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.
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In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by India Wood. India, despite having no backpacking experience, decided to hike diagonally across the state of Colorado, from the southeast to the northwest corner of the state. Along the way she had an encounter with a bear, had soft threats of being shot by rangers, and learned the importance of digging a cat hole the night before. We learn how India went about planning her route, the challenges associated with doing such a hike during COVID, and what advice she has for others who want to create their own unique hiking routes.
We have a triple crown of halloween candy, dive into our favorite youtube videos, get into an impromptu debate about wearing leggings in ranch country, and get a horse fact about moose.
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Backcountry discount code: Use code: Backpacker15 for 15% off your first purchase at backcountry.com/backpackerradio.
Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code: PoopStory for 15% off your entire cart at gossamergear.com (does not apply to sale items).
Zpacks discount code: Use code: BPRPLEX for $25 off any plex tent at zpacks.com.
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00:06:17 - Why did you decide to hike across Colorado?
00:07:27 - Can you talk about drawing up your route?
00:08:11 - Take us deep into the specifics of the route?
00:11:09 - When you were talking to the person that helped you with maps, did he think you were crazy? Did he pry about your hiking experience?
00:16:05 - How many road crossings did you cache water at? Did you have it buried? Tell us about water logistics!
00:20:04 - Are you staging your car and then doing an out and back?
00:20:58 - What was it like getting hitches? Did you get hitches?
00:22:54 - Tell us about your time in the prairie section of Colorado?
00:25:20 - Did you know all the types of grasses in the prairie?
00:26:23 - What's the most interesting turd you saw?
00:27:27 - Do you have any grass or prairie facts?
00:28:27 - Can you talk about your family?
00:29:44 - What's the name of your daughter's documentary?
00:30:24 - What did your family think of you taking on the hike?
00:33:09 - What happened with your bear encounter?
00:43:30 - Can you talk about the transition of hiking through the prairie and then through the mountains?
00:45:00 - Was Bear Peak in your training regimen?
00:46:44 - Where did you go from Minturn?
00:48:04 - What went wrong with your maps?
00:52:47 - Were you ever tempted to turn down a private road?
00:54:59 - Where did you run into the man who was wanted?
00:56:14 - Do you have a detailed outline of your route anywhere?
00:57:47 - Why did you choose southeast to northwest?
00:58:36 - What kind of dinosaur did you find?
00:59:25 - Do you think the southeast corner is more beautiful than where you come into CO on 70?
01:01:17 - What's a good town to go to in the southeast corner?
01:05:02 - Did this hike give you the adventure itch?
01:06:05 - Would you stay in a hotel if you did a transect of metro Denver?
01:06:28 - Did you carry anything to protect yourself on your hike? Was your safety something you were highly concerned about?
01:08:23 - Were there ever political debates that ensued when you said you were from Boulder?
01:10:09 - What do you think would happen to Chaunce if she was hiking through ranch country in leggings?
01:11:40 - Is the area you primarily saw other people through the Breckenridge area?
01:11:56 - Do you have any general pieces of advice for people wanting to develop their own hike?
01:12:55 - Will India's talk be on Youtube? Yes, the link is here.
01:13:00 - Any last pieces of advice?
01:14:10 - Where should people go to learn more about you and your hike? Your books?
SegmentsDebate: Is it safe for women to wear leggings in ranch country?
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Hiking from Home by Chaunce and How to Afford a Thru-Hike by Kelly Floro
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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.A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Jason Lawrence, Austen McDaniel, Thomas Fullner, Christopher Marshburn, S11N, Sawyer Products
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Brandon Spilker, Emily Brown, Jeffrey Miller, Mitchell, Zoe Jenkins, DcNerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Chaunce and Fireball (who you likely remember for the Girls Stuff episode), to walk us through their hike of the John Muir Trail. In addition to learning about all of the particulars of the trail, Chaunce and Fireball regale us with tales from their trek that include nude modeling for tourists, their favorite swimming holes, and the time Chaunce pooped alongside a stranger.
We have a one minute gear review, bring back patent pending, get a pupdate, and discuss why crossfit is great training for backcountry dumps.
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Backcountry discount code: Use code: Backpacker15 for 15% off your first purchase at backcountry.com.
Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code: PoopStory for 15% off your entire cart at gossamergear.com (does not apply to sale items).
Zpacks discount code: Use code: BPRPLEX for $25 off any plex tent at zpacks.com.
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00:04:20 - QOTD: What is the dumbest thing you've done this month?
00:12:45 - Trek Ambassador Program
00:14:27 - What are the standard JMT facts?
00:15:13 - Why did you do the extra miles?
00:15:36 - How did you get from where you left your car to the trailhead?
00:16:33 - Did this fill in your PCT gaps?
00:17:29 - Anything else you want to add from a basic JMT standpoint?
00:18:27 - Fireball, have you done any hiking in the Sierra before?
00:19:10 - What were the days you did the JMT?
00:19:24 - Pros and cons of hiking the Sierra in mid-August?
00:20:03 - Would you go at the same time again?
00:20:55 - How were the crowds?
00:22:00 - Did you meet PCT hikers?
00:22:41 - Did anyone reference mile, mile and a half?
00:23:41 - So Fireball wakes up earlier than Chaunce?
00:25:18 - Why did you choose southbound?
00:28:00 - How did you train for the PCT?
00:34:18 - Did Chaunce get heat exhaustion?
00:39:19 - Favorite parts of the trail? Aesthetic highlights?
00:42:00 - Chaunce and Fireball got caught skinny dipping?
00:45:20 - Were you prepared for how cold the lakes were?
00:46:39 - Do you remember Garnett Lake?
00:47:47 - Chaunce ran into a previous guest? Crazy Jack Northam
00:50:20 - Did Chaunce and Fireball hike together at all?
00:56:49 - Any other highlights?
00:59:59 - Did you miss Harper?
Follower Questions:01:01:09 - How gorgeous was it in real life?
01:04:31 - You guys only resupplied once on the entire hike?
01:08:01 - What are the details on VVR? We don't know, reach out to Weezer!
01:08:28 - Still no chafe Chaunce?
01:10:08 - Is the JMT a good starter for those looking to get into thru-hiking?
01:13:11 - What do you think the JMT numbers are like this year?
01:14:22 - What is Fireball's instagram handle? @Mimmmsy
01:15:37 - Chaunce will you tell us your poop story?
01:25:49 - A man asked, what is one thing you think I should know?
