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Backpacker Radio #33: Andrew Skurka and Second Chance Hiker
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by adventuring legend, author, blogger, and backcountry guide Andrew Skurka. This is a very meaty show; we touch on a huge number of subjects, including his ridiculous backpacking endeavors, his favorite backcountry routes, his bear bagging recommendations, the current state of rain gear, specific gear recommendations for an AT or PCT thru-hike, and so much more. Strap in; this is a fun interview filled with a ton of valuable insight. We also debut a new segment, featuring a popular YouTube personality by the name of Second Chance Hikes, and close out the show with a triple crown of survival items.
Subjects discussed in the episode include:
- Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver
- Gossamer Gear Anniversary Video
- Use code “TREK15” at GossamerGear.com to save 15%
- Sawyer Micro Squeeze
- Sawer Micro vs. Sawyer Squeeze
- Use Code “trek10” at Greenbelly.co to save 10% off your order.
- Use code “thetrek” at us.foursigmatic.com (our link) to save 15%
- Smiles intro!
- Andrew Skurka Interview
- Zion Williamson needs a new pair of shoes
- Andrew “Paul Revere” Skurka
- Sea to Sea Route
- Great Western Loop
- Jeffrey Garmire aka Legend recently became second person to complete this trail
- Alaska-Yukon Expedition
- Andrew’s Guided Trips
- InsectShield and other factory treated permethrin treatments
- Andrew’s Bear Bagging Recommendations
- Yosemite High Route
- Pfiffner Traverse
- Wind River High Route
- Columbia Outdry
- Andrew Skurka’s Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide 2nd Edition
- Sleeping bag / quilt insulation for the Appalachian Trail
- Hydrophobic down or high quality down provider like Western Mountaineering
- How to keep your down preserved on a damp / humid trail
- Andrew made a grizzly bear shit itself
- Future expedition that excites Andrew
- AndrewSkurka.com
- Second Chance Hiker on YouTube
- Triple Crown of survival items
- Danny Devito
- Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years
- Check out Trail Correspondents!
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Comments 6
Great to hear from Andrew Skurka. He is a true wellspring of knowledge.
Regarding the bear-hang controversy, I’m in Skurka’s camp. Unless there is a particular issue of concern in a given area, I sleep with my food — inside an aLOKsak, which is inside a Kevlar Ursack Minor, aka “critter sack.”
I don’t talk about it because some people freak out, but the great thing is, I am never, ever bothered by “mini-bears,” whether in my tent, a shelter or cowboy camping. Bottom line: with the odor-proof plastic, critters large and small have no idea you even have food near your person, and on the off chance that one did, the critter sack will repel small, sharp teeth (it will not repel bear teeth; for that, you’ll need an Ursack Major — which can, interestingly, be gnawed through by mini-bears).
The vast majority of “bear hangs” I see on trail are not only terrible, but arguably a temptation to bears (at least), and even mini-bears. Dangling a thin nylon food bag six feet off the ground on a spindly stripling is not going to stop anything; it’s essentially a bear pinata.
Thanks for the show, as always.
Thank you for having Corey Chance as your hiker of the week!