#158 - Escaping the Thru-Hiking Mentality and Rediscovering Backpacking with Michael “Einstein” Gelfeld

Text the show!

Michael "Einstein" Gelfeld is an accomplished backpacker and bikepacker.  He's logged thousands of miles doing both, but when you ask him what matters most after all of that, he'd tell you it's not the stats but instead, whether or not you enjoy what you're doing.

Einstein joins the podcast to discuss current backpacking culture, how he escaped the thru-hiking mentality, and how he rediscovered his love for backpacking.

Show Notes and Links

• Einsteins backpacking backstory 
• A shift in perspective 
• The accomplishment measuring stick  
• Recapping the AZT YoYo attempt
• Redefining backpacking on a personal level
• Breaking free of the thru-hiking mentality
• The CDT hiker story - the epitome of where we’re at
• Where badge hunting gets dangerous
• Thru-Hikers are not backpackers
• Why thru-hiking is an attractive pursuit
• What actually motivates you up the trail
• Do the thing you want to do and enjoy it
• The importance of pursuing what you enjoy
• https://www.instagram.com/youth.retired/
• https://www.unpublishedeinsteinthoughts.com/
• https://lighterpack.com/r/p83g4d
• https://www.mgelfeldmath.com/

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