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
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are talking "shorter" thru-hikes. We're joined again by our guy, Michael Grizzly Ivey, to give you an overview of eight standout US thru-hikes that you can hike in four weeks or less. We cover the Long Trail, Teton Crest Trail, Superior HIking Trail, Timberline Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, Foothills Trail, and Uinta Highline, give you the trail overviews, relative difficulty, resupply strategy, the best time to hike, which direction, travel logistics, permit requirements, resupply strategy, standout wildlife, water availability, and our overall 30-second elevator pitch for each trail. Much like my waistline, your bucket list is about to expand.
We wrap the show with tips for getting primo service at any restaurant (from a restaurant general manager), the triple crown of birds, and we prove that we will read just about anything in a 5-star review.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKWINTER15" at topoathletic.com.
[divider]
Panel with Michael "Grizzly" Ivey
Time stamps & Questions
00:07:30 - Reminders: Apply to be a Trail Correspondent, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:13:00 - Introducing Grizzly
00:15:50 - What have you been up to since you were last on the podcast?
00:18:20 - Long Trail
00:29:00 - Ozark Highlands Trail (Learn more from BPR #199 and BPR #197)
00:41:15 - Superior Hiking Trail
00:56:20 - Tahoe Rim Trail (Learn more from BPR #157)
01:11:40 - Foothills Trail (Learn more from BPR #243)
01:24:20 - Uinta Highline Trail
01:36:20 - Timberline Trail
01:44:12 - Teton Crest Trail (Learn more from BPR #265)
02:04:20 - What's your top performance enhancing hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 10 Short Trails You Can Thru-Hike in Winter by Jordan Charbonneau
QOTD: What are some tips to getting the best treatment possible when eating out?
Triple Crown of birds
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 Chuck Norris 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, Jason Kiser, Krystn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Alan Dixon, better known in the backpacking world as Adventure Alan. Alan is a literal rocket scientist, a lifelong adventure junkie, and a foundational figure in the early days of ultralight backpacking, having co-founded Backpacking Light.
Alan shares some jaw dropping stories from his many routes, including a near-death experience in the Tetons, his philosophy for developing routes—most notably his popular Wind River High Route, the South Sierra High Route, and the Escalante Overland Route. We dig into how he's managed to bring his base weight down to as low as 2.4 lb., the small luxuries he now allows himself, some of his favorite cottage brands, and his overarching gear philosophies. We also talk about why he follows a ketogenic diet and how he maintains it on trail, his adventures with his wife of more than 20 years, and much more.
We wrap the show with the triple crown of gifts for backpackers ($75 or less), a hill that we're willing to die on that everyone else thinks is ridiculous, some new AT stamps that have been out for a long time, and I talk fast.
Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.
[divider]
Interview with Alan Dixon
Time stamps & Questions
00:02:00 - Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, apply to be a Trail Correspondent, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:06:49 - Introducing Alan
00:07:30 - So you're a rocket scientist?
00:10:55 - What did you do for the EPA?
00:17:13 - What are the top sources for toxicity in food?
00:23:00 - Are there any chemicals in the backpacking world you're skeptical of?
00:25:06 - What was your earliest mountaineering experience?
00:26:40 - Discussion about the current state of ultralight
00:29:45 - What ultralight products do you get?
00:31:40 - How did you get to a baseweight under 5 pounds?
00:39:30 - Do you recommend tracking your sleep?
00:44:55 - Why do you follow a keto diet?
00:49:52 - How do you maintain a keto diet on trail?
00;53:30 - Tell us about the early days of ultralight
00:58:50 - Why did you want to spread the gospel of ultralight?
01:03:20 - Discussion about the fiddle-factor
01:09:00 - What's your standard gear list now?
01:10:47 - Do you have practical tips for reducing fiddle time?
01:13:07 - Tell us about your trip in the Wind River Range
01:19:00 - Do you have a luxury item today?
