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Doug Laher is the Father of Thru-Hiker Trevor “Microsoft” Laher who tragically passed away while hiking near Apache Peak along the PCT.  He was 11 days into his hike when conditions along the trail deteriorated quickly, forcing him to either push through or find another way around.  

Trevor was 22 years old, a graduate of Ohio State, and had a software engineering job waiting for him at Microsoft once his hike of the PCT was complete.  He had a determined soul, a brilliant mind, and a reflective attitude.  His love of hiking continued to grow year after year and the PCT was to be his pinnacle dream.

This is his story.

Show Notes and Links

• Introduction to Doug Laher
• Recapping the events of March 27th, 2020
• Getting to know Trevor
• Doug and Trevor’s connection over backpacking
• Trevor’s journey to the PCT
• What Trevor wanted from the PCT and why he hiked   
• COVID decision making
• Trevor's decisions leading up to his fall
• Doug’s mission to educate PCT hikers
• The nuances of decision making
• Doug’s unique take on “hike your own hike”
• The Event Horizon of decision making
• How Doug is able to remain objective and logical
• Doug’s newfound mission in life and the impact it’s having on hikers
• Common themes from hikers sharing stories with Doug
• The dynamics of assessing risk tolerance
• The impact culture has on decision making
• Doug’s new connection to the hiking community
• Addressing emergency beacons
• Doug’s safety program for PCT hikers 
• How to follow up with Doug
• https://nomadventures.com/product/trevor-spikes/ 
• https://thetrek.co/pacific-crest-trail/trevors-eternal-trail/
• https://www.altaonline.com/dispatches/a34785167/accident-pacific-crest-trail-louise-farr/
• https://www.pcta.org/2021/doug-lahers-call-for-safety-in-memory-of-his-son-trevor-87656/

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• [email protected]

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Ryan and Hillary Lampers are the husband and wife team behind “Hunt, Harvest, Health,” a health and wellness company dedicated to promoting a healthy backcountry lifestyle.  They offer everything from a Podcast, Nutrition Consultations, A Western Hunting Summit, and even natural supplements.  Ryan and Hillary are passionate about helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle and have the experience and knowledge to do just that.

On this episode of The By Land Podcast, I sit down with Ryan and Hillary to discuss the benefits of CBD for backpackers.  As we all know, this is reasonably new territory for most of the population. Still, as I’m sure you’ve heard by now through the grapevine, CBD is a pretty incredible and NATURAL supplement you can use to battle a number of ailments, including inflammation while on the trail.  

SHOW NOTES AND LINKS

• Catching up with Ryan Lampers
• Getting to know Hillary Lampers and her professional medical background
• Getting to know Ryan Lampers’ and his background
• Addressing inflammation
• Hillary’s thoughts on the junk food diet
• Deep diving inflammation
• The state of our modern health and our unrelenting stress
• Getting into a “wild routine” 
• Deep diving CBD
• CBD implementation schedule
• Staying healthy in the longterm
• How to follow up with Ryan and Hillary Lampers
• HUNT, HARVEST, HEALTH 
• HUNT, HARVEST, HEALTH Podcast 
• Ryan’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/sthealthyhunter/
• Hunt Harvest Health IG: https://www.instagram.com/huntharvesthealth/
• Hillary’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/dochillary/
• Western Hunting Summit
• ELEVATE HEALTH MT 

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• [email protected]

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Kevin Bixby is the Executive Director of the SW Environmental Center and recently published an article titled “Why Hunting Isn’t Conservation and Why It Matters."  I asked him on the show for this episode to help me better understand what he means by this.  

By no means is this an anti-hunting article, in fact, Kevin is a hunter himself and is the first to admit that hunting has played a key role in the preservation of American big game animals.  That said, he feels the modern conservation model needs to change in a way that reflects the values of ALL those interested in the preservation of wildlife.  If you’re interested in reading the full article, you can find a link to this article in the show notes.

