Thru-Hiking the AT on a $2,000 Budget with Livvy "Stumbles" Weld (BPR #377)

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Livvy "Stumbles" Weld, a Triple Crown thru-hiker, Trek Writer, and budding ultrarunner. 

In this one, Livvy breaks down how a tub of frosting earned her the trail name "Sugar Mitts," how her own thru-hikes accidentally talked her dad into becoming a thru-hiker himself, and how a kitten she found under a car turned into her cat back home.

Livvy goes deep on how she was able to thru-hike the AT on less than $2,000 (nearly 75% less than the average AT thru-hike), her take as a former AMC hut crew member on the tension between thru-hikers and hut staff over limited work-for-stay spots, and the safety tricks she uses as a solo female hiker.

We wrap the show with a comparison between the perception and reality of ultralight backpacking taking over thru-hiking, what hobbies we are bad at, despite our best efforts, and the triple crown of back in my days.

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57 Hours: Use code “TREK100” for $100 off your booking at 57hours.com.

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Interview with Livvy “Stumbles” Weld

• Livvy's Instagram
• Livvy's Trek Author page

Time stamps & Questions

00:06:04 - Reminders: Submit your hike finish photos, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, and listen to our bonus content and episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:08:30 - Introducing Stumbles

00:14:12 - Tell us your trail name saga

00:22:30 - Did using your regular name change how you felt about trail names in general?

00:25:00 - Discussion about the tension between AMC hut crew and thru-hikers

00:28:20 - What's the solution for thru-hikers in the Whites?

00:32:36 - Can people bribe their way into the huts?

00:35:28 - Discussion about getting into thru-hiking

00:37:38 - Did you do a gear shakedown at Mountain Crossings?

00:41:00 - Do you carry any luxury items?

00:43:00 - Walk us through your current big five gear list

00:45:40 - Discussion about sleeping pads

00:48:10 - Discussion about not using a pillow

00:49:46 - Discussion about shelter choice

00:51:31 - What's your response to ultralight skeptics?

00:52:40 - What quilt do you carry?

00:53:40 - Discussion about trail running shoes

00:55:25 - How long did each AT thru-hike take?

01:00:00 - Discussion about music and thru-hiking memories

01:03:30 - What headlamp did you use for night hiking?

01:04:25 - Were there big differences between your two AT hikes?

01:07:40 - Was it lonely hiking solo?

01:11:45 - How has solo hiking carried over into your post-trail life?

01:13:15 - Tell us about backyard ultras

01:17:29 - How was your 100-miler race?

01:22:06 - Tell us about your FKT attempt on the New England Trail

01:25:01 - Discussion about river crossings on the FKT route

01:26:01 - Discussion about thru-hiking the AT on $2,000

01:30:49 - Discussion about hiker boxes and scrounging for food

01:34:34 - Discussion about the worst hiker box food find

01:37:28 - Tell us the story of how you met your cat

01:41:25 - Tell us about your dad as a thru-hiker

01:44:14 - Do you have aspirations to do a hike with your dad?

01:45:21 - Stay Salty Question: What’s your hottest take in the world of backpacking?

01:51:05 - Discussion about permethrin safety

01:54:30 - What strange things has thru-hiking done to your body?

01:57:40 - What snow was worse, PCT or CDT?

02:06:10 - Fuck, marry, kill: AT, PCT, CDT

02:10:40 - Would you rather double Triple Crown or hike the AT again?

02:11:08 - What’s next for you?

Segments

Trek Propaganda: Ultralight Is Taking Over Thru-Hiking … Or Is It? by Kelly

QOTD:  What’s one hobby you wish you were good at and have actively tried but you continue to be bad?

Question Thing of the Week

Triple Crown of ‘Back in my day’s’ - things that existed in your youth that no longer do

5 Star Review

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