01:20:04 - Tell us about selling your website
01:21:55 - What goes into designing a high route?
01:24:40 - Sell us on the Adventure Alan Wind River High Route
01:28:30 - Do you consider high routes to be more of a physical or intellectual challenge?
01:32:05 - Discussion about anxiety while hiking
01:34:45 - Tell us about adventuring with your wife
01:39:09 - Do you have any general marriage advice?
01:42:10 - How do you maintain your fitness into your 60s?
01:46:40 - Discussion about the definition of success
01:51:55 - What's something novel that you're excited about right now?
01:54:49 - Tell us about the Southern Sierra High Route
01:59:20 - Define "it goes"
02:00:05 - Tell us about the Escalante Overland Route
02:06:04 - Are you fully retired now?
02:07:00 - Discussion about fitness and training
02:09:50 - Tell us about the Southern Patagonia Ice Shelf
02:19:00 - Are you able to enjoy a regular trail?
02:22:10 - Tell us your near death experience in the Tetons
02:35:45 - Are you still making content?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
QOTD: What's a hill you'll die on that everyone else thinks is ridiculous?
Triple Crown of gifts for backpackers ($75 or less)
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 Chuck Norris 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, I'm sitting this one out because it's the fourth edition of Girl's Stuff. Chaunce is joined by former guest Christine Reed and BPR first-timer Maggie Schoemann. The three cover hiking with a partner, where to get a vag wax on trail, birth control, weird body changes, including managing a beard on trail as a woman, eating disorders and how thru-hiking can trigger or resurface disordered eating (trigger warning), and much more. These are Chaunce's notes, so I'm just going to assume they're all accurate.
We wrap the show with Chaunce's take on the new Diddy doc and the triple crown of the worst parts of the holidays.
Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.
[divider]
Panel with Chaunce, Maggie, and Christine
Time stamps & Questions
00:03:50 - Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, apply to be a Trail Correspondent, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:08:45 - Introducing Maggie and Christine
00:13:26 - What is it like to do your first thru-hike while your partner finishes their Triple Crown?
00:22:30 - Discussion about making friends while thru-hiking in a couple
00:26:00 - What type of reaction did you get on the PCT?
00:32:14 - How was the Long Trail?
00:34:44 - What's it like to hike a trail that sucks with a platonic friend?
00:43:30 - Tell us about your chronic illness
00:48:30 - What specific foods did you mail yourself on the Long Trail?
00:52:35 - Discussion about PCOS
01:01:10 - Discussion about period cycles
01:09:40 - Discussion about nutrition and PCOS
01:20:00 - Discussion about PCOS and weight
01:29:50 - Trigger warning: disordered eating and body image
01:37:00 - Discussion about how thru-hiking intersects with disordered eating
02:18:20 - End trigger warning: discussion about getting waxed on trail
02:30:00 - Who determines what's cool on trail?
02:35:00 - Discussion about the evolution of women on trail
02:45:00 - Discussion about influencers on trail
02:54:00 - Recommend names of female influencers
Segments
Trek Propaganda
QOTD: Have you seen the Diddy documentary?
Triple Crown of the worst parts of the holidays
Listener Voicemail
Mail Bag
[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 Chuck Norris 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jessica Guo known on trail as Stitches.
This year, Stitches became the first woman on record to connect both the Continental Divide Trail and Great Divide Trail northbound in one calendar year. We talk all about this logistically and physically impressive feat, hiking through the Sierra during a record snow year, how she earned her trail name the hard way, her unconventional relationship with pain, how 10 her day silent meditations better prepare her for thru-hiking and gives us a sample 2 minute meditation, what it was like becoming social media famous this year- going from less than 2K followers to 50K, and much more.
We wrap the show with a call for Trek Vloggers, a breakdown of how hard the Long Trail is as measured by Katie's steps per mile, apparently some people can smell ants, and the triple crown of peanut butter combinations.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.
Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker.
