The Full Traverse - Mr. Fabulous is Everyone

The Full Traverse is Hiker Trash Radio's narrative documentary series, drawing from years of conversations with a single guest to tell their complete story.

This episode: Derick "Fab" Lugo — author, speaker, and Triple Crowner. From zero experience in 2012 to the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Long Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail.

Derick's books:

• The Unlikely Thru-Hiker (2019) — his AT memoir. Made-up curse words included; safe to read to your kids.
• A Fabulous Thru Hike (Mountaineers Books, 2026) — his CDT memoir, out now. Available wherever books are sold; ordering through his website supports him most directly while he's on tour.

Also featuring Derick's writing:

• Campfire Stories, Volume II — includes his first published fiction, a spooky short called "Vertigo"
• Stories from the Trail — includes "Trail Brothers," about hiking from New York City to Bear Mountain with his brother (also an ATC short film of the same name)

Derick's podcast: Unlikely Stories, produced with the Appalachian Mountain Club — 12 episodes featuring different voices of the outdoors, including the first African to summit Everest and record-setting AT hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis.

Trails featured in this episode:

• Appalachian Trail (2012)
• Long Trail, Vermont (2021 attempt; 2023 completion with Christine Reed)
• Continental Divide Trail (2022)
• Pacific Crest Trail (2025)

People mentioned:

• Christine "Lady Unicorn" Reed — author of Alone in Wonderland; Fab's Long Trail hiking partner and subject of her own Full Traverse episode
• Nature, Buck Wild, and Pirate — Fab's CDT trail family
• J.R. Harris — explorer and author of Way Out There, Fab's hero and fellow New Yorker
• Cutie — remembered with love by the CDT class of 2022

Book tour: Derick is on the road through spring and summer 2026, starting in Colorado, running up and down the East Coast, and working west. Dates at his website.

Follow Derick:

• Instagram / Facebook / TikTok: @dericklugo (that's D-E-R-I-C-K — he will notice if you spell it wrong)
• Website: dericklugo.com — signed copies available

The Full Traverse is produced by Hiker Trash Radio, a member of the BLEAV Podcast Network.

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