Valentine’s Day 2026: Pistol and Lobo’s Love Story on the Appalachian Trail, Engagement at McAfee Knob, and Tips for Courting on the Trail (BPR #345)

On today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, presented by Topo Athletic, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we once again put love at the forefront.

We’re joined by Annie and Jake, known on the trail as Pistol and Lobo, who met at mile 166 of the Appalachian Trail in 2021 and are about to come full circle, getting married at Fontana Dam, the exact place where they first met.

We learn how this romance was absolutely love at first sight, how and where things evolved from flirtation to romance, to a full-blown committed relationship along the way, to a school bus after the trail, their attempt to recreate the magic on the PCT a few years later (spoiler alert: it was less magical), and tips for aspiring romantic hikers on how to find and keep love on the trail.

We finish the show with what pieces of gear a Trek writer with over 10,000 miles has removed from her backpack, our self-talk while eating ice cream (and why maybe I have a problem), my ENEMY of the week (fitness influencer edit), and the triple crown of relationship hacks.

HEAR

Discharge this episode.

Athletic Mole: Use code “TREKWINTER15” on topoathletic.com.

Mountaineer: Use code «TAKEAHIKE» for 20% off mountainsmith.com.

Interview with Annie and Jake

Timestamps and questions

00:09:05 – Reminders: Apply as a vlog or blog for Trek, enter Badger Sponsorship, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreonand subscribe to The Trek Youtube!

00:11:50 – Introducing Annie and Jake

00:14:22 – Discussion about wedding planning.

00:17:55 – How did each of you individually get into the open air?

00:22:35 – Walk us through the first parts of your walks.

00:28:20 – Did you have any major mistakes at the beginning of your walk?

00:29:45 – Tell us about the day you met.

00:32:14 – Did you have a conversation about making it “an official store”?

00:34:00 – More about the day Annie and Jake met

00:37:46 – Walk us from your first meeting to your first kiss.

00:42:25 – What was the next level in your relationship?

00:45:10 – Did you feel like you were venturing into real relationship territory?

00:46:25 – Why do you think they vibrated together so quickly?

00:49:20 – How soon did you start discussing your plans for after the tour?

00:53:50 – Discussion about living on a bus during the winter.

00:55:24 – What are green or red flags for couples approaching the end of a trail?

01:00:00 – What advice would you give guys about courting a fellow hiker?

01:03:00 – Did you have a moment where you unexpectedly learned a lot about the other person?

01:06:20 – Do you have any tips for handling small arguments during trial?

01:11:40 – What grocery store recommendations do you have?

01:16:00 – Tell us how to do the half gallon challenge

01:17:40 – Tell us about your scariest day on the trail.

01:23:00 – How is your second walk different from your first?

01:26:10 – Were you okay with leaving the PCT?

01:27:00 – Are you interested in trying the PCT again?

01:29:45 – What questions should someone ask their companion on the trail?

01:34:20 – Do you plan to have children?

01:35:10 – Peak Performance Question: Do you have a trick for performance or backpacking?

01:36:20 – Tell us the story of your proposal

Segments

Propaganda Clues: After 10,000 Miles on the Road, These Are the 10 Pieces of Gear I’ll Never Carry Again by Livvy Weld

QOTD: What is your internal dialogue while eating ice cream?

Enemy of the week

Triple Crown of relationship tricks

mail bag

5 star review

Check out our sound technician. @mi_chico_pauly/ and your coffee.

Subscribe to the Trek newsletter

Leave us a voicemail!

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a comment)! Find us at Spotify, Seamstressand GooglePlay.

Support us on Patreon for additional content.

Advertising on Backpacker Radio

Continue The walk, Chaunce, Badgerand Route correspondents in instagram.

Continue Backpacking Radio, The walk and Chaunce in YouTube.

Continue Backpacking Radio on Tik Tok.

Our theme song is Walking slow by animal years.

A big thank you to our Patreon Chuck Norris Award winners: 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, Marion Outdoors Trainer Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Jason Kiser, Krystyn Bell, Luke Netjes, Matty in AZ, Patrick Cianciolo, Randy Sutherland, Rebecca Brave, Country Jury, Sawyer Products, The Saint Louis Shaman, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns

A big thank you to our Patreon Cinnamon Connection champions: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Denise Krekeler, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, Salt Stain, Sloan Alberhasky, and Tyler Powers.