#36 | Jon "Airborne" Schwarze on His PCT Yo-Yo

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, Badger is joined by Jon Schwarze, aka Airborne.  Despite this being his first thru-hike, last year Airborne became just the fifth person to yo-yo the Pacific Crest Trail (which is to thru-hike the same trail in both directions in less than one year).  We go balls deep on everything that went into this trek, including the differences between his NOBO and SOBO hike, his gear, his bizarre and demanding diet, what it was like meeting Scott Williamson, and how his background (despite having limited backpacking experience) played a major role in his success.  We also get into some Trek Propaganda, two lies and a truth, a mailbag, and more.  

Subjects discussed in the episode include:

Airborne Interview

• Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver
• Use code "TREK15" at GossamerGear.com to save 15%
  • Gossamer Gear The One
  • Gossamer Gear Gorilla
• Sawyer's International Website
• Sawyer Squeeze vs. Sawyer Micro Squeeze
• Use code "thetrek" at us.foursigmatic.com (our link) to save 15%
• Recorded at Wayfinder in Denver, CO
• Premature Evaluation: Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5
• What is a Yo-Yo?
• Background in sports
• Difference calf sleeve makes for hiking
• How he got his trail name
• Why he uses tampons
• His bizarre diet
• Biggest mileage day
• Airborne's Gear
  • Enlightened Equipment Enigma
  • NeoAir Xtherm Sleeping Pad
  • Challenger ATR 4
  • Superior Wilderness Designs Pack
    • SWD Fanny
  • Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 to REI Quarter Dome 1
• Where the mosquitos were the worst
• Condor Trail
• The California drought is done
• TREK PROPAGANDA
  • Wisdom from 2018 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers (Pt. I)
  • Wisdom from 2018 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers (Pt. II)
  • Wisdom from 2018 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers (Pt. I)
  • Wisdom from 2018 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hikers (Pt. II)
  • Wisdom from 2018 Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hikers (Pt. I)
  • Wisdom from 2018 Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hikers (Pt. II)
  • How to Prevent and Treat 7 Common Thru-Hiking Foot Problems
• Two lies and a truth
• Mailbag
• 5-star iTunes Reviews
• Danny Devito
• Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years
• Check out Trail Correspondents!

Have any praise, questions, praise, comments, praise or praise for Backpacker Radio?  Reach out to podcast@thetrek.co.

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A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Michael W Hinkley, S11N, Sawyer Products, and Travis Smith

A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Gregory Gardner and Peter Leven

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Intro music via.