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1 Minute Gear Review Gossamer Gear Mariposa / Athleta Shirt
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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.A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Jason Lawrence, Austen McDaniel, Thomas Fullner, Christopher Marshburn, S11N, Sawyer Products
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Brandon Spiker, Emily Brown, Jeffrey Miller, Mitchell, Zoe Jenkins, DcNerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Dan Durston. Dan is the gear nerd's gear nerd. In addition to hiking the PCT and being one of only two people to yo-yo the Great Divide Trail (the other being his wife as they did it together), Dan is visionary behind the new gear company, Durston Gear. We go way deep down the rabbit hole on why polyester tents are making a comeback and are possibly the ultimate fabric for shelters, how he's able to execute on his philosophy of creating lightweight gear that's super easy to setup, how his being a loudmouth on the Backpackinglight forums made his gear company possible, and much more. If you're into gear technology, even if you're not, we bet you're really going to enjoy this conversation.
Also, our buddy Legend breaks another FKT, we have another Reddit Brain Buster, and we have a point counter point on the virtues of summer vs. fall backpacking.
Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code: PoopStory for 15% off your entire cart at gossamergear.com.
"How to Afford a Thru-Hike" discount code: "ipooped"
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Interview with Dan Durston:
00:03:16 - QOTD: What's an "oh shit" moment where you've realized you've been doing something the wrong way for years?
00:07:18 - Intro to Dan Durston
00:07:26 - What is your backpacking resume?
00:09:54 - Do you have to push gear by setting FKTs?
00:10:32 - Do you own the gear company? Are you not the sole proprietor of Dan Durston Gear?
00:12:09 - Do you get a royalty of every product sold?
00:12:59 - Did you also hike the PCT with your wife?
00:13:24 - How did you get into backpacking?
00:14:40 - You were determined to get your pack weight down before your first trip?
00:14:56 - How light was your pack when you first started?
00:16:38 - Did seeing someone do a whole 50-mile trail in a day create the origin for you going ultralight?
00:17:47 - When did the shift to ultralight happen? Was Backpacking Light involved in that?
00:18:40 - What were your big 3 when you were at 5 pounds?
00:20:00 - Were you giving gear companies feedback when you were testing products?
00:21:25 - To become a gear tester do you just go on backpacking forums and be loud?
00:21:44 - What did you bring on the PCT?
00:22:24 - Had you started making your own gear already on the PCT?
00:23:33 - How did you get into making your own gear?
00:24:23 - What is the hardest thing to make yourself? Packs?
00:26:26 - Advice to someone who wants to get a cottage industry pack but is worried about fit?
00:27:42 - Is there any benefit to going to REI and measuring packs there?
00:28:22 - What is the process with your designs going to manufacturing?
00:30:40 - Are you the only one doing product testing on Dan Durston Gear?
00:32:15 - Who is Dan Durston Gear for? Who is the target market?
00:36:49 - What makes setting up your tents so simple?
00:37:39 - Do you have any photos of your disaster feet?
00:39:01 - How tall are you?
00:49:36 - How did drop.com find you?
00:50:29 - What do you mean by 'being a loudmouth on backpacking light'?
00:51:24 - Have you solved the condensation issue that most ultralight tents have?
00:52:43 - So should you not ventilate your tent when sleeping in humid areas?
00:55:14 - What are your recommendations for campsite selection to avoid condensation?
00:57:03 - Talk about polyester tents!
00:58:00 - What's the weight difference between polyester and nylon?
00:59:48 - So what is the strongest fabric?
01:02:30 - Does the fabric make the tent more prone to smell or mildew?
01:03:35 - How long should you leave your tent out to dry?
01:04:31 - Is there a proper way to clean and store a tent?
01:05:30 - How often should you replace tents?
01:07:00 - How do you store your tent? Stuff or fold and roll?
01:10:51 - Who is the X-mid made for?
01:13:18 - If Dan Duston Gear didn't exist and you had one tent you had to use for all purposes, what would you pick?
01:14:13 - Will there ever be a DCF X-Mid?
01:16:58 - Would you consider Dan Durston Gear to be ultralight?
01:17:27 - Do you think there is a lot of room for improvement in the cottage industry UL gear space?
01:19:15 - If you could name the Dan Durston backpack what would you name it?
01:19:43 - Will you talk us through the pack?
01:21:43 - Can you get a 40 oz beer in the pocket?
01:22:28 - What is the mesh material on the shoulder strap?
01:24:19 - What is the advantage of X-Pac?
01:29:09 - What are some other pack companies that use X-Pac?
01:31:25 - What is the weight on the Dan Durston pack and what does it go for?
01:33:31 - What was it that took your company to the next level?
01:35:30 - What would Dan Durston's gear slogan be?
01:36:44 - Can you talk about the Great Divide Trail?
01:39:33 - Where does the GDT start and end and where does it go through?
01:42:06 - What is the seasonality for the GDT?
01:42:51 - What kind of miles can you do on snowshoes?
01:43:28 - Can you tell us about the mosquitoes?
01:42:59 - What would you say is the "Sierra" of the GDT? Or "the desert"?
01:45:04 - What is the non-profit that oversees the GDT?
01:46:28 - Can you run into grizzlies the entire way?
01:46:45 - Do you have any scary grizzly stories?
01:48:24 - Has anyone died on the GDT from a grizzly encounter?
01:49:41 - What is the resupply like?
01:50:38 - Do you have to mail resupply boxes?
01:51:28 - Are you able to get 10 days of food in your pack?
01:52:00 - What inspired the yo-yo of the GDT?
01:52:29 - Were you able to enjoy the southbound hike as much as the northbound hike?
01:53:53 - What are some good Canadian snacks?
01:55:09 - In Canada do you have to order Canadian bacon to get Canadian bacon?
01:55:36 - Where should people go for your stuff?
01:56:04 - Is there anything else you are as obsessed with planning as your gear?
