Backpacker Radio

Segments
Fun Nutritional Facts
Trek Propaganda: 
Missing CDT Thru-Hiker Found Dead in Tetons by Kelly Floro

Ch. 64 – Vermilion Valley & Vitamin I by Starlight

QOTD:  If you could only eat one continent's cuisine for the rest of time, what would it be?
Batty Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of summer drinks 
One-Minute Gear Review
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 our longtime pal Elise Ott, aka Sauce, who recently completed the 94-mile Yosemite High Route. She breaks down the realities of off-trail High Sierra travel, from navigating 7,000-foot vertical climb days to the difficulty (or lack thereof) of route-finding without a GPX line. 
In this one, Elise gives us a full breakdown on Skurka's new(ish) route through Yosemite- including everything you need to know regarding navigation, camping, water, difficulty, highlight views, and more. Elise also shares some fun anecdotes from her hike, including waking up with some mysterious edema that blew her face and feet up like balloons, her emotional breakdown on day four after a massive granite boulder crumbled under her weight, the nightmare of scrambling up the steep, loose gravel of "Lemonade Pass" after breaking both of her trekking poles, and the agony of cold-soaking a beef stroganoff Knorr Pasta side in the dark after running out of stove fuel. 
We wrap the show with the sad news of the passing of a CDT in the Tetons, a shout-out to Trek blogger Starlight, which continent's cuisine we would choose eat forever, a story where I recently maybe got rabies, a Triple Crown of summer drinks, a one-minute gear review on Jess testing a backcountry bidet on the JMT, and a listener shares a story about meeting two hikers tripping on acid on the Tahoe Rim Trail.
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 Elise Ott aka SOS
Elise's Instagram
Elise's Website
Elise's Youtube
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:20 - Reminders: Apply to work for the Trek, check out The Trek: On Trail on Youtube, and listen to our episodes ad-free (and bonus content!) on Patreon!
00:08:39 - Introducing Elise
00:09:00 - Tell us about your puppy
00:15:42 - What was the inspiration to do the Yosemite High Route?
00:18:45 - What permit did you need for Yosemite backcountry?
00:21:22 - Give us the fast facts overview on the route
00:26:27 - How do you plan your days on a high route?
00:30:00 - What does using a Skurka guide entail?
00:35:27 - Were you feeling good or nervous going into it?
00:36:55 - Is the route a figure eight shape?
00:39:35 - What was so rough about the first few days and when did things turn around?
00:47:47 - What was the timeline of your hike?
00:50:07 - What were the conditions like on the trail?
00:52:44 - What did that conversation with your hiking partner look like?
00:56:26 - Tell us about the mysterious swelling and edema
00:59:40 - Discussion about navigation, map layers, and campsite planning
01:02:04 - Do you attribute your foot issues to the footwear itself?
01:03:30 - Is this all type two fun? Tell us about Lemonade Pass
01:05:53 - Rank the three Skurka routes by difficulty and walk us through the terrain
01:11:03 - What was the most beautiful part of the route?
01:14:53 - Any alpine dips on the route?
01:16:42 - Walk me through the water carry situation
01:18:47 - Did you do anything specific gear-wise for this route?
01:21:39 - Did you experiment with iPhone satellite texting?
01:24:54 - What about wildlife on the route?
01:31:30 - Tell us about breaking both your trekking poles
01:34:11 - Tell us about running out of fuel and cold soaking beef stroganoff
01:37:38 - Discussion about potentially submitting an FKT
01:39:43 - Discussion about reflecting on the overall experience
01:42:20 - Where can folks keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: 
Missing CDT Thru-Hiker Found Dead in Tetons by Kelly Floro
Ch. 64 – Vermilion Valley & Vitamin I by Starlight
QOTD:  If you could only eat one continent's cuisine for the rest of time, what would it be?
Batty Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of summer drinks 
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
Minus33 Sun Hoodie Review
Trek Propaganda: How To Deal With Wildfire Smoke on a Thru-Hike by Katie Jackson
