Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Caleb "Meatball" Adcock, a professional photographer and thru-hiker who completed the AT last year and is currently midway through the CDT, doing it almost entirely alone. 
Caleb walks us through how he built a career shooting for brands like Hyperlite and Jetboil while thru-hiking, why authentic trail photography looks so different from what brands used to put out, getting Lyme disease on the AT and spending four days at the Yellow Deli, sleeping on a pool floaty for four days, what it's actually like to hike the CDT almost completely solo for months at a time, what he's learning about himself in the solitude, and the time he was charged by an angry momma moose multiple times near Leadville. 
We wrap the show with my review of the popular KETL Mtn No Fry Sun Hoodie review, a complex question of the day involving depriving access to the rest of the world's meal access or cooking appliances, the triple crown of ways you'd behave differently if there were no ramifications, Why You Should Never Take Gear Advice to Heart, and many tears are shed as this is Chaunce's last Backpacker Radio studio visit as a Colorado resident.
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 Caleb "Meatball" Adcock
Caleb's Instagram
Caleb's Website
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:15 - Processing
00:06:45 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, subscribe to the Trek's new Youtube channel, the Trek: On Trail, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:12:50 - Introducing Meatball
00:20:40 - Discussion about balancing impressions on social media
00:21:45 - Did you ever worry about posting shitty pictures?
00:23:43 - What's the least professional thing you've done in one of your videos?
00:27:30 - Discussion about authenticity with brand photography
00:29:14 - Which of your photos or videos have gone the most viral?
00:33:03 - Where in your career arc did you get into photography?
00:36:00 - How did you determine your pricing?
00:39:00 - What brands have you worked with?
00:43:45 - Have you had any entertaining requests you've turned down?
00:46:55 - What did you study in college?
00:51:00 - How do you quantify the value of your work?
00:55:25 - What's the funniest interaction you've had with someone who's recognized you?
00:58:30 - How did you get into backpacking?
01:04:05 - How did you decide to thru-hike the AT last year?
01:11:40 - Give us the pros and cons of section hiking versus thru-hiking
01:19:40 - Tell us about getting Lyme
01:32:45 - Do you have any fun trail hookup stories?
01:35:15 - Are you obsessed with hot dogs?
01:43:10 - Why did you pick the CDT for your second trail?
01:47:20 - How has the solitude been on the CDT?
01:52:10 - How do you keep yourself happy and motivated when hiking alone?
01:55:41 - What's one of the hard days you've had so far?
01:58:20 - Are you considering slowing down to join up with other hikers?
02:02:15 - Did you ever consider quitting?
02:07:00 - Discussion about taking zero days to reset
02:10:00 - Do you feel a greater sense of presence on this hike?
02:11:56 - Tell us about getting charged by a moose
02:23:00 - What else do you want to share about the CDT?
02:25:10 - If you were the director of photography for the BPR studio, what would you do differently?
02:26:20 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Processing
Trek Propaganda
Teen Hiker Dies in Grand Canyon National Park Amid Extreme Heat by Katie Jackson
Why You Should Never Take Gear Advice to Heart by Izzy Wagner
QOTD:  Would you rather A) every time you eat a particular meal, the rest of the world loses access to this meal for 24 hours, People know about this (may receive threats, but you are protected or B) anytime you use an air fryer or microwave, all others on earth become unusable until you finish using it (may receive threats, but you are protected)?
Triple Crown of ways you'd behave differently if there were no ramifications
Sun Hoodie Review
Stupid Thing of the Week
Processing Again
Patent Pending
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.

Segments
Nasty Celebrity Encounters
Tribute to Bill Jensen
Trek Propaganda: After 22,000 Miles of Thru-Hiking, This Is One of the Biggest Mistakes I See Beginners Make by Peg Leg
QOTD: Do people face the shower head when they shower?
Triple Crown of things you can easily live without, but nonetheless should be free for everyone
Smitty's Experience Being Navajo in the US
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 LMNT, we are joined by Jeremy Phoenix aka Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen, aka Javos, a Navajo-born, Amish-country-raised, REI-employed, grave-digging, Princeton-attending thru-hiker who completed the Colorado Trail in 15 days on his first ever backpacking trip and has been making up for lost time ever since. 
In this one, Smitty walks us through completing the 24-hour challenge three separate times on the PCT, a free solo fall from 35 feet- that he just kind of walked off, getting stalked by a mountain lion, surviving shin splints for almost the full PCT, and a harrowing midnight ice traverse below Mount Whitney with no traction. He also shares what it means to be Navajo in America, including having code talker grandparents and introducing himself to the land before every new section of trail. 
We wrap the show with a tribute to longtime Patreon supporter Bill Jensen, who recently passed away on the CDT, the biggest thru-hiking preparation mistake- according to Peg Leg, addressing the question of which direction people predominantly face in the shower, and the triple crown of things you can easily live without but nonetheless should be free for everyone.
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.
[divider]
Interview with Jeremy Barney aka Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen
Jeremy's Instagram
Jeremy's Youtube
Time stamps & Questions
00:06:30 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, subscribe to Trail Correspondents, and  listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:09:18 - Introducing Smitty
00:10:34 - Tell us about the 24 hour challenges you've done on the PCT
00:13:00 - How did you get your trail name?