[divider]
Interview with Jessica "Stitches" Guo
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:00 - Reminders: Apply to VLOG for the Trek, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:11:47 - Introducing Stitches
00:14:15 - What is your background?
00:20:00 - Scenario: If Zach & Chaunce are fighting, how would you help them work through it?
00:22:25 - How did you get into the outdoors?
00:30:15 - Were you an athlete when you were younger?
00:31:35 - How did you like the Teton Crest Trail?
00:32:40 - Tell us about getting started on the PCT and your injury
00:40:20 - What did it feel like to walk on your injured leg after 8 days?
00:48:35 - What does your meditation practice look like?
00:55:50 - What does a silent meditation retreat look like?
00:58:05 - Are there purists in the meditation world?
01:03:00 - Stitches leads a guided meditation
01:08:20 - Tell us about your second injury on the PCT
01:20:55 - Was the Sierra Type 1 fun for you?
01:21:30 - Tell us your fun story from the Colorado Trail
01:26:20 - Where did the idea come from for the CDT + GDT?
01:32:50 - Why can it be nice to have a detailed itinerary and plan?
01:38:10 - If someone's interested in the GDT, what advice would you give?
01:40:20 - What were the differences between your three itineraries?
01:42:10 - Would a silent retreat be a good way to mentally train for a thru-hike?
01:44:15 - What are some standout moments from the CDT?
01:47:38 - What are you afraid of?
01:51:10 - How did your experience change when you got a ton of followers?
01:55:55 - Tell us more about making videos on trail
01:59:00 - Discussion about evidence of climate change on trail
02:00:05 - Tell us about how you interacted with your ethnicity on trail
02:08:22 - Tell us about your post on women in the outdoors
02:14:20 - Tell us about your friction video
02:16:00 - What were the highlights of the GDT?
02:19:00 - Did you have any practices for when you felt mentally low?
02:22:45 - Tell us about the birds you saw
02:27:15 - What are your Big 5 for gear?
02:34:15 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking?
02:39:30 - Where can people go to keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
QOTD: Can you smell ants?
Infection Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of peanut butter combos
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 Chuck Norris 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we're joined by Lucy Barnard. Lucy, along with her pup Wombat, has walked from the southern tip of Argentina all the way through the Great Divide Trail in Canada, and she'll be picking up the final leg of this monster journey — through northern Canada and into Alaska — later this winter.
We get into what compelled Lucy to take on such an audacious mission, especially given that she had virtually zero long-distance hiking experience beforehand. She shares some truly wild stories from the trail, including being held at gunpoint by cartel members, what it's been like navigating this trek with a dog in tow, the extra hoops that come with that, the overwhelming kindness she's encountered from strangers along the way, and plenty more.
We wrap the show by highlighting a 140-mile in Portugal that belongs on your bucket list, how a thru-hiker staple might be giving us all mercury poisoning, movies we definitely don't recommend, the triple crown of embarrassing foods, and the lazy person's guide to making your own dehydrated meals.
Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.
Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker.
[divider]
Interview with Lucy Barnard
Time stamps & Questions
00:3:00 - Reminders: Apply to blog for The Trek, subscribe to our Youtube channel, Apply to VLOG for The Trek and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:07:10 - Introducing Lucy
00:10:00 - High Low Buffalo
00:14:40 - Discussion about nutrition
00:16:34 - How do you resupply Wombat's food?
00:18:45 - How did you get Wombat?
00:23:35 - Is Wombat a good security dog?
00:41:16 - What is your concern about sharing stories about risky times?
00:47:00 - Did you consider quitting the trail after that?
00:50:20 - Discussion about culture shock and language expressions
00:53:03 - What were you doing before this hike?
01:02:00 - What was your hiking and traveling experience prior to this hike?
01:06:20 - Were you nervous when you started the trip?
01:09:05 - What created your desire to do this?
