Thru-Hiking, Running an AT Hostel, and Living in a 300 Sq Ft Alaskan Cabin with Patrice & Justin La Vigne
Release Date: 12/30/2024
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
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...
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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...
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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
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...
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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
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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 adventure, what it’s really like living in a tiny cabin in remote Alaska, why moose are jerks, the challenges of thru-hiking with Crohn’s, and much more.
We wrap the show with the story of a man accused of staging a bear attack to cover up a murder, what the funniest sounding fart is (and introducing Chaunce to the world of covering your farts), and the triple crown of New Year's Resolutions.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.
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PATH Projects: Use code “THETREK10” for 10% off at pathprojects.com/thetrek.
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Interview with Patrice & Justin La Vigne
Time stamps & Questions
00:03:30 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content AND ad-free episodes and apply to be a 2025 blogger OR vlogger! And grab a ticket to our live show in Austin on April 17!
00:10:00 - Introducing Patrice and Justin La Vigne
00:11:00 - What was the inspiration to hike the AT in 2011?
00:14:25 - What’s the school experience like at ASU and Disney University?
00:19:53 - Tell us about your shakedown hike on the Long Trail
00:23:30 - Why did you decide to go southbound?
00:28:00 - What was your standout insect story on the AT?
00:31:37 - How did the AT lead to your “life less ordinary”?
00:34:20 - What other Disney skills did you carry over to running a hostel?
00:37:46 - At what point did you decide not to return to your careers?
00:48:17 - Which is more glamorous, the van or the hostel?
00:53:00 - How did you end up on the Te Araroa?
00:57:40 - What stood out about the people and culture of New Zealand?
01:01:10 - How long were you in New Zealand?
01:02:37 - What did you between the TA and your van tour?
01:07:30 - Is it more rewarding to travel around doing education than selling gear?
01:10:25 - Tell us about moving to a dry cabin in Alaska
01:18:04 - How do you handle not having running water?
01:22:10 - How do you manage the outhouse?
01:23:20 - What is the town like?
01:25:29 - What is the winter like?
01:29:10 - How do you prevent getting cabin fever in the winter?
01:31:00 - How do you get internet?
01:34:30 - Discussion about the yurt and Alaska amenities
01:35:40 - Have you climbed Denali?
01:44:00 - Discussion about Justin’s Crohn’s disease
01:46:02 - Tell us more about Crohn’s disease on the AT
01:48:32 - Discussion about carrying everything out on Denali
01:52:02 - Do you foresee returning to the corporate lifestyle?
01:54:02 - What’s the next chapter for you?
01:57:40 - Discussion about grizzly bears and moose
02:04:07 - Do you hear stories of people getting attacked?
02:06:58 - Where can people keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Man Accused of Staging Fake Bear Attack To Cover Up a Murder Has Been Arrested by Kelly Floro
QOTD: What is the funniest-sounding fart?
Wedding Dress of the Week
Triple Crown of New Year’s resolutions
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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