#224 | Pony 4.0: The Cape Wrath Trail, A Challenging CDT Section, and Retiring from Multi-Month Backpacking

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are re-re-re joined by listener favorite and our pal, Clay Bonnyman Evans, aka Pony. We catch up on all that Pony's been up to since his last appearance on the show including a thru-hike of the Cape Wrath Trail, which he refers to as the AT of the UK, his trek from Edinburgh to Glasgow, his stint as a caretaker at Woods Hole Hostel, and his latest section hike of the Continental Divide Trail, which he cites as his most psychologically challenging hike to date. In typical Pony fashion, this chat is wild- we get an extended Scottish accent, some explicit poop stories, and we are introduced to the erotic world of hedging. You might be able to guess what that is, either way, you're soon about to find out. We wrap the show with a feature from a Trek blogger about how backpacking made her less independent, a triple crown of bummer places to be, and Chaunce triggers the internet. Vargo Outdoors: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for 20% off at vargooutdoors.com. Katabatic Gear: Use code "BPR15" for 15% off at katabaticgear.com. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek. [divider] Interview with Clay "Pony" Bonnyman Evans Pony's Instagram Pony's Website  Time stamps & Questions 00:03:48 - Reminders: Check out our new merch, submit your poop story for a chance to win a BPR RTIC mug, and apply to be a blogger! 00:05:35 - Introducing Pony 00:06:02 - Tell us your poop story 00:10:20 - Tell us about caretaking at Woods Hole hostel 00:12:25 - Tell us a second poop story 00:14:38 - Discussion about the murder you got interested in 00:17:35 - Did you consider writing a book about it? 00:19:38 - Tell us about the Cape Wrath trail 00:26:46 - What are the pros and cons of going south or north? 00:28:50 - Are you planning on doing the West Highland Way? 00:29:25 - Did you notice the accent change as you got further north? 00:31:03 - What was resupplying like? 00:33:28 - What was the camping like? 00:38:00 - Anything else you want to share on this hike? 00:40:12 - Do you remember any legends? 00:42:50 - Tell us about hiking from Edinburgh to Glasgow 00:46:33 - Which city would you return to if you could only pick one? 00:47:16 - What's the hiking culture like? 00:50:24 - Did you do anything between Scotland and going back to the CDT? 00:51:20 - Tell us about hiking alone for the most part 00:58:30 - What constitutes a bad day on the CDT? 01:02:03 - What other things did you do to make you realize you were losing your sanity? 01:05:52 - Is it surprising to you that you're still learning a lot about yourself? 01:07:54 - Did you have any standout favorite days? 01:11:07 - Did you do any uncommon alternates that you think more people should do? 01:14:15 - What do you attribute red line fever to? 01:17:18 - What led to you still needing to mop up some miles? 01:21:32 - Tell us about recovering from giardia 01:25:02 - How does overdoing it manifest for you? 01:30:00 - Discussion about the weather 01:31:13 - Tell us about the Glacier permit system 01:35:08 - Why don't the national parks all use the same system? 01:39:30 - Did you have any gear you loved or loathed? 01:43:30 - Do you have any hot takes for us? 01:51:40 - What's next for you? Segments Trek Propaganda: How Thru-Hiking Made Me Less Independent by Gillian QOTD: What is something you've been doing recently to intentionally annoy your partner? Trigger the Internet Triple Crown of bummer places to be Mail Bag 5 Star Review [divider] Check out our sound guy @paulyboyshallcross. 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 & Misty with Navigators Crafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair (Thirteen Adventures), Brent Stenberg, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, DoGoodPantry, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Liz Seger, Matt Soukup, Mike Poisel, Morgan Luke, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy "Trigger" Fawns. A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: 12 Trees Farms, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jake Landgraf, Jeanne Latshaw, Jeff LaFranier, Joann Menzer, Keith Dobie Jr, Kelly Heikkila, Matthew Spence, and Peter.