SEGMENTSTrek Propaganda - Legend Broke the Colorado Trail Unsupported FKT
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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.A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Paul Packman Sealy, Jason Lawrence, Janelle L., Austen McDaniel, Andrew, Thomas Fullner, Christopher Marshburn, S11N, and Sawyer Products
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Emily Brown, Jeffrey Miller, Mitchell, Zoe Jenkins, dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Mark Snook, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Tommy Corey, aka Twerk, sometimes known as Twerkinthedirt, sometimes known as the guy behind Hiker Trash Vogue. Twerk gives us a runthrough on his experiences backpacking the PCT, how the Hiker Trash Vogue project came to be, what doors this wildly popular photo project has opened for him. We also talk about his experiences of what it's like to be a gay man in the thru-hiking community. We close out the show with a Triple Crown of Autumn Ahhhhs, talk about how much it costs to pee on Chaunce's face every morning for the rest of her life, a one minute gear review, and we try to determine how much money Chaunce can make by selling foot photos. Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code: PoopStory for 15% off your entire cart at gossamergear.com. Backcountry discount code: Use code: Backpacker15 for 15% off your first purchase at backcountry.com/backpackerradio. Greenbelly discount code: Use code: Trek2020 for 10% off your first purchase at greenbelly.co How To Afford A Thru-Hike by Kelly Floro (use code "ipooped" to save $2!) [divider] 00:04:43 - Chaunce is back! 00:06:19 - QOTD: Non-traditional ways to track your mileage? 00:10:49 - Intro to Twerk! 00:11:01 - How did you get the trail name Twerk? 00:12:32 - How did you first get into backpacking? 00:14:19 - Did Chaunce and Twerk cross paths? 00:15:30 - Twerk's first backpacking trip through the Three Sisters Loop 00:16:05 - Did that trip build excitement or anxiety for your attempted thru? 00:17:39 - Do you think the fact that being close to where you grew up made it easier to get off trail the first time? 00:20:10 - Did you want to rejoin your friends on trail? 00:21:04 - Did you experience the same level of hardship in 2018 as 2017? 00:26:10 - Would you do the PCT again? 00:30:00 - Zach shares a poop story! 00:31:34 - Twerk's poop story! 00:34:30 - Can you tell us about your photography background? 00:36:24 - How did photography play into your 2017 hike? 00:37:28 - Do you think learning how to long-distance hike in 2017 helped you be able to work on Hiker Trash Vogue in 2018? 00:40:30 - How did you edit your photos on trail? 00:41:03 - What is Hiker Trash Vogue? 00:41:50 - Will you walk us through some of your favorite photos? 00:43:06 - Can you tell us some stories behind your photos? 00:45:47 - Do you have experience shooting high fashion/editorial photography? 00:47:01 - Was it difficult to get people to model? 00:49:04 - What is your pitch to get people to pose for Hiker Trash Vogue? 00:52"02 - Did you do any landscape photography along the way? 00:54:20 - How did you decide to evolve Hiker Trash Vogue? Can you talk about the books? 00:56:18 - Did you make your layouts in InDesign? 00:57:22 - How much does it cost to make a Hiker Trash Vogue book? 00:59:23 - Did the quality of the second book suffer because it was less of a passion project? 01:01:14 - Do you have limited runs of your books? 01:01:39 - Would you ever put your book on Amazon? 01:02:47 - What is your day-to-day like now? 01:03:45 - Have you gotten freelance work from your Hiker Trash Vogue series? 01:04:42 - Do people hit you up to do weddings? 01:05:39 - Is being a wedding photographer a coveted job or highly stressful? 01:07:17 - Where should people go if they want Twerk to shoot their wedding? 01:08:34 - Can you speak to what it's like being a gay hiker? 01:10:23 - Was there anything in the Gummy Bear episode that you could elaborate on? Or things you want to expand on? 01:11:37 - Were you at all concerned about it leading up to your hike? 01:12:51 - What were relationships like on trail? 01:15:42 - Did you see many other LGBTQ hikers? 01:18:10 - Why Representation Matters 01:19:03 - Were there resources you used as a gay man before hiking that you think would help others? 01:26:12 - Any recommendations for diversifying your feed? @switchbackshawty @lassosafroworld @rongriswell 01:27:44 - What is your Instagram? @twerkinthedirt 01:27:56 - What's coming up? What are you looking forward to? 01:31:16 - Anything you wanna plug? Tommycorey.com @twerkinthedirt How To Afford A Thru-Hike by Kelly Floro (use code "ipooped" to save $2!) The Triple Crown of Autumn Ahhhs Zach is having a baby (and rapid-fire questions from Chaunce)! Reddit Brain Busters 1 minute gear review: Chaunce: $5 Walmart Floaty Zach: Yeti Tundra Haul Mail Bag Five-Star Reviews Comment ______ to win a Backpacker Radio sticker! [divider] 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. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Paul Packman Sealy, Jason Lawrence, Janelle L., Austen McDaniel, Andrew, Thomas Fullner, Christopher Marshburn, S11N, and Sawyer Products A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Emily Brown, Jeffrey Miller, Mitchell, Zoe Jenkins, dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Mark Snook, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. MEDIOCRE TRANSCRIPT In today's episode of backpacker radio presented by the Trek. We are joined by Tommy Corey, AKA twerk, sometimes known as Twerk in the dirt, sometimes known as the guy behind hiker trash Vogue to work. It gives us a run through on his experiences, backpacking the PCT, how hiker trash Vogue became a project. What doors this wildly popular photo series has opened for him and much more. We also talk about his experiences of what it's like to be a gay man in the thriving community. We close out the show with a triple crown of autumn ahhs. Talk about how much it costs to pee on Chauncey's face every morning for the rest of her life, a one minute gear review, and we try to determine how much money Charles can make by selling foot photos. Lastly quick aside in the Trek propaganda section of today's show, we introduce how to afford it through here. A new ebook from the Trek written by Kelly fluoro use coupon code. I pooped all lower case. One word to score eight, $2 discount on this book. Okay. Here are some ads. Today's show is brought to you by back country.com, a premier online specialty, retailer of outdoor gear and apparel, carrying thousands of brands and products for your everyday outdoor lifestyle back country's mission is to break down the barriers between humans and nature. Not only does that country have the widest assortment of gear and apparel, but the heart and soul of the company lies with their back country gear heads. These gear heads are former pro athletes, Olympians and all around experts that are available 24 seven by mail, email Kat for your one on one service product recommendations, and to ensure you have everything you need for your next outdoor adventure back country carries a ton of gear that both Johnson I used and love. A couple of examples include the Patagonia baggies. My go to short, the ultra lone peaks might go to trail runner. The ultra temps chances go to Trey winner. The big Agnes tiger wall. My favorite semi freestanding tents. And of course darn tough socks, which are beloved by hiker trash. Everywhere. You can save 15% off your first purchase back country.com by using coupon code backpacker 15 at checkout. Some exclusions do apply. And if you want to do old Badger and Sean's a mega favor, please visit back country.com/backpacker radio. This way they will know we sent you again. The code is backpacker 15 and the URL is a back country.com/backpacker radio gets them in case you're not already familiar. Green belly is the maker of. One of the most complete nutrition bars on the market, it'll contain 650 calories each more than two and a half times. The energy of a cliff bar. Think of them like cereal bars on steroids because green Belize meals are ready to eat, requiring no stove or cleanup. They make the perfect mid day trail meal. Their meals