Lo Phong La Kiatoukaysy, a.k.a. Lil\u2019 Buddha, started thru-hiking America\u2019s trails after 9/11 in hopes of creating the same powerful human connections with backpackers that he\u2019d made with New Yorkers in the wake of that tragic day. In many ways, his whole life has been an ongoing journey. His parents fled the violence of the Vietnam War while his mother was pregnant with him, eventually immigrating to the United States and settling in Kansas. When he was a boy, his family took regular trips to the mountains of the West, where Kiatoukaysy fell in love with the outdoors. As a young adult, he was working near the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks. Soon after, he left the city with a vision of building community among thru-hikers on America\u2019s great trails. Almost 20 years later, he\u2019s still at it.\n\n\n\n\nThis episode was brought to you by Hydro Flask, a company that believes every adventure starts with two simple words: let\u2019s go! Shop Hydro Flask products for yourself or the outdoor lovers on your holiday list this season at hydroflask.com.