Backcountry Banter

In this quick public lands update we dig into the Roadless Rule. The comment period for the rescission of this rule is fading fast so listen in to get the nuts and bolts of how this thing came to be, what critic are saying, and get some facts to help you make educated comments. Find all the necessary links here and be an advocate for our public lands!

Full language of the rule: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2001-01-12/html/01-726.htm

Comment on the Roadless Rule:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/20/2026-16965/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation 

Save Public Lands:

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His dirt masked legs are hardly recognizable past their thorn torn skin, he comes to town just once every while to enjoy the spoils of his old life. His feet blistered and his face unkept but he minds not. He’s been using the same spoon and food bag for as long as he can remember, surviving off the mush that keeps in the dark depths of his lightly loaded pack. 

He cares about little but the miles of the day, a simple soul who takes comfort in the flicker of stars and gentle rock of the canopy with a mountain breeze. Known only by the name Cast Iron, he is no stranger to this life. Appalachian, Rocky, Cascade, Sierra, the name of the mountains change but the quest is eerily similar. He seeks a spectacular crown, a treasure so rare, and so precious that few see its glory. Cast Iron thirsts for the Triple Crown of long distance hiking, and on this day we will hear the tale of his grand travels.

Dalton "Cast Iron" Spurlin has just begun his hike on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), his third and final trail of the triple crown. We catch up with him in Washington, his first state to hear about the trail and mindset leading up to this point.

Text for fire/smoke updates: +1-765-553-4737

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Check back for RRT's highly curated backcountry fly fishing assortment.

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Mr. Fabulous is back on the Banter to talk about his newest book "A Fabulous Thru-Hike". Derick Lugo, now a triple crowner having completed the three major long distance trails, recently published his second book. A Fabulous Thru-Hike is about his experience on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). In the book and on the podcast Derick share his struggles and his successes of thru-hiking. We're joined by Nancy Ball of Summit Trek and Travel for this very fun and insightful conversation with Mr. Fab.

Derick joined us last season as we had a blast discussing his first book The Unlikely Thru-Hiker. If you haven't already, venture back and listen to that episode as well. Have your own thru-hike to plan? RRT is your go to resource for gear and information: ⁠⁠⁠Shop with RRT⁠

Like what you hear? We'd love if you gave us a follow. Hit those three dots on our podcast profile page and give us a rating. Podcast ratings are like overnights in a tent, the more stars the better. Follow us on our social platforms:

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When it comes to adventure travel and mountain treks, RRT has their very own Emily White to delve so deep into the experience that her knowledge and experience has the ability to truly connect and inspire any who hear her tales. In season 2 we hosted Emily for what would become our number one podcast, on the Alta Via 1. If you haven’t already, go back and give that one a listen. We welcome Emily back after a recent full month of immersion into New Zealand’s most epic treks, and her third trip to the islands. Emily, joins us again as our first ever repeat guest. Emily is our travel and trek expert here to share all about the best Great Walks in New Zealand.

Like what you hear? We'd love if you gave us a follow. Hit those three dots on our podcast profile page and give us a rating. Podcast ratings are like overnights in a tent, the more stars the better. Follow us on our social platforms:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@RRTrails⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@RRT45150⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠@RRT50

Check back for RRT's highly curated backcountry fly fishing assortment.

⁠Shop with RRT

The Superior Hiking Trail is an over 300-mile, rugged footpath in northeastern Minnesota that follows a rocky ridgeline above Lake Superior from the Wisconsin border to the Canadian border. Renowned for its scenic views, waterfalls, and fall foliage this trail is a great first for long distance hikers. In this podcast we catch up with one of RRT's experience coordinators "No Filter" to hear all about his experience on trail.

Get started: https://superiorhiking.org/

Like what you hear? We'd love if you gave us a follow. Hit those three dots on our podcast profile page and give us a rating. Podcast ratings are like overnights in a tent, the more stars the better. Follow us on our social platforms:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@RRTrails⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@RRT45150⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠@RRT50

Check back for RRT's highly curated backcountry fly fishing assortment.

