Casey "Vegas" Huffman on His WILD Trail Name Origin Story, Reinventing Himself through Hiking, and an Expedition in Alaska (BPR #332)

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Casey Huffman, known on trail as Vegas.

Vegas has been mentioned a couple of times on this podcast in the past, as "the guy whose chest we signed" in 2023, and more recently, "the guy whose ass we signed". As we learn in today's episode, "signed ass guy" is also a real good hang.

We chat about how Vegas' mental health struggles ultimately lead him to the trail, how the hiking community and culture gave him the space to reinvent himself, and he shares quite possibly the most entertaining trail name origin story we've ever heard- we'll just say that this one is for adults only.

We wrap the show with discussing the merits of a sleeping bag liner, Chaunce is pissed about the cost of fountain soda, we do the triple crown of donuts, and Rachel once again lands a perfectly apropos listener mail bag.

LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek.

Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com.

Zpacks: Use code BPR50 for $50 off any tent at zpacks.com.

Ka'Chava: Use code BACKPACKER for 15% off at kachava.com/backpacker.

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Interview with Casey "Vegas" Huffman

• Vegas's Instagram
• Vegas's Youtube

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:00 - Reminders: Take the Triple Crowner Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:07:15 - Introducing Vegas

00:09:30 - How did you get into the outdoors?

00:16:01 - What was inpatient treatment like?

00:19:30 - What was life like after you left inpatient?

00:21:00 - What led to you getting on medication as a child?

00:22:45 - Tell us the story about your tattoos

00:24:25 - Walk us through the first part of the AT

00:28:40 - Tell us your trail name origin story

00:47:00 - Discussion about Vegas' reputation on trail

00:47:45 - How was getting off the trail for you?

00:53:15 - What was it about thru-hiking that let you shift your mind into a better place?

00:58:43 - Did you feel like it was a struggle to get to Katahdin?

01:00:00 - What did you know your future life would look like at the end of the trail?

01:07:30 - Tell us about running into a cult

01:12:45 - What did you do after the AT?

01:18:30 - Tell us about your expedition in Alaska

01:28:06 - Tell us about the Sheltowee Trace

01:32:45 - Tell us about the Ozark Highlands Trail

01:41:20 - At what point did you know you were going to hike the PCT?

01:55:20 - Discussion about hiking in the Sierra

01:58:40 - Vegas's story about hiking on acid

02:10:30 - Tell us about hiking the Long Trail after the PCT

02:17:20 - Vegas's subsequent sex worker stories

02:21:10 - What are your favorite next plans?

02:21:54 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hot take in the world of backpacking?

Segments

Trek Propaganda

• 19 Breathtaking Appalachian Trail Tattoos You Need To See by Anna McKinney Smith
• Do You Need a Sleeping Bag Liner for Backpacking? By Katie Jackson

QOTD: Since when is fountain soda no longer free refills?

Triple Crown of donuts

Mail Bag

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