Backpacker Radio The Trek

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Sawyer Products, we are joined by Taylor the Nahamsha Hiker. Taylor is a thru-hiker, peak bagger, prominent YouTuber, and as of the recording of this episode, exceptionally pregnant. In addition to hiking the AT in 2021 and 2023, Taylor has also hiked all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000 footers. We learn all about her entry into the world of thru-hiking, how she grew her YouTube following- including a friendly sibling rivalry, what the life of running a gift store is like, and her AT-themed Monopoly board game.
We wrap the show with a recap of the remainder of this years AT Trail Days, including consuming butter and dead bodies (fortunately, not related), what Backpacker Radio fans shall henceforth call themselves, the triple crown of things we wish we could buy stock in, and preview a 175-mile hike that Badger is doing around Denver.
Sawyer Products: Check out Sawyer’s Permethrin Pump at REI.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 50% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
[divider]
Interview with Taylor the Nahamsha Hiker
Taylor's Website Taylor's Instagram Taylor's Youtube Nahamsha Gifts Time stamps & Questions
00:03:28 - Reminders: Suggest a guest for PCT Days and support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content!
00:06:07 - Trail Days Recap
00:32:15 - Introducing Taylor
00:34:49 - Tell us about moving to New Hampshire
00:37:17 - Tell us about your first hikes in the Whites and how those prepared you for the AT
00:39:15 - What was it like getting off the AT in 2020?
00:42:50 - How does one get into the gift shop business and what is it like?
00:48:01 - Did you start Youtubing during your first AT attempt?
00:50:22 - Tell us about getting back on the AT in 2021
00:52:25 - Tell us about getting off trail to drive a marathon
00:56:00 - Do you prefer hiking solo over hiking with a tramily?
00:58:30 - When did you start getting judgmental comments on your channel?
01:00:27 - In what instance do the comments go too far?
01:02:50 - How do you maintain your motivation while making videos?
01:06:15 - Did you have media training prior to starting Youtube?
01:08:02 - How has your tech changed over the years?
01:09:21 - What standout stories do you have from your 2021 hike?
01:10:30 - Have you always been athletic?
01:12:30 - Tell us about the Belknap Range Redline
01:16:00 - Discussion about Taylor’s wedding and honeymoon
01:17:24 - How did you decide to hike the AT a second time?
01:19:35 - What places did you intentionally return to on your second thru-hike?
01:20:55 - Tell us about the end of your second AT trip
01:26:57 - Did you enjoy the second hike as much as the first?
01:30:30 - Did you feel compelled to stay on trail because of your audience?
01:31:40 - Discussion about Taylor’s trail videos and advice for others
01:33:50 - How do you make sure to record the highs and lows of the hike?
01:36:25 - Do you have any good poop stories?
01:41:48 - Tell us about the Lakes Region Explorer Patch Program
01:42:25 - Tell us about camping while 8 months pregnant 
01:44:50 - What videos do you have left to make before giving birth?
01:46:08 - What is the vent diagram between thru-hiker and pregnancy cravings?
01:47:50 - Where can people follow you?
01:48:36 - Sawyer Question: if you were given an unlimited budget to throw a party for any historical figure, who would it be and what would the theme be?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Every Pizza on the Colorado Trail, Ranked by JT Simmons
QOTD: Beyonce has the beehive, Taylor Swift has the swifties, Lady Gaga has the little monsters…what would Backpacker Radio listeners be?
Triple Crown of things you wish you could buy stock in
New Thing of the Week
Priest Confessions
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/.
Leave us a voice

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by Sawyer Products, we are joined by Brandon “Horsepower” Weis. With minimal prior backpacking experience, in 2021,  Brandon successfully completed the calendar year triple crown plus a thru-hike of the Arizona Trail. The next two years were not any more laid back, as he accrued more than 15,000 miles worth of backpacking over a three year span, including treks of the Benton MacKay Trail, Pinhoti, Oregon Desert Trail, Bigfoot Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Colorado Trail, Hayduke, and the Sheltowee Trace Trail. In addition to giving us an overview of these treks, Horsepower delights us with fun stories, including a terrifying encounter with a grizzly, sleeping in countless pit toilets, being asked to leave a restaurant due to his odor, accidentally drinking deet, and more. 
