Thru-Hiking, Running an AT Hostel, and Living in a 300 Sq Ft Alaskan Cabin with Patrice & Justin La Vigne

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we're joined by Patrice and Justin La Vigne. Over the past decade-plus, Patrice and Justin have traded their corporate grind for, in their words, "a life less ordinary." From their first thru-hike of the AT in 2011 (drink), to managing a hostel, embarking on multiple van tours to spread the thru-hiking gospel, thru-hiking the TA in New Zealand, and now living in a 300-square-foot cabin on the outskirts of Denali National Park in Alaska—they've done it all.

We dive into how they restructured their lives around adventure, what it's really like living in a tiny cabin in remote Alaska, why moose are jerks, the challenges of thru-hiking with Crohn's, and much more.

We wrap the show with the story of a man accused of staging a bear attack to cover up a murder, what the funniest sounding fart is (and introducing Chaunce to the world of covering your farts), and the triple crown of New Year's Resolutions.

Gossamer Gear: Use code "SNUGGLEBUG" for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com.

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PATH Projects: Use code "THETREK10" for 10% off at pathprojects.com/thetrek.

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Interview with Patrice & Justin La Vigne

• Patrice & Justin's Website
• Patrice & Justin's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:03:30 - Reminders: Support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content AND ad-free episodes and apply to be a 2025 blogger OR vlogger! And grab a ticket to our live show in Austin on April 17!

00:10:00 - Introducing Patrice and Justin La Vigne

00:11:00 - What was the inspiration to hike the AT in 2011?

00:14:25 - What's the school experience like at ASU and Disney University?

00:19:53 - Tell us about your shakedown hike on the Long Trail

00:23:30 - Why did you decide to go southbound?

00:28:00 - What was your standout insect story on the AT?

00:31:37 - How did the AT lead to your "life less ordinary"?

00:34:20 - What other Disney skills did you carry over to running a hostel?

00:37:46 - At what point did you decide not to return to your careers?

00:48:17 - Which is more glamorous, the van or the hostel?

00:53:00 - How did you end up on the Te Araroa?

00:57:40 - What stood out about the people and culture of New Zealand?

01:01:10 - How long were you in New Zealand?

01:02:37 - What did you between the TA and your van tour?

01:07:30 - Is it more rewarding to travel around doing education than selling gear?

01:10:25 - Tell us about moving to a dry cabin in Alaska

01:18:04 - How do you handle not having running water?

01:22:10 - How do you manage the outhouse?

01:23:20 - What is the town like?

01:25:29 - What is the winter like?

01:29:10 - How do you prevent getting cabin fever in the winter?

01:31:00 - How do you get internet?

01:34:30 - Discussion about the yurt and Alaska amenities

01:35:40 - Have you climbed Denali?

01:44:00 - Discussion about Justin's Crohn's disease

01:46:02 - Tell us more about Crohn's disease on the AT

01:48:32 - Discussion about carrying everything out on Denali

01:52:02 - Do you foresee returning to the corporate lifestyle?

01:54:02 - What's the next chapter for you?

01:57:40 - Discussion about grizzly bears and moose

02:04:07 - Do you hear stories of people getting attacked?

02:06:58 - Where can people keep up with you?

Segments

Trek Propaganda: Man Accused of Staging Fake Bear Attack To Cover Up a Murder Has Been Arrested by Kelly Floro

QOTD: What is the funniest-sounding fart?

Wedding Dress of the Week

Triple Crown of New Year's resolutions

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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