# Falling 35 Feet Free Soloing, Hiking the CT in 15 Days, and What It Means to Be Navajo in America with Jeremy "Smitty" Phoenix (BPR #363)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/backpacker-radio-228477/falling-35-feet-free-soloing-hiking-the-ct-in-15-days-and-what-it-means-to-be-navajo-in-america-with-jeremy-smitty-phoenix-bpr-363
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/backpacker-radio-228477/falling-35-feet-free-soloing-hiking-the-ct-in-15-days-and-what-it-means-to-be-navajo-in-america-with-jeremy-smitty-phoenix-bpr-363.md
Podcast: [Backpacker Radio](https://stenobird.com/podcast/backpacker-radio-228477)
Published: 2026-06-29T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://backpackerradio.libsyn.com/falling-35-feet-free-soloing-hiking-the-ct-in-15-days-and-what-it-means-to-be-navajo-in-america-with-jeremy-smitty-phoenix-bpr-363
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/claritaspod.com/measure/prfx.byspotify.com/e/mgln.ai/e/441/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/backpackerradio/BPR_Ep_363_-_Smitty.mp3?dest-id=635059
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/backpacker-radio-228477/episodes/falling-35-feet-free-soloing-hiking-the-ct-in-15-days-and-what-it-means-to-be-navajo-in-america-with-jeremy-smitty-phoenix-bpr-363
Duration seconds: 12512

## Resource

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, brought to you by LMNT, we are joined by Jeremy Phoenix aka Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen, aka Javos, a Navajo-born, Amish-country-raised, REI-employed, grave-digging, Princeton-attending thru-hiker who completed the Colorado Trail in 15 days on his first ever backpacking trip and has been making up for lost time ever since. In this one, Smitty walks us through completing the 24-hour challenge three separate times on the PCT, a free solo fall from 35 feet- that he just kind of walked off, getting stalked by a mountain lion, surviving shin splints for almost the full PCT, and a harrowing midnight ice traverse below Mount Whitney with no traction. He also shares what it means to be Navajo in America, including having code talker grandparents and introducing himself to the land before every new section of trail. We wrap the show with a tribute to longtime Patreon supporter Bill Jensen, who recently passed away on the CDT, the biggest thru-hiking preparation mistake- according to Peg Leg, addressing the question of which direction people predominantly face in the shower, and the triple crown of things you can easily live without but nonetheless should be free for everyone. LMNT: Get a free sample pack with any order at drinklmnt.com/trek . Gossamer Gear: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for $20 off LT5 Trekking Poles at gossamergear.com . Shady Rays: Use code "TREK" for 40% off two or more pairs of sunglasses at shadyrays.com . [divider] Interview with Jeremy Barney aka Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen Jeremy's Instagram Jeremy's Youtube Time stamps & Questions 00:06:30 - Reminders : Sign up for the Trek's newsletter , subscribe to Trail Correspondents , and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon ! 00:09:18 - Introducing…

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