In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, we are joined by Gummy Bear, a 2018 PCT hiker and all around awesome dude. We do a deep dive on his experience of being a gay and plus size hiker in the trail community. We chat some about his upcoming Arizona Trail hike. Chaunce and I deliver the PCT class of 2019 a warning for what they can expect to see in the Sierra this year and why you might want to consider hiking southbound. We do a triple crown of things to freak out about before leaving for a thru-hike. Basically we touch on all the reasons why you should never leave your house (not actually). This is a meaty show, so find a comfortable place to sit, lay, or meander down the trail.

Subjects discussed in today's show include:

Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver, CO
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Sawyer Micro
Sawyer Micro vs. Sawyer Squeeze Video
The Sierra is snowy
Chaunce's PCT 2017 Video
As It Happens
Start interview with Evan Haut aka Gummy Bear
Trail name origin
What drew you to hike the PCT - love of travel, liked camping better than partying aspects of festivals he had been going to
Gay pride bandana attached to pack - important to have it on there after talking to other hikers in town who were hesitant/uncomfortable being open - prior to flag, felt like only gay person on trail, post flag, had a lot of people opening up and talking to him about it - 'was nice to know they had someone they could talk to about it'
Discouragement and doubt around ability to be successful based on his weight - people becoming more supportive once he reached KM bc they stopped doubting as much
Hard to find clothing for his size (3XL)
- Columbia and New Balance do good jobs of accommodating big/tall people
Highest mile day: 24
How he trained - day hiking, this year: 3-4hrs a day at the gym (quit job and just training now)
Section hike of the PCT - what's done and what's left
Water carries for a slower/heavier hiker: how much he carried, obstacles, having to skip sections due to inability to carry enough water
Deciding to be a section hiker, and feelings around that
Clothing carried
- Smartwool 250g top and bottoms
- Outdoor Helium II
Things he would've changed if he could re-prep for PCT
- Start in trail runners, doing the trail sooner - wouldn't have had the motivation to train the way he needed to do it bc he wouldn't have known what he was signing up for
Fitness vs budget - one of the biggest downfalls yo hiking slow
Vegan on trail apart from beef jerky
- Northbay Trading Co.
- Mother Earth Foods
Section hikers were less arrogant, but didn't realize that until Washington
Reasons why other hikers ask about start dates
Theory on why he had worse reactions as an overweight hiker than a gay hiker
The different ways long distance hiking takes a toll on your body when you're overweight
AZT as prep for PCT
Quick overview of the Arizona Trail
Ways the hiking community can be more accepting to section hikers / plus sized hikers / gay hikers
- LGBTQ Facebook Group
Use code "TREK5" to save 5% at zpacks.com
Triple crown of things to freak out about before leaving for a thru-hike
Mailbag
Pacific Crest Trail Resupply Guide by Maggie Wallace
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A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith

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Spirituality in Guantanamo w Moazzam Begg || NBF 514 || Dr Shadee Elmasry