Andrew Skurka 5.0: Smartphone Satellite Messaging, Assessing Skill Level for Guided Trips, and Being Childfree

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek we are joined once again by our pal and backpacking legend, Andrew Skurka. We cover a host of new subjects including the future of dedicated satellite communicators with smartphones introducing satellite texting capabilities, what he foresees for the fate of rain gear in light of the move away from PFAS, how the first season of guiding trips went in Yellowstone, his favorite backpacking destinations in each of the lower 48s four time zones, and he gives Chaunce a live, in-person questionnaire to match her with the appropriate backpacking route, like an old school Facebook quiz. We're also joined by Andrew's wife, Amanda, and we chat about more relationship and personal topics like what it's like for your spouse to be in the backcountry for several months of the year, the challenging decision between having kids or not, the benefits of a DINK lifestyle, and much more. This is a wide-ranging conversation, from technical backpacking subjects to more intimate, personal topics, and I think and hope you'll really enjoy it.

We wrap the show with how one unlucky hiker realized Badger's near fate of being wedged between boulders for several hours in pursuit of her phone, our biggest low stakes conspiracy theories, Chaunce ran a marathon, and the triple crown of cocktails.

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Trailbrush: Use code "TREK20" for 20% off trailbrush.com.

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Interview with Andrew Skurka

• Skurka's Website
• Skurka's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:02:50 - Reminders: Help us make Jabba shave his beard, support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content, join us in Denver on December 7th and apply to be a 2025 blogger!

00:08:52 - Introducing Skurka

00:10:10 - What's your take on PFAS leaching from GoreTex?

00:16:07 - Do you sleep with your food?

00:19:39 - What are your thoughts on bear canisters on the AT?

00:20:20 - How were the first trips out of Yellowstone?

00:23:22 - Discussion about fitness level on Skurka's trip applications

00:26:56 - Chaunce's sample application

00:32:51 - If you had one week to backpack in each of the four time zones in the lower 48, where would you go and why?

00:40:00 - Discussion about birds

00:45:20 - What are Skurka's other hobbies?

00:48:06 - What are the top three shoes to get you through a year?

00:52:35 - Pacific Time zone backpacking

00:53:30 - Do you have any trips in the Cascades or Olympics next year?

00:54:50 - How experienced do you have to be to do the Wind River High Route?

00:59:58 - Best toilet paper alternatives

01:05:50 - What was your reaction when you first learned about the backcountry bidet?

01:06:45 - How much do you backpack together?

01:12:00 - How did you two meet?

01:19:00 - Discussion about Skurka's risk tolerance

01:21:38 - What's Amanda's perspective on satellite communication from home?

01:23:55 - How many days would Amanda want Andrew to be traveling?

01:25:44 - Do you foresee phasing yourself out of the guiding trips?

01:27:00 - Discussion about relationship dynamics

01:32:05 - What's your take on iPhones' new satellite texting feature?

01:40:00 - What's a new Skurka hot take?

01:45:50 - What happened with GoLite?

01:53:40 - How did you decide not to have kids?

02:01:05 - What are the advantages of a DINK lifestyle?

02:12:50 - What advice would you give to someone trying to decide whether to have kids?

02:18:58 - What trips are open for 2025?

02:21:00 - Which of your guides do you want to shout out?

02:26:05 - Do you still have the scholarship program?

02:36:35 - What signature trips are offered in 2025?

02:30:10 - Kumo Question: What is the one skill you wish you had mastered? What's the weirdest job you ever had?

Segments

Trek Propaganda

• Hiker Trying To Retrieve Dropped Phone Spends 7 Hours Wedged Upside Down in a Crevice by Katie Jackson
• CDT Thru-Hike Stats: Showers Make Thru-Hikers Sad and Other Data-Driven Insights From the Trail by Katie Jackson

QOTD: What's your biggest low-stakes conspiracy theory?

Stupid Thing of the Week

Triple Crown of cocktails

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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