Backpacker Radio

by The Trek

4.7(1,647 reviews)

323 episodes

Updated Daily

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Overview

From 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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1/22/2018

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Recent Episodes

April 28, 2025

Graduating Army Ranger School and Thru-Hiking After 30+ Years in the Military with Jay "Meat Grinder" France (BPR #303)

Air Force Veteran Jay "Meat Grinder" France shares stories from his 31-year military career, including Army Ranger School and deployments, and how they relate to his thru-hiking experiences in this interview.

April 21, 2025

Hiking with a Tote Bag, Ultramarathons in a Roundabout, and Creative Trail Shenanigans with Tate "Pyro" Dobson (BPR #302)

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Tate Dobson, known on trail as Pyro. Tate is a certified wildcard. It’s not just that he’s hiked the PCT, AT, Long Trail, and Te Araroa, but how he’s done it, including hiking the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail spending $1,000 (alongside Quadzilla), hiking long stretches with carrying a Jansport pack, another stretch using tote bag, hiking the R2R2R eating only Motts Fruit snacks and the 100-Mile Wilderness consuming only maple syrup and a jar of peanut butter. He’s run a pair of ultramarathons around a roundabout, he’s run a beer mile with his mom, and has accomplished another mile consuming four shots of tequila and a tube of toothpaste. In other words, strap in. We wrap the show with some bucket list hikes you can do over a long weekend, the triple crown of stuipd word spellings, a listener poop story, and more. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at <a href= "https://drinklmnt.com/trek">drinklmnt.com/trek</a>. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at <a href= "https://gossamergear.com/?rfsn=2017538.0cd2c9">gossamergear.com</a>. Vaer Watches: Check out Vaer Watches at <a href= "https://www.vaerwatches.com/?utm_source=backpackerradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april25"> vaerwatches.com</a>. Bear Mattress: Use code “BACKPACKER” for 40% off at <a href= "https://www.bearmattress.com/">bearmattress.com</a>. Burgeon Outdoors: Use code “BACKPACKER15” for 15% off at <a href="https://www.burgeonoutdoor.com/">burgeonoutdoor.com</a>. [divider] Interview with Tate “Pyro” Dobson <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href= "https://www.instagram.com/leukotate/">Tate's Instagram</a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href= "https://thetrek.co/author/tate-dobson/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYQgytTOz0wJt43UUdsKbsa_jRODJ-K4XGPL0WQ8tY7vcXdc305ewz4Fx0_aem_Zs_5vWAlRRCBGETJuskGAg"> Tate's Trek page</a></li> </ul> Time stamps & Questions 00:06:34 - Reminders: Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TheTrek">The Trek</a> and <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/@backpackerradio">Backpacker Radio</a> on Youtube, <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/backpackerradio">listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon</a>, and <a href= "https://thetrek.co/thru-hiker-resources/apply-to-be-a-blogger-vlogger-the-trek/"> apply to blog for the Trek</a>! 00:9:40 - Introducing Tate 00:11:40 - How do Chaunce and Tate know each other? 00:14:20 - How did you get into the outdoors? 00:15:11 - What trajectory led to dropping out of high school and college and how did you start thru-hiking? 00:18:25 - Tell us about your 2019 PCT hike? 00:20:55 - What’s your perspective on continuous footpaths? 00:22:53 - Where was your head at when you got off the PCT? 00:24:03 - When did you next get on trail? 00:25:37 - Are you a known figure in Durango? 00:28:00 - How did you get on the Colorado Trail? 00:31:22 - Any standout stories from the Colorado Trail? 00:31:51 - Do you have any poop stories? 00:35:40 - How was the Sierra High Route? 00:42:00 - Tell us about the PCT in 2022 00:44:45 - When did things start to get weird? 00:53:15 - Did you hike the whole trail in sandals? 00:54:20 - What other weird things did you do on the PCT? 00:56:10 - Where did you get your marathon idea? 00:59:40 - Did you feel any asymmetric pain afterwards? 01:01:07 - Tell us about your beer mile 01:02:50 - What is the toothpaste and tequila mile? 01:05:45 - Did you see any interesting people during the roundabout run? 01:07:45 - Tell us about your other impractical backpacks 01:11:40 - Tell us about your TA hike 01:18:07 - What’s your favorite mom story? 01:19:27 - How’d you clean off the mud? 01:22:50 - How do you keep losing toothbrushes? 01:24:36 - Tell us about starting the AT last year 01:26:35 - What was the budget challenge you did? 01:28:30 - What tips do you have for hiking on a budget? 01:33:24 - What’d you do while Quadzilla was in the hospital? 01:34:30 - What’s the craziest story from the AT? 01:39:30 - When did you stop carrying the tote bag? 01:42:05 - Any fun stories from the Long Trail? 01:48:20 - Tell us about the Rim to Rim to Rim 01:51:40 - What plans do you have for the CDT? 01:53:20 - Stay Salty Question: What’s your hottest take in the world of backpacking? 01:54:55 - What’s your dream sponsor? Segments Trek Propaganda: <a href= "https://thetrek.co/33-bucket-list-hikes-you-can-do-in-a-long-weekend/"> 33 Bucket-List Hikes You Can Do in a Long Weekend</a> by Katie Jackson QOTD: Would you rather never get blisters again but have to hike in Crocs, or always have the best gear but get a new blister every day? Triple Crown of stupid word spellings Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy <a href="https://www.instagram.com/my_boy_pauly/">@my_boy_pauly/</a> and <a href= "https://ommcr.com/">his coffee</a>. <a href= "https://thetrek.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a390119c39d0193a621329ae5&id=e17c3c8d7e"> Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter</a> <a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/BackpackerRadio">Leave us a voicemail!</a> <a href= "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/backpacker-radio/id1339028551"> Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes</a> (and please leave us a review)! Find us on <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/5FO5edVqPbDcny0ja8kF4d">Spotify</a>, <a href= "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/backpacker-radio-by-the-trek/backpacker-radio"> Stitcher</a>, and <a href= "https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iiacyqmtlnhu4z3vkaeskn4odga"> Google Play</a>. <h4><a href= "https://www.patreon.com/backpackerradio">Support us on Patreon</a> to get bonus content.</h4> <a href= "https://thetrek.co/advertise-on-backpacker-radio-podcast/"> Advertise on Backpacker Radio</a> Follow <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/thetrek.co/">The Trek</a>, <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/juliana_chauncey/">Chaunce</a>, <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/zrdavis">Badger</a>, and <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/trailcorrespondents/">Trail Correspondents</a> on Instagram. Follow <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/@backpackerradio">Backpacker Radio</a>, <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/user/apptrials">The Trek</a> and <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/user/julianachauncey">Chaunce</a> on YouTube. Follow <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@backpackerradio?lang=en">Backpacker Radio</a> on Tik Tok. Our theme song is <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2op5uvEvzAE5TXH12Mo1hl"> Walking Slow</a> by <a href="https://www.animalyearsmusic.com/">Animal Years</a>. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Eathan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Alsop, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

