Madison "Peg Leg" Blagden on the Eastern Continental Trail and the Pros and Cons of Trail Fame
Release Date: 12/09/2024
Thru-Hiking for 30 Years, Working for ALDHA-West, Six Moon Designs, & FarOut, and Ridgerunning with a Dog with Whitney "Allgood" La Ruffa (BPR #312)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Whitney La Ruffa, better known in the world of backpacking as “Allgood.” Allgood is the former president of ALDHA-West, the current Chief Revenue Officer at FarOut, and a certified backpacking OG—his first thru-hike dates all the way back to the early ’90s (some of you weren’t even alive then… which is weird). Since that first trek, Allgood has racked up an impressive list of trails, including the JMT, Wonderland Trail, Chinook Trail, Sierra High Route, PCT, CDT, and others. In this episode, we...
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Julia "Rocket" Sheehan on Her Social Media Fall from Grace, Quitting on a Thru-Hike, and Her New Book (BPR #311)
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In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Julia Sheehan, known on trail, as Rocket. Julia is a thru-hiker, former Trek Vlogger, social media sensation, nurse, and now a published author. Julia details how impulsive decision-making lead her to the wonderful world that is thru-hiking, inspired in part by everyone’s favorite Hiking Viking. Rocket also shares how health issues ultimately forced her off-trail, the unsavory response she’s gotten from some in the social media sphere in light of “quitting” and subsequently...
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A Lifetime of Trail Maintenance: the Blackburn Trail Center, Building the AT Rollercoaster, and the Potomac AT Club with Chris “Trailboss” Brunton (BPR #310)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Chris Brunton aka “Trailboss”. Trailboss is a legendary force in the construction and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail, most notably, the infamous Rollercoaster section of the trail through Virginia. Trailboss enlightens us with some history of the trail, the process for procuring the trail’s corridor through that section, how he met his wife (CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy) Sandi Marra, why he dedicates his life to the AT, and much more. We wrap the show with a...
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Thru-Hiking with Your Sister, Triple Crowning without a Trail Name, and Tour du Mont Blanc with Jamie Lambert (BPR #309)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Jamie Lambert. We learn why Jamie doesn’t have a trail name, and why it’s definitely not Strap On, what it’s like to thru-hike with your sister- which she did on the PCT in 2018, what it is about thru-hiking that makes it so addictive for her- having taken on long hikes every year over the last 8 seasons, what it’s like to become social media famous, and much more. We wrap the show with an overview from day one of Trail Days, some new legislation that could result in...
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Lightning Safety and Myth Busting with NOAA Meteorologist Charlie Woodrum (BPR #308)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are giving you the lowdown on everything to do with lightning safety. We are joined by Charlie Woodrum who is the Preparedness and Resilience Lead with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service. We learn all about the biggest myths regarding lightning safety (including how metal trekking poles aren’t an added risk while backpacking), clear guidance on minimizing risk when caught in a thunderstorm, telltale signs of when the weather is going to turn, at what distance...
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Making Custom Packs, Setting FKTs, Escaping Death, and Starting an Outfitter with Jonathan "Janis Joplin" Thomas (BPR #307)
Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Jonathan Thomas, known on trail as Janis Joplin. Janis Joplin is a thru-hiker, FKT record holder, D1 collegiate track and field athlete, former news cameraman, Boston Marathon bombing survivor, CDT trail angel, and owner of Exotic Pax, an innovative, vest-style backpack for thru-hikers handmade in Chama, New Mexico. This episode covers a lot of ground, including the many times he’s narrowly escaped death, what is was like growing up in New Orleans, being a D1 collegiate athlete,...
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Working as a Death Doula and Managing Death Anxiety with Niki DiGaetano (BPR #306)
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Live from Austin: Paul Magnanti, aka "PMags," on Hot Gear Takes, Public Lands, & Hiking the Southwest (BPR #305)
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Beginner Backpacking Mistakes 3.0 (BPR #304)
Backpacker Radio
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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...
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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