In Canada, Clara Hughes is a household name.
A legend, she won multiple Olympic medals in both Summer and Winter Games — 6 medals total. The only person ever to have won multiple medals in both.
BUT she met her husband, Peter Guzman, on the AT.
And went on to become a legendary thru-hiker.
Audrey "Glowstick" Payne on the Patagonia O Circuit, Tramily Breakups, and Balancing a Career with Hiking – Backpacker Radio
In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by thru-hiker and author, Audrey “Glowstick” Payne. In addition to a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, which is the subject of her memoir, Where the Rhododendrons Bloom, Audrey has also tackled the Colorado Trail, Foothills Trail, Trans Catalina Trail, John Muir Trail, Wonderland Trail, and the Patagonia O Circuit. Audrey gives us an overview of each of these treks, and how she might be the first person on earth to not enjoy the JMT, she details a not-so-cordial breakup with her trail family on the AT, and offers some solid tips for those who want to trek Patagonia’s O Circuit. We also get an overview of Audrey’s life prior to thru-hiking, including how her treks were inspired by a back injury and her career in PR, including some fun stories of working with celebrities. We wrap the show with the news of a nasty outbreak of Norovirus on the AT this year, whether you should store your food underwater in the backcountry, the triple crown of movies we've cried to, and some one-star trail reviews. Backpacker’s Pantry: Use code “THETREK” for 20% off at backpackerspantry.com. Gossamer Gear: Use code “SNUGGLEBUG” for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com. Shady Rays: Use code “TREK20” for $20 off polarized sunglasses at shadyrays.com. Appalachian Gear Company: Use code “BPRADIO20” for 20% off at appalachiangearcompany.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Audrey “Glowstick” Payne Audrey's Instagram Audrey's Website Audrey's Linktree Time stamps & Questions 00:05:14 – Reminders: Come say hi to us at both AT and PCT Trail Days, support us on Patreon to get bonus exclusive episodes, and check out our new hats! 00:06:47 – Introducing Audrey 00:09:20 – What were you doing in DC? 00:15:53 – How did you go from burnt out PR person to thru-hiking? 00:18:34 – How has your back held up? 00:20:15 – How old were you when you started on the AT? 00:22:45 – Walk us through how you rationalized leaving your career to hike the AT 00:26:57 – Are you grateful for your back issues getting you onto the trail? 00:29:28 – Did you have any midlife crises turning 40? 00:30:40 – How do you feel about your future hikes? 00:31:45 – What advice would you give to others approaching or in their 30s? 00:36:22 – Tell us about getting woken up by some ponies and bears 00:44:00 – Is there a story that resonates with readers from the book? 00:47:00 – Tell us about camping at the drive in 00:53:43 – Tell us about foraging on the AT 00:58:40 – What was your best trail magic experience? 01:03:14 – What are your thoughts about tramilies? 01:07:10 – How did the trail family breakup go? 01:09:54 – Can you give tips to people from a PR perspective on how to break up with your trail family? 01:15:52 – What happens if you encounter your broken up trail family again? 01:16:48 – What was it like post-breakup? 01:18:35 – Discussion about deciding to leave a job to hike the AT 01:20:18 – How can someone weigh the pros and cons of making a change to their life? 01:25:00 – Did you put the AT on your resume or discuss it during your interviews? 01:27:45 – What accounted for the four year gap between the AT and your next hike? 01:29:39 – Do your coworkers know you for your hiking? 01:33:02 – How did you decide to do the Colorado Trail? 01:34:17 – Did you start in the same place each time you’ve done the Four Pass Loop? 01:36:00 – Discussion about the logistics of the Four Pass Loop 01:41:55 – Tell us about your mountain lion encounter on the CT 01:50:00 – Discussion about off-roading 01:51:40 – How was your Foothills Trail hike? 01:57:10 – What insects did you see? 02:00:00 – How was your Trans Catalina Trail experience? 02:04:29 – How was the John Muir Trail? 02:07:50 – Discussion about the PCT southbound 02:12:20 – Tell us about the Patagonia O Circuit 02:14:23 – Is the O Circuit accessible for someone who isn’t an experienced backpacker? 02:15:58 – What kind of mileage and elevation gain does the trail entail? 02:17:30 – Discussion about costs, food, and gear 02:19:37 – Where do you fly into and how do you get to trail? 02:21:24 – How did you feel safety-wise? 02:22:55 – Did the structure of the hike take away from the wildness of the area? 02:25:00 – Did you feel fine traveling in that area without speaking Spanish? 02:26:50 – Discussion about the weather and clothing 02:30:29 – Kumo Question: What would your walkup song be if you were entering the Olympics for a random sport? 02:33:50 – Where can people follow you and get your book? Segments Trek Propaganda: Norovirus Alert: Appalachian Trail Hikers Urged to Stay Vigilant Amid Outbreak by Ariella Nardizzi QOTD: Have you ever heard of storing food underwater in the backcountry? Triple Crown of movies you’ve cried to One Star Trail Reviews Listener Voicemail Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/. Leave us a voicemail! 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. Advertise on Backpacker Radio 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 & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Jason “Snail” Snailer barely know her, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Bonnie Ackerman, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Keith Dobie Jr, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.
- Audrey "Glowstick" Payne on the Patagonia O Circuit, Tramily Breakups, and Balancing a Career with Hiking
- Bethany "Fidgit" Hughes on Hiking, Biking, and Paddling 20,000+ Miles Across the Americas
- The Real Hiking Viking on Why He Disappeared, His CDT Flip-Flop, and Reality TV in Central America
- Henry "Moose Juice" Lewis on Shaking Down AT Hikers, the Teton Crest Trail, and Champagne Shoeys
- Eeland Stribling aka the "Black Steve Irwin" on Fly Fishing, Stand Up Comedy, and Wildlife Biology
The latest episode of 
besthike.com 