Backpacker Radio

Author: The Trek

From the Appalachian Trail to the Pacific Crest and everything in between. Backpacker Radio is a show all about the wonderful world that is thru-hiking and long distance backpacking. Co-hosts, Zach "Badger" Davis and Juliana "Chaunce" Chauncey muse on the backpacking life and the latest from the trail every other week. Topics include but are not limited to news, trail culture, interviews, gear, advice, and all you can eat buffets.
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Genres: Sports, Wilderness

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Spirituality and Backpacking with Vicar Lyndsay "Wreckage" Monsen (BPR #349)
Monday, 23 March, 2026

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek brought to you by LMNT, Jess and Chaunce are joined by Lyndsay "Wreckage" Monsen. Wreckage is a pastor in training and civil rights advocate and she reflects on what it means to bring spirituality into the backcountry in a way that resonates even with those wary of organized religion. We also touch on formative spiritual moments in Colorado, why the Superior Hiking Trail earned a spot on her hate list, and how her foot got fudged up real good on the Long Trail, complete with photographic evidence. We wrap the show with news of a climber who's accused of manslaughter after leaving his girlfriend near a mountain summit, we discuss whether my getting a carwash is diva behavior, the triple crown of pies, and an unhinged tangent into the subject of AI. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Mountainsmith: Use code "TAKEAHIKE" for 20% off at mountainsmith.com. [divider] Interview with Lyndsay "Wreckage" Monsen Lyndsay's Instagram Lyndsay's Sermons Lyndsay's sermon referencing her CT hike Lyndsay's sermon about getting arrested Time stamps & Questions 00:08:25 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek's newsletter, subscribe to The Trek's Youtube, apply to vlog or blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:13:39 - Introducing Lyndsay 0:17:10 - Do your hikes help you in any way in your seminary work? 0:18:25 - Have any of your religious beliefs changed based on your hiking? 0:19:25 - Tell us about who you were when starting the AT 0:24:45 - What are your thoughts on body image as it relates to thru-hiking? 0:28:37 - What other standout moments did you have on the AT? 0:32:05 - What is seminary school? 0:39:55 - Tell us about doing the Long Trail 0:43:57 - Did you find that you were more spiritually challenged on the Long Trail? 0:45:35 - Tell us about the connection between the outdoors and spirituality 0:51:10 - What are your dates more shocked by? 0:52:25 - Discussion about the Lake City Hiker Center 1:00:31 - Did you find that your discussions on trail naturally veer towards spirituality? 1:05:09 - What was your confession at the Priest Shelter? 1:11:55 - What did you think about the Superior Hiking Trail? 1:22:05 - Tell us about the Colorado Trail 1:30:25 - Tell us your pee story 1:37:37 - Any standout stories from the Colorado Trail? 1:40:45 - Lyndsay's raccoon story 1:43:55 - Tell us about the relationship between nature access and church attendance 1:55:40 - What are your thoughts about the concept of sex? 1:58:00 - What are your future hiking plans? 2:00:25 - Tell us about getting arrested 2:11:55 - Stay Salty Question: What is your hottest take in the world of backpacking or the outdoors at large? Segments Trek Propaganda Climber Accused of Manslaughter After Leaving Girlfriend Near Summit of Austria's Highest Peak by Kelly Floro Hiker Rescued From Appalachian Trail in the Smokies After Emergency SOS by Katie Jackson QOTD: Is getting a car wash diva behavior? Triple Crown of pies 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 Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Bill Jensen, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Bret Mullins aka Cruizy, Bryan Alsop, Carl Lobstah Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clint Sitler, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jackson Storm, Jason Kiser, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Lloyd Harris, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.