Video Interview: Pepper and Trauma Winter PCT Thru-Hike

I think the word adventure gets tossed around a lot, I think my take on it is that if you know ahead of time you are going to be successful or you are going to achieve something, there is no adventure in that.
~Shawn Forry

Justin "Trauma" Lichter and Shawn "Pepper" Forry at Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road
Justin “Trauma” Lichter and Shawn “Pepper” Forry at Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road

We are lucky to have had the privilege to host in our home two very humble, courageous, and fun thru-hikers. Over the last few months, Shawn “Pepper” Forry and Justin “Trauma” Lichter, “Team Bad Winter” have been hiking southbound through snow, ice, wind, rain, mud, and freezing cold. They have now made it safely through the high Sierras and are on their last leg of the first ever wintertime thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail.

They were kind enough to agree to an interview answering student generated questions by my tHInK outsidE outdoor class. One of my very clever and professional students agreed to conduct the following video interview on behalf of the entire class. It was a sweet and special experience to be witness to the interview. Grab some coffee and sit down for a special treat. These guys are unique. Don’t miss it.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZclQRpTYjAw?rel=0&w=853&h=480]

 

Pepper, Rockin', and Trauma
Pepper, Rockin’, and Trauma

 

Trauma and Pepper leaving from Tehachapi
Trauma and Pepper leaving from Tehachapi

Thank you Pepper and Trauma for sharing a part of your adventure and yourselves with our family. Wishing you the very best on the rest of your journey.

Find out more:

  • The PCTA wrote an excellent article on their background and trip with incredible photos, “Meet the two guys winter thru-hiking the PCT”.
  • Follow along on their websites shawnforry.com and justinlichter.com.

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34 Comments

  1. This is my first time pay a visit at here and i am truly
    impressed to read all at one place.

  2. You guys have such a zest for the outdoor life . I just love it . I was always intrigued with the outdoor life and being able to explore the wilderness on my own terms and convenience . Keep up the great work and I will be bookmarking your site !

    Thank you ,
    Ron

  3. Well, I did like how faith was intuitive and insightful in her questions and her direction of the interview. What an experience for her. It is events like this that shape us and of course its not just when we are young but when we are maturing as we are now! Rockin’, you are helping build the next generation and it is looking good!

  4. Ranger Bill & Buddy

    Just think how many students will have a curiosity now, perhaps an inclination to hike a trail and spend a night or nights outdoors. Good work, Rockin’! And the adventures of Trauma and Pepper show what is possible. My little 8-mile day hike yesterday in the desert pales by comparison. But all hikes have merit.

  5. Harriett Lane

    I love this interview. Very well done. Makes me smile!

    • I showed the class the video interview today (the class meets on Fridays), it was very cool. They had lots of questions, which I always love.

    • Yeah I’d agree, an awesome interview, and just to this point an amazing feat. Funny enough I was just there in tehachapi that same day, beautiful country. They are lucky that there is almost no snow in the Wrightwood areas and the temps have been record highs. 75 to 80 in the valley floors.

  6. So sweet that the students did the interview and questions. Thanks for sharing this with us!

  7. Super Cool interview by one of your incredible kids. Thank you Rockin for makin it happen. Hoping to stash some trail magic as they make there way past Silverwood lake.. Is there anything planned for there finish???

  8. nancy andujar

    Been following …truly gutsy ..I’m a fan.. would love to know where else in the world have been hiking.. since I’m also planning to hike there outside the states for 2015..again you guys r rock stars. .Congrats

  9. Good interview. A great accomplishment to complete the PCT in the winter. David Odell. PCT 1972

  10. Donald L Reavis

    Having hiked this trail northbound we can only imagine the trials of crossing the mountains in the winter time. Thanks for sharing. ~Stagecoach & Family Man – PCT Class of 2013

  11. Would like to hear more about the winter foods that worked well and what to avoid. Great tips for winter search and rescue groups. My kids are in civil air patrol and need x number of meals in their packs and it would be good to know how to better support their training efforts in our winter season.

  12. I was very impressed by the young lady’s composure. What a confidence builder
    for one so young. Congratulations.

    The interview immediately prompted
    me to research their backgrounds. Impressive. Rockin’, thanks for your post and your efforts with tHInK outsidE.

  13. Loved the interview. Very well done. Enjoyed hearing about all the challenges. Will surely check out their article and pictures.

  14. That was really cool! What a couple of great guys and excellent interview.

  15. So happy that you too had the opportunity to host this team. So strange to see them in shorts and without snowshoes or skis. To be a part of their journey brings us all smiles.

  16. What a great interview by your student !! I just read about those two PCT’ers a few days ago in a local publication ( Tahoe) .
    They really HAVE had an adventure ! Very cool!

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