Almost There Adventure Podcast

By almostthereSports Wilderness

Almost There Adventure Podcast episodes

August 26, 2020Episode 19: Climbing with Elaina Arenz
In this episode: rope access, why you should hire a guide, can those skinny climbing ropes hold a Sasquatch, and the Raiders. We talk with Elaina Arenz, climber, rock guide, instructor, rope access technician and all-around inspiring outdoorist.
Show Notes
00:38 – Introduction to Elaina Arenz
01:40 – What is International Rope Access Technician Association (IRATA)?
03:20 – Let’s talk about football (a brief diversion)
05:37 – How a job at the shopping mall led to Elaina getting started with climbing
07:02 – Running New River Mountain Guides
07:50 – Teaching for the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA)
11:50 – The Warrior’s Way program
13:30 – Favorite climbing adventures
23:18 – Transition from rock climbing to rope access work
28:05 – Future adventures
30:28 – Climbing advice for a Sasquatch
34:45 – Why we should trust a climbing rope
36:35 – Empowering women in the outdoors
47:06 – Closing thoughts
Mentioned in this Episode
New River Mountain Guides
American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA)
The Warrior’s Way
Chicks Climbing
Find Elaina on Facebook
Follow Elaina on Intstagram
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Send us a voice message! https://www.speakpipe.com/AlmostThere
Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
50 min
August 12, 2020Episode 18: Self Defense, Solo Hiking & the Zombie Apocalypse with Nicole Snell
In this episode: Self defense, solo hiking, the flat part of the Inca Trail, and the Zombie Apocalypse. We talk with Nicole Snell, CEO of Girls Fight Back, dynamic international speaker, host and full-contact self-defense instructor specializing in sexual assault and violence prevention education, personal safety and empowerment.
Show Notes
01:00 – Introduction to Nicole Snell
02:34 – Saveria gives the Outdoor Defense series a thumbs up
03:35 – “Is it safe to hike solo?”
08:28 – When do you not hike solo?
12:23 – Thoughts on hiking with headphones and awareness
14:30 – Learning to ride a motorcycle and the zombie apocalypse
16:10 – Getting started in self-defense training
18:48 – Adrenaline-based training
23:22 – How Nicole got into hiking and the outdoors
26:25 – Day 2 on the Inca Trail
30:43 – “What if…” I come across someone on the trail that makes me uncomfortable?
34:00 – Your safety is more important than someone’s feelings
36:30 – Bear spray, pepper spray, knives, and other weapons and the importance of knowing your stuff
46:22 – How to learn more about Nicole
Mentioned in this Episode
Girls Fight Back
Impact Personal Safety
Outdoor Defense
Hiking Solo as a Woman – AdventurUS Women
Connect with Nicole on Instagram @adventuresofnik, @girlsfightback, & @impactpersonalsafety
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Send us a voice message! https://www.speakpipe.com/AlmostThere
Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
48 min
July 28, 2020Episode 17: Chris Smead on making hiking documentaries and the film Highline
In this episode: squiggle factor, gimbals, and “so you think you wanna make a hiking documentary.” We talk with Chris Smead of Outmersive Films about his latest film Highline, a story that follows five guys hiking the Uinta Highline Trail in Utah. This episode is for all of you aspiring outdoor filmmakers and camera gear lovers.
Show Notes
01:10 – A bit about the film Highline
02:07 – How the five individuals in Highline got together
03:32 – How did you learn about the Uinta Highline trail?
16:05 – Did they have a resupply on their 10-day trek?
