Backpacker Radio

By: The Trek
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  • Summary

  • From the Appalachian Trail to the Pacific Crest and everything in between. Backpacker Radio is a show all about the wonderful world that is thru-hiking and long distance backpacking. Co-hosts, Zach "Badger" Davis and Juliana "Chaunce" Chauncey muse on the backpacking life and the latest from the trail every other week. Topics include but are not limited to news, trail culture, interviews, gear, advice, and all you can eat buffets.
    The Trek
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Episodes
  • Hiking with a Tote Bag, Ultramarathons in a Roundabout, and Creative Trail Shenanigans with Tate "Pyro" Dobson (BPR #302)

    Hiking with a Tote Bag, Ultramarathons in a Roundabout, and Creative Trail Shenanigans with Tate "Pyro" Dobson (BPR #302)
    Apr 21 2025
    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 ultramarathons around a roundabout, he’s run a beer mile with his mom, and has accomplished another mile consuming four shots of tequila and a tube of toothpaste. In other words, strap in. We wrap the show with some bucket list hikes you can do over a long weekend, the triple crown of stuipd word spellings, a listener poop story, and more. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com. Vaer Watches: Check out Vaer Watches at vaerwatches.com. Bear Mattress: Use code “BACKPACKER” for 40% off at bearmattress.com. Burgeon Outdoors: Use code “BACKPACKER15” for 15% off at burgeonoutdoor.com. [divider] Interview with Tate “Pyro” Dobson Tate's Instagram Tate's Trek page Time stamps & Questions 00:06:34 - Reminders: Check out The Trek and Backpacker Radio on Youtube, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek! 00:9:40 - Introducing Tate 00:11:40 - How do Chaunce and Tate know each other? 00:14:20 - How did you get into the outdoors? 00:15:11 - What trajectory led to dropping out of high school and college and how did you start thru-hiking? 00:18:25 - Tell us about your 2019 PCT hike? 00:20:55 - What’s your perspective on continuous footpaths? 00:22:53 - Where was your head at when you got off the PCT? 00:24:03 - When did you next get on trail? 00:25:37 - Are you a known figure in Durango? 00:28:00 - How did you get on the Colorado Trail? 00:31:22 - Any standout stories from the Colorado Trail? 00:31:51 - Do you have any poop stories? 00:35:40 - How was the Sierra High Route? 00:42:00 - Tell us about the PCT in 2022 00:44:45 - When did things start to get weird? 00:53:15 - Did you hike the whole trail in sandals? 00:54:20 - What other weird things did you do on the PCT? 00:56:10 - Where did you get your marathon idea? 00:59:40 - Did you feel any asymmetric pain afterwards? 01:01:07 - Tell us about your beer mile 01:02:50 - What is the toothpaste and tequila mile? 01:05:45 - Did you see any interesting people during the roundabout run? 01:07:45 - Tell us about your other impractical backpacks 01:11:40 - Tell us about your TA hike 01:18:07 - What’s your favorite mom story? 01:19:27 - How’d you clean off the mud? 01:22:50 - How do you keep losing toothbrushes? 01:24:36 - Tell us about starting the AT last year 01:26:35 - What was the budget challenge you did? 01:28:30 - What tips do you have for hiking on a budget? 01:33:24 - What’d you do while Quadzilla was in the hospital? 01:34:30 - What’s the craziest story from the AT? 01:39:30 - When did you stop carrying the tote bag? 01:42:05 - Any fun stories from the Long Trail? 01:48:20 - Tell us about the Rim to Rim to Rim 01:51:40 - What plans do you have for the CDT? 01:53:20 - Stay Salty Question: What’s your hottest take in the world of backpacking? 01:54:55 - What’s your dream sponsor? Segments Trek Propaganda: 33 Bucket-List Hikes You Can Do in a Long Weekend by Katie Jackson QOTD: Would you rather never get blisters again but have to hike in Crocs, or always have the best gear but get a new blister every day? Triple Crown of stupid word spellings Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Eathan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Alsop, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett ...
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    2 hrs and 20 mins
  • The Camino de Costa Rica with Maytal "Carrot Top" Agasi (BPR #301)