We wrap the show with an overview of the first half of trail days, including how Badger is the world’s biggest moron, the triple crown of our short section hike on the AT, and how many drinks constitute drinking.
Sawyer Products: Check out Sawyer’s Permethrin Pump at REI.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 50% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
[divider]
Interview with Brandon “Horsepower” Weis
Brandon's Instagram Brandon's Book Time stamps & Questions
00:07:30 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and suggest a guest for us to interview at PCT Days!
00:08:54 - Introducing Horsepower
00:09:40 - What’s your trail name origin story?
00:11:11 - What was your background in weight lifting prior to backpacking?
00:12:45 - Where did your interest in thru-hiking come from?
00:14:37 - How long were your section hikes prior to the CYTC?
00:14:55 - Tell us about being a big Lil Wayne fan
00:16:34 - Tell us about being a partier
00:18:26 - Tell us about deciding to hike the Calendar Year Triple Crown
00:20:29 - In what other ways have you gone all in on something you’re interested in?
00:22:21 - Tell us about starting the Calendar Year Triple Crown
00:24:30 - How much did your pack weigh when you started?
00:26:35 - Did you keep to a regular hiking schedule?
00:28:11 - At any point did you think it might not have been a good idea?
00:30:27 - Did you factor in zero days or town vortexes?
00:36:00 - What were your lowest points on the AT?
00:40:42 - What was your low point on the first CDT section?
00:43:47 - What drew you to The One tent?
00:44:28 - Discussion about switching over to the PCT
00:46:30 - Were you too tired to talk to other hikers?
00:47:08 - What were the high and low points on the PCT?
00:48:54 - How did you mitigate injuries?
00:50:52 - Tell us about your back injury
00:55:00 - Are you glad you have already done the Calendar Year Triple Crown?
00:56:02 - McDonalds bathroom story
00:57:44 - Too smelly to be in a restaurant story
00:58:36 - Was the AZT always the plan?
01:00:12 - Discussion about getting off the Buckeye Trail
01:01:00 - Burnt shoes story
01:03:10 - Pit toilet connoisseur 
01:05:48 - Savage mice and rats
01:07:30 - Kind of maybe saved a guy’s life 
01:09:10 - Held at nonthreatening knifepoint in a car 
01:10:22 - Accidentally drinking DEET 
01:10:53 - Accidentally holding a lovely couple hostage 
01:12:26 - Hearing the song Roxanne 200 times in a night
01:15:30 - Tell us about going back to smaller trails after the CYTC
01:19:09 - Tell us about the Oregon Desert Trail
01:24:30 - Tell us about the Bigfoot Trail
01:30:48 - What’s your rationale for doing so many miles?
01:31:56 - Are you frugal when out on trail?
01:33:44 - What was your biggest pigout moment?
01:35:05 - What’s your favorite meal on trail?
01:36:37 - Eating so much peanut butter he became allergic
01:39:10 - Did you

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Quoc “Double Magic” Nguyen. Double Magic might just be the most accomplished backpacker you’ve never heard of, along with being in the running for most interesting person on earth. His 23,000 miles of backpacking started with trails you know, like the Colorado Trail and the Pacific Northwest Trail, and quickly evolved to trails you likely haven’t including Norge pa Langs,  Via Dinarica, the Colorado Loop (a 1500 mile route he made up), a pair of epic excursions in Alaska, and trekking around the Aleutian Islands, a thing people don’t do. This one is a like a snowball rolling downhill, it gets more momentum and becomes more dangerous the further it goes. 
We wrap the show with some news of grizzlies getting reintroduced to the Cascades, the triple crown of cheeses, and a listener pumps our tires on our behalf.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Jenna Davis: Email jenna@firstsummitrealty.com or call 303-946-9476 to get a free consultation.
Shady Rays: Use code “TREK20” for $20 off polarized sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
[divider]
Interview with Quoc “Double Magic” Nguyen
Quoc's Instagram Quoc's Website Time stamps & Questions
00:03:50 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon to get exclusive bonus content and don’t miss important updates by subscribing to the Trek’s newsletter or submitting your email on our website!
