Madison "Peg Leg" Blagden on the Eastern Continental Trail and the Pros and Cons of Trail Fame
Release Date: 12/09/2024
Graduating Army Ranger School and Thru-Hiking After 30+ Years in the Military with Jay "Meat Grinder" France (BPR #303)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Atheltic, we are joined by Jay “Meat Grinder” France. Meat Grinder is a thru-hiker, author, and 31-year veteran of the Air Force, having completed 10 deployments and graduated from Army Ranger School in the process. Jay details his military background, including some key similarities and differences relative to thru-hiking, how he used vlogging as a way to stay in touch with his sons on trail, and the hilarious blood nipple origin story of his trail name. Meat Grinder also recently served as a volunteer...
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Hiking with a Tote Bag, Ultramarathons in a Roundabout, and Creative Trail Shenanigans with Tate "Pyro" Dobson (BPR #302)
Backpacker Radio
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...
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The Camino de Costa Rica with Maytal "Carrot Top" Agasi (BPR #301)
Backpacker Radio
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...
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Mike Clelland 2.0: Owls, UFOs, Alien Encounters, Hypnosis, and More (BPR #300)
Backpacker Radio
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by author, backpacker, and our resident alien expert, Mike Clelland. We made an honest attempt to discuss ultralight backpacking during this one, and although we do touch on the subject some, the bulk of this conversation is dedicated to owls, aliens, and all things paranormal activity. Mike has become the preeminent expert of the interplay between owls and UFO citings, which may not sound like a thing, however Mike has accrued a lifetime of stories from folks who have experiences that say that...
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A 3,600 Mile Triathlon, International Kidnapping, and A Truck-Pulling Marathon with Justin True (BPR #299)
Backpacker Radio
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Justin True. Justin's story is truly remarkable. From growing up in a home with intense physical and emotional abuse, to becoming a professional MMA fighter, to pulling a 1.5 vehicle for a full-marathon, to completing a 24hr Hero Crossfit WODathon, to being kidnapped in Egypt and deported for being accused of spying for the government, getting attacked by a shark, and most recently completing the "True Triathlon" a country wide endurance feat, including a 50-mile swim, 3,000-mile bike ride, and a 600-mile run. Given...
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Budget Backpacking Gear: Saving Money on Tents, Backpacks, Clothing for Thru-Hiking (BPR #298)
Backpacker Radio
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we’re joined by former guest, Trek writer, and certified gear nerd Alex “GPS” Brown. The focus of this one is how to save money on your backpacking kit. We break this one down category by category, sharing the best ways to cut costs, pinpointing which items aren’t worth pinching pennies on, offering specific product shoutouts, and discussing overall strategies to ensure more of your hiking budget goes toward your hike. Whether you're on a shoestring budget or just looking to save a few...
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Triple Crowning in Three Years, Ultralight Tips, and Cold Soaking with Austen McDaniel (BPR #297)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Austen McDaniel, known on trail as PI. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve been reading it off at the end of every episode for years, as Austen is one of our Chuck Norris Award-winning Patreon supporters. But in addition to being a longtime patron, Austen is also one hell of a backpacker, having completed the Triple Crown in three consecutive years. He approached his first thru-hike as prepared as anyone we’ve ever talked to, hitting the Appalachian Trail with a...
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10+ International Hikes and a Continuous Yo-Yo of the AT and Long Trail with Curtis Himstedt (BPR #296)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Curtis Himstedt, known on trail as Easily Forgotten. Easily Forgotten’s backpacking resume is bananas. A partial list of his adventures includes the Annapurna Circuit, Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in Wales, the GR10, Tour du Mont Blanc, Yorkshire Dales High Way, South Downs Way, and Cotswold Way in England, the Triple Crown in the U.S., the Tahoe Rim Trail, and a continuous yo-yo of the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail between 2023-2024. Curtis takes us through these treks,...
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8 Tips for 2025 Appalachian Trail Hikers (BPR #295)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek and brought to you by LMNT, Chaunce and Badger are serving up tips for this year’s class of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. We’re covering everything from social dynamics and budgeting to mental prep, diet, why you should document your hike, some listener submission tips, and much more. We also give a rundown of advice from previous episodes in case you want to dig even deeper into getting ready for the Appalachian Trail. Whether you’re hitting the AT this year, planning for a future trek, or know someone who is, this episode...
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Dog Mushing, 20+ Years in the Navy, and the Triple Crown with Ben "Ginger Ballz" Vaughan (BPR #294)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we’re joined by Ben Vaugh, known on trail as Ginger Ballz. Ben is a Navy veteran, accomplished thru-hiker, and currently works as a dog musher, a topic Chaunce and Badger had way too much fun diving into. Ginger Ballz takes us through his transition from the military to thru-hiking, why he recommends it to fellow service members, and the parallels between the two. He shares stories from his hikes of the Triple Crown trails, the Hayduke, Superior Hiking Trail, and Long Trail. We also get a...
info_outlineIn 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, and the time she drank booze through her hiking sock.
