Backpacker Radio Vancouver Island Trails, PCT Pie Record, and Canadian Culture with Spencer "Boiler" Dunn (BPR #325)
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Spencer “Boiler” Dunn. Boiler, is a self-described “pro-yapper”, improv leader, former employee of Parks Canada, pie enthusiast, and of course, a backpacker.
Spencer takes us through his long trail adventures across Canada, including the Bruce Trail, West Coast Trail, North Coast Trail, and Nootka Island Trail—journeys that brought him face-to-face with some incredible wildlife, from bears to whales to the elusive sea wolf.
We also dive into his recent hike on the PCT—how he broke the record for pies per mile, the notoriety that earned him on trail, navigating people’s perceptions as a plus-sized hiker, how his trek deepened his connection to his queer identity, and, of course, his unapologetic hatred for gear talk (which I make him do).
We wrap the show with news on New Zealand’s most famous thru-hike getting a whole lot pricier, tackle the age-old question of which liquids we’d want to dispense from our fingers, we do the Triple Crown of tummy aches, and hear a listener’s compelling pitch for taking this circus to the Pacific Northwest.
Gossamer Gear: Use code "LT520" for 20% off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.
Ombraz: Score a $30 discount by sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/ombraz/, and letting them know that Backpacker Radio sent you.
[divider]
Interview with Spencer “Boiler” Dunn
Time stamps & Questions
00:03:00 - Apply to blog for the Trek, take the 2025 AT Thru-Hiker survey, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!
00:06:25 - Introducing Boiler
00:08:50 - How did you get your trail name?
00:10:20 - What’s your outdoors origin story?
00:12:30 - What is Parks Canada?
00:15:40 - What’s the difference between national parks in the US and Canada?
00:17:10 - What is the outdoors culture like in Canada?
00:20:15 - Is there a community around the Bruce Trail?
00:23:10 - Do you think there’s a hunger for more long trails in Canada?
00:25:00 - How did you end up on the PCT?
00:26:00 - What gear did you start with?
00:32:00 - Discussion about Boiler’s PCT hike
00:32:53 - Tell us about making pies on the PCT
00:41:55 - What was your favorite town?
00:43:20 - More pie talk
00:45:38 - Discussion about being a fatter hiker
00:56:50 - Do you have any advice for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
00:58:45 - Discussion about differences between men and women on the trail
01:01:10 - Did you have any uncomfortable situations on trail?
01:06:50 - Do you feel more or less of a stigma in Canada?
01:09:12 - Life on trail as a BNOT
01:12:01 - Did you ever put yourself in a situation for the story?
01:14:17 - Discussion about being a BNOT
01:15:30 - Tell us about your hiking on Vancouver Island
01:24:55 - Discussion about campsites on Vancouver Island
01:26:45 - Tell us about seeing wolves
01:32:40 - Fuck Marry Kill: The West Coast Trail, North Coast Trail, and Nootka Trail
01:35:05 - How do the 3 trails compare to each other?
01:40:25 - Differences between Americans and Canadians
02:04:00 - Where can people keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: The Hardest Thru Hike in the World is About to Get a Lot More Expensive by Lisa Slutsken
QOTD: If you could dispense different liquids from each finger on one hand, which liquids would you choose?
Triple Crown of tummy aches
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.
Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter
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.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 Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Go Bills, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.