are super light and made with wholesome ingredients with flavors like peanut apricots, dark chocolate, banana mango, cashew coconut. Cranberry almond and their new flavor, spice caramel Apple, which is every bit as good as it sounds. It tastes great in our handmade, fresh every week. Todd and I both love the texture of these bars. They're dense, but still soft. They're also not too sweet, which is a nice change of pace in the world of sugary meal replacement bars. The bars are great for long distance drafts. As the founder, Christopher cage is himself a filmmaker. You may recognize that name from his appearance on the Joe Rogan experience and good news for you. Our wonderful backpacker radio listeners, you get an exclusive 10% discount. Site-wide at green belly. Just use code Trek 2020. At checkout at their website, green belly.co. Again, that's Trek 20 twenty@greenbelly.com. Don't wait. This deal is only good for limited time. Welcome to backpacker radio presented by the Trek, brought to you by back country.com. I am your cohost, Zach Badger Davis, and sitting to my two o'clock is hi, I'm Juliana Jonsi AKA Chauncey. Hey, welcome back to the show. Thanks. I forgot I was gone. Yeah. Oh, it was nice. Do you want to do a run through on I wasn't planning on putting you on blast that just kind of happened. Um, I went to hike the JMT John Muir trail and the Sierra. We are going to cover it on a future episode where we catch up with me and Zach and Elise and the hikes that we've done. Um, and it was amazing. I started 50 miles further North on the PCT. So I started at Sonora pass, um, and hike South to Whitney and exited via the Whitney portal. Um, and I went with fireball from the girl stuff episode. Um, we did it in 15 days, I think. Or 16 days. What'd you call it? Her, her, Oh, it's Jaden name for it. Yeah, that was the one. Yeah. Um, yeah, so I went with fireball on her who ha and, um, I was so nice. I that's. I just, it was so nice. Yeah. Uh, the part that you weren't at the show was our wires got crossed on, in terms of timing, you were planning on pulling a 12 hour drive to get back for our six o'clock recording. And our recording was at 2:00 PM. So I looked into that. I was going to let this slide, I was gonna let you off the hook. Um, you changed the calendar notification while I was on my 10 day stretch without cool. You get to edit this out publicly. I, you and I had a conversation about it before you left. Did we really? Yeah. A hundred percent. Oh, Well, I'm done for next time. Today's question of the day. Is, does China need Gingko? Biloba? No. Uh, none. So non traditional ways to track your mileage. This was your one. So I'm gonna let you kick it off. Okay. So on the PCT, I used to track my mileage, like obviously by checking gut hooks, but then you want to stop yourself from looking at the map so that you don't constantly check your map. Um, so just. By nature of. Just noticing a pattern. I noticed that every five songs was roughly a mile when I was listening to music. Um, so I started tracking songs or tracking miles in songs. And so I had just like completely stopped listening to music just because I wasn't actually listening and it wouldn't skip a song if it was halfway through. And I didn't want to hear it. Cause I was like, what the hell? It'll mess up my account. Oh, their races. My mileage. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. But on the JMT just now recently, um, I had a lot of jolly ranchers on me and I tried, what have I forgot what I was going down a Hill. And it was like a long downhill. It was like six miles. And I had nothing else to think about. And I was like, I wonder how long it takes to eat a jolly rancher, if you don't chew it. And it was like 30 to 35 minutes. So I started figuring out that a jolly rancher would roughly get me a mile. Um, cause I wasn't going particularly fast, but yeah. So if I ate four jolly ranchers, I was like, okay, I've gone about four miles now. Like that's four jolly ranchers. Does that incentivize you to eat more candy? Because the more candy you eat, the further you get by that metric. Uh, yeah, I definitely ate all of the jolly ranchers that I had. Um, I was rationing them towards the end though, because I ate them on the uphills. They helped for me to not like keep stopping, cause my mouth was dry. So I kept eating them on uphills. And then I was running low on the second stretch. Um, so I had to ration myself to three jolly ranchers a day, but I just saved them for them. Mmm. So two answers to this one. Mine is the first one's pretty basic time. And I feel like I'm getting pretty good at estimating. Like I know assuming the train's not either very easy or very difficult going to be able to pull a mile and about 20 minutes, three miles per hour, that's pretty much my standard pace. Um, and even if the train is in one of those two directions, I can usually mentally adjust for it. Like I know if it's been 22 minutes and I'm on a steep uphill. Probably about 0.8, 2.9 miles a point, I guess the other one, and this one is way more neurotic. This is from having a pedometer on my watch for the last six years or so is I know precisely how many steps it takes for me to do any amount of distance. So I know 500 steps as a quarter mile, 2000 steps as a mile. So you're counting to 2000 while you're walking. There are times where I will count. Like if, if I'm too in my head and I feel like the time's going slowly, it, it actually acts as a meditation for me. Not necessarily, it's, it's less so to actually measure my distance and more so to just distract me from my boredom of hiking. Is that not like watching, like the kettle boil, like you're literally counting to 2000 and then starting over. And then starting over and it's like, cool, I've done three miles. And it feels like 17 years. Yeah. It, it, it literally, I use it purely as like a meditative practice. So instead of like focusing on my breathing, I'll just focusing on, I'll just focus on counting. Wow. I did read the first page of one of your books and you did put like, You know, it was like 5 million steps. Then you put that, like, it was like 5 million steps to complete the trail or something like that. The first page. Yeah. And that that's not come from the pedometer math. I think that's an old AT idiom. You can also, you know, I think it's generally understood that. 2000 steps is about a mile for most people. You're in Julia and you're like, shit lost count drive back to Mexico or to Canada. I keep a running, uh, one of those little step counters. What's the, there's a clicky thing. They have them at Walmart's. Now I need to count how many people come in and out. Patent pending. Alright. Uh, skip the shirt reminder. Should we've mentioned it. I feel like we don't have any new merge, so it's not worth mentioning. I mean, you just mentioned that. Okay. Yeah, we have, we have merged. Cool. Okay. Let's get to today's main events. Gentlemen. We've been covering the, have on the show for a long time back in the day when we would, uh, Hold out for getting guests in person. I think I've been reaching out to twerk for the last year and a half about coming on the show and we just haven't been able to make it work. Um, but very excited to officially give him the warm backpacker radio. Welcome it. Is torque. Do you prefer your trail name or do you want to go by Tommy? What do you want to do here? I mean, first fine. Yeah. I like, yeah, let's jump right into the trail name because I think I can take a good guess at it, but I'm curious to get the full story. How did you ge…
Full show notes at the publisherIn today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, Badger is joined by Anne Baker. In addition to being an experienced long distance backpacker and gear nerd, Anne has a PhD, is a licensed therapist, scientist, and someone who has done a good deal of research on post trail depression. Anne breaks down precisely what is happening when someone experiences post trail depression and offers some tips for how to avoid it or at least lessen its impact. Anne also details what 2020 NOGO thru-hikers went through this year and how their grief was tied to a loss of identity. I found the subject matter of today's show super interesting, and I think you will too.
