#121 - The John Muir Trail RocketShip with Chad Lubinski

Explicit content warning

10/05/20 • 81 min

Chad Lubinski messaged me a few years ago after my PCT hike asking questions about how to section hike various portions of the PCT through Oregon because he’d never really considered any sort of hiking or backpacking outside of the hunting season. Since that first interaction, Chad has dived headfirst into backpacking. In 2019 he battled his first big chunk of miles along the PCT and just one year later he completed his first-ever thru-hike of the John Muir Trail. That one single thru-hike that put him through the wringer forced him to adapt to the changing conditions of the trail and when he came out the other side, he had a brand new lease on backpacking. It was like a rocket ship to backcountry freedom because when he came home, he went to work pounding out the miles as often as he could down some of the best trails Oregon and Washington have to offer.

In this episode, Chad shares his personal story, lessons learned, and what it’s like to hit the backcountry with confidence.

Show Notes and Links

Introductions
Chad’s background
Chad’s transition from hunting to backpacking
What caused Chad to begin section hiking
Experiencing the hiking culture
Observing the efficiency of thru-hikers
How efficiency can improve your enjoyment
What changed between 2019 and 2020
Chad’s experience on the JMT
Navigating the permit process
Preparing for the JMT
Getting punched in the face by the JMT
Lessons learned on the JMT
Learning the rhythm of the mountains
The powerful connection to others on the trail
Chad’s takeaway from the JMT
Confidence equals freedom in the backcountry
How to followup with Chad online
https://www.instagram.com/chadahooche_/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9Hz3X4LcG4fczA5vtz59Q

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Thanks for listening! Check out the links below to learn more, connect, and support the show.

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In this episode, Chad shares his personal story, lessons learned, and what it’s like to hit the backcountry with confidence.

Show Notes and Links

Introductions
Chad’s background
Chad’s transition from hunting to backpacking
What caused Chad to begin section hiking
Experiencing the hiking culture
Observing the efficiency of thru-hikers
How efficiency can improve your enjoyment
What changed between 2019 and 2020
Chad’s experience on the JMT
Navigating the permit process
Preparing for the JMT
Getting punched in the face by the JMT
Lessons learned on the JMT
Learning the rhythm of the mountains
The powerful connection to others on the trail
Chad’s takeaway from the JMT
Confidence equals freedom in the backcountry
How to followup with Chad online
https://www.instagram.com/chadahooche_/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9Hz3X4LcG4fczA5vtz59Q

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Check out the links below to learn more, connect, and support the show.

Previous Episode

#120 - An Uncomfortable Conversation About The Reality of Hunting Culture

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This episode of the By Land Podcast might get uncomfortable for hunters because I’m going to take a very hard and very uncomfortable look at the reality of what hunting culture actually is in 2020. This is not a topic that I take lightly. I’ve been sorting this out in my head for a long time now and thought it was time to put this out to listeners for them to consider as well.

This episode is a sort of thought experiment. We’ll dive into a number of questions regarding my own realities when it comes to hunting and what it is and isn’t, explore a hypothetical question of how long it would take for hunting ethics to breakdown, and lastly what this means for hunting in the future if my assumptions are correct.

This was not an easy episode to put together and I expect it will not be easy to listen to for some hunters out there who believe that their own version of hunting is the REAL version of hunting.

I’ll also dive into my concerns on whether or not echo chambers exist within minority factions of hunting communities and how that may be damaging to the future of hunting as a whole if left unaddressed.

Episode 120 is a loaded one and for those who decide to stick around, I hope it sparks conversation within your own small social circles so that we as a collective can begin to find solutions to the harsh reality of modern hunting culture.

Show Notes and Links

Introductions
The questions I’ve asked myself about hunting culture
Definition of “echo chamber”
What is the reality of hunting culture?
What is the future of hunting?
How many hunters do the right thing?
My experiences with others’ bad ethics
Who’s the real majority?
Is “what hunting is and isn’t” just a big echo chamber?
My thought experiment on human nature
Change comes from a desire to change
What is the future of hunting?
What is the reality of hunting?
What happens if hunting is voted out of existence
The attempt of the industry to change the narrative of what hunting is and isn’t
The hunting narrative isn’t working
Analyzing the kill shot
Final thoughts

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Check out the links below to learn more, connect, and support the show.

Next Episode

#122 - Finding Your Backpacking Style, Managing Expectations, and Managing Your Body

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This past fall I launched my "Learn How To Backpack" backpacking course for beginner backpackers. I’ve mentioned it on the show before but I wanted to take some time to talk about why I created it and who it’s for.

For this episode, I dive into a few of the topics I cover in the course so you get a feel for what to expect. With any luck, you’ll come away from this episode with some actionable tips to take with you on your next trip to the backcountry!

Show Notes and Links