00:05:45 - Introducing Quoc
00:07:28 - How did you get into the outdoors?
00:09:34 - How did you transition from peakbagging to thru-hiking?
00:12:04 - What stood out to you from your first thru-hike?
00:13:14 - Were you stressed about money after graduating law school?
00:16:28 - How do you deal with shifting priorities?
00:18:25 - What is your trail name origin story?
00:19:41 - Why the Te Araroa as a second hike?
00:22:45 - Discussion about the TA
00:24:16 - How did you learn about the international hikes you’ve done?
00:26:14 - What did you learn about thru-hiking during your first two hikes?
00:27:29 - What was the first route you created?
00:28:42 - Tell us about the Iceland Traverse
00:35:45 - Do you not feel fear?
00:38:30 - Did you ever think you were gunna die?
00:42:00 - Tell us about the Norway end to end hike
00:45:26 - Was this a stressful trek?
00:46:30 - What were the terrain and resupplies like?
00:48:11 - Discussion about the ULA circuit
00:49:00 - Do you have tips for hiking efficiently?
00:50:38 - Tell us about your nutrition while hiking
00:55:00 - Would you recommend the Norway hike to others?
00:57:29 - How tired are you after the Norway hike?
01:00:00 - How do you make your trips work financially?
01:05:30 - Does it bother you when people don’t return their carts?
01:07:30 - Tell us about your current job in homeland security
01:09:32 - What are the worst things that have happened to you on trail?
01:15:15 - Why don’t you use a satellite communication device or bear spray?
01:17:00 - Story about being charged by bears
01:21:48 - Have your feelings about grizzly bears changed?
01:24:52 - What are you afraid of?
01:27:00 - What is your gym routine like?
01:31:00 - Tell us about the Brooks Range Traverse
01:35:55 - Do you ever get frustrated or lose your temper?
01:36:50 - What are the mileages of these two traverses?
01:39:25 - Tell us about the Alaska Traverse
01:46:00 - What are your big three?
01:47:20 - What do you use for footwear?
01:48:50 - Do you carry a bear canister?
01:51:00 - Tell us about the Cordillera Blanca Traverse & Huayhuash Circuit
01:54:41 - Tell us about the 1,500 mile Colorado Loop
01:58:40 - What are your favorite 13ers?
02:01:22 - Kumo Question: What is the most ridiculous fashion trend you’ve participated in?
Segments
Chaunce’s Wedding Update
Trek Propaganda: Grizzlies To Be Reintroduced in North Cascades: What It Means for the PCT by Kelly Floro
QOTD:

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, we’ve got another banger Q&A episode for you. We are joined by everyone’s favorite viking who hikes to cover your burning questions. Subjects in today’s episode include our most underrated pieces of gear, what single food item we've used on the most hikes, our go-to sun protection strategies, how careful someone should be during a norovirus outbreak, what single thing we like most about long-distance backpacking, and more. We wrap the show with what our level of surprise would be to see a dragon, the triple crown of seemingly simple things that don't make sense (this of course goes off the rails), and we give a listener dream tapeworms.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Jenna Davis: Email jenna@firstsummitrealty.com or call 303-946-9476 to get a free consultation.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Shady Rays: Use code “TREK20” for $20 off polarized sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
[divider]
Q&A with Jabba
Viking's Instagram Time stamps & Questions
00:03:22 - Reminders: Keep up with content from the Trek via the newsletter, check out our brand new hats (and use code “gingerstuff” for 15% in the Trek store), and recommend someone we should interview at PCT Trail Days!
00:06:34 - Introducing Jabba
00:08:52 - What’s your sun protection strategy in highly exposed environments?
00:31:12 - What’s the most underrated piece of gear in your pack?
00:40:19 - Patent Pending: Titanium Water Bottle
00:47:45 - What is the single food item that’s been in your food bag the most?
01:06:50 - How can you handle norovirus outbreaks?