We close out the show with a triple crown of trails we have not yet hiked, highlight some standout day hikes in the Salt Lake City area, and give Martin his much deserved 15 seconds of fame.
Gossamer Gear discount code: Use code: PoopStory for 15% off your entire cart at gossamergear.com.
Backcountry discount code: Use code: Backpacker15 for 15% off your first purchase at backcountry.com/backpackerradio.
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00:04:49 - QOTD: What small thing is irrationally annoying to you?
00:06:45 - Pitch a Podcast!
00:07:00 - Intro to Anne Baker
00:07:40 - Why are you here?
00:08:15 - Can you tell us about your educational and professional background?
00:10:19 - Can you talk about the intersection of pain and emotion?
00:11:30 - Can you alter your perception of pain by changing your vocabulary around it?
00:13:52 - Advice for someone with chronic lyme disease dealing with pain?
00:16:29 - Will you walk us through the process of getting a PhD.?
00:20:10 - Will you walk us through your backpacking resume?
00:24:54 - Thoughts on section hiking?
00:29:15 - Do you struggle to make a trail family when section hiking?
00:30:49 - What is your go-to big 5 (for gear)?
00:34:24 - Anything in the gear pipeline we should be excited about?
00:36:19 - Can you tell us about Post-Trail Depression and walk us through your approach to the project you did on it?
00:38:15 - Can you talk about the identity aspect of post-trail depression?
00:39:40 - Did you ask how people felt about their lives before the trail?
00:40:00 - What kind of habits can you maintain to keep your trail self alive?
00:44:43 - Will you walk us through your coined acronym "SPACE"?
00:46:00 - How would someone experience these on trail?
01:00:08 - So a history of mental health issues didn't translate to being more likely to suffer from post-trail depression?
01:01:58 - How does a person's job play into their post-trail depression?
01:05:26 - Do you have any tips to mitigate post-trail depression?
01:08:51 - How did the pandemic influence your second article about post-trail depression (specifically how deciding whether or not to hike during the pandemic affected people)?
01:10:57 - Why don't you like labels of mental illness?
01:14:19 - What aspects of grief show up a lot for people who did not get to thru-hike?
01:14:48 - What common bargaining tactics showed up?
01:15:51 - Do you have any other major takeaways from your interviews with thru-hikers?
01:17:43 - Can you talk a little bit about what was happening on social media in regards to whether or not people should thru-hike this year?
01:20:04 - Have you noticed any difference in the hiking community now vs. when you were interviewing people in March and April?
01:22:02 - Do you have any advice for someone who is experiencing grief due to not being able to thru-hike?
01:25:16 - Do you have advice for people who are struggling specifically during COVID, when typical resources are not available to us?
01:27:20 - Do you meditate?
01:28:17 - Anything else you want to touch on?
01:29:02 - Any backpacking or outdoor adventures coming up?
01:30:08 - Where should people go to see your stuff? Anne's articles for the trek can be found here.
SEGMENTSBest Day, Weekend, and Long-Distance Hikes in Wyoming and Utah
Triple Crown of Trails We Haven't Hiked
Mail Bag
5 Star Reviews
[divider]
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.A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Paul Packman Sealy, Jason Lawrence, Janelle L., Austen McDaniel, Andrew, Thomas Fullner, Christopher Marshburn, S11N, and Sawyer Products
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Emily Brown, Jeffrey Miller, Mitchell, Zoe Jenkins, dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Mark Snook, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Backcountry.com, we are joined by Mac of Halfwayanywhere.com. Mac gives us the full tour through his short, but very dense adventuring career, including his 1 and a half PCT thru-hikes, his time in Japan, his multiple trips through the Himalayas, bikepacking across Australia, and the list goes on and on. We touch on why the Arizona Trail is game off for the remainder of 2020, a one minute gear review, a point counter point on quilts vs. sleeping bags, and our last Backcountry Matchmaking for a hot minute.
Greenbelly discount code: Use code: Trek2020 for 10% off sitewide at greenbelly.co.
Backcountry.com discount code: Use code: Backpacker15 for 15% off your first purchase at backcountry.com/backpackerradio.
[divider]
Please fill out this survey if you'd like to help BPR!
[divider]
00:07:49 - Take our survey, please!
00:09:25 - Applications for Vlogging and Blogging for The Trek in 2021 are open!
00:09:56 - Intro to Mac from HalfwayAnywhere.com
00:11:00 - Do you hate the word moist?
00:11:55 - What is your backpacking/adventuring background?
00:12:55 - Do you remember where you discovered the PCT?
00:13:25 - Did you know you might be in over your head starting the PCT?
00:14:00 - When did the website (Halfway Anywhere) start?
00:17:16 - What kind of content were you putting out on your blog?
00:18:30 - Do you think it was an advantage going into your hike without prior research (when it came to writing)?
00:20:02 - Stand out moments from your PCT hike?
00:22:26 - What were the biggest differences you noticed between the PCT your first time and when you did it recently?
00:26:09 - Were you using paper maps or Half Mile?
00:27:18 - How did your most recent PCT hike go?
00:28:00 - Which version of the Sierra do you like better (snow or no snow)?
00:28:41 - Are the views better with or without the snow?
00:29:24 - What came after your 2013 PCT hike?
00:32:52- How did you find your job in Japan?
00:33:21 - What do you do for fun in Japan?
00:34:31 - How did you find hikes in Japan?
00:37:44 - How long were you in Japan? What came next?
00:40:00 - You hiked to Everest Base Camp?
00:40:34 - What did you learn about the altitude on the first trip?
00:42:16 - Did you do Whitney on the PCT '13?
00:43:55 - What's the difference in the attire for different elevations?
