Backpacker Radio

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 #5
Trek Propaganda
Do You Actually Like Thru Hiking, or Do You Just Like the Party Scene? By Peg Leg

A Typical PCT Thru-Hike Cost $10,000 in 2025. Here's How We Did It for Just $6,000 Each by Anna McKinney Smith

QOTD: Do you know what a triple deucer is?
Triple Crown of employees you are the most annoyed to interact with
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 Eliza "Swerve" Sweeney, a textile design graduate who's taking on the CDT with an almost entirely homemade kit, including her backpack, tent, quilt, and even her underwear.
In this one, Eliza walks us through skipping her final physics exam to squeeze the PCT into her summer break, turning her senior design project into the gear she's now trusting to get her across the country, and learning to let herself take a damn zero after spending an entire thru-hike racing to get back to school.
We also cover the joys of stuffing a puffy jacket inside a tent at four in the morning while down feathers get in your hair and mouth, her innovative hiking pants design meant to remove friction at the hips, and her hiker bro quiz, which reveals that Sauce is twice the bro I am.
We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda on whether you actually like thru-hiking or just the party scene, how one couple hiked the PCT for roughly $12k (which is shocking- a budget thru-hike), a Question of the Day touching on the elusive triple deucer, and a Triple Crown of employees you're most annoyed to interact with.
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 Eliza "Swerve" Sweeney
Eliza's Instagram
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:30 - Reminders: Take the 2026 AT Thru-Hiker Survey, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:08:55 - Introducing Eliza
00:13:20 - What's your trail name origin story?
00:14:20 - Did hiking the AT inspire your degree?
00:19:20 - Discussion about hiking the PCT in 100 days
00:23:00 - How has your CDT daily mileage compared to your earlier thru-hikes?
00:25:20 - Are you working in college to fund your thru-hikes?
00:28:00 - Discussion about fabrics
00:33:30 - What machinery did you use to create your pieces?
00:37:45 - What does the design process look like?
00:39:25 - Tell us about how you made your hiking underwear
00:42:00 - Were you nervous to start the trail with untested gear?
00:43:12 - How long did it take to make everything?
00:47:40 - Which gear item was the most time consuming and why?
00:51:00 - Discussion about quilt design and creation
00:53:15 - What was the biggest surprise pain in the ass?
00:56:45 - What fabric did you use for your tent?
00:59:30 - What are your career goals?
01:01:25 - How fast could you do the shorts if you made it more efficient?
01:02:20 - Tell us about making the fanny pack
01:04:50 - Tell us about making the down jacket
01:11:50 - Have you thought about what your dream job would be?
01:13:12 - How did you choose the fabric for your rain jacket?
01:15:30 - Discussion about shirt and pant fabrics
01:21:00 - Tell us about your overall baseweight
01:26:00 - What's your favorite luxury item?
01:29:27 - What is your hiker bro quiz?
01:46:49 - Peak Performance Question: What's your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?
Segments
Trek Propaganda
Do You Actually Like Thru Hiking, or Do You Just Like the Party Scene? By Peg Leg
A Typical PCT Thru-Hike Cost $10,000 in 2025. Here's How We Did It for Just $6,000 Each by Anna McKinney Smith
QOTD: Do you know what a triple deucer is?
Triple Crown of employees you are the most annoyed to interact with
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.

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
Trail Goss Episode 4: Influencer Fined for Petting Mount Rainier Marmot
Trek Propaganda: Dale "Grey Beard" Sanders, 91, Becomes Oldest Person to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail by Katie Jackson
QOTD: How long do you think you could evade the feds on trail after committing a white collar felony?
Trail Work Thing of the Week: Colorado Fourteeners Initiative
Triple Crown of minor discomforts that are actually major problems
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 our longtime pal Austin McDaniel, aka P.I., a Triple Crowner, Ultralight masochist, and full-time tennis instructor. 
In this one, we dive into Austin hiking the Ouachita Trail in ten days while recovering from COVID, navigating the Ozark Highlands Trail through freezing January temps, and surviving record-breaking 18-degree winter freezes on the Florida Trail. 
We also cover his pitch for the "Arkansas Triple Crown" consisting of the Eagle Rock Loop, Buffalo River Trail, and Sylamore Trail, his gear hack of wearing a heavy fleece sleeping bag liner as a mid-layer hiking dress, and why he carried a plastic toy golf set and a toilet plunger along the AT. 
We wrap the show with 91-year-old "Gray Beard" Sanders reclaiming his record as the oldest person to thru-hike the AT, a Question of the Day on how long we could evade the FBI on trail after committing a white-collar felony, a Triple Crown of minor discomforts that are actually major problems, and an all-time mailbag recounting what its author calls "Neptune's wrath" inside a Food Lion restroom.
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]
Interview with Austen McDaniel aka P.I.
Austen's Instagram
Austen's Youtube
Triple Crowning in Three Years, Ultralight Tips, and Cold Soaking with Austen McDaniel (BPR #297)
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:20 - Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, sign up for the Trek's newsletter, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:09:35 - Introducing Austen
00:11:05 - Remind us of your trail name origin story
00:13:30 - How has your gear changed between trails?
00:15:00 - How much of your baseweight is from ultralight gear versus just not bringing things?
00:20:00 - What has been your coolest ultralight gear find?
00:22:54 - What's your midlayer?
00:26:20 - What's the coldest you've been on trail?
00:34:00 - How did the Christmas Eve hike alter your gear?
00:35:06 - How did you manage heat starting the trail later than usual?
00:36:50 - Tell us about the Arkansas Triple Crown
00:46:00 - Would you recommend someone do your Arkansas Triple Crown or pick one of Arkansas's longer trails?
00:47:30 - Tell us about your experience on the Ouachita Trail
00:49:40 - Give us the fast facts of the Ouachita Trail
00:54:15 - Do you get good views?
00:56:30 - Did you see wildlife?
01:00:05 - Is there a trail association?
01:01:25 - Why did you take a year off hiking?
01:04:10 - How fast is your tennis serve?
01:08:20 - Discussion about the best tennis players
01:14:10 - What makes a kid a great tennis player?
01:16:00 - What was the gap between the Ouachita Trail and the Ozark Highlands Trail?
01:20:00 - Discussion about terrain on the Ozark Highlands Trail
01:24:40 - Which of the two trails would you recommend to others?
01:28:20 - How did you decide to hike the Florida Trail?
01:32:00 - How did the Florida Trail compare to your expectations?
01:34:10 - What wildlife did you see on the Florida Trail?
01:40:00 - Yes or No: Would you recommend the Florida Trail to the average thru-hiker?
01:43:00 - Discussion about swimming and swim races
01:49:30 - Tell us your new gear hacks
01:53:50 - What's your big five for gear?
02:01:45 - Tell us about finding your old AT gear box
02:05:50 - What are your upcoming hiking plans?
02:10:00 - Discussion about cold weather on the Florida Trail
02:11:50 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Dale "Grey Beard" Sanders, 91, Becomes Oldest Person to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail by Katie Jackson
QOTD: How long do you think you could evade the feds on trail after committing a white collar felony?
Trail Work Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of minor discomforts that are actually major problems
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.

Segments
Trail News: Hiker Found Dead on Katahdin Was Reportedly an AT Thru-Hiker by Katie Jackson
Trek Propaganda: Ultralight Is Taking Over Thru-Hiking … Or Is It? by Kelly
QOTD:  What's one hobby you wish you were good at and have actively tried but you continue to be bad?
Question Thing of the Week
Triple Crown of 'Back in my day's' - things that existed in your youth that no longer do
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.