Backpacker Radio Thru-Hiking, Running an AT Hostel, and Living in a 300 Sq Ft Alaskan Cabin with Patrice & Justin La Vigne
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Patrice and Justin La Vigne. Over the past decade-plus, Patrice and Justin have traded their corporate grind for, in their words, “a life less ordinary.” From their first thru-hike of the AT in 2011 (drink), to managing a hostel, embarking on multiple van tours to spread the thru-hiking gospel, thru-hiking the TA in New Zealand, and now living in a 300-square-foot cabin on the outskirts of Denali National Park in Alaska—they’ve done it all.
We dive into how they restructured their lives around adventure, what it’s really like living in a tiny cabin in remote Alaska, why moose are jerks, the challenges of thru-hiking with Crohn’s, and much more.
We wrap the show with the story of a man accused of staging a bear attack to cover up a murder, what the funniest sounding fart is (and introducing Chaunce to the world of covering your farts), and the triple crown of New Year's Resolutions.
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Interview with Patrice & Justin La Vigne
Time stamps & Questions
00:03:30 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content AND ad-free episodes and apply to be a 2025 blogger OR vlogger! And grab a ticket to our live show in Austin on April 17!
00:10:00 - Introducing Patrice and Justin La Vigne
00:11:00 - What was the inspiration to hike the AT in 2011?
00:14:25 - What’s the school experience like at ASU and Disney University?
00:19:53 - Tell us about your shakedown hike on the Long Trail
00:23:30 - Why did you decide to go southbound?
00:28:00 - What was your standout insect story on the AT?
00:31:37 - How did the AT lead to your “life less ordinary”?
00:34:20 - What other Disney skills did you carry over to running a hostel?
00:37:46 - At what point did you decide not to return to your careers?
00:48:17 - Which is more glamorous, the van or the hostel?
00:53:00 - How did you end up on the Te Araroa?
00:57:40 - What stood out about the people and culture of New Zealand?
01:01:10 - How long were you in New Zealand?
01:02:37 - What did you between the TA and your van tour?
01:07:30 - Is it more rewarding to travel around doing education than selling gear?
01:10:25 - Tell us about moving to a dry cabin in Alaska
01:18:04 - How do you handle not having running water?
01:22:10 - How do you manage the outhouse?
01:23:20 - What is the town like?
01:25:29 - What is the winter like?
01:29:10 - How do you prevent getting cabin fever in the winter?
01:31:00 - How do you get internet?
01:34:30 - Discussion about the yurt and Alaska amenities
01:35:40 - Have you climbed Denali?
01:44:00 - Discussion about Justin’s Crohn’s disease
01:46:02 - Tell us more about Crohn’s disease on the AT
01:48:32 - Discussion about carrying everything out on Denali
01:52:02 - Do you foresee returning to the corporate lifestyle?
01:54:02 - What’s the next chapter for you?
01:57:40 - Discussion about grizzly bears and moose
02:04:07 - Do you hear stories of people getting attacked?
02:06:58 - Where can people keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Man Accused of Staging Fake Bear Attack To Cover Up a Murder Has Been Arrested by Kelly Floro
QOTD: What is the funniest-sounding fart?
Wedding Dress of the Week
Triple Crown of New Year’s resolutions
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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