00:45:06 - Do you have Sherpas/a guide in the Himalaya?
00:46:00 - Is there a language barrier in Nepal?
00:47:10 - Are there ethical reasons for sourcing Sherpas?
00:50:00 - Should you hire a guide for EBC?
00:51:00 - Can you tell us about the Three Passes Trek?
00:54:24 - What is the distance of the Three Passes Trek and how long did it take you?
00:58:00 - How often were you sleeping inside?
01:00:00 - What do you pay per night/day on an Everest Base Camp or Three Pass Trek loop?
01:01:00 - How is it navigating transportation?
01:02:45 - Do you have a standout Nepalese meal?
01:04:32 - Tell us about your Australia bikepacking trip!
01:05:30 - Where did you get water?
01:08:22 - Did you arrive with your bikepacking setup or did you buy it there?
01:09:25 - How long did the whole bike trip take you?
01:10:21 - Do you have any words of wisdom when it comes to fiscal responsibility?
01:11:44 - What was it like working in a bar in Australia?
01:14:30 - What did you do in 2017?
01:15:30 - What kind of hiking is in Tasmania?
01:17:00 - How did you choose Tasmania?
01:18:00 - How long are the hikes you are doing in Tasmania?
01:18:57 - What were the Rio Olympics like?
01:19:22 - How many languages do you speak?
01:20:05 - Were you doing this with friends?
01:20:36 - Are you doing most of your adventures solo?
01:21:09 - Has it been an adjustment to be in a relationship?
01:21:55 - How old are you?
01:21:14 - Is your fire for adventure still as strong as ever?
01:22:41 - How does your relationship work with adventures?
01:24:32 - Starting the CDT
01:25:55 - How would you compare the San Juans in 2017 to the Sierra in 2013?
01:30:42 - Comparison of the PCT to the CDT?
01:32:36 - Fuck, Marry, Kill: Sierra, Winds, Himalayas?
01:36:45 - Should you hike the PCT or the CDT?
01:38:48 - Do you ever get burnt out from traveling?
01:39:42 - What did you do next?
01:40:44 - How much time do you dedicate to the website amidst traveling?
01:43:10 - So you went back to Nepal?
01:43:38 - Why was the Annapurna Circuit your least favorite trek in Nepal?
01:46:14 - What was after the Annapurna Circuit?
01:47:54 - How long did Island Peak take?
01:49:10 - Do you feel safe in Nepal?
01:50:36 - Do you have more Nepal treks on your list?
01:52:05 - Tell us about the Japanese Alps?
01:54:05 - Why don't you want to hike Mt.Fuji?
01:55:49 - Does the traverse of the Japanese Alps involve route finding?
01:56:50 - Is the ridgeline hiking there technical at all?
01:57:30 - And you sprinkled in the Camino De Santiago?
01:58:21 - Do you still enjoy that style of adventure?
01:59:06 - Do you have a stats background?
02:00:13 - What was your track before the Appalachian Trail?
02:02:08 - What's in the future for Mac?
02:02:56 - Where did you get the trail name Mac?
02:05:00 - Where should people find your stuff?
SEGMENTSArizona Trail Association Discourages 2020 SOBO AZT Thru-Hikes and Thru-Rides
Mail Bag / 5 Star Review Hybrid Section
1- Minute Gear Reviews
Zach: Kataydyn Befree Filter
Chaunce: Custom Thrupack
Point/Counterpoint:
Quilts vs. Sleeping Bags
Backcountry Matchmaking
[divider]
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.A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Paul Packman Sealy, Jason Lawrence, Janelle L., Austen McDaniel, Andrew, Thomas Fullner, Christopher Marshburn, S11N, and Sawyer Products
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Emily Brown, Jeffrey Miller, Mitchell, Zoe Jenkins, dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Mark Snook, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Backcountry.com, we are joined by Delia D'ambra. Delia is a full-time investigative journalist and the host of Park Predators, a podcast that details some of the most horrific murders that have taken place in national parks. Needless to say, maybe don't let your kids listen to this one.
We cover the triple crown of Adam Sandler movies, do another round of one minute gear reviews, a point / counterpoint on inflatable vs closed cell foam sleeping pads, and learn about diarrhea inducing gummy bears.
Greenbelly discount code: Use code: Trek2020 for 10% off sitewide at greenbelly.co.
Backcountry discount code: Use code: Backpacker15 for 15% off your first purchase at backcountry.com/backpackerradio.
Please fill out this survey if you'd like to help BPR!
[divider]
00:04:50 - QOTD: What is your least popular or most controversial opinion?
00:08:46 - Please fill out this 45 second survey!
00:09:17 - New BPR shirts!
00:11:00 - Intro to Delia D'Ambra!
00:11:24 - How did you get involved with investigative journalism?
00:12:26 - How do you decide what stories to tackle?
00:13:45 - When you do episodes for podcasts like Park Predators, how do you go about doing the research for it?
00:15:50 - Have any of your episodes led to new clues?
00:17:40 - Is Adnan Syed guilty?
00:18:50 - Can you talk about the differences between mediums (news vs. podcast vs. broadcast)?00:20:40 - How did you decide to focus your research on National Parks?
00:23:01 - Did you find there was a disproportionate amount of murders in National Parks?
00:24:50 - Does doing this murder research freak you out?
00:26:57 - How do you keep an eye out for murderers in the backcountry?
00:29:50 - Do you hear stories from people who heed your advice?
00:31:00 - Can you give us a summary of the first episode of Park Predators?
00:33:50 - What was Gary Michale Hilton's victimology?
00:35:30 - Are there things that make you feel empathy for the killers? Is there a theme/commonality to the way they operate?
00:37:29 - Can you give us a taste of episode 3?
00:40:48 - Chaunce's brush with death
00:41:25 - What do you do if you see someone who looks very suspicious?
00:43:12 - Can you talk about episode 4?
00:48:53 - Do you think going through childhood trauma may have affected him becoming a killer?
00:49:20 - What kind of detail do you go into about the specific murders on Park Predators?
00:50:50 - Can you give us an example of how the women in Yosemite were murdered?
00:53:17 - Did any of these victims have or use mace?
00:53:53 - Can you tell us another story?
00:55:38 - Do these stories ever impact your personal life? Do you ever lose sleep?
00:57:10 - Do you ever worry about the killers reaching out?
00:58:25 - Did Epstein kill himself?
00:58:50 - Is there a season two?
00:59:50 - Find Park Predators wherever you get your podcasts!