01:14:00 - Discussion about people from other countries interested in hiking in the US
01:19:07 - Discussion about deworming
01:21:30 - What is in Wombat's first aid kit?
01:23:30 - Do you have a standout animal encounter story?
01:30:20 - How much of the trip is a logistical puzzle versus physical challenge?
01:33:50 - How have you managed family and friend relationships during this hike?
01:38:20 - What is celebrity and fame like in Australia?
01:42:30 - Why do you think this journey is going slower than you expected?
01:49:15 - How do you balance accepting good advice with not getting overwhelmed?
01:52:40 - Tell us about your overall route thus far
01:56:00 - Discussion about Lucy's navigation app
01:58:15 - What due diligence do you do ahead of time to make sure you stay safe?
02:02:00 - Lucy's stories about providing trail magic
02:04:50 - Tell us more stories about being integrated with the locals
02:13:25 - Tell us about Wombat getting sick from eating crabs on the desert
02:15:08 - Tell us about the Great Divide Trail
02:20:15 - What was your hardest day on this experience?
02:26:30 - How can listeners support your journey?
02:27:20 - What is the future of the journey going to be like?
02:35:00 - Where can people go to keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda:
QOTD: What are movies you definitely don't recommend to people?
Triple Crown of embarrassing foods
Listener Voicemail
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 Chuck Norris 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we're joined by Gabe Vasquez, known on trail as "Wing It." Gabe is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, long-distance kayaker and cyclist, and the first known Mexican-American to complete the Triple Crown.
Gabe opens up about his time in the Marines and the challenges that followed- PTSD, becoming addicted to prescription meds to manage the PTSD in addition to anxiety and depression, losing friends to suicide after their service, and night terrors. In his efforts to heal, Gabe turned to adventure. He began by paddling the Mississippi with a friend, then took on a PCT thru-hike, followed by eight consecutive years of long-distance backpacking, paddling, and cycling. Gabe shares how that time in nature helped him reclaim his peace, and why he's happier today than he's ever been.
Worth noting- this episode includes graphic descriptions of PTSD and suicide. If these topics are sensitive or triggering for you, please take care while listening.
We wrap the show with news of a pair of fatal bear attacks near the Ozark Highlands Trail, a partially blind grandmother who thru-hiked the PCT- averaging nearly 40 miles a day in the process, the definitive etiquette around holding doors for strangers, and the triple crown of the worst phrases and expressions.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.
[divider]
Interview with Gabe "Wing It" Vasquez
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:20 - Reminders: Apply to blog for the Trek, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:12:45 - Introducing Gabe
00:16:10 - What was it like to join the Marines?
00:22:45 - What was your specific job like in the Marines?
00:23:30 - Tell us about your deployments
00:29:20 - What was the vibe like in that sort of environment?
00:33:37 - Did you know you were actively pushing things down at the time?
00:35:06 - What was the comedown like when returning from a deployment?
00:36:40 - At what point did you seek professional help?
00:38:30 - How did the PTSD show up for you?
00:42:35 - How did you know you needed to get off the meds?
00:49:30 - How did you transition from experiencing these symptoms to advocating for others?
00:56:04 - How did you decide to kayak the Mississippi River?
00:59:20 - Did you feel a sense of accomplishment after the kayak trip?
01:09:20 - Did you go into the PCT excited to hike it?
01:13:20 - At what point did being in nature start to click for you?
01:14:45 - Knowing what you know now, would you still have joined the Marines?
01:17:22 - At what point did the nightmares subside or improve?
01:20:00 - Have you met other veterans on trail?
01:22:40 - Do you have a lot of people reaching out to you?
01:25:00 - Is the period between adventures extra tough for you?
01:26:30 - Are you trying to do all Seven Summits?
01:27:55 - Was it weird with the PCT being so white?
01:36:15 - Do you have favorite summit music?
01:37:26 - What are some of your favorite trail angel stories?
01:40:00 - What's a typical MRE meal like?
