20,000+ Miles in under 10 Years, a Desert Hike from Tucson to San Diego, and Life as a Mariner with Leah "Twig" Harman (BPR #313)

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Leah Harman, known on trail as Twig. Although Twig is relatively new to the world of thru-hiking, with less than 10 years of experience, she's hit the ground running, accruing well over 20,000 miles in the process. In addition to all the usual suspects, triple crown trails, Colorado Trail, TA, Arizona Trail…Twig has also completed a number of lesser known trails, including the Mogollon Rim Trail, Bigfoot Trail, and a Desert Winter Thru-Hike from Tucson to San Diego. We of course learn all about these treks, why cows are the most dangerous animal on trail, and how she makes her perpetual hiker trash lifestyle work. Leah also recounts her past life living and working aboard ships, confirming that all the stereotypes about drunk and horny sailors are, in fact, hilariously accurate, complete with some entertaining hazing stories.

We wrap the show with news of a group who trusted ChatGPT to plan their hike, and how that went terribly wrong, Chaunce details the stress associated with planning a wedding, and the triple crown of movie/tv shows that broke us.

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Ombraz: Send a DM on Instagram or to support@ombraz.com for $30 off at ombraz.com.

Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek.

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Interview with Leah "Twig" Harman

• Twig's Blog
• Twig's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:30 - Reminders: Take our survey, sign up for the Trek's newsletter, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, reach out if you'll be at Trail Days, and apply to blog for the Trek or to run Trail Correspondents!

00:12:45 - Introducing Twig

00:15:30 - What's your take on the current state of public lands?

00:20:46 - What should you do if you get charged by a burro or cow?

00:23:00 - Tell us about your career before backpacking

00:26:40 - What are your crazy stories from living on a boat?

00:35:30 - What was the wildest storm you encountered at sea?

00:43:20 - Story about rescuing another ship

00:44:45 - Tell us about working on fishing boats

00:45:34 - What's the coolest marine animal?

00:47:00 - What marine animals would you steer clear of?

00:55:00 - How did you go from living on boats to living on trail?

00:57:30 - What are the biggest similarities and differences between living on a boat and trail?

01:03:30 - How'd you end up on the Trans Catalina Trail?

01:05:00 - Did your career make you more risk tolerant?

01:06:10 - Tell us about going from the TA to the PCT

01:08:45 - Did you feel under pressure on the PCT?

01:12:20 - When did you adopt some more trail technology?

01:13:30 - Tell us about hiking the CDT

01:15:30 - What are your top 3 trails of all that you've done?

01:19:50 - How was the Hayduke in a high snow year?

01:21:30 - Refresh us on the Grand Enchantment Trail

01:28:00 - Discussion about mountain top geography

01:30:57 - What novice tips do you have for being more aware of your surroundings on a trail?

01:34:30 - Any standout stories from the AT?

01:40:30 - Tell us about the Mogollon Rim Trail

01:45:00 - How much was on trail vs route-finding?

01:47:40 - Tell us about your Pacific Coast Bigfoot Crest Rim Trail

01:55:00 - Animal noises

01:57:00 - Tell us about rafting in the Grand Canyon

01:59:10 - How are you funding all your hikes?

02:04:10 - Tell us about your 2024 hikes

02:07:40 - Tell us about your Desert Winter Thru-Hike

02:11:30 - How was the navigation?

02:15:30 - Discussion about Twig's footwear

02:16:18 - What was the timeline and weather like?

02:20:30 - What are a few pieces of gear you feel strongly about?

02:28:10 - Stay Salty Question: What is the hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors at large?

Segments

Trek Propaganda:

• They Trusted ChatGPT To Plan Their Hike — And Ended Up Calling for Rescue by Katie Jackson
• Cause of Death Revealed for 1 of 2 Hikers Found Dead on Katahdin by Kelly Floro

QOTD: What's the hardest part of wedding planning?

Mexico Weather of the Week

Triple Crown of movies and TV shows that broke us

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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