Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Austen McDaniel, known on trail as PI. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve been reading it off at the end of every episode for years, as Austen is one of our Chuck Norris Award-winning Patreon supporters.  But in addition to being a longtime patron, Austen is also one hell of a backpacker, having completed the Triple Crown in three consecutive years. He approached his first thru-hike as prepared as anyone we’ve ever talked to, hitting the Appalachian Trail with a six-pound base weight after years of fine-tuning his setup on various shakedown hikes. He walks us through how he’s managed to shave additional ounces and grams off his pack, shares some fun ultralight hacks, and offers tips for making cold soaking suck less. Of course, we also dive deep into his three thru-hikes.  Beyond hiking, Austen gives us a glimpse into his life as a professional tennis instructor, if he's seducing moms at the c