Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Moxie Farr, an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker who grew up in a strict Amish-Mennonite community, funded her hike with a chicken business, and is now living off-grid while pursuing the education she was denied growing up.
In this one, Moxie walks us through how the AT became a lifeline when she felt trapped in her church, she explains how she researched backpacking gear by bribing hikers with homemade sandwiches, and shares the emotional moments of subtle church rebellion on trail. 
We also cover how Hollywood gets Rumspringa completely wrong, what it felt like to be treated as an equal by men for the first time on trail, and why she wants a redemption AT thru-hike where she can finally hike without looking over her shoulder. This story is truly one-of-a-kind- Moxie's life will be turned into a movie before long.
We wrap the show with a couple of PCT trail towns that are up for sale, the outdated trends we refuse to abandon, the Triple Crown of "they're a 10, but…," Sass gives us a one-minute gear review of Mountain Hardwear's ALUULA ultralight pack, and we hear from a listener about the worst YouTube channel on the Internet.
Topo Athletic: Use code "Trek15Hike" for 15% off at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
[divider]
Interview with Moxie Farr
Moxie's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:06:00 - Reminders: Join us LIVE in Denver with Andrew Skurka, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:09:00 - Introducing Moxie
00:11:32 - Discussion about Moxie soda
00:14:25 - Where did you grow up, and how did you first learn about the AT?
00:15:56 - How did you go from thinking thru-hikers were idiots to wanting to hike the AT yourself?
00:22:45 - What rules were you worried about breaking while hiking?
00:23:30 - Discussion about the differences between Amish and Mennonite communities
00:29:17 - How has technology changed the Amish community?
00:36:05 - How are women treated in the Amish and Mennonite communities?
00:38:08 - Tell us about "boy catchers" and the policing of women's appearance
00:44:08 - What was it like to meet so many new people on the trail?
00:48:04 - How did you afford and acquire your gear?
00:51:38 - Walk me through the early days on the thru-hike
00:56:30 - How did your brainwashed state interface with typical thru-hiker culture?
00:59:35 - Were you still spiritual on trail, or was this the start of rebellion?
01:01:40 - When did the seed get planted that you might need to leave the church?
01:05:30 - What was going through your head when you finished the hike and had to go home?
01:08:39 - How did you decide to leave the church for good?
01:10:43 - How did you actually leave the church?
01:13:40 - How long did it take to find stability after leaving?
01:16:00 - What moments stood out after you left?
01:17:41 - How did your relationship with men change after you left the church?
01:24:00 - How did you form friendships after leaving the church?
01:27:36 - Were there fish-out-of-water moments when you entered the outside world?
01:31:28 - Have you considered creating a guide to help others escape the community?
01:35:34 - Tell us about Rumspringa and how Hollywood gets it completely wrong
01:39:25 - What does the Amish community do better than mainstream American culture?
01:43:45 - How did you meet your husband?
01:51:05 - What was the beginning of your relationship like?
01:57:40 - Why do you want a redemption thru-hike on the AT?
02:01:14 - Stay Salty Question: What's your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?
02:03:20 - Tell us about the chicken business that funded your thru-hike
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 
Another Iconic PCT Trail Town Is for Sale: You Can Now Buy Belden, CA for $4.75 Million by Kelly Floro
Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiking Stats! By Sarah J
QOTD: What's one trend everyone has moved on from that you're still hung up on?
Triple Crown of they're a 10, but…
One-Minute Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear's ALUULA ultralight pack
Mail Bag
[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 Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.

LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
Segments
Trek Propaganda: I Swapped My $600 Ultralight Tent for a 5.5 oz Tarp by Katie Jackson
QOTD:  How many syllables is too many for a trail name?
Triple Crown of unconventional pets you want
Sun Hoodie Review: Ascend 3D Cool Aerotrek Knit Hoodie
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 Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by a couple of familiar faces- Katie and Elise- for a panel on backpacking myths that just refuse to die.
In this one, we cover the worst ways to blow your money for a thru-hike, why finding the perfect rain jacket might be a lifelong exercise in disappointment, discuss why carrying a satellite communicator doesn't mean you can outsource your survival to the SOS button, we cover the assumption that thru-hikers are all trust fund babies, make the case that a weeklong backpacking trip can actually be harder than a multi-month thru-hike, and of course we delve into bean soup theory.