April 14, 2025

The Camino de Costa Rica with Maytal "Carrot Top" Agasi (BPR #301)

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we’re joined by Maytal Agasi, known on trail as Carrot Top. In this episode, we learn how a road trip in a mid-size SUV with her two brothers sparked Carrot Top’s entry into the world of thru-hiking. She shares how she benefitted massively from both solo and group thru-hikes. We chat about her time on the JMT, Colorado Trail, and PCT, and we take a deeper dive into her most recent trek on the Camino de Costa Rica, covering standout cultural elements, landscape highlights, the incredibly muggy weather, rich wildlife (including venomous snakes and sloths), managing language barriers, unique logistical challenges, and more. A quick note: I made a big time dumb guy mistake. About 30 minutes into the interview, I realized our audio recorder wasn’t rolling. The first 36 minutes of the interview have lower audio quality than usual. That portion still offers important context about Maytal’s journey into the outdoors, but if it’s too distracting, the audio quality improves at the 36-minute mark of the interview. Trigger warning: This interview includes discussion of suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, we recommend skipping ahead to the point where the audio improves—again 36 minutes into the interview. We wrap the show with another clue about our super secret special guest for the upcoming live podcast in Austin, what ridiculous outfit we’d hike in forever, the Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes, and a disturbing story of an international hiker who was detained, deported, and banned from the U.S. on her way to hike the Arizona Trail. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKWINTER15” at <a href= "https://www.topoathletic.com/">topoathletic.com</a>. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at <a href= "https://gossamergear.com/?rfsn=2017538.0cd2c9">gossamergear.com</a>. Vaer Watches: Check out Vaer Watches at <a href= "https://www.vaerwatches.com/?utm_source=backpackerradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april25"> vaerwatches.com</a>. AG1: Get your free $79 gift at <a href= "https://drinkag1.com/partner/partnerships-adventureseekers-general?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=backpackerradio_d35ct__a9964__o27&utm_term=cac__a9964__o27&utm_content=Health__a9964__o27"> drinkag1.com/backpacker</a>. [divider] Interview with Maytal “Carrottop” Agasi <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href= "https://www.instagram.com/carrot_toppp/">Maytal's Instagram</a></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href= "https://www.caminodecostarica.org/the-trail">Camino de Costa Rica</a></li> </ul> Time stamps & Questions 00:06:10 - Reminders: <a href= "https://thetrek.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a390119c39d0193a621329ae5&id=e17c3c8d7e"> Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter</a>, <a href= "https://www.eventbrite.com/e/backpacker-radio-podcast-tickets-1126312122879"> join us for our live show in Austin</a>, <a href= "https://www.patreon.com/backpackerradio">listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon</a>, and <a href= "https://thetrek.co/thru-hiker-resources/apply-to-be-a-blogger-vlogger-the-trek/"> apply to blog for the Trek</a>! 00:10:00 - Audio note 00:12:10 - Introducing Maytal 00:15:30 - How did you get your trail name? 00:16:05 - What does a garden educator do? 00:17:24 - What is the best plant? 00:19:40 - How did you get into hiking? 00:21:23 - Why don’t you fight with your siblings? 00:24:00 - Discussion about Maytal’s roadtrip 00:25:23 - Are your parents hippie-adjacent? 00:27:08 - What’s your favorite on-trail meal to make? 00:30:50 - Do you taste the meals before dehydrating them? 00:32:44 - How did you decide to hike the JMT? 00:34:10 - What happened to your dad? 00:38:30 - How do you process things as well as enjoy the trail while hiking? 00:40:50 - Was it intimidating to hike mostly solo on your first hike? 00:46:17 - Are there any fats that are safe to dehydrate? 00:46:55 - Did you know right away you wanted to do more hikes? 