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Jack McClure and his wife hiked southbound on the PCT in 2023 with their 9-month-old baby and joins the show to share their journey and lessons learned along the way.  We discuss what life is like as a SOBO, preparing for the hike, relationship challenges along the way, hitting the SOS button, and what it all means in the end. 

Show Notes and Links

• Preparing for the PCT with a Baby
• Outdoor Background and Experience
• Living in the Arctic and Outdoor Learning
• Judgment and Concerns about Hiking with Kids
• Benefits and Risks of Outdoor Experiences for Kids
• The Importance of Outdoor Experiences
• The Challenges of Alternative Childhood
• Risk Management and Planning
• The Breaking-In Period
• The Impact on the Body
• The Bee Sting Incident
• Emergency Response and Recovery
• The Importance of Carrying a Whistle
• Lessons Learned from the Experience
• Dealing with Fires in Northern California
• Challenges in the Relationship
• The Importance of Check-InsThe Mental Challenges of the Trail
• The Decision to Leave the Trail
• Dealing with Pride and Expectations
• The Positive Impact on Their Daughter
• https://animaltreks.com/
• Jack's Book

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Will Cockrell joins the podcast to discuss his recently published book detailing the history of Mount Everest, his perspective on the draw of mountaineering, and the connection between suffering and achievement. 

Will also explains the need to tell the full story of Everest, as well as the misconceptions and negative narratives surrounding the mountain. He challenges the idea of who deserves to climb Everest and questions the romanticism and judgment associated with mountaineering. Our conversation covers various themes related to climbing Everest, including the issue of discounting different approaches, the individualized nature of climbing, the perspective of seasoned climbers, the perception of Everest as spoiled, the reality of the Sherpa role, the misunderstanding of the Sherpa culture, the monetization of Everest, and the importance of seeking the whole Everest story.

Will shares insights from his book, reflecting on the state of the industry and the motivations of climbers and explores the relationship between Western climbers and Sherpas, highlighting the positive changes in recent years. Finally, we dive into the challenges of waste management and the future of Everest, emphasizing the importance of stewardship and the understanding of different perspectives.

Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• Early Years and Pursuit of Guiding
• Specializing in Mo
• The Draw of Mountaineering
• The Connection Between Suffering and Achievement
• The Comfort of the Wilderness
• The Need for a Book on Guiding on Everest
• The Counter Narrative to the Negative Perception of Everest
• Questioning Who Deserves to Be on Everest
• The Romanticism and Judgment of Mountaineering
• The Perception of Crowding on Everest
• The Difficulty of Defining Who Deserves to Climb Everest
• The Individualized Nature of Climbing Everest
• The Perspective of Seasoned Everest Climbers
• The Reality of the Sherpa Role
• The Monetization of Everest
• The Importance of Seeking the Whole Story
• Reflections on the Everest Industry
• The State of the Everest Industry
• The Impact of Tourism on Everest
• The Experience at Everest Base Camp
• The Dilemma of Camp 4
• Balancing Conservation and Access
• The Future of Everest
• Will's book

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Brad Brooks joins the podcast to compare notes on our recent backpacking trips with our kids and discuss the importance of exposing children to the outdoors. We share our experiences and challenges while planning and executing our trips, emphasizing the value of involving children in the decision-making process and building their confidence in doing hard things. We also discuss the unique benefits of backpacking, such as disconnecting from technology and experiencing raw, uncurated adventures. 

We also discuss Argali’s new lineup of tents, their design, what makes these shelters unique, and Argali’s philosophy of constantly seeking improvement and innovation in gear design.   Brad dives into educating me on the materials used in the tent designs and the pros and cons of each.  

Show Notes and Links:

• Introduction and Catching Up
• Planning and Preparing for Backpacking with Kids
• The Challenges and Rewards of Backpacking with Kids
• Involving Kids in the Planning Process
• Building Confidence and Creating Lasting Memories
• The Future of Outdoor Experiences
•  Conclusion and Final Thoughts
• The Design and Functionality of the Absaroka TP Tent
• Polyester vs Nylon: The Debate in Tent Materials
• Innovation and Thinking Outside the Box in Gear Design
• The Importance of Functionality and Simplicity in Tent Design
• The Demands of the Hunting Community for High-Quality Gear
• Balancing Weight and Functionality in Gear Selection
• Encouraging Innovation and Creativity in the Outdoor Industry
• Passion for the Outdoors and Enhancing the Outdoor Experience
• Website
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Absoroka 4P
• Absoroka Full Insert
• Fabric Article
• Last Wild Places Film

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Aaron Owens runs “Backcountry Foodie,” a one-stop shop for backpackers and long-distance hikers who want to level up their food game in the backcountry.  From ultra-light food recipes and meal planners to a robust calorie calculator and resupply service, Aaron has you covered.  She loves backcountry food so much that she’ll even pack your food bag for you and ship it to your home so all you need to do is toss it in your pack and head out the door!
 

