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In this episode, you'll learn about onX Maps, a mobile mapping application for you phone.  From top to bottom, you'll come away from this chat with Dylan knowing what the company believes in and how their platform benefits the backcountry hunter.  Loaded with features and a well-designed interface, onX Maps delivers time and again.

Show Notes and Links

• Introduction to Dylan and OnX Maps
• The origin of onX Maps
• What onX Maps is and who it's for
• Dylan’s experience with mobile mapping via onX Maps
• How onX Maps can enhance the hunting experience
• How the mobile app is managed by the user
• Trusting a mobile phone for navigation
• How to use onX Maps when hunting and preparing to hunt
• New special features of onX Maps
• Using onX Maps outside of hunting
• How upgraded layers work
• Connecting your mobile app with the desktop app
• The future of onX Maps
• Contacting onX Maps
• https://www.onxmaps.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/onxhunt/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hrSBHB1WDeFcjRK8g5C8g
• https://www.facebook.com/onxhunt

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• www.byland.co
• Join the newsletter
• Beginner backpacking course
• Support the show
• [email protected]

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Will and Matt from Z Packs join me for this episode of The By Land Podcast to talk about Z Packs; what they offer, how they go about designing gear, and what is important to them as people making gear for other backpackers.  These two guys have been around the company for a lot of years and have a ton of great stuff to share.

It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to spend an hour talking with a couple of great guys who just want to do good things for people headed out on adventures.

 

Show Notes and Links

• Introductions to Matt and Will from Z Packs
• Origin story of Z Packs
• Why Z Packs was founded 
• A history lesson in ultralight backpacking gear
• What has made ultralight backpacking so popular
• Earning the trust of consumers
• The durability factor of chosen fabrics
• How long-distance backpacking has influenced general backpacking
• What Z Packs is doing to improve the user's backpacking experience
• Z Packs design principles
• What it means to design gear to be a part of someone’s adventure
• Popular Z Packs gear choices 
• New Z Packs rainwear
• How to reduce overall pack weight
• How to deal with rain
• Matt and Will’s advice to new backpackers
• The future of Z Packs!  What’s coming!
• How to find and contact Z Packs
• www.zpacks.com
• https://www.instagram.com/zpacks/

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• www.byland.co
• Join the newsletter
• Beginner backpacking course
• Support the show
• [email protected]

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John Zahorian joins me to talk about how he manages to hike 50 miles per day and how he's come to live a minimalist life.  John is also one of the creators of Pa'lente Packs, a pack company that is intentional about being minimal and functional. 


Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• John’s background and how he built up to hiking 50 miles in a single day
• Proper hiking technique for reducing impact on the body
• The impact of pack weight on the body
• The choices of gear - bringing what you need depending on the trip
• Adapting to trail conditions and scenarios
• John’s food plan and being aware of your body
• How to be minimal - making do with what you have
• Why John continues to hike and explore the backcountry
• John's new pack company - behind the design
• Who’s John’s pack is designed for
• How John decided not to use a waist belt for a pack
• “Packing your fears”
• John’s advice to new backpackers
• Finding John online
• What’s next for John and the pack company
• John’s camera choice
• John and Emory BS session…
• Pa'lente Packs - https://palantepacks.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jawnzee/
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/johnzahorian

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• www.byland.co
• Join the newsletter
• Beginner backpacking course
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• [email protected]

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After meeting and buying a tripod from Guillaume on Craigslist, I asked if he would be willing to join me for an episode to give some straight talk about photography. 
My intent was to have a deep-dive tech talk, but he made me realize that before getting into the weeds, we needed to talk about photography from a holistic standpoint.  What followed during our conversation was nothing short of incredible.


Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• How Guillaume went from being an engineer to being a travel journalist
• Gear - The initial struggle with photography
• Understanding what makes a good photograph and reading the environment
• Example of reading the environment to capture an image
• Decision-making in photography
• Simplifying the photography process
• How to properly employ an entire photography kit
• Matching the photography gear to the adventure
• Guillaume’s backpacking kit for an average trip 
• How reducing gear can increase the amount of keepers  
• The struggle of tripods for photography 
• Purpose-driven trips for photography - being intentional
• Understanding the subject you’re shooting
• Applying Guillaume’s advice
• The importance of weather sealing for a camera
• Carrying a camera when backpacking
• How to find Guillaume
• https://www.photoxplorer.com/

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• www.byland.co
• Join the newsletter
• Beginner backpacking course
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• [email protected]

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Brandon McIntyre and Ashley Thick started Superior Wilderness Designs in early 2016 and promptly left to hike the Pacific Crest Trails with their handmade packs.   We touch on pack designs, how he got Brandon started, why, and what backpacking means to him. 

If you're looking to get into the world of light to ultralight packs, you'll want to look into SWD.

Show Notes and Links

• Introduction to Brandon and SWD
• Superior Wilderness Designs - customized packs!
• How Brandon got into backpacking
• Brandon’s first backpacking trip
• How and why Brandon started SWD
• Brandon’s DIY gear creations and background in sewing
• Lessons learned in pack design
• Durability in a pack - what is needed and what is not 
• The Thru Hiking pack design - where did this stem from?
• How Brandon feels about being a part of someone’s backpacking story
• SWD pack designs
• Materials - Cuben versus X-Pac
• When Cuben fiber makes sense and when it doesn’t 
• X-Pac fabric explained
• Weatherproofing a pack
• Pack liners versus pack covers
• Stretch fabric versus netting for an outside pack pocket
• What customers can expect from contacting SWD
• The culture around Thru Hiking and how SWD is carrying on that culture
• The future offerings from SWD
• How to find SWD
• Brandon’s advice to backpackers
• Saved rounds:  The emotional connection to Thru-Hiking and how the trail can change your life
• www.swdbackpacks.co 

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• www.byland.co
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Joe Wilkins is the author of a recently published book called "Gates of the Arctic National Park: Twelve Years of Wilderness Exploration."  For more years than you and I can imagine, Joe Wilkins has explored, guided, trained Park Rangers, and helped educate as many people as possible about the riches of his beloved National Park.  You'll love hearing Joe talk about his book, his experiences in the backcountry, and what he's learned over the many decades he's spent in the wilds of Alaska. 


Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• The backstory
• How Joe became interested in Alaska
• Joe’s experience in Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Fun facts about AlaskaIntro to Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Features of the park Adventures in the park
• Animals located in the park and Jim’s interactions with them
• How Joe learned to be comfortable around wild predators
• Joe experience working with and training new Park Rangers
• Learning to live in the Arctic Wilderness
• The importance of Joe's book
• How to find Joe's book
• Joe's cause helping Veterans with the proceeds of the book
• Joe’s advice to new backpackers and adventurers    www.joesalaskabook.comhttps://www.amazon.com/Gates-Arctic-National-Park-Exploration/dp/161254973X

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• www.byland.co
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Pillsbury (real name Mary) is a former PCT hiker and one of the founders of "2 Foot Adventures," a high-end pop-up gear shop located along the Pacific Crest Trail.  Each year, Mary helps dozens, if not hundreds, of weary Thru Hikers struggling with injury, gear troubles, and mental fatigue.   For some, 2-foot Adventures is a source of rejuvenation and encouragement, while for others, it's a place to drop some serious pack weight.  We spoke about common injuries on the PCT, how to get past the first 100 miles, what gear is proven to work, the benefits of Thru Hiking, and her advice to Thru Hikers on the PCT. 

Show Notes and Links

• Introduction to 2 Food Adventures
• Common issues after 100 miles on the PCT
• Common Footwear issues and remedies
• Overuse injuries, causes, and remedies
• Long-distance hiking routines and techniques
• Ego on the trail - miles, pace, distance
• The PCT as a mental game
• Post trail feelings
• Benefits of long-distance hiking
• PCT Gear advice!
• ClothesPacks
• Sleeping system
• The ultralight movement - pros and cons
• Gear and backpacking advice for the general backpacker
• Tips for reducing overall pack weight
• How to find 2 Foot Adventures
• Closing thoughts: Misconceptions of “who” a Thru-Hiker is
• www.2footadventures.com

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• www.byland.co
• Join the newsletter
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• [email protected]

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Jacob Moon was a full-time nurse before his adventure photography career kicked off.  He spent his days off exploring the mountains and taking incredible landscape images that he mostly kept to himself until a friend prompted him to post them to Instagram, and the rest is history.  In this episode, we discuss integrating family into the outdoors, managing risk, and learning to backpack with a baby. 