01:15:10 - The Veteran-Vargo-Viking Story
01:23:50 - How many times do you poo a day hiking/biking…also who’s cooler, Zach or Chaunce?
01:26:47 - How do you maintain muscle mass on the trail, especially after so many hikes?
01:30:11 - What was your first tattoo?
01:33:55 - What’s your favorite hiking trail you’ve ever done?
01:39:05 - How do you pack a frameless pack?
01:43:57 - If you had to pick one thing you like most about thru-hiking, what would it be?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
List of US Long Trails 5 Budget-Friendly Ultralight Backpacking Hacks by Moose Juice Kumo Question: What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten and would you recommend it?
QOTD: How surprised would you be to see a dragon flying in the sky?
Triple Crown of seemingly simple things that don’t make sense
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/.
Leave us a voicemail!
Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.
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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 & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Hailey Buckingham, Jason “The Snail” Snailer barely know her, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns.
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Bonnie Ackerman, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Keith Dobie Jr, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we'll do it live! That's right, we are once again joined by backpacking legend, Ryan Sylva aka Dirtmonger, to learn more about his ridiculously extensive backpacking experience from around the world, but this time we are joined by 60 of our best friends at the Skylark Lounge in Denver, Colorado. Although many beers were consumed during the making of this podcast, we feel confident this live episode stays in bounds, at least relative to the first go around, which we no longer speak of.
We wrap the show with a QA from attendees of this event, a triple crown of the best sports movies, Chaunce gives us the full rundown on her engagement, and we finally introduce our highly anticipated new segment, Trail Confessionals.
Banner photo credit: Rolf Asphaug
Backpacker’s Pantry: Use code “BPR20” for 20% off at backpackerspantry.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Appalachian Gear Company: Use code “BPRADIO20” for 20% off at appalachiangearcompany.com.
Shady Rays: Use code “TREK20” for $20 off polarized sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
Outdoor Vitals: Get 17% off the Ventus plus a free backpacking pillow at outdoorvitals.com/thetrek.
[divider]
Live Podcast
Dirtmonger's Instagram Dirtmonger's Blog Time stamps & Questions
00:05:17 - Reminders: Submit feedback to podcast@thetrek.co, sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, and reach out to us if you know a venue that would like to host us!
00:06:27 - Introducing Dirtmonger
00:13:20 - Tell us about your Poop Loop Bikepacking route
00:15:36 - Was this the start of a new chapter in your life?
00:19:20 - Does bikepacking scratch the same backcountry itch as backpacking?
00:22:58 - How do you develop and feel confident in your philosophy about backpacking?
00:26:54 - Tell us about your backstory
00:31:12 - Have you ever done something you wouldn’t want to do again?
00:34:15 - Sell us on bikepacking
00:37:28 - Discussion about using other activities to heal while still adventuring
00:44:15 - What’s the longest day you’ve had on a bike?
00:46:30 - Tell us about the Salkantay Trek, Ausungate Circuit, and Cordillera Real Traverse
00:50:59 - Do you learn things when you hike with Swami?
00:54:02 - What do you mean by hiking at your level?
00:59:56 - Discussion about hiking alone versus with people
01:01:52 - How did that inform the hiking decisions you made afterwards?
01:02:35 - What appeals to you about the desert?
01:04:40 - Tell us about the Oregon Desert Trail
01:06:50 - Tell us about the Altiplano Traverse
01:11:35 - Are there outdoor conditions that you don’t enjoy?
01:14:23 - Has there been a scenario where you turned back because the conditions were bad?
01:17:20 - What’s your mentality about proving yourself to other people?
01:23:50 - Tell us about the Whatever Route
01:28:25 - Discussion about planning and developing the Great Basin Route
01:37:20 - What’s your most controversial take on thru-hiking culture?
01:40:05 - What’s your median base weight?
01:45:30 - Discussion about down jackets and rain jackets
01:48:00 - Kumo Question: Do you think visors will ever come back around?
01:49:06 - Audience Q&A: Is there anything you want to hike in Asia?
01:50:00 - Audience Q&A: Bidet?
01:51:00 - Gossamer Gear Giveaway 1
01:55:30 - Audience Q&A: If you had to do one trail for the rest of your life, what would it be?
