David "Moondog" Roop on Thru-Skating the Florida Trail and Natchez Trace Trail

Backpacker Radio

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by David “Moondog” Roop. Moondog, alongside his buddy, has done the Natchez Trace Trail, Florida Trail, and 500 miles through New Mexico, not on foot, but instead on skateboard which he refers to as a thru-skate. We learn all about what goes into such a unique adventure, including how his gear differs relative to traditional backpacking, what terrain is skateboardable and what isn’t, how sore his push muscles get over the course of a full day of skateboarding, and more.

We wrap the show with the first edition of the 2023 AT thru-hiker survey results, the weirdest things we’ve brought home after a night out, and our triple crown of campaign promises.

Sawyer Products: Check out Sawyer’s Permethrin Pump at REI.

Gossamer Gear: Use code “DINGLEBERRY” for 20% off backpacks at gossamergear.com.

Ka’Chava: Get 10% off at kachava.com/backpacker.

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Interview with David “Moondog” Roop

• Moondog's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:03:01 - Reminders: Subscribe to the Trek’s newsletter to hear when the Tyvek wall is available, subscribe to us on YouTube, and apply to be a 2024 blogger!

00:05:35 - Introducing Moondog

00:06:00 - Tell us about Madrid, NM

00:09:21 - How did you get your trail name?

00:11:18 - How does thru-skating work?

00:16:00 - How many miles can you normally skate in a day?

00:16:44 - What was your backpacking experience prior to starting skateboarding?

00:17:50 - What muscles get sore after a full day of skateboarding?

00:19:06 - Do you factor in the weight of the board?

00:21:00 - How hard was the learning curve?

00:22:06 - How much of the trail do you need to skate to consider it a thru-skate?

00:24:38 - Tell us some wipeout stories

00:27:08 - Do wipeouts make you consider more what you wear?

00:29:20 - Compare and contrast the Florida Trail and the Natchez Trace

00:32:00 - Discussion about skating effort and strategy

00:34:03 - How was your experience doing a full trail end to end?

00:36:00 - Discussion about wildlife on the Florida Trail

00:37:05 - Do you ever have gear malfunctions with the skateboard?

00:38:23 - Discussion about ultra skating

00:40:10 - Are there any interesting things skaters do that hikers don’t?

00:42:13 - Tell us about your New Mexico thru-skate

00:45:12 - What portion was hiking versus skating?

00:46:50 - What’s a standout moment you’ve had while thru-skating?

00:49:30 - How did you land on the Natchez Trace Trail?

00:51:12 - What’s the best time of year to do it?

00:52:22 - Have you considered using a mountain board to do something more rugged?

00:53:20 - How do you protect your board?

00:55:00 - How would you design your dream board?

00:55:45 - What did you do in Puerto Rico?

00:57:26 - What thru-skates are on your bucket list?

Segments

Trek Propaganda: The 2023 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey: General Information Part 1 by Kate Richard

QOTD: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve brought home on a night out?

Triple Crown of our presidential campaign promises

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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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, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Ironhike endurance productions, Jason “Snail” Snailer, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, and Tracy “Trigger” Fawns.

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