From Near-Death Sepsis to Triple Crowning while Carrying Larry the Log with Shawn Mahoney (BPR #368)

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we are joined by Shawn Mahoney, aka the guy who carries a 20+ pound log named Larry over his shoulders, and with Larry he's hiked the Triple Crowner, Te Araroa, and just about all of the Northeast peaks.

In this one, Shawn explains why the heck he carries a massive log everywhere he goes, describes losing Larry down a steep slope on the PCT and spending two hours bushwhacking to retrieve him, recounts nearly dying from a septic heart infection and medically induced coma- and the impact that's had on his passion for backpacking, and details how he waking up at 4am, or earlier, to bank miles pre-sunrise.

We also cover how he's raised several thousand dollars for charity, how you can contribute to his latest cause, his refusal to cook or cold-soak, and his party trick of solving a 9x9 rubik's cube while hiking, something he accomplishes mid interview.

We wrap the show with Trek Propaganda of Kelly's favorite thru-hiking memories, a heroic dog intimidating a black bear to save a kid's life - maybe, a trail debate on losing your spoon vs. your shelter, the Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate, and I review the uber-popular FarPointe Sun Hoodie but you'll probably have to wait til Thursday for that one so kinda nevermind.

Topo Athletic: Use code "TREK15HIKE" at topoathletic.com.

Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% of hyperlitemountaingear.com

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Interview with Shawn Mahoney and Larry the Log

• Shawn's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:40 - Reminders: Join us for a hiker meetup in Seattle, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:10:30 - Introducing Shawn and Larry

00:12:30 - Why does Larry exist?

00:15:40 - How many times do you switch positions of the log over a day?

00:18:12 - Do you feel relief or separation anxiety when you put the log down?

00:20:11 - What branch of the military did you serve in, and how did you go from post-military training to hiking the AT with a log?

00:24:06 - Why a log instead of a weighted vest or rucksack?

00:27:07 - How do you get the log ready to be carried? What's the prep and sanding process?

00:29:32 - Have you thought about giving each log a unique name beyond "Larry"?

00:33:43 - What's it like navigating the AT bubble with a wide log — close calls with day hikers?

00:35:52 - What are all the charities you've raised money for, and how much in total?

00:40:45 - Discussion about the speed of hiking the AT

00:42:20 - Tell us about the septic heart infection and the 50/50 survival odds

00:47:30 - What was your mindset recovering from sepsis, and how did exercise become your outlet?

00:48:50 - What is your typical hiking style?

00:52:31 - Was there a moment where you had to reframe your identity from "not athletic" to what you are now?

00:54:14 - What do you do for work, and how do you afford to disappear for months at a time?

01:01:24 - You're headed to the Colorado Trail — what's the plan this time around?

01:03:10 - Have you ever done a thru-hike at a leisurely pace?

01:06:14 - What was Te Araroa like — especially navigating mud and terrain with a giant log?

01:10:15 - Are you ever in a gym, or is all your training done outside with the log?

01:11:01 - Do you have to be mindful about nutrition carrying 27 extra pounds all day?

01:15:34 - What is your base weight, and what's actually in the pack?

01:19:00 - What does Rubik's Cube problem-solving actually correlate to?

01:21:30 - Is there anything else you want to relay to listeners, and where can people find you?

01:22:05 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance enhancing or backpacking hack?

Segments

Trek Propaganda:

• Turkenna Saw a Black Bear by The Norris Trio
• Before You Read Another Thru-Hiking Horror Story, Read This by Kelly Floro

QOTD: Would you rather, on day 1 of your thru-hike, lose your shelter and have to always cowboy camp on the AT, or lose your spoon and have to eat all meals with only your hands?

Triple Crown of movies everyone loves but you hate

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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