Walking the Americas: Culture Clashes, Risk Mitigation, and Your Security Dog with Lucy Barnard (BPR #335)

On today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Lucy Barnard. Lucy, along with her pup Wombat, has walked from the southern tip of Argentina to the Great Divide Trail in Canada, and will undertake the final leg of this monstrous journey, across northern Canada to Alaska, later this winter.

We delve into what drove Lucy to undertake such a bold mission, especially considering she had virtually no experience in long-distance hiking beforehand. She shares some really crazy stories from the trail, including how she was held at gunpoint by cartel members, what it’s been like to hike this hike with a dog in tow, the additional obstacles it entails, the overwhelming kindness she’s encountered from strangers along the way, and much more.

We end the show by highlighting 140 miles in Portugal that belong on your bucket list, how a hiking staple could be giving us mercury poisoning, movies we definitely don’t recommend, the triple crown of food shaming, and the lazy person’s guide to making your own dehydrated meals.

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Interview with Lucy Barnard

Timestamps and questions

00:3:00 – Reminders: Apply to the Trek blog, subscribe to our youtube channeland listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:07:10 – Introducing Lucy

00:10:00 – Buffalo high low

00:14:40 – Nutrition discussion.

00:16:34 – How do you replenish Wombat’s food?

00:18:45 – How did you get Wombat?

00:23:35 – Is Wombat a good security dog?

00:41:16 – What is your concern about sharing stories about risky times?

00:47:00 – Did you consider leaving the road after that?

00:50:20 – Discussion on culture shock and linguistic expressions.

00:53:03 – What were you doing before this walk?

01:02:00 – What was your hiking and traveling experience before this hike?

01:06:20 – Were you nervous when you started the trip?

01:09:05 – What created your desire to do this?

01:14:00 – Discussion about people from other countries interested in hiking in the US.

01:19:07 – Discussion on deworming

01:21:30 – What’s in Wombat’s first aid kit?

01:23:30 – Do you have a standout story about an animal encounter?

01:30:20 – How much of the trip is a logistical puzzle versus a physical challenge?

01:33:50 – How have you managed family and friend relationships during this walk?

01:38:20 – What are celebrities and fame like in Australia?

01:42:30 – Why do you think this trip is going slower than you expected?

01:49:15 – How do you balance taking good advice and not feeling overwhelmed?

01:52:40 – Tell us about your general route so far.

01:56:00 – Discussion on Lucy’s navigation app

01:58:15 – What due diligence do you do ahead of time to make sure you’re safe?

02:02:00 – Lucy’s stories about providing magic on the trails

02:04:50 – Tell us more stories about integration with the locals.

02:13:25 – Tell us about Wombat who got sick from eating crabs in the desert.

02:15:08 – Tell us about the Great Divide Trail

02:20:15 – What was your most difficult day in this experience?

02:26:30 – How can listeners support your journey?

02:27:20 – What will the future of travel be like?

02:35:00 – Where can people go to keep up with you?

Segments

Propaganda Clues:

QOTD: What are the movies that you definitely don’t recommend to people? mnh2.

Triple Crown of shameful foods

Listener Voicemail

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