QOTD:  What one song would you play on repeat for your enemy as a form of psychological warfare?
Lowdown Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of cliche Instagram captions
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 Topo Athletic, we are joined by Taylor Santa, aka Hamilton, a thru-hiker who completed the Appalachian Trail in 2017 before returning to complete both the Florida Trail and Continental Divide Trail in 2024. 
In this one, we dive into Hamilton taking shots of pop and energy drinks every two hours on the night shift before quitting her job to hike the AT, surviving 30 miles of chest-deep swamp walking on the Florida Trail, getting bitten in the face by a fake service dog at a Chama bar, her sudden, blister-inducing allergy to Leukotape, a near-miss lightning strike that instantly killed a cluster of cows right in front of her group in Idaho, a wild night in Dubois that involved $3 VFW craft beers and charm-talking a cowboy out of his hat, and the secret to reading over 100 books in a single year. 
We wrap the show with a guide to dealing with wildfire smoke on trail, picking the ultimate torture song to play on repeat for your mortal enemy, a Triple Crown of cliche Instagram captions, how I used my kids to escape a ticket, and a mailbag praising the forgotten greatness of Nerds Ropes.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15HIKE" at topoathletic.com.
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% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com
[divider]
Interview with Taylor "Hamilton" Santa
Taylor's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:15 - Reminders:  Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, apply to work for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:08:20 - Introducing Hamilton
00:10:40 - How did you get into the outdoors?
00:12:50 - Discussion about being a soda quality control tester
00:19:12 - What's the worst Pepsi product?
00:20:45 - How much soda have you consumed since leaving this job?
00:22:00 - Tell us about your first time on the AT
00:27:00 - Discussion about Hamilton's foot issues
00:28:25 - Where did you and Katie meet?
00:31:00 - What are some standout stories from the AT?
00:34:55 - How did you end up on the Florida Trail next?
00:40:30 - Discussion about Hamilton's time on the Florida Trail
00:45:10 - Tell us about the starting the CDT
00:48:04 - What went wrong on the CDT in 2021?
00:54:45 - Glue facts
00:59:30 - Tell us about your redemption on the Florida Trail in 2024
01:04:50 - How did the Florida Trail compare to the AT?
01:05:45 - How did it feel to start the CDT with trail legs?
01:07:10 - What are your tips for surviving the boot heel?
01:10:00 - Discussion about water quality in New Mexico
01:13:50 - Was it harder for your body or brain to deal with transitioning to the CDT?
01:16:25 - How much did you dread Colorado knowing how it went previously?
01:23:20 - What was the worst moment in that experience?
01:30:00 - How did you decide to get off trail temporarily on the CDT?
01:34:07 - How did it feel to get back on trail after your break?
01:36:14 - How did you know it was the right decision to take that break?
01:41:00 - Tell us about being drunk with a cowboy hat on
01:49:00 - What's boobs in the Bob?
01:56:40 - Did you ever consider doing another cutoff or break?
01:57:30 - Tell us about the lightning in Idaho
02:00:00 - How would you rank the CDT states best to worst?
02:01:28 - How did you feel at the end of the CDT?
02:02:50 - How do you read 100 books in a year?
02:06:30 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: How To Deal With Wildfire Smoke on a Thru-Hike by Katie Jackson
QOTD:  What one song would you play on repeat for your enemy as a form of psychological warfare?
Lowdown Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of cliche Instagram captions
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
Trail News: Shrinking National Monuments
Trek Propaganda: 
How to Get From Denver to Waterton Canyon in Under $30 and 4 Hours by Jackson Mauser

8 Trail Foods I Never Got Tired of, Even After 22,000 Miles by Peg Leg

QOTD: If you knew you were safe, would you rather spend 1 day in ancient Egypt, or 1 day with aliens?
Triple Crown of Disney/Pixar movies
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.