01:41:30 - What drew you to the bike after the PCT?
01:46:30 - What are the pros and cons of long distance cycling over thru-hiking?
01:50:50 - Fuck Marry Kill: cycling, paddling, and hiking
01:54:10 - What did it feel like to complete the Triple Crown?
01:58:00 - Discussion about LNT
01:59:20 - What other hot takes do you have?
02:05:20 - What other gear do you like?
02:10:16 - Tell us about almost getting arrested in Egypt
02:19:05 - Do you worry that drugs could trigger PTSD?
02:26:00 - What's your favorite trail or trail story?
02:28:35 - Do unrealistic war movies bother you?
02:30:55 - Stay Salty Question: What's one piece of advice you'd like to give?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
QOTD: What's the proper distance to hold a door for someone?
Triple Crown of the worst expressions/phrases
Mail Bag
[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 Chuck Norris 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we're joined by Kristy and Annette Burns—better known as the Wander Women.
About seven years ago, Kristy and Annette ditched the home with the white picket fence, retired, moved into an RV, and shifted their focus to a life centered on freedom and adventure. Since then, they've taken on the AT, PCT, CDT, Arizona Trail, Tahoe Rim Trail, the O Circuit, plus a slew of cycling and packrafting trips. We get into what it takes to keep your body ready for thru-hikes at retirement age, why downsizing has made them so much happier, the community they've found on trail, and a whole lot more.
We wrap the show with what to wear when hiking in the desert, how to dry the inside of your water bladder, and the triple crown of chairs.
Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.
[divider]
Interview with Kristy and Annette Burns
Time stamps & Questions
00:02:45 - Reminders: Take the Triple Crowner Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:05:06 - Introducing the Wander Women
00:07:00 - How did each of you get into the outdoors?
00:09:44 - How did you two meet?
00:12:20 - How did you go from the sweat lodge to thru-hiking?
00:16:50 - Did you have physical fitness top of mind before getting into thru-hiking?
00:19:05 - How far prior to retirement did you plan to hike?
00:22:55 - What specifically would you do differently, financially?
00:26:25 - What was it like downsizing?
00:31:30 - What physical activity do you do in the RV?
00:36:04 - Do you ever get sick of each other?
00:38:55 - How do you handle difficulties in your relationship?
00:41:00 - Did you know there'd be other retired folks on the AT?
00:45:17 - How have you expanded your social networks in retirement?
00:48:35 - What are some of the common questions you get?
00:50:03 - How do you slowly ramp up your mileage when hiking?
00:51:52 - Describe your gear to us
00:57:40 - Was it easy to transition between RVing and thru-hiking?
01:01:15 - Do you feel like time has slowed down since you retired?
01:10:45 - At what point did you reach this mindset?
01:12:40 - Are you particular with your nutrition?
01:16:20 - Standout stories from the AT?
01:19:35 - At what point did you know you were going to Triple Crown?
01:23:35 - Did you know what you were getting into with the CDT?
01:30:11 - How many other CDT hikers did you encounter?
01:34:50 - Tell us about flip flopping the PCT
01:38:46 - What were your spookiest or scariest moments on trail?
01:49:23 - When did you start getting the Youtube fanfare?
01:50:30 - What's the best trail magic you've gotten?
01:53:10 - Tell us about the adventures outside of thru-hiking
01:57:14 - Tell us about your rafting trip in Alaska
02:02:50 - Tell us about your encounter with a grizzly bear
02:10:30 - How did you decide where to camp?
02:13:00 - What were the biggest gear differences for this trip?
02:16:15 - What adventures does the future hold?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Desert Hiking Clothing: The Backpacker's Guide by Katie Jackson
QOTD: How does one dry out the inside of their water bladder when you're done using it?
Triple Crown of chairs
Mail Bag
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
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Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.
A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Casey Huffman, known on trail as Vegas.
