By Land Podcast
This podcast is about learning how to have better backcountry experiences and understanding why spending time outside matters in the first place.
I have conversations with people from diverse outdoor backgrounds to learn from them and hear their personal stories. I cover everything from backpacking, hiking, hunting, conservation, and outdoor skills to the broader role the outdoors can play in our health, perspective, and everyday lives.
Thanks for listening!
-Emory, By Land
By Land Podcast
#127 - Embrace The Alternate with Doug Laher
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Doug Laher is the Father of Thru-Hiker Trevor “Microsoft” Laher who tragically passed away while hiking near Apache Peak along the PCT. He was 11 days into his hike when conditions along the trail deteriorated quickly, forcing him to either push through or find another way around.
Trevor was 22 years old, a graduate of Ohio State, and had a software engineering job waiting for him at Microsoft once his hike of the PCT was complete. He had a determined soul, a brilliant mind, and a reflective attitude. His love of hiking continued to grow year after year and the PCT was to be his pinnacle dream.
This is his story.
Show Notes and Links
- Introduction to Doug Laher
- Recapping the events of March 27th, 2020
- Getting to know Trevor
- Doug and Trevor’s connection over backpacking
- Trevor’s journey to the PCT
- What Trevor wanted from the PCT and why he hiked
- COVID decision making
- Trevor's decisions leading up to his fall
- Doug’s mission to educate PCT hikers
- The nuances of decision making
- Doug’s unique take on “hike your own hike”
- The Event Horizon of decision making
- How Doug is able to remain objective and logical
- Doug’s newfound mission in life and the impact it’s having on hikers
- Common themes from hikers sharing stories with Doug
- The dynamics of assessing risk tolerance
- The impact culture has on decision making
- Doug’s new connection to the hiking community
- Addressing emergency beacons
- Doug’s safety program for PCT hikers
- How to follow up with Doug
- https://nomadventures.com/product/trevor-spikes/
- https://thetrek.co/pacific-crest-trail/trevors-eternal-trail/
- https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a34785167/accident-pacific-crest-trail-louise-farr/
- https://www.pcta.org/2021/doug-lahers-call-for-safety-in-memory-of-his-son-trevor-87656/
Thanks for tuning in! Check out the links below to learn more, connect, and support the show.
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