Libsyn Directory

Stuart Howe on Backpacking with His Twin Daughters across Canadian National Parks

Release Date: 07/29/2024

The Rise and Fall of GoLite and Balancing Federal Budgets with Demetri "Coup" Coupounas

Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Demetri Coupounas, aka Coup, the founder of GoLite and MyTrail Company. Coup might just be the most interesting man in the world. This conversation takes us through his incredible journey, from his work balancing the federal budget in the '80s and '90s to becoming the first person to complete unsupported hikes of the Colorado Trail and the Long Trail, and how he stumbled upon the once underground world of ultralight backpacking. We also dive into the history of GoLite, from its role...

Making Gear for People with Boobs with Symbiosis Gear Founder Sarah Berkeley

Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Sarah “Mellow” Berkeley, founder of Symbiosis Gear, a pack-making company designed specifically for people with boobs. Sarah shares insights into her unique upbringing in a small log cabin in rural Colorado, her adventures on the Long Trail, PCT, Colorado Trail, and half of the CDT, and her journey to creating a backpack tailored for primarily women. We dive into the inspiration behind her patented S-shaped shoulder strap, the challenges of starting a business with no prior...

Thru-Hiking with 50-Year-Old Gear with Jared "Snackbox" Champion

Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jared “Snackbox” Champion. Snackbox is s a hiker, father, and Youtuber who, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Colorado Trail, hiked it almost exclusively with 50 year old gear. We talk about the process of sourcing this gear, the hardest items to acquire, the least backpacker-friendly items of the bunch, which gear hasn’t advanced as much, and how his appreciation for gear has changed in light of this experience. Jared also shares the story of bonding with his...

Triple Crowning as a Family of 6, Parenting Teenagers on Trail, and Life Lessons with Vince & Georgie Strawbridge

Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Vince and Georgie Strawbridge, one-third of the six-person thru-hiking family. We last caught up with the Strawbridges in early 2020, when they were freshly off their hike of the PCT. Since, they’ve conquered both the CDT and the AT, completing the Triple Crown as a full family. We dive into the high and lowlights of these treks from the perspectives of Vince (dad) and Georgie (the youngest in the family). They share insights on navigating the CDT during COVID,...

Backpacker Radio LIVE with Kyle Hates Hiking: A New Trail Mystery, Shaving Jabba's Beard, and Kyle's Reddit Haters

Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined yet again by Kyle O’Grady of Kyle Hates Hiking for our 2nd live podcast, recorded at the Skylark Lounge in Denver. This episode is action-packed. We kick off the episode by shaving Viking’s beard. The beard shaving is the ultimate entertainment, we encourage you to check this one out on YouTube. Kyle then shares an exclusive trail mystery about a local Colorado man who disappeared while pursuing another man who also vanished under mysterious circumstances. We also talk shop about...

Thru-Hiking, Running an AT Hostel, and Living in a 300 Sq Ft Alaskan Cabin with Patrice & Justin La Vigne

Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Patrice and Justin La Vigne. Over the past decade-plus, Patrice and Justin have traded their corporate grind for, in their words, “a life less ordinary.” From their first thru-hike of the AT in 2011 (drink), to managing a hostel, embarking on multiple van tours to spread the thru-hiking gospel, thru-hiking the TA in New Zealand, and now living in a 300-square-foot cabin on the outskirts of Denali National Park in Alaska—they’ve done it all. We dive into how they restructured their lives around...

Hiking the Calendar Year Triple Crown, Crashing a Motorcycle, and Cycling the Southern Tier Bicycle Route with Carson "Anita" Oliver

Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we are joined by Carson Oliver, known on trail as Anita. Carson is an accomplished thru-hiker, cyclist, and adventurer. Following up his 2019 PCT thru-hike, Carson completed the Calendar Year Triple Crown in 2023. We of course learn all about this remarkable trek, his circuitous route to make it happen, highlights and lowlights from each trail, and much more. Carson also shares some personal stories, including the tragic loss of his father, who was murdered, and how this has shaped his perspective on life. We wrap the show with...

Birds 101 with Alison Kondler: Bird Calls, Birding Tips, Bird Feeders, Myths, and More

Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Alison Kondler, an Audubon Master Birder—or as we like to call it, a certified bird guru. Alison wows us with her eerily accurate bird calls and shares her immense birding knowledge. We chat about the rarest birds you can spot in Colorado, the best apps for bird identification, why the American Ornithological Society (AOS) is renaming North American birds that are named after people, how to squirrel-proof your bird feeder, tips for turning your yard into a borderline bird sanctuary, and she finally settles the...

Madison "Peg Leg" Blagden on the Eastern Continental Trail and the Pros and Cons of Trail Fame

Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Madison Blagden, known on trail as Peg Leg. Peg Leg is a thru-hiking powerhouse and a Trek blogging all-star. Over the past 1.5 years, Madison has logged 8,600 miles while cranking out nearly 300 blogs, documenting almost every single day of her journeys on the Eastern Continental Trail and the CDT. Peg Leg dives deep into her epic ECT adventure, including how she became just the second woman to complete the entire trail. We get into the nitty-gritty of the International AT, dealing with creepy fellas in Florida,...

