Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Shawn Mahoney, aka the guy who carries a 20+ pound log named Larry over his shoulders, and with Larry he's hiked the Triple Crowner, Te Araroa, and just about all of the Northeast peaks.
In this one, Shawn explains why the heck he carries a massive log everywhere he goes, describes losing Larry down a steep slope  on the PCT and spending two hours bushwhacking to retrieve him, recounts nearly dying from a septic heart infection and medically induced coma- and the impact that's had on his passion for backpacking, and details how he waking up at 4am, or earlier, to bank miles pre-sunrise.
We also cover how he's raised several thousand dollars for charity, how you can contribute to his latest cause, his refusal to cook or cold-soak, and his party trick of solving a 9x9 rubik's cube while hiking, something he accomplishes mid interview.
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda of Kelly's favorite thru-hiking memories, a heroic dog intimidating a black bear to save a kid's life - maybe, a trail debate on losing your spoon vs. your shelter, the Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate, and I review the uber-popular FarPointe Sun Hoodie but you'll probably have to wait til Thursday for that one so kinda nevermind.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15HIKE" at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. 
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Shawn Mahoney and Larry the Log
Shawn's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:40 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:10:30 - Introducing Shawn and Larry
00:12:30 - Why does Larry exist?
00:15:40 - How many times do you switch positions of the log over a day?
00:18:12 - Do you feel relief or separation anxiety when you put the log down?
00:20:11 - What branch of the military did you serve in, and how did you go from post-military training to hiking the AT with a log?
00:24:06 - Why a log instead of a weighted vest or rucksack?
00:27:07 - How do you get the log ready to be carried? What's the prep and sanding process?
00:29:32 - Have you thought about giving each log a unique name beyond "Larry"?
00:33:43 - What's it like navigating the AT bubble with a wide log — close calls with day hikers?
00:35:52 - What are all the charities you've raised money for, and how much in total?
00:40:45 - Discussion about the speed of hiking the AT
00:42:20 - Tell us about the septic heart infection and the 50/50 survival odds
00:47:30 - What was your mindset recovering from sepsis, and how did exercise become your outlet?
00:48:50 - What is your typical hiking style?
00:52:31 - Was there a moment where you had to reframe your identity from "not athletic" to what you are now?
00:54:14 - What do you do for work, and how do you afford to disappear for months at a time?
01:01:24 - You're headed to the Colorado Trail — what's the plan this time around?
01:03:10 - Have you ever done a thru-hike at a leisurely pace?
01:06:14 - What was Te Araroa like — especially navigating mud and terrain with a giant log?
01:10:15 - Are you ever in a gym, or is all your training done outside with the log?
01:11:01 - Do you have to be mindful about nutrition carrying 27 extra pounds all day?
01:15:34 - What is your base weight, and what's actually in the pack?
01:19:00 - What does Rubik's Cube problem-solving actually correlate to?
01:21:30 - Is there anything else you want to relay to listeners, and where can people find you?
01:22:05 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 
Turkenna Saw a Black Bear by The Norris Trio
Before You Read Another Thru-Hiking Horror Story, Read This by Kelly Floro
QOTD: Would you rather, on day 1 of your thru-hike, lose your shelter and have to always cowboy camp on the AT, or lose your spoon and have to eat all meals with only your hands?
Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate
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 Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, 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, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, 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, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

Segments
Sun Hoodie Review: Outdoor Research AstroMan
Trek Propaganda: 
Hike naked day (Day 61) by Gerjan "Hungry" Hertgers

20 Strange Things Thru-hiking Can Do to Your Body That Nobody Talks About by Livvy Weld

The Triple Crowner Survey: Ranking the Best and Worst Triple Crown Trails by Katie Jackson