SegmentsTrek Propaganda
Triple Crown of Adam Sandler Movies
Movie Club: Don't Mess with the Zohan
1-Minute Gear Reviews
Point - Counterpoint: Inflatable sleeping pad vs. closed-cell foam pads
Pupdate!
Mail Bag
5-Star Review
Comment ________ to win a sticker!
Amazon Reviews for Sugar-Free Haribo Gummy Bears (Poop Stuff)
[divider]
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.A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Paul Packman Sealy, Jason Lawrence, Janelle L., Austen McDaniel, Andrew, Thomas Fullner, Christopher Marshburn, S11N, and Sawyer Products
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Emily Brown, Jeffrey Miller, Mitchell, Zoe Jenkins, dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Mark Snook, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined yet again by famed Trail Angel, triple crowner, and author, Barney Scout Mann. This convo focuses largely on Scout's new book, "Journeys North", Scout's beautiful account of his and Frodo's 2007 PCT thru-hike. We learn what went into this immense research project, how he and Frodo fended off a bear with a two-part harmony, and we're blessed with a short reading from the book.
We have another one-minute gear review, introduce a new segment- point / counter point, a triple crown of summer foods, and once again start to lose our minds at the show's close. This one is a full boat.
[divider]
ListenDownload this episode.
[divider]
Zpacks discount code:Use code: HEXAMIDBPR for $25 discount at Zpacks.com
Greenbelly discount code: Use code: Trek2020 for 10% off sitewide at greenbelly.co.
[divider]
[divider]
00:04:30 - QOTD: You get one wish but 70% of the population also gets what you wish for—what is your wish?
00:08:33 - Can you give us an intro into how you got started with backpacking?
00:10:19 - Can you tell us the story of doing the PCT?
00:12:19 - Do you regret going SOBO on the AT?
00:14:30 - Scout's involvement in the GAOA (Great American Outdoors Act)
00:15:30 - What do your neighbors think about the hikers you host?
00:16:30 - Scout and Frodo's nightly after-dinner talk and stream crossing safety.
00:18:30 - Can you tell us about your career (after your Boy Scout days)?
00:19:30 - Are you a lawyer because you're a good writer or are you a good writer because you're a lawyer?
00:20:05 - What kind of lawyer were you?
00:21:54 - What was Scout thinking when he was retiring?
00:22:20 - Listen to Episode 26! (Scout's previous episode)
00:22:45 - Where did the inspiration for "Journeys North" come from?
00:27:57 - What was the research process for gathering intel on your trail family?
00:30:10 - What does it really mean when Scout asks to write about you?
00:32:15 - Scout saved a man's life.
00:34:09 - Scout reads an excerpt from the book.
00:36:28 - Is Scout reading his audiobook?
00:39:36 - Were you anticipating a trail family being such a huge part of your hike?
00:41:48 - What is the secret to a long and happy marriage?
00:42:48 - Can you give an example of a tough time you talked about in the book?
00:47:55 - Were you shocked by what you gathered in your research and interviews of your hiking family vs. what you saw on trail?
00:54:25 - Can you share other stories that had to be cut from the book?
00:58:58 - Can we get a two-part harmony?
01:02:20 - Can you talk about Rainy Pass?
01:09:44 - Where should people go to purchase your book? Amazon helps Scout the most.
01:10:22 - Are Scout and Frodo going to host hikers in 2021?
SegmentsTrek Propaganda
Biggest Similarities (and Differences) Between Backpacking and Bikepacking by Maggie Slepian
Applications for Bloggers and Vloggers for 2021
Hot Takes for 2020 (and beyond?)
1-Minute Gear Reviews
Send us Cinnamon Court Debates
Point - Counterpoint: How you store water on the trail.
Triple Crown of Summer Foods
Mail Bag
5 Star Reviews
Pupdates
Comment ______ to win a sticker!
Backcountry Matchmaking
The Gossamer Gear Crotch Pot & it's review on The Trek
[divider]
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.A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Christopher Marshburn, Janelle L, Paul Packman Sealy, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Thomas Fullner
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Dcnerdlet, Jacob Northrup, Jason Lawrence, Jeff LaFranier, Jeffrey Miller, Mark Snook, Mitchell, Peter, Peter Ellenberg, and Zoe Jenkins
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
Today we are joined by Luke Kloberdanz, the director of philanthropy at the Ice Age Trail Alliance. As you may have guessed, we geek out very much about all things Wisconsin, so much so, that Chaunce is convinced to make this the destination of Backpacker Radio's next road trip. We talk about Luke's own thru-hike, the wonderful tradition that is the Wisconsin Fish Fry, the history of this trail, and why it might be the ideal trek during a pandemic.
We address why Chaunce's face matches her hair, get sucked down a Taco Bell Vortex, announce a new full-time opening at The Trek, and just generally lose our minds toward the end of this episode. I highly recommend having a PBR handy for this one.
[divider]
ListenDownload this episode.
[divider]
Backcountry.com discount code: Use code: Backpacker15 to save 15% on your first purchase from Backcountry.com/backpackerradio
Zpacks discount code:Use code: HEXAMIDBPR for $25 discount at Zpacks.com
Greenbelly discount code: Use code: Trek2020 for 10% off sitewide at greenbelly.co.
[divider]
[divider]
00:04:38 - QOTD: What color is Chaunce's face?
00:07:38 - Can Zach say Luke's name?
00:08:13 - How did Luke get involved with the Ice Age Trail?
00:10:06 - How long is the Ice Age Trail? Can you tell us more about it?
00:10:53 - Where does the money to purchase land for the trail come from?
00:11:41 - Why does the IAT go where it goes?
00:12:54 - Is the IAT constructed that way because of aesthetics or historical reasons?
00:16:52 - How was your thru-hike?
00:19:16 - You were the 11th person to thru-hike the IAT?
00:20:44 - What was the trail like when you hiked (single track vs. road walking)?
00:20:54 - Is there an official road walk for the portions that aren't single track?
00:21:58 - What percentage of days could someone eat a fish fry while thru-hiking the IAT?
00:22:47 - Do you go through a lot of towns on the IAT?
00:23:33- Is there a traditional route on the IAT (west to east vs. east to west)?
00:24:25 - Was Spotted Cow a thing during your thru-hike?
00:25:10 - Can you explain the fish fry?
00:28:14 - Do you emphasize the cultural aspect of the IAT?
00:30:30 - Has Chaunce had a fried cheese curd before?