17:40 – Average mileage on their trek (and the squiggle factor)
24:10 – Photo gear Chris used on Highline
27:43 – Protecting the gear (and staying “ultralight-ish”)
31:50 – How Chris got into making outdoor films
35:17 – Getting robbed by a film distributor
42:15 – Managing work/relaxation balance on backpacking trips
46:34 – Creating “drone-ish” shots without a drone
Mentioned in this Episode
The Highline film
Zpacks
Back Country Horsemen of America
Sony A6500
Sony FDR-AX53 Handycam
GoPro Hero 6 Black
John Muir Trail
High Sierra Trail film
Outmersive Films
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Send us a voice message! https://www.speakpipe.com/AlmostThere

Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
53 min
July 14, 2020Episode 16: Riffin' with Griff, Super Nature Nerd
In this episode, redwoods, snake fear, break dancing, and how to be a better steward of the outdoors. We talk with John “Griff” Griffith, wildlife conservationist, host of Animal Planets ‘Wild Jobs’ and all-around super nature nerd.
Show Notes
00:35 – Jason launches his photo website and visits the redwoods, backpacks in the Trinity Alps, and has his scariest wildlife encounter.
09:32 – Saveria and the Adventurus Women workshops, and what it’s like to get outdoors and travel during a pandemic.
11:39 – Jeff goes camping and gets his dogs “trail-ready.”
18:55 – Introducing Griff, the natural and cultural resource interpreter at Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
21:25 – The importance of protected natural areas for recreation, biodiversity and more.
24:09 – Laura Mahan, her role in saving the redwoods, and why she would be Griff’s first tattoo.
30:00 – Why adventurers experience the present moment better than most (mediation + locomotion), which positions them to better understand our connections with nature.
35:30 – Avoiding the “terminal experience” in nature.
40:30 – The story behind the Boss Dances Like a Boss video.
47:35 – Wild Jobs on Animal Planet (you can watch it online).
49:36 – How hard it is to get bitten by a rattlesnake, and Griff’s theory about snake fear.
52:09 – What can someone do to get into a dream job like Griff?
Mentioned in this Episode
Jason has launched his photo website: Fitztography.net
AdventurUs Women
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Trinity Alps Wilderness
Laura Mahan
Boss Dances Like a Boss – YouTube
iNaturalist – great, free app for identifying plants and participating in citizen science.
Wild Jobs on Animal Planet
National Association for Interpretation
California Naturalist Program on Facebook
Find Griff on Facebook
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Send us a voice message! https://www.speakpipe.com/AlmostThere
Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
59 min
June 30, 2020Episode 15: Michael Kelley, Outriggers, the Brad Pitt of Korea, and ‘Sup
In this episode, outriggers, the Brad Pitt of Korea and SUP. We speak with Michael Kelley, REI instructor, outrigger canoe and stand-up paddle board racer.
Show Notes
00:36 – Introductions
4:00 – How Michael first got started in racing outrigger canoes
5:31 – Individual and team seasons
10:30 – How SUP compares to outrigger canoeing
12:07 – What kind of experience you need to get into outrigger canoeing?
20:18 – The dynamics and size of the typical outrigger club
24:15 – Surfing, SUP, outrigger canoeing… what other sports are you involved in?
26:54 – Wildlife encounters in the water
29:52 – Safety protocols on longer outrigger canoe paddles
31:09 – Instruction and guiding
35:30 – Backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail
40:40 – Surfing coach to the “Brad Pitt of Korea”
48:05 – Competitive cycling in Europe
56:26 – The joy of teaching
Mentioned in this Episode
Find Michael on Instagram @mkelleydesign
Michael’s website, SUP Coach.net
Marina Outrigger Canoe Club
SCORA (SoCal Outrigger Racing Association)
Pialolo Challenge (race from Maui to Molokai)
Trans-Catalina Trail
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Send us a voice message! https://www.speakpipe.com/AlmostThere
Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
1 hr
June 16, 2020Episode 14: Casey Schreiner and the Joy of Local Hikes
In this episode, Griffith Park, mountain lions, blogs, Lyme disease, and the benefits of local hiking. We’re talking with Casey Schreiner, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Modern Hiker and author of LA Times bestseller ‘Discovering Griffith Park.’
Show Notes
01:00 – What is Modern Hiker how did it get started?