QOTD:  Would you rather have access to a life rewind button, or a life pause button?
Triple Crown of shitty beers
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 Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, 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, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, 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, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Tina Currin, aka Cash Money, a Triple Crown thru-hiker, Andrew Skurka guide, park ranger, wilderness EMT, and Guinness World Record holder. 
In this one, Tina explains how she set the world record for most air horns blown simultaneously outside the North Carolina governor's mansion, details how she bought her Colorado house sight-unseen off Zillow during a zero day on the CDT while soaking her feet in a trash can, and she recounts getting separated from her husband in a snowstorm on the CDT, where both of them hit their SOS buttons convinced the other was dead.
We also cover her Denali expedition, where she summited on day 22 with the final morsels of her food supply, after multiple deaths near her camp, why she thinks the PCT is boring, and how she landed her trail name after wielding a fat wad of singles at a trail magic session on the AT.
We wrap the show with the details of the upcoming Backpacker Radio Hiker Meetup in Seattle, a rundown of 20 strange things thru-hiking does to your body, ranking the AT, PCT, and CDT from best to worst- according to triple crowners, a debate over a life rewind button vs. a life pause button, a mailbag about taser-equipped trekking poles, and the triple crown of shitty beers.
LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. 
Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 40% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Tina "Cash Money" Currin
Tina's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:40 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:10:43 - Introducing Tina Currin
00:14:03 - How did the protest grow into an official Guinness World Record attempt?
00:16:25 - Discussion about the Hopscotch music festival and pre-backpacking career
00:22:18 - Tell us about the "Saturday Chores" counter-protest campaign
00:27:00 - Tell us about the "Welcome to Raleigh, Y'all" multilingual yard sign campaign
00:30:08 - Are you from North Carolina originally?
00:32:26 - How did you get into backpacking?
00:35:52 - Discussion about van life
00:44:33 - At what point did van life turn into thru-hiking?
00:54:03 - What was it like doing the AT with your husband joining last minute?
00:56:31 - Discussion about post-trail depression and becoming a chronic thru-hiker
01:04:30 - Discussion about working as a park ranger
01:06:00 - What does Grayson do for work?
01:08:40 - When did you decide that you wanted to do more thru-hikes?
01:10:39 - Walk us through your sub-6-pound pack setup
01:20:30 - Has there ever been a time that you went too ultralight?
01:27:40 - Did the PCT feel boring to you?
01:29:25 - Tell us about the Arizona Trail
01:32:00 - What is your goal with ultralight?
01:36:00 - Tell us about your nutrition strategy
01:39:49 - Tell us about the first winter thru-hike of the New England Trail
01:45:30 - Discussion about transition from winter hikes to the CDT
01:50:00 - Tina's story about the snowstorm on the CDT
02:05:00 - Do you both carry Garmins now?
02:07:55 - Discussion about complacency and risk in experienced hikers
02:10:45 - Tell us about hiking the Ice Age Trail
02:17:15 - Tell us about guiding for Andrew Skurka
02:19:15 - What drew you to attempt Denali?
02:24:04 - What goes through your mind when people die at your camp?
02:29:00 - How do you accept the activities that make you feel alive?
02:32:16 - How did you get the trail name "Cash Money"?
02:34:30 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of thru-hiking?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 
Hike naked day (Day 61) by Gerjan "Hungry" Hertgers
20 Strange Things Thru-hiking Can Do to Your Body That Nobody Talks About by Livvy Weld
The Triple Crowner Survey: Ranking the Best and Worst Triple Crown Trails by Katie Jackson
QOTD:  Would you rather have access to a life rewind button, or a life pause button?
Triple Crown of shitty beers
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 Kindle, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, 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, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, 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, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

Segments
Sun Hoodie Review: Jolly Gear
Trek Propaganda: 2026 AT Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite Gear So Far by Katie Jackson
QOTD:  When was the last time you were in a tornado warning?
Switchback Recap
Triple Crown of sounds that trigger happiness
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 Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, 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 "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, Dakota J, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Andrew Livingston, aka Coach from Marion Outdoors and host of the Chafed Outdoors podcast.
In this one, Coach tells the story of losing 150 pounds his sophomore year of college largely thanks to hiking, details his background in theater, ballet, and tap dancing- and how that's helped him grow a massive following on Instagram and TikTok, the biggest challenges of running an outfitter, he gives us an all-timer poop story that ended with him naked in the woods covered in shit and hanging onto a tree branch, and details the rules for banning problem hikers from his hostel.
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda on gear people love 500 miles into the AT, a Triple Crown of sounds that trigger happiness, how a tornado woke Katie and I from a dead sleep in New Orleans, my Jolly Gear sun hoodie review, and a listener further breaks down the difference between a Sawyer and Brita filter.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15TOPO" at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. 
Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Coach from Marion Outdoors
Coach's Instagram
Coach's Youtube Channel
Marion Outdoors Website
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:00 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and!
00:07:05 - Introducing Andrew Livingston
00:10:00 - How did you get started in the outdoors?
00:15:10 - Tell us your hiking resume
00:18:20 - Tell us about your theater background
00:21:30 - Do you have any advice for someone starting to make content?
00:25:00 - Do people come visit your store because of your videos?
00:28:00 - Did something ever flop that you thought would sell great?
00:34:10 - What gear has stood out most to you from the show?
00:37:10 - Is there any tech apparel you're excited about?
00:41:00 - Tell us your poop story
00:50:38 - How have you tried to maintain your weight?
00:56:25 - Do you get a SOBO bubble through the shop?
00:59:15 - Discussion about hikers coming through the hostel and shop
01:06:34 - What gets someone's name on the list?
01:10:20 - How have AT towns recovered from Hurricane Helene?
01:12:00 - What do you see for the future of Marion Outdoors?
01:14:30 - Tell us about your podcast
01:15:45 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance enhancing hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 2026 AT Thru-Hikers Share Their Favorite Gear So Far by Katie Jackson
QOTD:  When was the last time you were in a tornado warning?
Switchback Recap
Triple Crown of sounds that trigger happiness
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 Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, 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 "The Snail" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, Dakota J, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.