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Backpacker Radio #35 | Weezer on Hiking Sober, Processing Grief, and Metamorphosis on the Pacific Crest Trail
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, recorded at Wayfinder, I sit down with Weezer, a 2018 PCT hiker with one hell of a story. We talk about what it’s like to thru-hike in the PCT’s bubble as a sober person, an incredibly sad life event she had to endure while on trail, and how the trail has played a role in her metamorphosis to a better life. We get a new thru-hiker of the week and close out with a triple crown of PCT restaurants, joined by special guest Puma. This is an emotionally dense, yet ultimately, uplifting show. Grab the tissues, this one is a tear jerker.
Subjects discussed in the episode include:
- Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver
- Use code “thetrek” at us.foursigmatic.com (our link) to save 15%
- Sawyer’s International Website
- Sawyer Squeeze vs. Sawyer Micro Squeeze
- Use code “BACKPACKERRADIO5” for 5% off your order at zpacks.com
- Weezer’s top advice for first time thru-hikers
- Weezer’s Big 3
- EE Enigma quilt
- Nemo Hornet 2p
- Switch from Osprey Aura to My Trail Co Pack
- Fires on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018
- Her experiences hiking the PCT sober
- Other notable sober hikers
- Advice for people who want to thru-hike sober
- Weezer’s Instagram: @stephlotus_
- Trail Angles on the Pacific Crest Trail by Laura Johnston
- How to Get to the CDT Southern Terminus by Megan McGowan
- PCT hiker who ate only McDoubles over 90 mile stretch
- Thru-Hiker of the Week: @honcebonce
- Puma’s Backpacker Radio Episode
- Triple Crown of PCT Restaurants
- Cabazon Casino Buffet
- Bear Creek Cafe (now The Station Cafe)
- Stehekin Bakery
- Buffet at Timberland Lodge
- Seiad Valley Cafe
- Paradise Valley Cafe
- Sonora Cantina (Big Juan burrito challenge)
- Thai Hachapi
- Thunder Island Brewing
- Mom’s Pie House
- Yaks on the 5
- Leave us a review on iTunes
- Danny Devito
- Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years
- Check out Trail Correspondents!
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A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven
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Comments 5
Another great episode. Blackberry milkshakes … mmmmm…
I really appreciated hearing the interview with Weezer. It’s a reminder that the trail brings together people with almost every imaginable story or background, and it’s great that Zach doesn’t shy away from “serious” matters.
Many people do go to the trail looking for some kind of “answer,” I think, while many don’t. But most come away feeling that they have — for lack of a better term — an expanded heart, a greater capacity to experience joy and beauty, often in the company of others.
The trick is, how to keep that going once you’re off trail? Some transformations stick, of course, but many fade. I’ve heard people joke that it’s like the promise so many kids make at the end of summer camp, to stay in touch… and then they don’t.
Thanks to The Trek for helping me to stay aware and connected to why I love the trail.
Weezer – great job on the sobriety! I am going on 12 years now and can say that like you, I was embarrassed at first to say I didn’t drink. Now I don’t care telling others because you have to live for yourself.
I section hike with friends and they know I don’t drink and we can go to the breweries after hiking. Like you I was in bad physical shape while drinking – now while sitting there with them while they drink – I think about those nights I was flat out drunk and how horrible I felt in the morning. They support me which is why they are friends. I have given up other “friends” because they kept giving me grief because I stopped drinking. I plan to hike the AT soon and will embrace my sobriety and find those that support me.
Keep telling your story because there are those out there that are near hitting bottom (you never forget that date when you crash down) because they need to hear the inspiration and the support that others are out there like them and they are not alone.
Thank you for sharing and keep up the sobriety!
This interview felt so genuine and beautiful. Thanks for the great episode
This is truly one of my favorite episodes. First of all, congratulations to Weezer on her PCT hike and sobriety. As a long time listener I am continually blown away by Zach’s intelligent and insightful questions. As someone approaching 5 years of sobriety myself, I find it very refreshing that this show continues to offer something to and for Everyone. Very inspiring…keep up the incredible work!