03:50 – First book: ‘Day Hiking Los Angeles’
08:00 – What makes Griffith Park a special place
14:50 – Mountain lions, rattlesnakes and other wildlife of Griffith Park
16:50 – Personal highlights of Griffith Park
20:10 – The “best” way to hike to the Hollywood Sign
24:06 – Did you ever imagine that hiking would be a big part of your identity?
26:00 – Advocacy for the outdoors vs social shaming
34:39 – ‘Lost LA’ history show on KCET, and the “Untold History of Griffith Park”
36:25 – Getting caught in the big earthquake in Nepal
39:13 – Favorite international hike
40:45 – The joy and benefits of local hikes and parks
45:30 – The best ways to find local parks and trails
Mentioned in this Episode
Modern Hiker
Day Hiking Los Angeles
Discovering Griffith Park
Lost LA – The Untold History of Griffith Park
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Send us a voice message! https://www.speakpipe.com/AlmostThere
Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
53 min
June 02, 2020Episode 13: Aar Jay Soria and the Fool’s Traverse
In this episode, fools, tunes, traverses, and the power of beer. We talk to Ricardo “Aar Jay” Soria, trail runner, hiker, peak bagger and organizer of the “Fool’s Traverse.”
The initial interview was recorded pre-pandemic, so we did a follow-up chat with him to learn how the Fool’s Traverse and his own adventure plans have been impacted by COVID-19, that appears on after the initial interview.
Show Notes
00:30 – A note about this critical time in history. Do something to end racism.
05:14 – As trails reopen, be sure to #RecreateResponsibly
06:10 – Introducing Aar Jay Soria
07:26 – The Fool’s Traverse
14:00 – How Aar Jay got started with trail running
17:13 – TRVRS Outdoors
23:17 – What’s next for Aar Jay?
27:35 – Aar Jay gives Jeff advice on preparing for the Fool’s Traverse
33:16 – Where to find Aar Jay online
34:05 – Follow-up with Aar Jay
35:00 – Impact on the Fool’s Traverse
38:00 – Physical distancing on the trail
40:05 – Training with limited access to trails
42:38 – Aar Jay’s trail running playlist
Mentioned in this Episode
RecreateResponsibly.org
Fool’s Traverse
TRVRS Outdoors
Aar Jay’s Top Ten Outdoor Songs (Spotify)
Kodiak 50
Grand Canyon R2R2R
Sierra High Route
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Send us a voice message! https://www.speakpipe.com/AlmostThere
Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
48 min
May 19, 2020Episode 12: National Trails Day – Time to Celebrate Trails
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
The first Saturday in June is National Trails Day, and in Episode 12, we talk with Kate Van Waes, Executive Director of the American Hiking Society plus AHS Ambassador and long-trail hiking extraordinaire Liz Thomas. This show is all about celebrating those trails of all types, including The Trail Next Door, the really long thru-hikes, and even urban trails.
Show Notes
00:30 – Kate Van Waes, Executive Director of the American Hiking Society
01:08 – A bit of background on National Trails Day
05:00 – National Trails Day during a global pandemic
14:37 – LNT reminder as trails reopen
15:42 – Reaching and educating new hikers
20:26 – Microadventures count, too!
21:22 – How Kate got into hiking and camping
28:07 – When is National Trails Day, and where you can learn more
29:48 – Liz Thomas, ultra-hiking machine and urban thru-hiking pioneer
30:27 – How Liz got into hiking
31:30 – Encouraging women to solo hike
32:25 – How do you define a “long” trail?
34:35 – Liz’ FKT on the Appalachian Trail
35:26 – What are some of Liz’ essential gear items?
