Episode Details

Today we are joined by Shug Emery. In addition to being a hammock enthusiast, with almost 100,000 YouTube subscribers, Shug's previous profession was as a circus clown for Barnum and Bailey. We obviously go way down the traveling circus rabbit hole, and we promise you his stories do not disappoint. Shug also shares his top tips for beginning hammockers, what his setup looks like, and what goes into making a successful YouTube channel.

We close out the show with some Trek propaganda, a triple crown of things we will no longer take for granted, and, another edition of backcountry matchmaking.

• Interview with Sean "Shug" Emery
  • YouTube: ShugEmery
• QOTD: "What's the one thing you've learned about yourself during this pandemic?"
• Save 15% at GossamerGear.com by using code "ATDRINK15" at checkout.
• Save 5% at Zpacks.com by using code "THANKSZACH" at checkout.
• Hikerlink!
• Intro Song: Walking Slow by Animal Years
• Intro beats: Pauly Boy Shallcross
• Check out Trail Correspondents
• Check out The Attempt!

[divider]

00:03:00 - Chaunce is BORED

00:08:45 - Zach doesn't like pandemics.

00:09:06 - Interview with (and intro of) Shug (Sean Emery)!

00:10:42 - How Shug got started as a clown

00:12:20 - Clown College is competitive!

00:18:08 - Clown College Know-It-Alls

00:20:10 - Stories from the Circus

00:25:40 - How many days a week is the circus? Do you get time off?

00:28:06 - Spotlight guys always know where the good weed and food is!

00:28:48 - Is there a hierarchy in the circus?

00:33:20 - Why do people get into clowning? It's not for the pay, so what's the draw?

00:41:30 - What was your clown name?

00:43:20 - Where did the name Shug come from?

00:48:55 - What are the top skills for becoming a great clown?

00:53:08 - You went on to do a solo clown show?

00:59:00 - At the end of Clown College you get selected for contracts, and not everyone goes!

01:07:20 - Any circus secrets you can reveal?

01:14:10 - Why do you hammock?

01:16:07 - What is your backpacking background?

01:23:11 - If someone had a free week, what would you recommend for the Boundary Waters?

01:26:22 - Why hammock over tenting?

01:29:51 - What should someone look for in a good hammock?

01:35:16 - What is a good hammock hang vs. a bad hammock hang?

01:45:26 - Is Minnesota a wet state?

1:46:30 - What's your setup on a -40 night?

01:48:28 - Advice from