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda on swapping a $600 ultralight tent for a 5.5-ounce tarp, a Question of the Day about how many syllables are too many for a trail name, a Triple Crown of unconventional pets we wish we could have, a new Sun Hoodie Review of a dirt cheap option that earns a high score despite fitting like a muumuu, and a Mailbag from our dear Rachel about the absurd amount of work that goes into keeping her feet blister-free.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
[divider]
Panel with Double Dip and Sauce
Katie's Instagram
Elise's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:10 - Reminders: Join us for our LIVE holiday podcast in Denver! Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:09:10 - Introducing today's panel
00:10:34 - Zach's Myth #1: You need ultralight gear to start backpacking
00:18:00 - Katie's Myth #1: If you find the right rain gear it will keep you dry
00:26:20 - Elise's Myth #1: Hitchhiking is super dangerous
00:34:00 - Zach's Myth #2: You need hiking boots
00:44:55 - Katie's Myth #2: Soap kills norovirus
00:52:50 - Elise's Myth #2: Thru-hikers are trust fund babies
01:01:18 - Zach's Myth #3: Multi-month backpacking trips are orders of magnitude harder than weeklong trips
01:11:40 - Katie's Myth #3: Ursacks are bearproof or rodent proof
01:25:09 - Elise's Myth #3: If you have a satellite communicator, you'll be safe
01:34:20 - Stay Salty Question: What is your hottest take in the world of backpacking?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: I Swapped My $600 Ultralight Tent for a 5.5 oz Tarp by Katie Jackson
QOTD:  How many syllables is too many for a trail name?
Triple Crown of unconventional pets you want
Sun Hoodie Review: Ascend 3D Cool Aerotrek Knit Hoodie
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 Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.

Topo Athletic: Use code "Trek15Hike" for 15% off at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
Segments
Trail Goss #6: Is the Triple Crown Overrated?
Trek Propaganda: What 800 Miles of Fart-Flavored CDT Cow Troughs Taught Me About Water Filtration by Katie Jackson
QOTD: Do you like pumpkin spice?
Sun Hoodie Review: Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake
Triple Crown of the weirdest wedding traditions
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 Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Lloyd Vogel, CEO and co-founder of Garage Grown Gear, the online retailer feeding your obsessions with ultralight and cottage gear.
In this one, Lloyd walks us through building the business from his basement when his mom was helping keep sales alive, he opens up about the values misalignment that led Garage Grown Gear to stop carrying Enlightened Equipment, and Lloyd makes the case for assless rain chaps as a piece of gear that deserves more love. 
We also cover how he's made himself nearly unreachable while remaining very much available on LinkedIn- and why he ditched his smartphone for a dumb phone, the surprising little gadget that outsells every individual product on the site by revenue, and he unveils his prediction for the next big innovation in UL gear. 
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda on what 800 miles of fart-flavored CDT cow troughs taught Katie about water filtration, a Question of the Day on whether pumpkin spice deserves the hype, a sun hoodie review of the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake, and a Triple Crown of the weirdest wedding traditions.
Topo Athletic: Use code "Trek15Hike" for 15% off at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com. 
Darn Tough: Use code "BACKPACKER" for free shipping from darntough.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com.
[divider]
Interview with Lloyd Vogel
Garage Grown Gear
Lloyd's Instagram
Lloyd's LinkedIn
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:55 - Reminders: Join us LIVE in Denver with Andrew Skurka, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:09:00 - Introducing Lloyd
00:11:00 - What isn't appealing about a thru-hike?
00:13:35 - Why have you sworn off technology aside from LinkedIn?
00:20:00 - Discussion about connecting with thru-hikers without having thru-hiked
00:22:30 - Have there been negative consequences from your technology system?
00:25:00 - How does a product make it onto GGG?
00:29:25 - What is Garage Grown Gear and how did it get started?
00:33:20 - Did you merge with or acquire GGG?
00:36:05 - How did Garage Grown Gear operate the business model better?
00:37:30 - Which brands had immediate buy-in?
00:40:35 - How did you know to stick with the project versus jumping ship?
00:46:10 - Was there ever a point when your partner ever worried about your entrepreneurship?
00:49:20 - How did you set up the agreement with Enlightened Equipment?
00:53:10 - Do the businesses you work with ever ask you for business advice?
00:58:50 - What have been some of the biggest product successes?
01:02:20 - How do you pick which products to feature?
01:04:10 - Have you ever parted ways with a brand because their morals didn't align with yours?
01:09:14 - What does GGG do to amplify their mission of promoting the outdoors?
01:11:10 - What was it like to realize you could give away profits to causes you support?
01:12:56 - What are some of your most popular products right now?
01:20:25 - At what point did you realize the difference between gear enthusiasts and backpackers?
01:23:38 - What has GGG's role been in the rise of ultralight?
01:27:00 - What item do you think should be selling more?
01:28:30 - Why is it better for a consumer to order from GGG compared to directly from the brand?
01:34:25 - Have you considered private labeling anything?
01:36:00 - Do you do product exclusives on GGG?
01:38:15 - What is the most pervasive misconception about GGG?
01:43:30 - What gear do you see exploding in the next few years?
01:47:10 - When did you switch from the freebie being the lemon packet versus the toothbrush?
01:49:20 - Tell us about being a board member for the Superior Hiking Trail
01:51:30 - Where do you want GGG to be in five years?
01:53:15 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance enhancing or outdoors hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: What 800 Miles of Fart-Flavored CDT Cow Troughs Taught Me About Water Filtration by Katie Jackson
QOTD: Do you like pumpkin spice?
Sun Hoodie Review: Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake
Triple Crown of the weirdest wedding traditions
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 Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Brad & Blair from Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.