00:30:54 - Can you explain the importance of the squeakiness of a cheese curd?
00:32:45 - Backpacker Radio Merch
00:33:25 - Does the trail go through Madison?
00:34:30 - What are the campsites like on the IAT?
00:36:34 - What are the water sources like on the IAT?
00:37:56 - What is the recommended season to hike the IAT? And what is the typical pace?
00:41:08 - What's the elevation change like on the IAT?
00:42:24 - What's the practicality of hiking the IAT during coronavirus?
00:45:22 - How does someone get involved with the IAT?
00:46:40 - What kind of wildlife will people see on the IAT?
00:47:54 - What does someone do if they encounter a wolf?
00:49:32 - What is the traditional garnish for a Wisconsin Bloody Mary?
00:52:10 - Are there specific highlights of the IAT? Section hikes you'd recommend?
00:56:37 - The IAT is for_______?
00:59:14 - Luke@iceagetrail.org call the IATA office, etc.
SEGMENTSThe Trek Propaganda : The Trek is Hiring A Full-Time Content + Marketing Specialist
Mail Bag / Backcountry Matchmaking combo
5 Star Reviews
Pupdate
1 Minute Gear Reviews
Comment _______ to win a sticker!
[divider]
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.A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Christopher Marshburn, Janelle L, Paul Packman Sealy, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Thomas Fullner
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Dcnerdlet, Jacob Northrup, Jason Lawrence, Jeff LaFranier, Jeffrey Miller, Mark Snook, Mitchell, Peter, Peter Ellenberg, and Zoe Jenkins
Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we are joined by Daniel White, known on trail as The Blackalachian. We learn all about The Blackalachian's life before he became a full-time adventurer, including his days as a rapper and his time in prison, how thru-hiking was put on his map, his experiences with racism on the AT, his thru-bike of the Underground Railroad Route, His hikes of The Great Outdoors Challenge in Scotland and Camino del Norte in Spain, and what the future has in store for him. This conversation is both heavy and hilarious, informative and fun; we hope you enjoy it as much as we did. We wrap up the show with the Triple Crown of Summer Wins, we learn what a thunderbox is, a fan indulges my undying love for the 90s Bulls, and we have a Backcountry Matchmaking. This one has it all.
[divider]
Backcountry.com discount code: Use code: Backpacker15 to save 15% on your first purchase from Backcountry.com/backpackerradio
Zpacks discount code:Use code: HEXAMIDBPR for $25 discount at Zpacks.com
[divider]
[divider]
00:03:23 – QOTD: Is wearing a t-shirt with your podcast's name on it the same as being in a band and wearing your own band t-shirt?
00:07:10 – What was life like for the Blackalachian before he was the Blackalachian?
00:08:33 – Can you tell us about your rapping career? Soundcloud: Logo704
00:09:54 – Can you tell us what prison was like?
00:11:00 – Any overlaps between prison and thru-hiking?
00:11:50 – Did prison push you toward backpacking?
00:13:40 – Thoughts on your boss that said not to follow your dreams?
00:14:50 – Since you made the decision to thru-hike so quickly, did you have the gear you needed to start the AT?
00:17:17 – How has your gear evolved since then?
00:17:58 – where was the Blackalachian inspired?
00:20:20 – Did you get shakedowns?
00:20:45 – Did you plan your resupplies around fishing?
00:21:30 – Can you give us fishing tips?
00:21:53 – Were you YouTubing your thru-hike from the get-go?
00:23:08 - Have you gotten feedback from other Black hikers who were inspired by you?
00:23:27 – What are the more common questions and feedback that you get?
00:24:00 – Were you nervous about smaller towns in the Appalachians?
00:24:40 – What is the reality of being on trail like vs. your expectations?
00:26:00 – What were your expectations of racism on trail? What was it like on trail?
00:28:09 – Were towns better or worse than thru-hikers?
00:29:00 – Have you ever encountered someone and changed their perception?
00:30:03 – Can you give us an example of microagressions?
00:33:07 – Can you tell us how you came to your motto of "love and light"?
00:37:05 - Do you have any specific highlights from your AT hike?
00:39:30 – Flipping on the AT?
00:40:13 – Did you get that "Rocky Mountain" feeling in the Presidentials?
00:40:48 – Have you considered the PCT?
00:42:50 – Tell us about the Underground Railroad Bike Route!
00:46:30 – Could you stay in the same places people did when they were on the Underground Railroad?
00:47:07 – Does the UGRR have anything like Guthook?
00:47:49 – Did you see any other thru-bikers? Did you YouTube this journey?
00:49:37 – Can you compare thru-hiking to thru-biking?
00:51:05 – How long did it take to thru-bike the UGRR?
00:51:25 – Did you take special precautions to protect your bike?
00:52:19 – Were you able to leverage your YouTube channel to get sponsorships?
00:53:21 – What was your "bike first aid kit"?
00:54:44 – How long does it take for your ass to adjust to biking for that long?
00:56:35 – Any advice for someone who has never bike packed before?
00:59:41 – Tell us about The Great Outdoors Challenge!
01:01:00 – How was your reception in Scotland vs. the Appalachians?
01:02:29 – Did you see a lot of gingers?
01:02:40 – Tell us about the pub scene!
01:03:09 – How long were you in Scotland?
01:04:49 – If you had to pick between adventurer and thru-hiker what would it be?
01:08:39 – Can you give us some Camino Norte highlights?
01:11:20 – Is it true that your admission to hostels covers wine as well?
01:11:46 – Did you do the Camino solo?
01:12:31 – Preference for hiking in the US vs. internationally?
01:13:40 – How does walking through places with a lot of history impact you or your hike?
01:15:00 – What hikes are next on your radar?
01:18:20 – Can you tell us about the Groundskeepers program?
01:20:15 – Pointers on getting sponsorships?
01:21:40 – Paying for fathers to get pedicures?
01:23:59 - Differentiating between content for YouTube and Instagram?
01:25:55 - Can you talk about how recent shifts have affected you? Any advice for thru-hikers?
01:28:37 - Your pants?
01:31:10 - When are you going to buy a bunch of land and start a commune?
01:33:33 - Best Poke Stop on the AT?
01:34:41 - Favorite food on trail? What will you never eat again?
01:35:43 - How often do people reach out from the internet to meet up?
01:37:33 - Parting words?
SegmentsThe Trek Propaganda
Triple Crown of Summer Wins
Mail Bag
5 Star Reviews
Backcountry Matchmaking
New Shirts? Here are the old ones.
What segments do you like?
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