Tara Dower on Her Appalachian Trail FKT, Falling 200+ Times, and Her Crew
Release Date: 11/04/2024
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...
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Making Gear for People with Boobs with Symbiosis Gear Founder Sarah Berkeley
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Thru-Hiking with 50-Year-Old Gear with Jared "Snackbox" Champion
Backpacker Radio
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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,...
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Backpacker Radio LIVE with Kyle Hates Hiking: A New Trail Mystery, Shaving Jabba's Beard, and Kyle's Reddit Haters
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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...
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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...
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Hiking the Calendar Year Triple Crown, Crashing a Motorcycle, and Cycling the Southern Tier Bicycle Route with Carson "Anita" Oliver
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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...
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Birds 101 with Alison Kondler: Bird Calls, Birding Tips, Bird Feeders, Myths, and More
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Madison "Peg Leg" Blagden on the Eastern Continental Trail and the Pros and Cons of Trail Fame
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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...
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Interview with Tara “Candy Mama” Dower
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:55 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, join us in Denver on December 7th and apply to be a 2025 blogger!
00:07:55 - Introducing Tara
00:09:29 - Are you still recovering?
00:10:45 - What mantras did you have?
00:13:00 - What was your origin story in the outdoors?
00:17:12 - When did you decide to pursue the Mountains to Sea Trail FKT?
00:19:00 - Did you impress yourself at that moment?
00:21:30 - Tell us about getting off the AT because of anxiety
00:23:05 - How do you manage anxiety during an FKT attempt?
00:24:25 - Were you tough growing up?
00:26:45 - What inspired you to want to continue pursuing FKTs?
00:29:55 - Tell us about the John Muir Trail
00:31:20 - What part of running do you dislike the most?
00:32:30 - Tell us about the Benton MacKaye Trail FKT
00:34:40 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail FKT
00:36:20 - Discussion about support classifications
00:40:25 - How do you deal with critics?
00:44:30 - How did the Colorado Trail change your outlook on future FKTs?
00:46:00 - When did you decide to go after the AT FKT?
00:48:38 - Did you initially plan to beat the overall record?
00:50:08 - Were you intimidated by others who tried and failed to beat the record?
00:51:30 - Did you notice a transition in social media as you were running?
00:55:18 - Why did your anxiety influence which direction you went?
00:57:20 - How long before you started was the Hard Rock?
01:00:00 - What was it like going through Mahoosuc Notch at FKT pace?
01:01:44 - Tell us about being behind pace at first
01:05:27 - How did your crew chief motivate you?
01:07:03 - Did you ever disagree about decisions?
01:08:00 - How much of a trail was solo or with a pacer?
01:09:50 - What was your adjustment like after the FKT?
01:12:45 - How has your nutrition changed over the years?
01:18:55 - Did you have any near injuries?
01:19:40 - Can you pinpoint a low moment?
01:23:30 - Did you hallucinate?
01:26:45 - Tell us about your average mileage and sleep during the FKT
01:30:40 - Is Rascal’s position a paid position?
01:31:34 - Did you have any paid sponsorship during this run?
01:32:26 - When did you know you had it?
01:35:02 - Did you conceptualize how big of a deal it was going to be?
01:36:35 - Tell us about raising money for Girls on the Run
01:38:20 - Fuck Marry Kill: thru-hiking, FKTs, ultraracing
01:39:31 - Fuck Marry Kill: Outside Magazine, Washington Post, The Trek
01:40:34 - Kumo Question: What’s something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the courage to do yet?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Tara Dower Sets Overall Fastest Known Time on Appalachian Trail by Kelly Floro
QOTD: What is the most unrealistic thing you thought you could be when you were a kid?
Stupid Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of guilty pleasure songs
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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