Quitting a Thru-Hike, Living Nomadically, and Working as a Chef with Juliette "Scorpion Queen" Kerven (BPR #318)

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, brought to you by Topo Athletic, we’re joined by Juliette Kerven, known on trail as Scorpion Queen. Juliette is a Michelin-trained chef, former yacht crew member, full-time nomad, and a thru-hiker of both the PCT and AT, and we caught her during her CDT thru-hike attempt for this conversation. 

This is a solo interview led by Chaunce, and it ventures into some uncharted emotional terrain for this podcast as Scorpion Queen openly wrestles with whether or not to continue her hike, and she ultimately comes to a decision during the interview. 

We also talk about what it’s like hiking in the U.S. as an international hiker (Juliette is from England), hear about her experience working on yachts, and learn how her Michelin-level culinary skills translate to the backcountry. All that and much more.

We wrap the show with the most common injuries to AT thru-hikers, small things that make our days better, the triple crown of gingers (fictional characters edition), and the definitive guide to the sluttiest fonts.

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Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek.

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

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Interview with Juliette “Scorpion Queen” Kerven

• SQ's Trek Author Page
• SQ's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:04:56 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, apply to blog for the Trek, and listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon!

00:10:30 - Introducing SQ

00:12:30 - How did you get your trail name?

00:15:05 - Why did you hate nature as a kid?

00:17:50 - When did you become fully nomadic?

00:21:07 - How did you decide to hike the PCT?

00:23:45 - What’s it like to work as a chef?

00:28:15 - What are your go-to dishes to make?

00:30:40 - When did you actually get on the PCT?

00:36:00 - Discussion about visas

00:37:30 - What are your crazy stories from working on super yachts?

00:39:00 - What grew your love for the PCT so much?

00:43:40 - What was your favorite trail town?

00:44:40 - What would you