboy hat on
01:49:00 - What's boobs in the Bob?
01:56:40 - Did you ever consider doing another cutoff or break?
01:57:30 - Tell us about the lightning in Idaho
02:00:00 - How would you rank the CDT states best to worst?
02:01:28 - How did you feel at the end of the CDT?
02:02:50 - How do you read 100 books in a year?
02:06:30 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: How To Deal With Wildfire Smoke on a Thru-Hike by Katie Jackson
QOTD: What one song would you play on repeat for your enemy as a form of psychological warfare?
Lowdown Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of cliche Instagram captions
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
Segments
Trail News: Shrinking National Monuments
Trek Propaganda:
How to Get From Denver to Waterton Canyon in Under $30 and 4 Hours by Jackson Mauser
8 Trail Foods I Never Got Tired of, Even After 22,000 Miles by Peg Leg
QOTD: If you knew you were safe, would you rather spend 1 day in ancient Egypt, or 1 day with aliens?
Triple Crown of Disney/Pixar movies
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Steven of My Life Outdoors, a gear-obsessed backpacker who grew his YouTube channel to over 1.2 million subscribers through high-production gear breakdowns and hands-on science experiments.
In this one, we dive into Steven's emotional year supporting his wife through three separate cancer diagnoses, her rare complete response to immunotherapy, and the story of how Luke Nichols from Outdoor Boys randomly gifted him a fully-edited video to keep his channel afloat during the crisis. Steven also breaks down some of his most popular videos, including the custom rain chamber he build to prove that GORE-TEX jackets do in fact leach forever chemicals.
We also cover his quest for "true silence" that led him to anechoic chambers and the remote borders of Big Bend National Park, the logistics of building a winter quinzhee, and the counterintuitive thermodynamics of wearing fishnet base layers in freezing weather.
We wrap the show with a last call to RSVP for our upcoming Seattle Hiker Meetup, a breakdown of how to get from the Denver airport to Waterton Canyon on the cheap, Peg Leg's list of trail foods she never gets tired of, a Question of the Day deciding between one day in Ancient Egypt vs one spent with aliens, a Triple Crown of our favorite Disney and Pixar movies, and a mailbag serving as a Durston Gear ad.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.
Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 40% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Steven of MyLifeOutdoors
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:12 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:07:50 - Introducing Steven
00:08:30 - How did your channel grow by more than half a million subscribers in the past year?
00:16:30 - How was it for you to manage being a partner and a creator while supporting your wife?
00:18:59 - Discussion about Luke Nichols gifting Steven a video to keep his channel going
00:23:13 - How is your wife doing now, and what does life look like post-treatment?
00:31:02 - Were you eased into the outdoors as a kid?
00:34:13 - Where was your first backpacking trip?
00:36:39 - What drew you to science-based content, and do you have an educational background in science?
00:39:26 - Are your kids into your outdoor content?
00:42:06 - Tell us about your PFAS/GORE-TEX video and its broader impact
00:47:19 - When you came out with the PFAS video, where were consumers in their awareness?
00:59:24 - Did you face any legal or industry pushback after the video?
01:01:43 - Tell us about your "disappearing silence in the wilderness" video
01:12:42 - What was your experience finding true silence in Big Bend?
01:14:24 - Tell us about building a quinzhee for your snow shelter video
01:26:05 - Discussion about post-PFAS rain gear — what are you using now?
01:28:34 - When you try gear you don't love, how do you handle that responsibly with such a large audience?
01:32:47 - How many gear pitches do you get, and how do you filter them?
01:35:01 - When did you decide to delegate some work to an assistant?
01:36:46 - What are your three favorite pieces of gear?
01:39:24 - Where do you source your gear knowledge and stay on top of new releases?
01:47:22 - Tell us about the science of mesh base layers and fishnet baselayers in cold weather
01:50:32 - How do you craft titles and thumbnails, and do you A/B test them?
01:52:45 - How do you handle negative comments online?
01:54:49 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking?
Segments
Trek Propaganda:
QOTD: If you knew you were safe, would you rather spend 1 day in ancient Egypt, or 1 day with aliens?
Triple Crown of Disney/Pixar movies
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
Segments
Sun Hoodie Review: FarPointe Sun Cruiser
Trek Propaganda:
Turkenna Saw a Black Bear by The Norris Trio
Before You Read Another Thru-Hiking Horror Story, Read This by Kelly Floro
QOTD: Would you rather, on day 1 of your thru-hike, lose your shelter and have to always cowboy camp on the AT, or lose your spoon and have to eat all meals with only your hands?
Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Shawn Mahoney, aka the guy who carries a 20+ pound log named Larry over his shoulders, and with Larry he's hiked the Triple Crowner, Te Araroa, and just about all of the Northeast peaks.
In this one, Shawn explains why the heck he carries a massive log everywhere he goes, describes losing Larry down a steep slope on the PCT and spending two hours bushwhacking to retrieve him, recounts nearly dying from a septic heart infection and medically induced coma- and the impact that's had on his passion for backpacking, and details how he waking up at 4am, or earlier, to bank miles pre-sunrise.
We also cover how he's raised several thousand dollars for charity, how you can contribute to his latest cause, his refusal to cook or cold-soak, and his party trick of solving a 9x9 rubik's cube while hiking, something he accomplishes mid interview.
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda of Kelly's favorite thru-hiking memories, a heroic dog intimidating a black bear to save a kid's life - maybe, a trail debate on losing your spoon vs. your shelter, the Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate, and I review the uber-popular FarPointe Sun Hoodie but you'll probably have to wait til Thursday for that one so kinda nevermind.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15HIKE" at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Shawn Mahoney and Larry the Log
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:40 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:10:30 - Introducing Shawn and Larry
00:12:30 - Why does Larry exist?
00:15:40 - How many times do you switch positions of the log over a day?
00:18:12 - Do you feel relief or separation anxiety when you put the log down?
00:20:11 - What branch of the military did you serve in, and how did you go from post-military training to hiking the AT with a log?
00:24:06 - Why a log instead of a weighted vest or rucksack?
00:27:07 - How do you get the log ready to be carried? What's the prep and sanding process?
00:29:32 - Have you thought about giving each log a unique name beyond "Larry"?
00:33:43 - What's it like navigating the AT bubble with a wide log — close calls with day hikers?
00:35:52 - What are all the charities you've raised money for, and how much in total?
00:40:45 - Discussion about the speed of hiking the AT
00:42:20 - Tell us about the septic heart infection and the 50/50 survival odds
00:47:30 - What was your mindset recovering from sepsis, and how did exercise become your outlet?
00:48:50 - What is your typical hiking style?
00:52:31 - Was there a moment where you had to reframe your identity from "not athletic" to what you are now?
00:54:14 - What do you do for work, and how do you afford to disappear for months at a time?
01:01:24 - You're headed to the Colorado Trail — what's the plan this time around?
01:03:10 - Have you ever done a thru-hike at a leisurely pace?
01:06:14 - What was Te Araroa like — especially navigating mud and terrain with a giant log?
01:10:15 - Are you ever in a gym, or is all your training done outside with the log?
01:11:01 - Do you have to be mindful about nutrition carrying 27 extra pounds all day?
01:15:34 - What is your base weight, and what's actually in the pack?
01:19:00 - What does Rubik's Cube problem-solving actually correlate to?
01:21:30 - Is there anything else you want to relay to listeners, and where can people find you?
01:22:05 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda:
QOTD: Would you rather, on day 1 of your thru-hike, lose your shelter and have to always cowboy camp on the AT, or lose your spoon and have to eat all meals with only your hands?
Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
Segments
Sun Hoodie Review: Outdoor Research AstroMan
Trek Propaganda:
Hike naked day (Day 61) by Gerjan "Hungry" Hertgers
20 Strange Things Thru-hiking Can Do to Your Body That Nobody Talks About by Livvy Weld
The Triple Crowner Survey: Ranking the Best and Worst Triple Crown Trails by Katie Jackson
QOTD: Would you rather have access to a life rewind button, or a life pause button?
Triple Crown of shitty beers
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Tina Currin, aka Cash Money, a Triple Crown thru-hiker, Andrew Skurka guide, park ranger, wilderness EMT, and Guinness World Record holder.
In this one, Tina explains how she set the world record for most air horns blown simultaneously outside the North Carolina governor's mansion, details how she bought her Colorado house sight-unseen off Zillow during a zero day on the CDT while soaking her feet in a trash can, and she recounts getting separated from her husband in a snowstorm on the CDT, where both of them hit their SOS buttons convinced the other was dead.
We also cover her Denali expedition, where she summited on day 22 with the final morsels of her food supply, after multiple deaths near her camp, why she thinks the PCT is boring, and how she landed her trail name after wielding a fat wad of singles at a trail magic session on the AT.
We wrap the show with the details of the upcoming Backpacker Radio Hiker Meetup in Seattle, a rundown of 20 strange things thru-hiking does to your body, ranking the AT, PCT, and CDT from best to worst- according to triple crowners, a debate over a life rewind button vs. a life pause button, a mailbag about taser-equipped trekking poles, and the triple crown of shitty beers.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.
Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 40% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Tina "Cash Money" Currin
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:40 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:10:43 - Introducing Tina Currin
00:14:03 - How did the protest grow into an official Guinness World Record attempt?
00:16:25 - Discussion about the Hopscotch music festival and pre-backpacking career
00:22:18 - Tell us about the "Saturday Chores" counter-protest campaign
00:27:00 - Tell us about the "Welcome to Raleigh, Y'all" multilingual yard sign campaign
00:30:08 - Are you from North Carolina originally?
00:32:26 - How did you get into backpacking?
00:35:52 - Discussion about van life
00:44:33 - At what point did van life turn into thru-hiking?
00:54:03 - What was it like doing the AT with your husband joining last minute?
00:56:31 - Discussion about post-trail depression and becoming a chronic thru-hiker
01:04:30 - Discussion about working as a park ranger
01:06:00 - What does Grayson do for work?
01:08:40 - When did you decide that you wanted to do more thru-hikes?
01:10:39 - Walk us through your sub-6-pound pack setup
01:20:30 - Has there ever been a time that you went too ultralight?
01:27:40 - Did the PCT feel boring to you?
01:29:25 - Tell us about the Arizona Trail
01:32:00 - What is your goal with ultralight?
01:36:00 - Tell us about your nutrition strategy
01:39:49 - Tell us about the first winter thru-hike of the New England Trail
01:45:30 - Discussion about transition from winter hikes to the CDT
01:50:00 - Tina's story about the snowstorm on the CDT
02:05:00 - Do you both carry Garmins now?
02:07:55 - Discussion about complacency and risk in experienced hikers
02:10:45 - Tell us about hiking the Ice Age Trail
02:17:15 - Tell us about guiding for Andrew Skurka
02:19:15 - What drew you to attempt Denali?
02:24:04 - What goes through your mind when people die at your camp?
02:29:00 - How do you accept the activities that make you feel alive?
02:32:16 - How did you get the trail name "Cash Money"?
02:34:30 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of thru-hiking?
Segments
Trek Propaganda:
QOTD: Would you rather have access to a life rewind button, or a life pause button?
Triple Crown of shitty beers
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
Segments
Sun Hoodie Review: Jolly Gear
Trek Propaganda: 2026 AT Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite Gear So Far by Katie Jackson
QOTD: When was the last time you were in a tornado warning?
Switchback Recap
Triple Crown of sounds that trigger happiness
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, Dakota J, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Andrew Livingston, aka Coach from Marion Outdoors and host of the Chafed Outdoors podcast.
In this one, Coach tells the story of losing 150 pounds his sophomore year of college largely thanks to hiking, details his background in theater, ballet, and tap dancing- and how that's helped him grow a massive following on Instagram and TikTok, the biggest challenges of running an outfitter, he gives us an all-timer poop story that ended with him naked in the woods covered in shit and hanging onto a tree branch, and details the rules for banning problem hikers from his hostel.
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda on gear people love 500 miles into the AT, a Triple Crown of sounds that trigger happiness, how a tornado woke Katie and I from a dead sleep in New Orleans, my Jolly Gear sun hoodie review, and a listener further breaks down the difference between a Sawyer and Brita filter.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15TOPO" at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Coach from Marion Outdoors
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:00 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and!
00:07:05 - Introducing Andrew Livingston
00:10:00 - How did you get started in the outdoors?
00:15:10 - Tell us your hiking resume
00:18:20 - Tell us about your theater background
00:21:30 - Do you have any advice for someone starting to make content?
00:25:00 - Do people come visit your store because of your videos?
00:28:00 - Did something ever flop that you thought would sell great?
00:34:10 - What gear has stood out most to you from the show?
00:37:10 - Is there any tech apparel you're excited about?
00:41:00 - Tell us your poop story
00:50:38 - How have you tried to maintain your weight?
00:56:25 - Do you get a SOBO bubble through the shop?
00:59:15 - Discussion about hikers coming through the hostel and shop
01:06:34 - What gets someone's name on the list?
01:10:20 - How have AT towns recovered from Hurricane Helene?
01:12:00 - What do you see for the future of Marion Outdoors?
01:14:30 - Tell us about your podcast
01:15:45 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance enhancing hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 2026 AT Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite Gear So Far by Katie Jackson
QOTD: When was the last time you were in a tornado warning?
Switchback Recap
Triple Crown of sounds that trigger happiness
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek's newsletter
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, Dakota J, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.
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