Falling 35 Feet Free Soloing, Hiking the CT in 15 Days, and What It Means to Be Navajo in America with Jeremy "Smitty" Phoenix (BPR #363)

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jeremy Phoenix aka Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen, aka Javos, a Navajo-born, Amish-country-raised, REI-employed, grave-digging, Princeton-attending thru-hiker who completed the Colorado Trail in 15 days on his first ever backpacking trip and has been making up for lost time ever since. 

In this one, Smitty walks us through completing the 24-hour challenge three separate times on the PCT, a free solo fall from 35 feet- that he just kind of walked off, getting stalked by a mountain lion, surviving shin splints for almost the full PCT, and a harrowing midnight ice traverse below Mount Whitney with no traction. He also shares what it means to be Navajo in America, including having code talker grandparents and introducing himself to the land before every new section of trail. 

We wrap the show with a tribute to longtime Patreon supporter Bill Jensen, who recently passed away on the CDT, the biggest thru-hiking preparation mistake- according to Peg Leg, addressing the question of which direction people predominantly face in the shower, and the triple crown of things you can easily live without but nonetheless should be free for everyone.

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

Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com. 

Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 40% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com.

[divider]

Interview with Jeremy Barney aka Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen

• Jeremy's Instagram
• Jeremy's Youtube

Time stamps & Questions

00:06:30 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, subscribe to Trail Correspondents, and  listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:09:18 - Introducing Smitty

00:10:34 - Tell us about the 24 hour challenges you've done on the PCT

00:13:00 - How did you get your trail name?

00:16:25 - Tell us about the commercial you did with Alex Hannold

00:22:30 - Tell us about working at REI

00:29:50 - Tell us about growing up Navajo in Pennsylvania

00:35:30 - How did you get started with backpacking?

00:39:00 - Discussion about Smitty's climbing experience and falls

00:42:50 - What is your bucket list of jobs?

00:50:50 - Discussion about Smitty's job as a gravedigger

00:54:15 - How did you decide to hike the Colorado Trail?

01:03:00 - Tell us about the backpacks you've tried

01:08:35 - Discussion about what Smitty sent home from the PCT

01:15:00 - What other gear compromises did you have to make when switching packs?

01:28:55 - What kind of discounts do you get at REI?

01:34:50 - Tell us about meeting Jabba

01:39:00 - Discussion about footwear and injuries

01:41:30 - What was your scariest day on trail?

01:51:40 - Do you have any advice for aspiring thru-hikers?

01:58:00 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hottest take in the world of backpacking?

Segments

Tribute to Bill Jensen

Trek Propaganda: After 22,000 Miles of Thru-Hiking, This Is One of the Biggest Mistakes I See Beginners Make by Peg Leg

QOTD: Do people face the shower head when they shower?

Triple Crown of things you can easily live without, but nonetheless should be free for everyone

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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