Vegas has been mentioned a couple of times on this podcast in the past, as "the guy whose chest we signed" in 2023, and more recently, "the guy whose ass we signed". As we learn in today's episode, "signed ass guy" is also a real good hang.
We chat about how Vegas' mental health struggles ultimately lead him to the trail, how the hiking community and culture gave him the space to reinvent himself, and he shares quite possibly the most entertaining trail name origin story we've ever heard- we'll just say that this one is for adults only.
We wrap the show with discussing the merits of a sleeping bag liner, Chaunce is pissed about the cost of fountain soda, we do the triple crown of donuts, and Rachel once again lands a perfectly apropos listener mail bag.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.
Zpacks: Use code BPR50 for $50 off any tent at zpacks.com.
Ka'Chava: Use code BACKPACKER for 15% off at kachava.com/backpacker.
[divider]
Interview with Casey "Vegas" Huffman
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:00 - Reminders: Take the Triple Crowner Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:07:15 - Introducing Vegas
00:09:30 - How did you get into the outdoors?
00:16:01 - What was inpatient treatment like?
00:19:30 - What was life like after you left inpatient?
00:21:00 - What led to you getting on medication as a child?
00:22:45 - Tell us the story about your tattoos
00:24:25 - Walk us through the first part of the AT
00:28:40 - Tell us your trail name origin story
00:47:00 - Discussion about Vegas' reputation on trail
00:47:45 - How was getting off the trail for you?
00:53:15 - What was it about thru-hiking that let you shift your mind into a better place?
00:58:43 - Did you feel like it was a struggle to get to Katahdin?
01:00:00 - What did you know your future life would look like at the end of the trail?
01:07:30 - Tell us about running into a cult
01:12:45 - What did you do after the AT?
01:18:30 - Tell us about your expedition in Alaska
01:28:06 - Tell us about the Sheltowee Trace
01:32:45 - Tell us about the Ozark Highlands Trail
01:41:20 - At what point did you know you were going to hike the PCT?
01:55:20 - Discussion about hiking in the Sierra
01:58:40 - Vegas's story about hiking on acid
02:10:30 - Tell us about hiking the Long Trail after the PCT
02:17:20 - Vegas's subsequent sex worker stories
02:21:10 - What are your favorite next plans?
02:21:54 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hot take in the world of backpacking?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
QOTD: Since when is fountain soda no longer free refills?
Triple Crown of donuts
Mail Bag
[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 Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Amy Hunsucker. On trail, Amy is known as "Slider" because she hikes with a trombone- something she's done for the entire triple crown. We of course learn all about this fun quirk, including which animals were most appreciative of her on-trail concerts, which parts of trail provided the best acoustics, the reactions she'd get from other hikers and the broader trail community, and her go-to on-trail trombone jams. Slider also gives us the low down on getting her sawyer certification, her trail maintenance work with the Carolina Mountain Club, hiking South Dakota's Centennial Trail, and life as a hiking guide in North Carolina.
We wrap the show with the pieces of thru-hiking advice we wish we'd never given, Chaunce gives her take of whether she'd rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear, we do the triple crown of freezer foods, I give a one-minute gear review of my current rain jacket, and a listener lectures us on how we dropped the ball on our interview with Liz Kidder.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREKWINTER15" at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.
[divider]
Interview with Amy Hunsucker
Time stamps & Questions
00:04:50 - QOTD: What's more upsetting, the Bills' loss or losing your ceremony footage?
00:06:40 - Reminders: Take the AT Thru-Hiker Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:11:00 - Introducing Amy
00:11:34 - How did you get your trail name?
00:12:12 - How do you find an ultralight trombone?
00:14:40 - Give us the background on playing the trombone
00:18:55 - Did you learn new songs as you hiked?
00:22:40 - Have you ever used your trombone for anything other than music?
00:24:30 - How did you get into backpacking?
00:27:50 - What was starting the AT like?
00:30:54 - Why don't you think your trombone is a luxury item?
