In today's episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by RTIC, we are joined yet again by our pal, Clay Bonnyman Evans, known on trail as "Pony". Pony is fresh off the New Mexico stretch of the CDT and full of hot takes, including a renewed interest in all things dealing with sex on trail, why he thinks the "brutality" of the CDT is overstated- at least through New Mexico, we learn all about Clay's new book, "Adrift on the Pacific Crest Trail: A Thru-Hiking Story", and why Pony decided to do his first long distance backpacking trip sober. For those who've listened to previous interviews with Pony, you already know that conversations with him are a wild ride, this one is certainly no exception. If your children are listening to this episode, probably turn it off.
We wrap the show with a detailing of the dumpster fire that is Chaunce's toilet and we do a triple crown of reasons why Zach's Tahoe Rim Trail hike will get canceled.
RTIC Outdoors: Use code “backpacker” for 10% off orders over $50 at rticoutdoors.com.
Gossamer Gear: Use code “littledonkeygirl” for 15% off at gossamergear.com.
Enlightened Equipment: Use code “ultralight10” for 10% off Enlightened Equipment’s Stock Revelation Quilt or Torrid Jacket at enlightenedequipment.com.
Point6: Use code “point6trek” for 30% off at point6.com.
[divider]
Interview with Clay Bonnyman Evans AKA “Pony”
Time stamps & Questions
00:04:53 - QOTD: How’s your toilet?
00:14:41 - Introducing Clay Bonnyman Evans AKA “Pony”
00:15:40 - Discussion about sex on trail.
00:19:40 - Do you think the ratio of males and females on trail is a factor?
00:22:14 - What’s a wild story you got asking people about sex on trail?
00:32:04 - Tell us about the New Mexico section of the CDT.
00:38:45 - Discussion about water sources in New Mexico.
00:39:21 - Discussion about trail marking in New Mexico.
00:41:32 - Discussion about trail towns in New Mexico.
00:43:02 - Odd encounter stories.
00:46:45 - What wildlife did you see?
00:49:48 - Discussion about the community of the CDT.
00:52:20 - Discussion about the relative brutality of the CDT.
00:53:35 - Tell us your thoughts on snow in Colorado.
01:01:11 - Do you think people wanted to push through because of forest closures?
01:03:25 - Discussion about CDT start dates and southbounding.
01:11:15 - Discussion about the Creede cutoff.
01:18:46 - Tell us about your book writing process.
01:24:47 - Discussion about including relationship content in the book.
01:27:16 - How did you write the book so quickly?
01:32:02 - Hype for Zach’s books.
01:33:34 - What shoes do you have?
01:36:38 - Discussion about post trail activity and food.
01:37:30 - Discussion about hiking sober and Pony’s twelve step program experience.
01:43:18 - Discussion about Pony’s social personality.
01:45:56 - Did you miss drinking more or less than you expected?
01:47:18 - Pony’s story about Garmin troubles.
01:53:05 - What Pony learned from the Garmin representative.
02:00:06 - Have you used the Somewhere Labs communicator?
02:02:40 - Discussion about dead cows.
02:06:08 - Discussion about living cows and angry bull sounds.
02:10:15 - Discussion about the popularity of the CDT.
02:14:50 - Discussion about Chaunce’s age.
02:18:11 - Thanks!
SEGMENTS
Trek Propaganda
Triple Crown of reasons Zach’s Tahoe Rim Trail trip could get canceled
5 Star Review
[divider]
Check out our sound guy @Paulybooyshallcross.
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 The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.
Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok.
A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Jason Lawrence, Christopher Marshburn, Sawyer Products, Brad and Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Patrick Cianciolo, Paul Packman Sealy, Matt Soukup, Jason Snailer, and Greg Mac.
A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Liz Seger, Cynthia Voth, Emily Brown, Dcnerdlet, Jeff LaFranier, Peter Ellenberg, Jacob Northrup, Peter Leven.
Kyle Hates Hiking on His Rise to YouTube Fame, Solving Trail Mysteries, and Getting EXPOSED
Nicole "ShotGun" Kulovitz on Thru-Hiking as a Lifestyle, Wildland Firefighting, and Losing a $2,500 Twisted Tea Bet
Lauren "Long Way" Roerick on France's New 1900-Mile HexaTrek
Liz "Snorkel" Thomas on Urban Hiking, Reviewing Gear, and the Hardest Hike in the US
Nick "DJ" Fowler on His PCT FKT and Financing a Hiking Lifestyle
Ryan "Dirtmonger" Sylva on Backpacking Philosophies, the Vagabond Loop, and the Great Basin Traverse
Bennett Lee on Caving and His Calendar Year "Half" Triple Crown, Plus Rachel's Colorado Trail Hike
#229 | Ruth Morley on Section Hiking vs. Thru-Hiking at Age 70 and Eating Plant-Based
#228 | Matt "Sheriff Woody" Berger, a Trained Botanist, on Interesting Plants of the Triple Crown Trails
#227 | Brady Geilenfeldt on Hiking the Colorado Trail as a Deaf Person
#226 | Dr. Morgan Brosnihan on Training for a Thru-Hike, Injury Prevention, and Helping Hikers on the PCT
#225 | Andrea Lankford on the PCT's Three Missing Hikers
#224 | Pony 4.0: The Cape Wrath Trail, A Challenging CDT Section, and Retiring from Multi-Month Backpacking
#223 | Snakes 101: Bites, Myths, and Antivenom with Dr. Nick Brandehoff and Dr. Bryan Wilson
#222 | How to Choose a Backpack for Thru-Hiking with Owen Eigenbrot
#221 | Al "Lookout" Marriott on Hiking Through the Sierra in a Record Snow Year (PCT 2023)
#220 | How to Choose a Tent for Backpacking with Owen Eigenbrot
#219 | Jonathon Stalls on his 242-Day Walk Across the United States, Pedestrian Dignity, and Healing in Nature
#218 | Ultralight Backpacking Tips with Carl "Professor" Stanfield
#217 | Gillian Larson aka the Thru-Rider on Covering 10,000 Miles on Horseback: Logistics, Advice, and Favorite Stories
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The MeatEater Podcast
Bear Grease
Live Wild with Remi Warren
Outside Podcast
Cal’s Week in Review