Andrew Skurka 5.0: Smartphone Satellite Messaging, Assessing Skill Level for Guided Trips, and Being Childfree

Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined once again by our pal and backpacking legend, Andrew Skurka. We cover a host of new subjects including the future of dedicated satellite communicators with smartphones introducing satellite texting capabilities, what he foresees for the fate of rain gear in light of the move away from PFAS, how the first season of guiding trips went in Yellowstone, his favorite backpacking destinations in each of the lower 48s four time zones, and he gives Chaunce a live, in-person questionnaire to match her with the appropriate...

More Episodes

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Stuart Howe. Stu is an avid backpacker of remote and rugged Canadian treks, the proprietor of a Youtube Channel dedicated to documenting the backpacking trips he’s done with his identical twin daughters, and the nicest guy you’ve ever met!

We learn all about how his entry into backpacking was spearheaded by his girls, the best trails he’s done across Canada and the US, how he likely encountered an aggressively grizzly bear that later tragically killed a couple and their dog, and his organization, which aims to expand safe access into the Canadian backcountry.

We wrap the show with news of a missing thru-hiker on the PCT, the best outdoor temperature, the triple crown of worst TV characters, and how Chaunce's random act of kindness is giving her internet street cred.

Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.

Sambob: Use code “BACKPACKER15” for 15% off at sambob.biz.

[divider]

Interview with Stuart Howe

Time stamps & Questions

00:02:20 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content! Keep an eye out for the Trek’s fall editorial internship and use code “gingerstuff” for 15% off the Trek’s new merch!

00:04:30 - Introducing Stuart

00:05:00 - What is the Royal Canadian Geographical Society College of Fellows?

00:07:25 - Tell us about your wedding planning business

00:12:28 - In what ways is planning a good wedding like planning a good backpacking trip?

00:13:11 - At what age did you start backpacking with your daughters?

00:16:42 - What’s your background in the outdoors?

00:17:42 - How did you figure out the girls’ gear on initial trips?

00:20:13 - Were there less glamorous portions of backpacking with teenagers?

00:22:34 - Do your daughters get along better compared to their peers?

00:23:34 - What family dynamics set them up for success before you started backpacking?

00:25:20 - Were you reluctant or excited to start a Youtube channel?

00:26:35 - How involved were the girls in the Youtube video production?

00:27:40 - How much work was it to keep them interested in backpacking?

00:29:09 - Did you intervene in disagreements?

00:30:05 - What was it like to teach two young girls to poop in the woods?

00:31:20 - What ‘oh shit’ moments did you encounter?

00:32:50 - Do you prepare more for trips with your kids than solo trips?

00:34:05 - Have you had any scary animal encounters?

00:39:00 - Discussion about bear spray

00:47:37 - The rest of Stu’s bear story

00:51:00 - Discussion about dogs and bears

00:55:40 - How do you handle food at camp when hiking through grizzly country?

00:57:20 - Are you more afraid to return to the area where you encountered the grizzly?

00:58:10 - The conclusion to the grizzly bear story

01:01:00 - Tell us about the Fundy Circuit

01:02:30 - How different are the Fundy Circuit and the Fundy Footpath?

01:03:30 - What is the Molar Loop like?

01:04:15 - How difficult is it to get permits for backpacking in Banff and Jasper?

01:06:40 - Is the backcountry less crowded than the frontcountry?

01:11:30 - How do you compare solo backpacking to trips with your kids?

01:13:45 - Did your wife miss going on the backpacking trips?

01:16:45 - Tell us about the South Boundary Trail in Jasper

01:18:40 - What trail would you recommend for someone with their kids in Banff or Jasper?

01:20:13 - How did you teach them about dangerous things without creating fear?

01:23:00 - What are the biggest differences in backpacking in the US versus Canada?

01:24:15 - What are the biggest resupply differences?

01:25:34 - Did you have your daughters navigate while hiking?

01:26:20 - Tell us about the Rocky Mountain Loadout

01:27:30 - What’s the Ancient Wall area like?

01:28:18 - Tell us about the West Coast trail

01:31:42 - Did you see any mountain lions?

01:32:41 - Why not the Sunshine Coast Trail?

01:34:00 - Tell us about the Canadian Backcountry Trails Preservation Society?

01:38:40 - How can people get involved if they’re interested?

01:39:58 - Kumo Question: What is the one celebrity you’d be most starstruck to meet?

Segments

Trek Propaganda: PCT Hiker Missing for Over 2 Months, Authorities Begin Search by Ariella Nardizzi

QOTD: What is the best outdoor temperature?

Triple Crown of the worst TV characters

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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