    The Camino de Costa Rica with Maytal "Carrot Top" Agasi (BPR #301)
    Apr 14 2025
    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 muggy weather, rich wildlife (including venomous snakes and sloths), managing language barriers, unique logistical challenges, and more. A quick note: I made a big time dumb guy mistake. About 30 minutes into the interview, I realized our audio recorder wasn’t rolling. The first 36 minutes of the interview have lower audio quality than usual. That portion still offers important context about Maytal’s journey into the outdoors, but if it’s too distracting, the audio quality improves at the 36-minute mark of the interview. Trigger warning: This interview includes discussion of suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, we recommend skipping ahead to the point where the audio improves—again 36 minutes into the interview. We wrap the show with another clue about our super secret special guest for the upcoming live podcast in Austin, what ridiculous outfit we’d hike in forever, the Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes, and a disturbing story of an international hiker who was detained, deported, and banned from the U.S. on her way to hike the Arizona Trail. Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKWINTER15” at topoathletic.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com. Vaer Watches: Check out Vaer Watches at vaerwatches.com. AG1: Get your free $79 gift at drinkag1.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Maytal “Carrottop” Agasi Maytal's InstagramCamino de Costa Rica Time stamps & Questions 00:06:10 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, join us for our live show in Austin, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek! 00:10:00 - Audio note 00:12:10 - Introducing Maytal 00:15:30 - How did you get your trail name? 00:16:05 - What does a garden educator do? 00:17:24 - What is the best plant? 00:19:40 - How did you get into hiking? 00:21:23 - Why don’t you fight with your siblings? 00:24:00 - Discussion about Maytal’s roadtrip 00:25:23 - Are your parents hippie-adjacent? 00:27:08 - What’s your favorite on-trail meal to make? 00:30:50 - Do you taste the meals before dehydrating them? 00:32:44 - How did you decide to hike the JMT? 00:34:10 - What happened to your dad? 00:38:30 - How do you process things as well as enjoy the trail while hiking? 00:40:50 - Was it intimidating to hike mostly solo on your first hike? 00:46:17 - Are there any fats that are safe to dehydrate? 00:46:55 - Did you know right away you wanted to do more hikes? 00:49:45 - Have you butt heads with anyone on trail? 00:52:00 - How did you get your gear dialed in for the JMT? 00:55:00 - Discussion about stool sample tests 00:57:45 - Were you happy to hike the CT with a friend or did you ever want space? 01:00:50 - What did you like about Salida? 01:03:03 - When did you decide to hike the PCT? 01:05:30 - Tell us about almost falling off a mountain 01:10:35 - What was it like to go through the Sierra twice? 01:12:45 - How did you learn about the Camino de Costa Rica? 01:15:57 - Are guides required? 01:16:50 - How long is the trail and what is the mileage like each day? 01:20:30 - Do you pay the host families? 01:23:40 - How did you communicate that you were vegetarian? 01:24:50 - Did you have cell service? 01:26:00 - Do you know how many people have hiked this trail? 01:28:30 - What was the weather like? 01:30:25 - What were the landscape highlights of the trail? 01:38:00 - Discussion about wildlife 01:41:05 - Were there other opportunities to eat in town? 01:42:12 - What are the biggest cultural differences? 01:45:55 - What would you like to relay to the listeners of Backpacker Radio? 01:47:38 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack? Segments Trek Propaganda 20 Trek Bloggers You Should Be Following in 2025 by Jess A German Thru-Hiker Has Been Detained, Deported, and Banned From the US Without a Hearing: Here’s What You Need To Know by Caitlin Hardee QOTD: If you could only hike in one ridiculous outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be? Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes Thing of the Week Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. ...
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    2 hrs and 23 mins
  • Mike Clelland 2.0: Owls, UFOs, Alien Encounters, Hypnosis, and More (BPR #300)