00:49:45 - Have you butt heads with anyone on trail? 00:52:00 - How did you get your gear dialed in for the JMT? 00:55:00 - Discussion about stool sample tests 00:57:45 - Were you happy to hike the CT with a friend or did you ever want space? 01:00:50 - What did you like about Salida? 01:03:03 - When did you decide to hike the PCT? 01:05:30 - Tell us about almost falling off a mountain 01:10:35 - What was it like to go through the Sierra twice? 01:12:45 - How did you learn about the Camino de Costa Rica? 01:15:57 - Are guides required? 01:16:50 - How long is the trail and what is the mileage like each day? 01:20:30 - Do you pay the host families? 01:23:40 - How did you communicate that you were vegetarian? 01:24:50 - Did you have cell service? 01:26:00 - Do you know how many people have hiked this trail? 01:28:30 - What was the weather like? 01:30:25 - What were the landscape highlights of the trail? 01:38:00 - Discussion about wildlife 01:41:05 - Were there other opportunities to eat in town? 01:42:12 - What are the biggest cultural differences? 01:45:55 - What would you like to relay to the listeners of Backpacker Radio? 01:47:38 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href= "https://thetrek.co/20-trek-bloggers-you-should-be-following-in-2025/"> 20 Trek Bloggers You Should Be Following in 2025</a> by Jess</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href= "https://thetrek.co/a-german-thru-hiker-has-been-detained-deported-and-banned-from-the-us-without-a-hearing-heres-what-you-need-to-know/?ref=slider"> A German Thru-Hiker Has Been Detained, Deported, and Banned From the US Without a Hearing: Here’s What You Need To Know</a> by Caitlin Hardee</li> </ul> QOTD: If you could only hike in one ridiculous outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be? Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes Thing of the Week Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy <a href="https://www.instagram.com/my_boy_pauly/">@my_boy_pauly/</a> and <a href= "https://ommcr.com/">his coffee</a>. <a href= "https://thetrek.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a390119c39d0193a621329ae5&id=e17c3c8d7e"> Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter</a> <a href="https://www.speakpipe.com/BackpackerRadio">Leave us a voicemail!</a> <a href= "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/backpacker-radio/id1339028551"> Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes</a> (and please leave us a review)! Find us on <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/5FO5edVqPbDcny0ja8kF4d">Spotify</a>, <a href= "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/backpacker-radio-by-the-trek/backpacker-radio"> Stitcher</a>, and <a href= "https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/Iiacyqmtlnhu4z3vkaeskn4odga"> Google Play</a>. <h4><a href= "https://www.patreon.com/backpackerradio">Support us on Patreon</a> to get bonus content.</h4> <a href= "https://thetrek.co/advertise-on-backpacker-radio-podcast/"> Advertise on Backpacker Radio</a> Follow <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/thetrek.co/">The Trek</a>, <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/juliana_chauncey/">Chaunce</a>, <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/zrdavis">Badger</a>, and <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/trailcorrespondents/">Trail Correspondents</a> on Instagram. Follow <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/@backpackerradio">Backpacker Radio</a>, <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/user/apptrials">The Trek</a> and <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/user/julianachauncey">Chaunce</a> on YouTube. Follow <a href= "https://www.tiktok.com/@backpackerradio?lang=en">Backpacker Radio</a> on Tik Tok. Our theme song is <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2op5uvEvzAE5TXH12Mo1hl"> Walking Slow</a> by <a href="https://www.animalyearsmusic.com/">Animal Years</a>. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Eathan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Alsop, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.

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