Key Takeaways:

• Food plays a crucial role in backpacking and can impact performance and enjoyment on the trail
• Creating a diverse menu with foods that you enjoy from home can help maintain energy levels and prevent boredom
• Understanding your caloric needs and eating regularly throughout the day is essential for sustained energy and avoiding bonking
• While junk food can provide quick energy, it's important to balance it with complex carbohydrates, protein, and fats for optimal performance
• Transitioning to a new diet on the trail should be done gradually to avoid digestive issues and other negative effects on the body.
• Customize your meal plans based on your hiking strategy and preferences.
• Maximize the nutritional value of each bite by incorporating combination foods
• Eat every hour to hour and a half to maintain energy levels throughout the day
• Consider freeze-drying your own meals for a lightweight and personalized backpacking experience
• Keep a hiking food journal to track what works and what doesn't for future trips

Show Notes and Links:

• Aaron's Backstory
• The Importance of Food in Backpacking
• Creating a Diverse Menu
• Understanding Caloric Intake
• The Importance of Eating Regularly
• The Pros and Cons of a Junk Food Diet
• Transitioning to a New Diet and Its Effects
• Emergency Food and Snacks
• Customized Meal Plans Based on Hiking Strategy
• Maximizing Caloric Intake
• Combination Foods
• Eating for Warmth in Cold Weather
• Eating on the Go
• Palette Changes
• Freeze Drying
• Foodie Services
• https://backcountryfoodie.com/aff/53/
• https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_foodie
• https://www.youtube.com/c/BackcountryFoodie
• https://www.facebook.com/backcountryfoodie

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Robbie Kroger of Blood Origins joins the show to discuss the complex relationship between hunting and conservation.  

We cover a range of topics, including the reintroduction of wolves, the function of wetlands, what would happen if we stopped hunting altogether, and finally, the impact social media has had on hunting.  We also discuss the responsibilities brands have in shaping narratives and the importance of a respectful approach to hunting as a part of conservation. 

Robbie is a wealth of knowledge and one heck of a guy!

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Janelle Smith is the strategic communications team lead at rec.gov and is responsible for spreading the word about the myriad of offerings the platform has for outdoor enthusiasts.  As the summer season approaches, many of us are deep in the planning mode for camping trips, making this conversation with Janelle and her team a no-brainer.

If you're not yet familiar with rec.gov, think of it as your ultimate planning companion for camping and various outdoor activities.  Janelle walks us through the functionalities of this planning tool, highlighting how it simplifies the process of discovering available sites, understanding what's out there, and crafting the perfect trip itinerary.

Janelle's role as a key representative for rec.gov makes her insights particularly valuable.  Whether you're a seasoned user or a newcomer, this episode will likely uncover nuances about rec.gov that you might not have considered.


Show Notes and Links:

• Getting to know Janelle
• Rec.gov services and mission
• Recreation before Rec.gov
• 2023 recreational trends
• New features for 2024
• Addressing no-show campers
• Post COVID trends
• Advice for booking popular campsites
• The “Trip Builder” feature
• Janelle’s “why” behind what she does
• The “big picture”
• Encouraging exploration
• https://www.recreation.gov/

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Dr. Dan Wildcat joins the podcast to discuss his new book "On Indigenuity" and how we can reframe our relationship with the natural world in both a personal and global way.  Dan is a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, PhD, and teaches at Haskell Nations University.  He's a wealth of wisdom and knowledge and offers a refreshing approach to long-debated topics.


Show Notes and Links

• Getting to know Dan
• Dan’s early years
• Relationships with the land
• Our disconnection with the natural world
• On being insulated from natural reality
• How to retraining our mental framework
• Resources vs Relatives
• Dealing with climate change in a new way
• Traditional Christian views versus Indigenous
• Experiential versus Spiritual
• The psychology of living in fear
• Unwrapping experiential moments
• Dan’s book "On Indigenuity" (available Nov 14th) 
• Dan’s Bio
• 20% Discount: Use BYLAND at checkout - CLICK HERE

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• PCT Days recap 
• Getting involved with the long-distance crowd 
• Seeing products in the wild for the first time 
• Why start a base layer brand? 
• Jen’s custom fabric for Alpine Fit 
• Jen’s outdoor backstory 
• Learning how to pack the essentials 
• Having options, but not TOO many options 
• Emory’s vision of a perfect outdoor store 
• On customers wanting a personal connection 
• The importance of offering multiple fit options 
• How Jen manages fit options 
• Tailoring from Alpine Fit 
• The building blocks of Alpine Fit 
• The importance of a proper fit 
• Bushwhacking Leggings 
• Jen’s perfect layering system 
• How to follow up with Jen and Alpine Fit 
• https://www.facebook.com/alpinefitco
•  https://www.instagram.com/alpinefitco/
•  https://www.youtube.com/@alpinefit
•  https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpinefitco

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Bill Stoker is a retired Army Veteran with a passion for teaching others how to master the art of fieldcraft and land navigation.  In this episode, Bill joins the podcast for a deep dive into how to gain the correct mindset and perspective when in the field, the importance of situational awareness, and how his childhood years impacted how he views the world today.


Show Notes and Links

• Getting to know Bill
• How Bill got into land nav and fieldcraft
• The importance of changing perspective
• How complacency presents itself
• What land navigation students struggle with the most
• Digital vs. analog navigation
• What causes distrust in equipment 
• How to teach Situational Awareness
• Bill’s childhood years
• Audience response to deeper discussions
• Barriers or excuses?
• The importance of friction points
• How the outdoors has changed over time 
• The “do nothing” outdoor challenge
• What’s next for Bill in retirement
• How to follow up with Bill
• www.youtube.com/stokermatic
• www.stokermatic.com
• https://www.instagram.com/stokercraft

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In this episode, it's just you and me hanging out for a bit.  We'll catch you up on life and why I've been missing from the podcast for a couple of months.  Don't worry, the show still goes on, but I had some growing to do, and you're going to hear all about it.

I love gear and trail stories as much as the next person, however, I think it's equally important to talk about life off the trail.  What we learn in the field makes us better at home, and vice versa.  I've been in the throws of a learning experience and I'm now ready to talk about it.

Links

• Link to my short film about leaving a hunt early

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