    Mike Clelland 2.0: Owls, UFOs, Alien Encounters, Hypnosis, and More (BPR #300)
    Apr 7 2025
    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 it is. If owls and aliens don't sound like your jam, we encourage you to give this one a shot, as Mike's long standing intense passion for these subjects turns out to be awfully contagious; Chaunce and I are thoroughly entertained. We also discuss the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing, which Mike has done both, but really this is mostly aliens and owls. Warning: This episode includes discussions of rape, death, and child loss in the context of aliens. If any of these topics are triggering, we encourage you to skip this interview. We wrap the show with the news that the Backpacker Radio crew is headed to AT Trail Days, news of a woman who set the overall FKT on the Florida Trail, Knorr Side recipe recommendations, the shortest roast in the history of roasts, what animal we'd train to be our hiking companion, the triple crown of memes, dog's cornchip paws, and more. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com. [divider] Interview with Mike Clelland Mike's InstagramMike's Website The Unseen, by Mike ClellandMike's Podcast Time stamps & Questions 00:09:15 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, join us for our live show in Austin, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek! 00:13:19 - Introducing Mike 00:14:05 - What have you been up to since we last had you on? 00:17:00 - Fuck Marry Kill: Podcasting, Writing Books, and Illustrating 00:21:23 - What are the pros and cons of self-publishing? 00:26:16 - Give us the primer on why you think owls are special 00:31:35 - What are the general trends of people’s owl sightings? 00:37:24 - Have you noticed commonalities between the people? 00:41:04 - Owl + UFO story 00:47:20 - In your opinion, what are aliens? 00:49:18 - What do you personally believe? 00:57:25 - What do you believe in terms of these common alien theories? 01:01:25 - What motivates the aliens? 01:04:06 - Are the aliens visiting intentionally or passing by? 01:06:45 - How does one become owl-ready? 01:09:45 - Why don’t the aliens visit you all the time? 01:13:24 - Do you consider yourself a healer? 01:15:04 - Do you still cut the handles off the toothbrush? 01:16:05 - What got you into ultralight backpacking and inspired you to write the book? 01:23:35 - What types of trips did you go on? 01:24:50 - What are your strongest convictions about ultralight backpacking? 01:30:45 - How do you go ultralight despite having fears about the outdoors? 01:35:46 - How did you get into owls and UFOs? 01:47:00 - Chaunce’s story 01:55:55 - Where do you think that voice came from? 02:02:40 - Return to Mike’s story 02:07:03 - Are you still trying to process what happened and seeking the why? 02:08:20 - What happened on that day? 02:24:30 - Why isn’t there clearer evidence of all this? 02:26:50 - What’s the difference between paranormal activity and hallucination? 02:29:44 - What is your answer to why are you here? 02:31:37 - Do you think we’re living in a simulation and what happens after we die? 02:37:30 - Mike’s hypnosis session 02:52:30 - Do you think you’re an alien scribe? 02:56:00 - What percent of you thinks you’re an alien? 02:59:52 - What are your closing thoughts? 03:02:17 - Stay Salty Question: What’s your hottest take in the world of backpacking? Or, what’s something you’d add to ultralight backpacking? Or, what tip do you violate the most? 03:08:10 - Where can people keep up with you? Segments Trek Propaganda: Fastest Known Human: This Woman Just Beat the Men’s Speed Record on the Florida Trail by Katie Jackson 7 Delicious Knorr Side Dinner Ideas You Need To Try, According to an AT Thru-Hiker by Sheraya Smith QOTD: If you could train any animal to be your hiking companion, what would it be and what special skills would it have? The Shortest Roast of All Time Triple Crown of internet memes Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The...
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    3 hrs and 44 mins
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Profile Image for Joe

this podcast stinks

Zach is chauvinistic and rude, Chaunce is smarter but she has to submit. The guests (mostly) are the best. Five stars because they asked nicely. is it April 1st yet?

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Amazingly Professional

They do a great job of having valuable guests and presenting relevant questions for entertainment and education. Love it!

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The Honorable 1st 5 ⭐ Audible Review

Wow what an honor to be the 1st five star review on Audible. I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for making me into the person I am today, but most of all I want to thank the astonishing Zach "Badger" Davis and the dazzling Juliana "Chaunce" Chauncey for hosting such an inspiring podcast. The duo have palpable charisma and carry on witty banter on everything backpacking related. From stories from the trail, gear reviews, and eclectic humor Backpacker Radio has it all. The guests are top notch with names like Jabba, Legend, Ballflap, Twerk in the dirt, and Pretzel to name a few. If you are a fan of anything hiking, backpacking, or thru hiking related this is the podcast for you. If you are interested in getting started in any of these hobbies this is the podcast for you. If you just want to listen to and mock people that like walking really far and sleeping outside for fun this is the podcast for you. Bottom line give this podcast a shot Badger and Chaunce will not disappoint.

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