The Fastpacker, hosted by Eli Burakian, is a podcast dedicated to all things related to moving efficiently through the natural environment. Whether you backpack, run, or just love hearing from people doing cool things, then this podcast may not be a complete waste of your time. But it might, so you've been warned.
5 - Luke McCrae - The Wizard behind the Corsa Live Tracking App
Luke McCrae is the man behind the Corsa Live Tracking app which more and more people are using to track their backcountry efforts. On the app, you can drop in and browse current efforts, watch FKT attempts against a "ghost" tracker of the record their trying to beat, and create a free tracking link of your upcoming adventure in an elegant and straightforward interface. Luke's an awesome guy and an avid ultra runner in his own right. And he's doing all this while studying full time. Enjo...
30 Sept 2026
4 - Christopher "Walkin" Paquette - Baggin' Peaks but not a Peak Bagger
We've got Chris Paquette, aka "Christopher Walkin" on the pod this week fresh off his win at the 50 mile Kilkenny Ridge Race. From backpacking the Appalachian Trail in 90 days to setting multiple FKTs across New England to climbing high peaks in Mexico and Ecuador, this man who exudes positivity and joy, continues to add to an impressive resume of outdoor adventure. Enjoy this fun conversation and follow him on Instragram @christopher_walkin. The Fastpacker Podcast is hosted by me, Eli Burak...
2 Sept 2026
3 - Cody Taylor's Unsupported Long Trail Yo-Yo FKT
Well, it's been a while. Feel free to skip to around minute 10 for just the interview. I spend the first little bit explaining my absence on the pod and a little update on life and the Ascutney Vertical Backyard Race. The majority of the podcast is an interview with Cody Taylor, who set the Long Trail Unsupported Yo-Yo FKT. That's 550 miles with 135,000 feet of vertical gain all while carrying his food for the entire journey, which lasted just over 17 days and 8 hours. He was blast to interv...
3 Apr 2024
EP 2 - Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy
This episode is a wide-ranging conversation with Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy, who is an accomplished runner and backpacker as well as a coach and a guide. He has held the Fastest Known Times for the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Long Trail, and the Arizona Trail and he was the winner of the Cocodona 250 in 2022. He’s also a friend and currently working on a book about fastpacking. We did have some technical difficulties, and there’s a solid delay, but hopefully the conversation is engaging enough to overcome the slight awkwardness. You can find all the info about Joe at his website, thestringbean.co
3 Apr 2024
2 - Joe "Stringbean" McConaughy
This episode is a wide-ranging conversation with Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy, who is an accomplished runner and backpacker as well as a coach and a guide. He has held the Fastest Known Times for the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Long Trail, and the Arizona Trail and he was the winner of the Cocodona 250 in 2022. He’s also a friend and currently working on a book about fastpacking. We did have some technical difficulties, and there’s a solid delay, but hopefully the conversat...
6 Mar 2024
1 - Will Peterson
On the first episode of The Fastpacker, I interview Will Peterson. Will is well-known in the FKT world and New England hiking and running community. Among other things, we discuss his absolutely mind-blowing Unsupported Fastest Known Time on Vermont's Long Trail this past summer, where he averaged over 60 miles per day on one of the most iconic hiking trail, and FKT challenges out there. The dude is a beast. We go on for a long time, and we get in the weeds a bit, but if you're into thi...
6 Mar 2024
EP 1 - Will Peterson
On the first episode of The Fastpacker, I interview Will Peterson. Will is well-known in the FKT world and New England hiking and running community. Among other things, we discuss his absolutely mind-blowing Unsupported Fastest Known Time on Vermont's Long Trail this past summer, where he averaged over 60 miles per day on one of the most iconic hiking trail, and FKT challenges out there. The dude is a beast. We go on for a long time, and we get in the weeds a bit, but if you're into this stuff as much as I am, the weeds are good.
Will has an incredible podcast himself called From the Backcountry, so be sure to check it out. You can find Will on IG at @_will.peterson.
Enjoy, and I'd love your feedback on this and future episodes.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
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