Shop with RRT

When you step out into the backcountry, one of the best ways to truly immerse yourself is with a flyrod. In this episode we're joined by Chuck Pettigrew, Chuck has spent 30 years as an adjunct professor at Clemson, 40 leading high adventure trips, and has led many years of research in Yellowstone National Park as a microbiologist. He is an expert angler, hunter, and outdoorsman. Tune in to hear some amazing fish stories and words of wisdom from RRT's "Shop Pop".

Like what you hear? We'd love if you gave us a follow. Hit those three dots on our podcast profile page and give us a rating. Podcast ratings are like overnights in a tent, the more stars the better. Follow us on our social platforms:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@RRTrails⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@RRT45150⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠@RRT50

Check back for RRT's highly curated backcountry fly fishing assortment.

Scott Hall, is a Professor at the University of Dayton where he coordinates the clinical mental health counselling program. Scott centers on resilience and Ecotherapy; or the role nature plays in our well being. This past year Scott, or "Flyer" as he'd be named hiked the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. We talk with Scott about his experience on the trail, his teachings in ecotherapy, and how those two things were the perfect marriage in a monumental achievement.

UD Ecotherapy Certificate: Link

Brain Health Collective: link

"Your Brain on Nature" You Tube: link

Shop Outdoor Gear at RRT: ⁠Shop⁠

Like what you hear? We'd love if you gave us a follow. Hit those three dots on our podcast profile page and give us a rating. Podcast ratings are like overnights in a tent, the more stars the better. Follow us on our social platforms:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@RRTrails⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@RRT45150⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠@RRT50

In this episode we welcome Emily Dunning, with the Edge of the Atlantic expedition. This summer, six women plan to paddle 1,000 kilometers across some of North America’s most remote waters to the Arctic Ocean — from Labrador City, NL to Kangiqsualujjuaq, QC. Together, they’re charting a new route for The Camping and Education Foundation, strengthening the legacy of women in wilderness leadership, and raising support for the next generation of female adventurers.

Visit/Donate: Edge of the Atlantic

Contact us as [email protected]

• Camping and Education Foundation
• Camp Ogichi-Daa-Kwe
• Camp Kooch-i-ching
• 6Northof60 Expedition
• WWF Canada

Shop Outdoor Gear at RRT: Shop

Like what you hear? We'd love if you gave us a follow. Hit those three dots on our podcast profile page and give us a rating. Podcast ratings are like overnights in a tent, the more stars the better. Follow us on our social platforms:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@RRTrails⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@RRT45150⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠@RRT50

In this episode we talk with Dustin Lindley, the Board Chair for the Ohio Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. Dustin is an avid outdoorsman who appreciates the experiences that he grew up with and the value in preserving those opportunities for the future generations. His advocacy work with BHA includes conversations and events that focus on issues on a local and national level. In this podcast we'll learn more about what BHA does, what are some current issues that we face, and why is this all worth protecting.

We urge you to get involved and take action on public land issues that threaten the conservation, environmental protection, and access of OUR public lands.

Episode Resources:

https://www.backcountryhunters.org/

Save the Boundary Waters (click on "MN" to act now)

RRT/BHA Town Hall

Correction: East Fork SP is 4,870-acre of land and 2,160-acre of water

Like what you hear? We'd love if you gave us a follow. Hit those three dots on our podcast profile page and give us a rating. Podcast ratings are like overnights in a tent, the more stars the better. Follow us on our social platforms:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@RRTrails⁠⁠

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Cancelled and Euchre (previously known as Aiden and Miranda) have recently returned from their first long distance thru-hike on the Colorado Trail. We'll catch up with them about the experience in our first ever explicit content episode (it's not so bad...). Do you have thoughts of a thru hike, or venturing out on the CT? Give it a listen and start to dream, plan, and live!

Like what you hear? We'd love if you gave us a follow. Hit those three dots on our podcast profile page and give us a rating. Podcast ratings are like overnights in a tent, the more stars the better. Follow us on our social platforms:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@RRTrails⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@RRT45150⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠@RRT50