#174 | Nick Van Buer on Trekking 530 Miles Across the Mojave Desert

Backpacker Radio

In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are joined by Nick Van Buer. Nick is an associate professor specializing in hard-rock geology at Cal Poly Pomona and recently completed a 530-mile hike across the Mojave Desert on what he’s dubbed as the Mojave Wilderness Route. We obviously nerd out on rocks, learn more about the history and science of geology at large, and talk in depth about Nick's trek across the most remote parts of the Mojave Desert.

We wrap the show with a triple crown of non alcoholic drinks, we are blessed with a wonderful listener poop story via voice mail, and discuss the appropriate time to start and stop sending nudes.

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Interview with Nick Van Buer

• Nick's Website: Across the Mojave
• Nick's Youtube series
• LA Times Article about Nick

Time stamps & Questions

00:05:05 - QOTD: At what point in a relationship do you start and stop sending nudes?

00:15:49 - Reminders: Apply to blog or video-blog for the Trek! And check out our new shorts.

00:17:37 - Introducing Nick

00:18:45 - What got you interested in geology?

00:20:51 - Give us a taste of the professor life.

00:23:14 - How do you grind up a rock and find out how old it is?

00:25:38 - Do your students want to take geology?

00:27:20 - What are the most common geology careers?

00:28:37 - Did you use your geology skills during your hike?

00:29:37 - What are the best excuses you’ve gotten for people not coming to class or turning work in late?

00:31:20 - Can you teach us the basics of your research focus?

00:35:07 - Given your knowledge, on a scale of 1 to 10, what is your earthquake fear level?

00:38:33 - What was the process to get your sabbatical approved?

00:40:00 - Can you paint us a picture of the history of the Mojave Desert?

00:41:42 - Did you have a wishlist of things you were hoping to find during your hike?

00:43:41 - Did you develop the route?

00:45:44 - How long were your water carries and how did you carry it?

00:47:52 - Tell us about the weather you experienced.

00:48:38 - How did you know you’d be able to find water?

00:50:55 - Tell us about hiking through wilderness areas or passing notable interest points?

00:52:39 - Tell us about your previous backpacking experience.

00:55:07 - Were you nervous going into this hike?

00:56:33 - What kind of wildlife did you see?

00:57:35 - Describe to Zach what a geological map looks like.

01:00:40 - Is there one standout rock encounter?

01:03:15 - How often are there large paradigm shifts in geology?

01:04:57 - Was there anything in this hike that surprised you?

01:08:29 - Do you have any hot takes about currently accepted geological ideas?

01:10:39 - What’s the process for proving your theory?

01:13:22 - Tell us about the peer review process.

01:14:43 - Have you witnessed a lot of politicking within geology?

01:15:40 - Are there any fun geological facts you can relay to PCT hikers?

01:16:43 - How do you decide to take rocks from the field?

01:20:00 - What part of you just loves the desert, and what part of this is just public service?

01:20:56 - Tell us about swimming across the Colorado River.

01:25:50 - Tell us about the Youtube series that you made.

01:27:39 - Were there any standout stories you got more feedback on?

01:30:20 - How much weight in samples did you take?

01:31:54 - If these people were rocks, what rocks would they be and why?

01:35:01 - Do you have any other backpacking routes you’d like to do?

SEGMENTS

MG Check-In

Trek Propaganda

• Modifying your Gear List for High Routes and Off Trail Hikes by GPS
• 9 AT Thru-Hikers Share Their Top Advice by Rachel Shoemaker

Triple Crown of non-alcoholic drinks

Listener Voicemails (leave us your own!)

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

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