00:16:25 - Tell us about the commercial you did with Alex Hannold
00:22:30 - Tell us about working at REI
00:29:50 - Tell us about growing up Navajo in Pennsylvania
00:35:30 - How did you get started with backpacking?
00:39:00 - Discussion about Smitty's climbing experience and falls
00:42:50 - What is your bucket list of jobs?
00:50:50 - Discussion about Smitty's job as a gravedigger
00:54:15 - How did you decide to hike the Colorado Trail?
01:03:00 - Tell us about the backpacks you've tried
01:08:35 - Discussion about what Smitty sent home from the PCT
01:15:00 - What other gear compromises did you have to make when switching packs?
01:28:55 - What kind of discounts do you get at REI?
01:34:50 - Tell us about meeting Jabba
01:39:00 - Discussion about footwear and injuries
01:41:30 - What was your scariest day on trail?
01:51:40 - Do you have any advice for aspiring thru-hikers?
01:58:00 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking?
Segments
Tribute to Bill Jensen
Trek Propaganda: After 22,000 Miles of Thru-Hiking, This Is One of the Biggest Mistakes I See Beginners Make by Peg Leg
QOTD: Do people face the shower head when they shower?
Triple Crown of things you can easily live without, but nonetheless should be free for everyone
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.

Segments
Tiger Facts
Trek Propaganda: Timberline Lodge Ends Breakfast Buffet Popular With Generations of PCT Hikers by James Townsend
QOTD: Do poop pees count as full pees?
Sun Hoodie Review: Fjällräven Abisko Wool Hoodie
Triple Crown of words for penis
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 Matthew Hengst, aka Masochist, an IT-professional-turned-full-time-adventurer who over the past eight-plus years has racked up 20,000 miles hiked, nearly 3,000 miles paddled, 2.5 million feet of elevation climbed, and somewhere north of 300 diving sessions across multiple continents. 
Masochist walks us through canoeing 2,400 miles down the Mississippi, the time he fell 25 feet in a remote part of the Sierra and laid there for 15 hours waiting for a helicopter, catching COVID and norovirus back to back at 12,000 feet on the CDT, navigating stealth camping across rural America, terrifying encounters with dogs, and his favorite parts of the Eastern Continental Trail. Matthew also makes a strong case for why the Florida Trail and the Condor Trail are two of the most underrated long trails, and explains why he has no plans to stop adventuring anytime soon.
We wrap the show with the devastating news that Timberline Lodge has ended its breakfast buffet, debating whether poop pees count as full pees, a sun hoodie review on a product that's maybe not a sun hoodie, the triple crown of words for penis (with Chaunce publicly soliciting micropenis photos), and the best way to move legos across the country.
Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15TOPO" at topoathletic.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. 
OnX Backcountry: Use code "TREK70" for 70% off at onxmaps.com
[divider]
Interview with Matthew "Masochist" Hengst
Matthew's Youtube
Matthew's Instagram
Matthew's Website
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:45 - Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, join us for Chaunce's live podcast sendoff, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:11:15 - Introducing Masochist
00:13:10 - Tell us about your life prior to backpacking
00:19:00 - Tell us about your spreadsheets
00:23:14 - Did you grow up in the outdoors?
00:24:40 - Tell us about your relationship
00:30:00 - Tell us about your major injuries
00:36:32 - What's the closest you've ever been to death?
00:38:45 - How do you describe yourself?
00:40:00 - What adventure have you done that gets people the most excited?
00:42:00 - Discussion about paddling the Mississippi River
00:48:20 - What's the elevator pitch on floating the Mississippi River?
00:53:30 - How do you decide what your next trip should be?
00:55:30 - Tell us about the Theodore Solomons Trail
00:59:00 - What's the Desert Trail Border?
01:00:50 - Tell us about the Condor Trail
01:03:00 - What are your tips for stealth camping?
01:06:40 - Did Florida put a bad taste in your mouth when starting the ECT?
01:11:20 - Discussion about bad water in eastern Colorado
01:15:20 - Is there more to why you liked the Florida Trail?
01:18:55 - Tell us about the ECT after Katahdin
01:26:00 - Discussion about dog attacks while thru-hiking
01:30:30 - Why'd you hike the Lone Star Trail?
01:34:25 - Are there any underrated trails you're excited about?
01:37:30 - What are some singletrack loops in California?
01:42:20 - What's your elevator pitch on the San Diego Trans County Trail?
01:44:20 - Did the CDT feel easy?
01:48:00 - What are your go to animal encounter stories?
01:55:20 - Tell us about hiking through extreme weather
01:56:30 - How do you maintain the fun element through all of your hikes?
02:02:40 - Give us your highlights and lowlights from the American Discovery Trail
02:10:50 - Tell us about your health issues in 2025
02:15:55 - Do you ever take time off trail to recover and rest?
02:20:30 - How did you pick the Australian trails you've done this year?
02:28:00 - Have you ever considered bikepacking?
02:29:30 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Timberline Lodge Ends Breakfast Buffet Popular With Generations of PCT Hikers by James Townsend
QOTD: Do poop pees count as full pees?
Sun Hoodie Review: Fjällräven Abisko Wool Hoodie
Triple Crown of words for penis
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.