PM alpine start up Mount Whitney's snow chutes, and his infamous "Day 50" meltdown in the Sierra, where he melted a carbon trekking pole, burned holes through his sleeping bag, found two more in his tent, and sobbed on camera. We also cover his epic Yosemite side quest featuring last-minute Half Dome permits and hot-tubbing with a park employee, how losing his mother to brain cancer shaped his reasons for being out here, and his hot takes on why catholes beat toilets and why ultralight gear isn't a requirement for thriving on trail. We wrap the show with Pegleg's tips for covering bigger miles and a shout-out to Trek blogger Brock "Dubs" Miller finishing on Katahdin, a Question of the Day on the absolute worst things we've ever smelled, a Triple Crown of the most annoyed professions in existence, and we give news on a new job opening at The Trek. OnX Backcountry: Use code "TREK70" for 70% off at onxmaps.com LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Use code "BPR10" for 10% off shelters at gossamergear.com.  Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Use code "BPRADIO15" for 15% off at hyperlitemountaingear.com 57 Hours: Use code "TREK100" for $100 off your booking at 57hours.com [divider] Interview with Michael "Broadway" Grant Michael's Instagram Michael's Trek Author page Time stamps & Questions 00:06:55 Reminders: Apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, take the 2026 AT Thru-Hiker survey, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:13:04 - Introducing Broadway 00:16:45 - How has working through your thru-hike impacted the experience? 00:17:54 - Tell us about getting bitten in the face by a chihuahua 00:22:14 - Tell us about quitting your job to travel the world for 13 months 00:25:58 - Discussion about the Camino de Santiago and West Highland Way 00:30:13 - How did you get into long distance cycling across America? 00:32:10 - Fuck, marry, kill: thru-hiking, cycling, and adventure travel 00:34:59 - Tell us about the start of your PCT thru-hike 00:38:48 - What's it been like growing your following on Instagram? 00:43:46 - Discussion about Gen Z lingo and gay lingo 00:48:45 - What has it been like being a gay man on the PCT? 00:51:21 - Tell us about your epic Yosemite side quest 00:55:19 - Discussion about masculinity and thru-hiking culture 00:57:47 - How has the PCT given you more time to reflect than other adventures? 01:02:47 - When did grief turn into motivation? 01:06:53 - Discussion about Cheryl Strayed's Wild as inspiration 01:10:01 - Tell us about your terrifying Mount Whitney sunrise side quest 01:14:00 - Tell us about gear you've been loving 01:21:08 - Tell us about your infamous day 50 meltdown in the Sierra 01:28:38 - Discussion about sun hoodies 01:30:00 - Tell us your poop story 01:32:47 - What's been the best 3 day stretch of trail for you? 01:36:19 - Have you met other gay hikers on trail? 01:41:00 - What advice would you offer someone who wants to follow in your footsteps? 01:43:00 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking? Segments Trek Propaganda:  I Hiked 27.5 Miles Every Day for a Year: Here's Everything I Did To Thru-Hike Faster by Peg Leg Day 154 – This is Where I Leave You by Brock "Dubs" Miller Apply to be a Trek social media intern QOTD: What is the worst thing you've ever smelled? Triple Crown of the most annoyed professions Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee. Sign up for the Trek's newsletter Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play. Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.  Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years. A super big thank you to our Bob Peoples Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Go Bills, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Bret Mullins aka TakeOff, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, JaredNotFromSubway, Jason Kiser, Jason "I Miss Chaunce" Snailer, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Nathan, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, Thirteen Adventures, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ack, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jacob Cheely, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lucas Hamilton, Merle Watkins, Peter, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Tyler Powers.