01:56:40 - Audience Q&A: Do you ever mentally struggle without seeing people around?
02:00:10 - Audience Q&A: How do you mentally balance creating a new trail with LNT?
02:03:08 - Audience Q&A: What trail made you fall in love with thru-hiking?
Segments
Chaunce’s Engagement Story
QOTD: How much money would it take for you to live in a dumpster for a month?
Triple Crown of sports movies
Trail Confessions
Two Star Trail Review
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_p

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by thru-hiker and author, Audrey “Glowstick” Payne. In addition to a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, which is the subject of her memoir, Where the Rhododendrons Bloom, Audrey has also tackled the Colorado Trail, Foothills Trail, Trans Catalina Trail, John Muir Trail, Wonderland Trail, and the Patagonia O Circuit. Audrey gives us an overview of each of these treks, and how she might be the first person on earth to not enjoy the JMT, she details a not-so-cordial breakup with her trail family on the AT, and offers some solid tips for those who want to trek Patagonia’s O Circuit. We also get an overview of Audrey’s life prior to thru-hiking, including how her treks were inspired by a back injury and her career in PR, including some fun stories of working with celebrities. 
We wrap the show with the news of a nasty outbreak of Norovirus on the AT this year, whether you should store your food underwater in the backcountry, the triple crown of movies we've cried to, and some one-star trail reviews.
Backpacker’s Pantry: Use code “BPR20” for 20% off at backpackerspantry.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Shady Rays: Use code “TREK20” for $20 off polarized sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
Appalachian Gear Company: Use code “BPRADIO20” for 20% off at appalachiangearcompany.com.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
[divider]
Interview with Audrey “Glowstick” Payne
Audrey's Instagram Audrey's Website Audrey's Linktree Time stamps & Questions
00:05:14 - Reminders: Come say hi to us at both AT and PCT Trail Days, support us on Patreon to get bonus exclusive episodes, and check out our new hats!
00:06:47 - Introducing Audrey
00:09:20 - What were you doing in DC?
00:15:53 - How did you go from burnt out PR person to thru-hiking? 
00:18:34 - How has your back held up?
00:20:15 - How old were you when you started on the AT?
00:22:45 - Walk us through how you rationalized leaving your career to hike the AT
00:26:57 - Are you grateful for your back issues getting you onto the trail?
00:29:28 - Did you have any midlife crises turning 40?
00:30:40 - How do you feel about your future hikes?
00:31:45 - What advice would you give to others approaching or in their 30s?
00:36:22 - Tell us about getting woken up by some ponies and bears
00:44:00 - Is there a story that resonates with readers from the book?
00:47:00 - Tell us about camping at the drive in
00:53:43 - Tell us about foraging on the AT
00:58:40 - What was your best trail magic experience?
01:03:14 - What are your thoughts about tramilies?
01:07:10 - How did the trail family breakup go?
01:09:54 - Can you give tips to people from a PR perspective on how to break up with your trail family?
01:15:52 - What happens if you encounter your broken up trail family again?
01:16:48 - What was it like post-breakup?
01:18:35 - Discussion about deciding to leave a job to hike the AT
01:20:18 - How can someone weigh the pros and cons of making a change to their life?
01:25:00 - Did you put the AT on your resume or discuss it during your interviews?
01:27:45 - What accounted for the four year gap between the AT and your next hike?
01:29:39 - Do your coworkers know you for your hiking?
01:33:02 - How did you decide to do the Colorado Trail?
01:34:17 - Did you start in the same place each time you’ve done the Four Pass Loop?
01:36:00 - Discussion about the logistics of the Four Pass Loop
01:41:55 - Tell us about your mountain lion encounter on the CT
01:50:00 - Discussion about off-roading
01:51:40 - How was your Foothills Trail hike?
01:57:10 - What insects did you see?
02:00:00 - How was your Trans Catalina Trail experience?
02:04:29 - How was the John Muir Trail?
02:07:50 - Discussion about the PCT southbound
02:12:20 - Tell us about the Patagonia O Circuit
02:14:23