Madison also gives us the lowdown on her CDT hike this year, sharing a terrifying story of a near-death flash flood experience, what it’s like to be recognized on trail so often, and her big hiking plans for 2025.
We wrap the show with a fuck marry kills of oceans rivers and lakes, the triple crown of genie wishes, and we're blessed with a wonderful listener poop story.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.
Holiday Book Bundle: Get Badger & Chaunce’s signed book package here.
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Interview with Madison “Peg Leg” Blagden
Time stamps & Questions
00:04:00 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content and apply to be a 2025 blogger!
00:09:00 - Introducing Peg Leg
00:09:50 - How many blog posts have you written for the Trek?
00:10:51 - What’s your process for blogging?
00:15:15 - What’s your preference between writing and videos?
00:16:00 - How did you end up on the PCT in 2017?
00:18:50 - What were some of your first time backpacking mistakes?
00:21:05 - Was it hard to get off in the middle of the trail?
00:23:20 - Discussion about going through the Sierra in 2017
00:25:30 - Tell us about doing the PCT in 2022
00:28:40 - How long did your IT band issue persist?
00:30:20 - How did your gear evolve from 2017 to 2022?
00:33:12 - Tell us about your initial hiking vision for 2023
00:36:00 - What were your first impressions of hiking in the east?
00:37:30 - Was it hard to incorporate blogging into your day during the hike?
00:41:00 - What stands out to you from your AT hike?
00:44:00 - Tell us about getting norovirus
00:46:02 - Discussion about trail magic
00:47:50 - What does it mean to be on time for the hunting season?
00:49:27 - How did you decide to do the international portion?
00:50:55 - How did you go from Katahdin to the Canadian border?
00:52:28 - Was it hard to go from hiking with people to hiking alone?
00:54:00 - Is there a FarOut map for the IAT?
00:56:00 - What were the towns like?
00:57:50 - You saw a hiker with a cat?
00:59:15 - You saw a Canadian lynx?
01:01:00 - Tell us about seeing a caribou
01:05:00 - Discussion about using ropes
01:06:35 - Reindeer facts
01:08:13 - Did you hike the IAT with a partner?
01:09:40 - What was your week off like in Canada?
01:11:16 - What’s your go to town meal?
01:12:45 - Tell us about the island hopping portion of the IAT
01:14:30 - How did the vibe of your hike change once you joined with more people?
01:17:00 - When did you decide to go back to do the Florida portion?
01:18:45 - Discussion about Peg Leg’s injury
01:19:50 - How long was the Canadian portion of the IAT and how long did it take you?
01:21:35 - When did you start the Pinhoti and when did you get to Key West?
01:24:30 - Discussion about road walking through Alabama
01:25:30 - Did you adjust to the road walking okay?
01:27:20 - Tell us about reaching the Florida Trail
01:29:00 - Tell us about being followed on the trail
01:40:50 - Is being trail famous a net positive or a net negative?
01:41:26 - What would you want to relay to any fans of yours?
01:46:20 - Do you have any advice for people who want to do their hike publicly?
01:48:24 - Tell us about falling in deep water on the Florida Trail
01:52:00 - How do you know if something is in the water or not?
01:55:45 - What should you do if you get attacked by an alligator?
01:58:50 - Did you see any scary animals?
02:00:28 - What was it like to finish in Key West?
02:01:48 - Tell us about doing a sock-ey at the end of your hike
02:04:02 - How did you feel at the end, and had you already planned to hike the CDT?
02:07:57 - Did anybody recognize you while you were off trail?
02:08:19 - How did you decide to go southbound on the CDT and find your group?
02:09:45 - Tell us about the beginning of the CDT
02:11:25 - What are your standout stories from the CDT?
02:12:30 - Tell us about your dicey moment in the Winds?
02:16:04 - How did your group fluctuate over the trail?
02:18:19 - Tell us about your flash flood moment on the CDT
02:25:55 - Was that the scariest moment of your thru-hiking career?
02:26:50 - Was the end of the CDT anticlimatic?
02:27:34 - What’s next for you?
02:30:12 - Are you excited about your future plans or nervous?
02:31:27 - Kumo Question: What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: You’ll Kick Yourself if You Make Any of These Common Thru-Hiker Mistakes by Kelly Floro
QOTD: Fuck Marry Kill: Oceans, rivers, lakes
Triple Crown of genie wishes
Listener Voicemail (and leave us your own!)
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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