In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio, presented by The Trek, we’re joined by Whitney La Ruffa, better known in the world of backpacking as “Allgood.” Allgood is the former president of ALDHA-West, the current Chief Revenue Officer at FarOut, and a certified backpacking OG—his first thru-hike dates all the way back to the early ’90s (some of you weren’t even alive then… which is weird). 

Since that first trek, Allgood has racked up an impressive list of trails, including the JMT, Wonderland Trail, Chinook Trail, Sierra High Route, PCT, CDT, and others. In this episode, we dive into stories from his countless miles on trail, his passion for backpacking food—he’s a bona fide backcountry chef, as evidenced by him freeze drying his own meals—and he spills the beans on some of his favorite trail-tested recipes. 

We also chat about how a chance encounter on the AT led him to adopt his dog, Erwin, and how Erwin has deepened his love for dogs in general. 

Beyond the trail, we get Allgood’s take on how backpacking has evolved since the 1990s, hear a heartfelt update on the health of former guest and beloved trail icon Renee "She-ra" Patrick, and unpack some of the recent bumps in the road for FarOut.

We wrap the show with how Damascus has bounced back in the wake of Hurricane Helene, if animals could talk, which species would be the most annoying, and the triple crown of states we'd draft in a civil war.

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

Shady Rays: Use code “TREK” for 35% off sunglasses at shadyrays.com.

Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek.

Bear Mattress: Use code “BACKPACKER” for 40% off at bearmattress.com.

[divider]

Interview with Whitney “Allgood” La Ruffa

• Allgood's Instagram
• Allgood's Blog

Time stamps & Questions

00:04:25 - Reminders: Listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, hold the Trek’s tent for us, apply to blog for the Trek!

00:11:00 - Introducing Allgood

00:15:52 - How has the world of thru-hiking changed from the early 90’s to now?

00:21:05 - Do you have any strong stances in which you’re a curmudgeon?

00:28:35 - Do you think there are more entitled hikers today?

00:36:05 - Tell us about your dog

00:43:00 - What’s the key to maintaining a dog’s longevity?

00:46:30 - Do you have a strong opinion about fresh/refrigerated dog food?

00:47:30 - Tell us about ridgerunning with Erwin

00:50:13 - Did you do any thru-hiking between 1996 and 2011?

00:52:45 - Tell us about the Chinook Trail

00:54:40 - Have you picked up any parallel hobbies?

00:56:55 - What meals do you make on trail?

00:59:20 - Discussion about dehydrating and freeze-drying food

01:02:40 - Do you have a go-to dehydrated recipe?

01:04:00 - Is there an easy way to tell if meat is fatty?

01:07:20 - Is gear a passionate subject for you?

01:10:05 - What’s the latest with She-Ra?

01:12:30 - How’d you get involved with ALDHA-West?

01:16:40 - How much time did you put in weekly while you were president?

01:19:35 - How’d you get connected with Six Moon Designs?

01:21:10 - What does the typical person not know about the cottage gear industry?

01:24:35 - What’s the next step for FarOut?

01:28:30 - Is there anything cool you’ve learned about FarOut since working there?

01:32:27 - How will FarOut address some of the other beef people have had with the app?

01:35:40 - Where can people keep up with you?

Segments

Trek Propaganda: “We’re Back!” 8 Months After Hurricane Helene Devastation, Damascus Shines in Trail Days 2025 by Kelly Floro

QOTD:  If animals could talk, which species would be the most annoying?

Triple Crown of states you would draft in the next civil war

Mail Bag

5 Star Review

[divider]

Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ and his coffee.

Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter

Leave us a voicemail!

Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)!  Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Play.

Support us on Patreon to get bonus content.

Advertise on Backpacker Radio

Follow The Trek, Chaunce, Badger, and Trail Correspondents on Instagram.

Follow Backpacker Radio, The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube.

Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. 

Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years.

A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Alex Kindle, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Carl Houde, Christopher Marshburn, Clever Innuendo, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Ethan Harwell, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg Martin, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Griffin Haywood, Hailey Buckingham, Patrick Cianciolo, Rebecca Brave, Rural Juror, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy ‘Trigger’ Fawns

A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bells, Benjy Lowry, Bonnie Ackerman, Brett Vandiver, Chris Pyle, David, David Neal, Dcnerdlet, Greg Floravanti “Lumberjack”, Jack Greene, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Luke Netjes, Merle Watkins, Peter, Quenten Jones, Ruth S, and Spencer Hinson.