36:09 – Treeline Review
41:23 – How Liz keeps her gear organized
41:39 – Urban thru-hiking
50:00 – Waterfalls in Southern California
54:35 – Advice for getting ready to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail
57:36 – Zero Days on long trails
62:16 – Trail magic
68:08 – Advice for thru-hikers not doing that big trail this year
Mentioned in this Episode
American Hiking Society
Treeline Review
Inman 300
Liz Thomas Hiking
Hiking Waterfalls Southern California
Backpacker Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
1 hr 11 min
May 05, 2020Episode 11: PB of Opus Orange & LA River Camp Coffee
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
Way back before all of the current coronavirus festivities (remember back then?) we met up with PB of Opus Orange in his studio to talk about music and the outdoors, and share a few tunes. Next, we joined the coffee aficionados of LA River Camp Coffee to do a blind taste test of backcountry coffee.
Show Notes
01:00 – PB from Opus Orange performs Out of the Shadows (which appeared in MILE…MILE & A HALF)
04:48 – How Jason and PB met
05:25 – How does the outdoors inspire your music?
07:16 – When did you get started getting into the outdoors?
08:16 – When did you start playing music?
11:43 – Writing music for television and film
16:00 – Meet Durand in SoCal and backpacking the Lost Coast Trail
18:31 – Making music in the outdoors
20:14 – How the idea for the EP Outside In was born
21:52 – Artificial Heart from the EP Outside In
29:49 – Diving Bell
36:40 – Live, stripped down performance of Radio Silence from the Anatomic LP
43:10 – Blind taste test of backcountry coffee with LA River Camp Coffee
55:04 – Stephen nails the blind taste test
55:25 – Favorite? Kuju
Mentioned in this Episode
Opus Orange
MILE…MILE & A HALF
The Lost Coast Trail
Making Outside In
#larivercampcoffee
Errin Vasquez – started LA River Camp Coffee in 2014
Alpine Start
Starbucks Via
Joe Coffee Company Instant Coffee
Voilà Specialty Instant Coffee
Kuju Coffee – Camp Coffee fave
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
59 min
April 21, 2020Episode 10: Epic Thru-Hikes with Airborne
The Almost There Adventure Podcast is a celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and talking to adventurers, artists, legends and activists within the outdoor community.
Ever wonder what it’s like to hike a really long hike? Maybe the Pacific Crest Trail isn’t long enough? In this episode we talk to Jon Schwartze, aka Airborne about really long distance hiking, with a follow-up interview on hiking in the age of Coronavirus.
Show Notes
01:15 – Introducing Jon Schwarze (Airborne)
01:35 – Yo-yo hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018 (5,300 miles)
02:05 – Hoka One One Challenger ATR shoes
02:25 – T-Rex syndrome
03:45 – Battling the caloric deficit
05:18 – How did you become a thru-hiker?
08:32 – Hypothermia in the Sierra Nevada mountains
10:28 – Finishing the PCT yo-yo and adjusting to life at home
13:05 – The Great Western Loop (7,000+ miles)
16:02 – Training for a super-long thru-hike
17:09 – Planning an “encore”
18:45 – The one piece of gear that you would never go without
21:13 – Other types of adventures
23:18 – April 2020 update from Airborne off the Great Western Loop
25:37 – The shock of coming off trail to a world changed by pandemic
37:12 – Plans to get back out on the trail?
39:08 – What do you do to stay positive and motivated?
42:30 – Hiking out to civilization and a ride home (safely)
47:43 – Threats of getting shot
50:27 – How far did you get on the Great Western Loop?
Mentioned in this Episode
Follow Jon Schwarze on Instagram
Great Western Loop – Andrew Skurka
Thru-hiker lingo
Superior Wilderness Designs
onX Hunt App
Connect with us!
Like Almost There on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almostthereadventurepodcast/
Follow Almost There on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almostthere_ap/
Our Co-hosts
Jason Fitzpatrick – IG: @themuirproject
Saveria Tilden – IG: @adventuruswomen web: AdventurUsWomen.com
Jeff Hester – IG: @thesocalhiker web: SoCalHiker.net
Theme song by Opus Orange. Courtesy of Emoto Music.
58 min

About Almost There Adventure Podcast

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A celebration of outdoor activities both local and epic. Discussing the big topics and sharing conversations adventurers, artists, activists and legends in the outdoor community.