Show Notes and Links

• Introduction to Jacob Moon
• How Jacob became a full-time photographer
• What pushed Jacob to start climbing mountains 
• Learning to climb mountains
• Being safe in the mountains - learned or natural?
• Introducing photography into mountain climbing 
• Integrating family into the outdoors  
• Car camping with a 3-week-old baby
• Backpacking with a baby
• How the outdoors impacts a baby and the parents 
• How Jacob came to love the outdoors
• The benefit of quality time with family
• Advice to families looking to get outdoors and how to get started camping and backpacking with kids
• Jacobs tips for landscape photography 
• http://www.moonmountainman.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/moonmountainman/

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• www.byland.co
• Join the newsletter
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Chris McMaster is the owner of ULA Equipment, a backpacking company that's become quite the hit on long distance trails as of late.  I had Chris on to talk with me about the company, the history, and what makes ULA so unique that Thru Hikers are choosing to carry these packs over others.  Chris is a great dude, and was a pleasure to speak with.  If you're looking to get to know other brands out there in the backpacking space, be sure to give ULA a look.By Land,Emory RonaldTHANKS FOR LISTENING!!Taking the time to listen to this podcast is greatly appreciated!  If you have questions or comments, feel free to reach me at [email protected] or leave a comment below.  I'd love to hear from you.  Also, if you have a topics you'd like covered, email me and I'll look into making it happen!HELP THE SHOWIf you enjoyed this show and want to help me out, please leave me an honest review on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts from.  Doing so will help my podcast reach others and grow more and more.  I can't do it without you!SHOW NOTESIntro to Chris and ULAOrigin story of ULAHow Chris came to own ULADesign elements of ULAThe Thru Hiker buy-offWhat makes a ULA pack differentPack featuresRoll tops versus zippersULA suspensions Most popular ULA packThe benefit of weight savingsCommon seen issues with backpackers - poor fittingHow to fit a ULA packULA belt systemsPack warrantyThoughts on cuben fiber as a fabric  Advice to new backpackersLINKSwww.ula-equipment.comSupport the show

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• Website
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• Make a One Time Donation
• Courses
  • Learn How To Backpack
  • 6 Weeks To Solo Backpacking
  • Thru-Hiking 101
• Resources
• YouTube
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• Facebook Groups
• [email protected]

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Travis Avery of SAWYER joins the show to talk about what they offer and how their products solve the problem of filtering water.  I learned some things I didn't know previously, and I think if you're on the search for knowledge, this episode will suit you well.  Travis gives me a rundown of what they offer, how it works, and why their products are so popular.  

 

Show Notes and Links

• Introduction to Sawyer and Travis Avery
• Background on Sawyer 
• How Sawyer approaches water filtering 
• Unique attributes of the Sawyer design
• Types of water filtering (squeeze versus gravity versus pump)
• Common issues that arise from not filtering water 
• How much dirty water it takes to cause digestive track issues
• How the industry regulates what filters are safe and how Sawyer approaches delivery to the customer
• Besides form factor, are all filters equal?
• Sawyer Mini versus the Sawyer Squeeze 
• Lifetime Warranty of the Sawyer Squeeze - how does that work?
• Proper maintenance of Sawyer water filters
• Before Sawyers hollow fiber solution, what were filters using to filter water?
• Latest and greatest from Sawyer for 2018 
• Solutions for added contamination (Adsorption)
• Other Sawyer product offerings
• How Sawyer is helping bring clean water to those in need around the globe.
• www.sawyer.com
• Sawyer's global impact  - https://international.sawyer.com/

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• www.byland.co
• Join the newsletter
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• [email protected]