EP 127 Embrace The Alternate with Doug Laher - a podcast by Emory R. Wanger

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, putting him in a decision to either push through or find another way around. The section of trail he was on had been close for years until this point so any and all tribal knowledge of potential risks had been long since forgotten leaving Trevor and his new hiking partners to gauge for themselves what they should and shouldn’t do.

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 reflective in all respects. His love of hiking continued to grow year after year and the PCT was to be his pinnacle dream.

In the months since Trevor’s passing, Doug has taken up a mission to educate hikers on how to approach risks, gauge safety, and make sure PCT hikers know of the dangers of Apache Peak and that section of trail. Doug joins me to tell the story of his Son so that others may learn from it.

I’m incredibly honored and humbled to be a small part of Trevor’s legacy and I urge all of you who hear his story to take heed of Doug’s message and embrace the alternate when and if conditions call for it.

By Land,

Emory R. Wanger

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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

Trevors 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 followup with Doug

Trevor Spikes Program

https://nomadventures.com/product/trevor-spikes/ 

Doug’s articles on Trevor’s story

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/

Other podcast interviews

https://backpackerradio.libsyn.com/73-dough-laher-and-riverside-mountain-rescue-unit-rmru

https://www.hiking-thru.com/episodes/doug-laher

https://trailtales.podbean.com/e/103-a-harrowing-reminder-of-what-can-go-wrong-on-the-pct-and-other-trails-with-doug-laher/

Further episodes of The By Land Podcast

Further podcasts by Emory R. Wanger

Website of Emory R. Wanger