In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we’re joined by Maytal Agasi, known on trail as Carrot Top. In this episode, we learn how a road trip in a mid-size SUV with her two brothers sparked Carrot Top’s entry into the world of thru-hiking. She shares how she benefitted massively from both solo and group thru-hikes. We chat about her time on the JMT, Colorado Trail, and PCT, and we take a deeper dive into her most recent trek on the Camino de Costa Rica, covering standout cultural elements, landscape highlights, the incredibly muggy weather, rich wildlife (including venomous snakes and sloths), managing language barriers, unique logistical challenges, and more.

A quick note: I made a big time dumb guy mistake. About 30 minutes into the interview, I realized our audio recorder wasn’t rolling. The first 36 minutes of the interview have lower audio quality than usual. That portion still offers important context about Maytal’s journey into the outdoors, but if it’s too distracting, the audio quality improves at the 36-minute mark of the interview.

Trigger warning: This interview includes discussion of suicide. If this is a sensitive topic for you, we recommend skipping ahead to the point where the audio improves—again 36 minutes into the interview.

We wrap the show with another clue about our super secret special guest for the upcoming live podcast in Austin, what ridiculous outfit we’d hike in forever, the Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes, and a disturbing story of an international hiker who was detained, deported, and banned from the U.S. on her way to hike the Arizona Trail.

Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKWINTER15” at topoathletic.com.

Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com.

Vaer Watches: Check out Vaer Watches at vaerwatches.com.

AG1: Get your free $79 gift at drinkag1.com/backpacker.

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Interview with Maytal “Carrottop” Agasi

Time stamps & Questions

00:06:10 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, join us for our live show in Austin, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek!

00:10:00 - Audio note

00:12:10 - Introducing Maytal

00:15:30 - How did you get your trail name?

00:16:05 - What does a garden educator do?

00:17:24 - What is the best plant?

00:19:40 - How did you get into hiking?

00:21:23 - Why don’t you fight with your siblings?

00:24:00 - Discussion about Maytal’s roadtrip

00:25:23 - Are your parents hippie-adjacent?

00:27:08 - What’s your favorite on-trail meal to make?

00:30:50 - Do you taste the meals before dehydrating them?

00:32:44 - How did you decide to hike the JMT?

00:34:10 - What happened to your dad?

00:38:30 - How do you process things as well as enjoy the trail while hiking?

00:40:50 - Was it intimidating to hike mostly solo on your first hike?

00:46:17 - Are there any fats that are safe to dehydrate?

00:46:55 - Did you know right away you wanted to do more hikes?

00:49:45 - Have you butt heads with anyone on trail?

00:52:00 - How did you get your gear dialed in for the JMT?

00:55:00 - Discussion about stool sample tests

00:57:45 - Were you happy to hike the CT with a friend or did you ever want space?

01:00:50 - What did you like about Salida?

01:03:03 - When did you decide to hike the PCT?

01:05:30 - Tell us about almost falling off a mountain

01:10:35 - What was it like to go through the Sierra twice?

01:12:45 - How did you learn about the Camino de Costa Rica?

01:15:57 - Are guides required?

01:16:50 - How long is the trail and what is the mileage like each day?

01:20:30 - Do you pay the host families?

01:23:40 - How did you communicate that you were vegetarian?

01:24:50 - Did you have cell service?

01:26:00 - Do you know how many people have hiked this trail?

01:28:30 - What was the weather like?

01:30:25 - What were the landscape highlights of the trail?

01:38:00 - Discussion about wildlife

01:41:05 - Were there other opportunities to eat in town?

01:42:12 - What are the biggest cultural differences?

01:45:55 - What would you like to relay to the listeners of Backpacker Radio?

01:47:38 - Peak Performance Question: What is your top performance-enhancing or backpacking hack?

Segments

Trek Propaganda

QOTD: If you could only hike in one ridiculous outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Triple Crown of Colorado stereotypes

Thing of the Week

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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The Camino de Costa Rica with Maytal "Carrot Top" Agasi (BPR #301)

Backpacker Radio

The Camino de Costa Rica with Maytal "Carrot Top" Agasi (BPR #301)