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Casey "Vegas" Huffman on His WILD Trail Name Origin Story, Reinventing Himself through Hiking, and an Expedition in Alaska (BPR #332)
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Casey Huffman, known on trail as Vegas. Vegas has been mentioned a couple of times on this podcast in the past, as "the guy whose chest we signed" in 2023, and more recently, "the guy whose ass we signed". As we learn in today's episode, "signed ass guy" is also a real good hang. We chat about how Vegas' mental health struggles ultimately lead him to the trail, how the hiking community and culture gave him the space to reinvent himself, and he shares quite possibly the most entertaining trail name origin story we've ever heard- we'll just say that this one is for adults only. We wrap the show with discussing the merits of a sleeping bag liner, Chaunce is pissed about the cost of fountain soda, we do the triple crown of donuts, and Rachel once again lands a perfectly apropos listener mail bag. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. Gossamer Gear: Check out the Type II collection at gossamergear.com. Zpacks: Use code BPR50 for $50 off any tent at zpacks.com. Ka'Chava: Use code BACKPACKER for 15% off at kachava.com/backpacker. [divider] Interview with Casey "Vegas" Huffman Vegas's Instagram Vegas's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:05:00 - Reminders: Take the Triple Crowner Survey, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon! 00:07:15 - Introducing Vegas 00:09:30 - How did you get into the outdoors? 00:16:01 - What was inpatient treatment like? 00:19:30 - What was life like after you left inpatient? 00:21:00 - What led to you getting on medication as a child? 00:22:45 - Tell us the story about your tattoos 00:24:25 - Walk us through the first part of the AT 00:28:40 - Tell us your trail name origin story 00:47:00 - Discussion about Vegas' reputation on trail 00:47:45 - How was getting off the trail for you? 00:53:15 - What was it about thru-hiking that let you shift your mind into a better place? 00:58:43 - Did you feel like it was a struggle to get to Katahdin? 01:00:00 - What did you know your future life would look like at the end of the trail? 01:07:30 - Tell us about running into a cult 01:12:45 - What did you do after the AT? 01:18:30 - Tell us about your expedition in Alaska 01:28:06 - Tell us about the Sheltowee Trace 01:32:45 - Tell us about the Ozark Highlands Trail 01:41:20 - At what point did you know you were going to hike the PCT? 01:55:20 - Discussion about hiking in the Sierra 01:58:40 - Vegas's story about hiking on acid 02:10:30 - Tell us about hiking the Long Trail after the PCT 02:17:20 - Vegas's subsequent sex worker stories 02:21:10 - What are your favorite next plans? 02:21:54 - Stay Salty Question: What's your hot take in the world of backpacking? Segments Trek Propaganda 19 Breathtaking Appalachian Trail Tattoos You Need To See by Anna McKinney Smith Do You Need a Sleeping Bag Liner for Backpacking? By Katie Jackson QOTD: Since when is fountain soda no longer free refills? Triple Crown of donuts Mail Bag [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, Bryan Alsop, Carl 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, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Matt from Gilbert, AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, 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, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, and Spencer Hinson.
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