About this episode
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we open the show with a Hiker Trash edition of "Hot Ones", where Chaunce and Badger are grilled by Elise while eating incredibly hot wings. Tears, fear, and slamming beers ensues. We also feature our most impromptu interview to date with our new pal, Fancy Feast. Fancy Feast just wrapped a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail, after having her SOBO PCT plans thwarted by California's fires. In addition to giving us the unenviable story of finding Badger's dirty socks, she shares her experiences of working a variety of conservation jobs, including her time at the Green Mountain Club, and quite possibly the funniest trail name origin story we've ever heard. We wrap the show with a triple crown of the most beautiful spaces we've seen while backpacking, a quick n dirty gear review on the Platypus QuickDraw , and some listener feedback on period underwear. Minus33: Head to minus33.com and use code "21backpacker15" for 15% off your order Enlightened Equipment: Save 10% off of Enlightened Equipment's Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket with code "thetrek10" here Organifi discount code: Use code "backpacker" at organifi.com/backpacker for 20% off your purchase ZBiotics: Use code "trek10" at zbiotics.com [divider] Interview with Fancy Feast Fancy Feast's Instagram Time stamps & Questions 00:04:40 - QOTD: Do people attempting an FKT take the time to bury their poop? 00:06:30 - Backpacker Team Hot Ones 00:07:23 - How is everyone's spice tolerance? 00:09:05 - Chaunce, what's the longest you have gone without a shower? 00:11:00 - Zach, are there any big adventure plans with Leo? 00:12:20 - Chaunce, if you could co-host with someone other than Zach, who would you pick? 00:12:42 - Zach, if you could co-host with someone other than Chaunce, who would you pick? 00:14:03 - Can you name the first 10 episodes of Backpacker Radio in order? 00:18:11 - Zach, do you and Chaunce ever argue over creative differences? If so, when? 00:21:10 - Chaunce, what annoys you the most about Zach? 00:23:03 - Zach, can you explain this Tweet: "We imitate dog stretches and sexual positions, but not their affinity for goose shit. Seems arbitrary to me." What inspired that? 00:24:23 - Chaunce, are there any episodes you wish you could erase? 00:27:29 - What's the most annoying thru-hiking cliche? 00:31:34 - Chaunce, are you single? 00:32:07 - Zach, what was the last thing you lied to Jenna about? 00:33:39 - Chaunce, do you know what the Vas Deferens are? The seminal vesicles? The corona? 00:38:21 - Zach, can you sing "Walking Slow" by Animal Years? 00:40:11 - What's the worst Leave No Trace error you've made? 00:43:13 - Out of all the guests on the show, are there any that you'd never want to hike with or have back on the show? 00:44:50 - Chaunce and Zach, will either of you triple crown? 00:49:10 - Introducing Fancy Feast 00:50:26 - Backstory of Zach's sock search 00:53:22 - When did you finish the Colorado Trail? 00:53:39 - Give us your backpacking resume 00:57:06 - What was it like to work for the Green Mountain Club? 00:57:12 - Walk us through your job 00:58:00 - How do you go about educating other hikers? 00:58:43 - How did you handle poop stirring tasks? 00:58:57 - What do you stir the waste with? 00:59:43 - How many total privies have you stirred? 01:01:14 - What is the difference between the privies? 01:01:51 - Do you wear a N95 mask when doing those tasks? 01:02:02 - Have you ever gotten poop soup on you? 01:03:13 - What happens after the composting process begins? 01:03:34 - Where does the new soil get distributed? 01:04:34 - Do you have any advice for others looking for a similar job? 01:05:46 - Anything else on the hiking resume? 01:07:00 - What is it like to be told you need to get off trail vs. when you make the decision yourself? 01:10:05 - When you switched to the Sierra, was it a strategic decision? 01:10:48 - Did you hike the CT with other PCT hikers? 01:13:04 - What was the journey like getting from the PCT to the CT? 01:15:58 - What's the Southwest Conservation Corp? 01:16:35 - What are some examples of the work? 01:18:00 - How did you end up getting into conservation work? 01:19:33 - Give us your pitch on why trail maintenance is rewarding 01:22:52 - How many compliments do you get on your hat? 01:23:20 - How did you find out about Zach's socks? 01:24:04 - Did you have trouble finding them? 01:24:48 - What was appealing about the sock hunt? 01:26:44 - What hike is next? 01:27:28 - Do you have to worry about snow? 01:29:04 - What knowledge do you need to have about cows? 01:30:26 - Is this a paid role? 01:30:36 - Is there an adventure planned for after ski bumming? 01:31:29 - If you went back on the conservation end of the spectrum, do you have a dream conservation job? 01:32:15 - How did you get the name Fancy Feast? 01:34:58 - Did it taste like it smells? 01:35:24 - Have you eaten cat food since? 01:36:45 - As a listener, what is something you've always wanted to say to the hosts? 01:37:45 - Was it a conscious decision to not wear makeup on an episode where you're sweating? 01:38:14 - How does the studio compare to your expectations? 01:38:56 - What was your least favorite episode? 01:39:20 - What do you do to save money? 01:40:29 - What was your favorite episode? 01:42:49 - Anything else you'd like to convey, Fancy Feast? SEGMENTS Hot Ones Bet Trek Propaganda Triple Crown of the best backpacking views Gross or Not Gross If you don't wash thrifted clothes before you wear them Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @Paulybooyshallcross . 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 The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Ausen McDaniel, Jason Lawrence, Christopher Marshburn, Sawyer Products, Brad and Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Patrick Cianciolo, Brandon Spilker and Matt Soukup. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Cynthia Voth,, Emily Brown, Mitchell, Dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven, TraskVT, Lindsay Sparks, Liz Seger and Lisa Douglas.