00:31:48 - Is there a GOAT of the trombone world?
00:36:10 - Tell us about getting onto the CDT
00:37:30 - What's your hot take on the PCT?
00:42:50 - Why'd you decide to go southbound on the CDT?
00:45:15 - Why'd you decide to flip flop the PCT?
00:52:15 - How did you keep up your mindset during the flip flop?
00:53:55 - What was your best day on trail?
00:56:10 - What was your worst day on trail?
00:57:40 - What was your scariest day on trail?
01:00:02 - What was your stupidest day on trail?
01:02:45 - Tell us about working for Blue Ridge Hiking Company
01:10:40 - What was being in Asheville like during the hurricane?
01:17:12 - Tell us about getting your Sawyer certification
01:20:30 - What's chainsaw 101?
01:23:20 - Tell us about the South Dakota Centennial Trail
01:28:05 - Would this be a good trail to do using PTO?
01:30:54 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance-enhancing hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 6 Pieces of Thru-Hiking Advice I Wish I'd Never Given by Katie Jackson
QOTD: Would you rather be alone in the woods with a man or a bear?
Triple Crown of freezer foods
One-Minute Gear Review
Mail Bag
[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 Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we're joined by Jeff Vonvai, known on trail as Long Strides. This conversation will put life's problems into perspective—because for the past seven years, Long Strides has been thru-hiking with stage 4 colon cancer, despite being given just a 3–6 month prognosis. Jeff shares what it's like to balance intense rounds of chemo and surgery between hikes, the challenges of rebuilding his trail legs each time he returns to the trail, and how cancer has transformed his outlook on life—saying he's happier now than he was before his diagnosis. Be ready to feel inspired.
We wrap the show with the news that the Continental Divide Trail's southern terminus now requires U.S. citizenship and an Army-issued permit, how to hike the Colorado Trail on less than $800, what crime Chaunce committed to wind up in prison, and the triple crown of things that make us cringe.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.
Ka'Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker.
[divider]
Interview with Jeff "Long Strides" Vonvai
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:00 - Reminders: Take the AT Thru-Hiker Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:07:15 - Introducing Long Strides
00:09:41 - How did you go from Arizona to thru-hiking?
00:12:10 - Describe what it was like to get your diagnosis
00:19:50 - How do you maintain your mindset?
00:22:10 - What do your doctors think about your thru-hiking?
00:24:50 - When does poop start smelling like poop?
00:28:21 - What is the main goal of the surgery?
00:30:25 - Walk us through the timespan between surgery and your next hike
00:34:00 - Tell us about starting the AT a couple weeks after finishing chemo
00:37:25 - Did things get easier after that internal dialogue?
00:40:10 - Is it possible hiking makes anything worse?
00:41:45 - Discussion about hiking the PCT and getting surgery before the CDT
00:45:00 - Are you sharing things with your tramilies?
00:48:35 - Do you have any practices you maintain while hiking?
00:51:20 - How has your mindset changed since your diagnosis
00:53:05 - Discussion about going between the PCT and CDT
00:55:45 - Why did you decide to go southbound on the CDT?
00:56:55 - What's the buzz on the trail with the southern terminus?
01:02:04 - How has the CDT compared to the other two for you?
01:09:30 - Fuck Marry Kill: AT, PCT, CDT
01:11:30 - Discussion about Long Strides' future plans
01:15:35 - Have people met up with you along the trails?
01:16:30 - Tell us about seeing moose
01:18:02 - Are you looking forward to New Mexico?
01:18:55 - What do you have planned between 2025 and 2028?
01:21:05 - Do you have any advice for someone who's gotten a recent diagnosis?
01:23:05 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors?
01:25:10 - How'd you get your trail name?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: CDT Hikers: US Citizenship, Army Permit Now Required to Access Southern Terminus by Katie Jackson
QOTD: If I got arrested, what crime would you assume I committed?
Crisis Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of things that make you cringe
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 Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
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