SHOW NOTES:

• Introductions
• Kevin Bixby and his background
• How Kevin Bixby got into the political side of conservation
• Science versus value systems
• The rise of new value systems
• America’s Wildlife Values Survey
• The changes in cultural values
• A short history of the modern wildlife conservation model
• The need to pivot to a modern conservation model
• What’s wrong with the “hunting is conservation” argument
• How State and federal wildlife agencies receive funding
• The impact of invasive species
• Does industry impact conservation efforts?
• Game management as crop management 
• The current imbalance of decision making 
• The topic of wolves and predators
• The future of hunting in modern times
• The  “hunting is conservation” mantra
• What keeps Kevin going year after year
• Border walls and the impact of wildlife migration
• How to follow up with Kevin Bixby and his work
• Kevin’s Original Article: https://rewilding.org/hunting-isnt-conservation/
• America's Wildlife Values Survey: https://sites.warnercnr.colostate.edu/wildlifevalues/
• Southwest Environmental Center: https://www.wildmesquite.org/index.php/
• Contact Kevin: [email protected]

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Ben Crawford first appeared on the podcast for Episode 50, right after he and his family thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018.  Since then, he’s been working on writing a book about their family story and just recently published it for all to read and enjoy.  I had the pleasure of having Ben on the podcast yet again to talk about the book, the writing process, and the experiences he had putting it together.  

If you’re a family that enjoys the outdoors, or you one day WANT a family that enjoys the outdoors, I’d highly recommend exploring what Ben and his family are up to and how they approach parenting.  And, if you’re wanting to help support an awesome family, go buy the book (links below)!

SHOW NOTES AND LINKS

• How having a family can alter perspectives
• Pursuing things that shift perspective
• Life after the AT family Thru-Hike 
• How the AT changed the family dynamics
• Why we’re quick to forget the pain of an ordeal
• Why Ben Crawford wrote the book on hiking the AT
• Reliving the trail through the writing process
• Ben’s low point on the trail 
• On reading the kids’ journal entries from the trail
• The power of journaling
• Details on the book variations 
• How to find the book and support Ben Crawford
• THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/3lYbTW3
• YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT2WgHiawhWgbahB0CNENkg
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/fightfortogether

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• [email protected]

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Chris Cage quit a corporate job to travel and eventually hike the Appalachian Trail.  When he was finally done, he had a choice to make.  Either go back to corporate life or find a way to fund his new lifestyle.  He chose the latter and founded Greenbelly Meals.  Chris has had to make some big life-changing decisions that all came at a cost, but that's what makes it an adventure.  To risk the known for the unknown.

In this episode, we learn a little more about Chris Cage, Green Belly, and how he manages risks.  We also dive into entrepreneurship, his book on the AT, and a fun new social networking site for backpacking gear nerds called Packfire.  

Show Notes and Links

• Introduction to Greenbelly 
• Backstory on Chris Cage
• Why Chris decided to hike the AT
• Life after the AT and deciding to create a food product
• Deciding to make BIG life-changing decisions 
• Why Chris started a business instead of continuing to travel
• How Chris knew Greenbelly would be sustainable
• How Chris self-published his book on hiking the AT 
• Deciding where to spend your time and energy
• The backstory on Packfire and who it’s for (ie fun!)
• What Greenbelly Meals offer
• Backstory on the name “Greenbelly”
• Final advice for those needing to make a big decision
• https://www.greenbelly.co/
• https://packfire.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/greenbellymeal
• How to Hike the Appalachian Trail: A Comprehensive Guide to Plan and Prepare for a Successful Thru-Hike

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This past fall I launched my "Learn How To Backpack"  backpacking course for beginner backpackers.  I’ve mentioned it on the show before but I wanted to take some time to talk about why I created it and who it’s for.

For this episode, I dive into a few of the topics I cover in the course so you get a feel for what to expect.  With any luck, you’ll come away from this episode with some actionable tips to take with you on your next trip to the backcountry!

Show Notes and Links

• Origin of the backpacking course and why I made it
• What’s in the course
• Why pay for the course?
• Finding YOUR backpacking style
• Managing expectations
• Managing the miles on the trail
• How I manage my own self
• Why to avoid walking fast
• The food and water formula

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Chad Lubinski messaged me a few years ago after my PCT hike asking questions about how to section hike various portions of the PCT through Oregon because he’d never really considered any sort of hiking or backpacking outside of the hunting season. Since that first interaction, Chad has dived headfirst into backpacking. In 2019 he battled his first big chunk of miles along the PCT and just one year later he completed his first-ever thru-hike of the John Muir Trail. That one single thru-hike that put him through the wringer forced him to adapt to the changing conditions of the trail and when he came out the other side, he had a brand new lease on backpacking. It was like a rocket ship to backcountry freedom because when he came home, he went to work pounding out the miles as often as he could down some of the best trails Oregon and Washington have to offer.

In this episode, Chad shares his personal story, lessons learned, and what it’s like to hit the backcountry with confidence.

Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• Chad’s background
• Chad’s transition from hunting to backpacking
• What caused Chad to begin section hiking
• Experiencing the hiking culture
• Observing the efficiency of thru-hikers
• How efficiency can improve your enjoyment
• What changed between 2019 and 2020
• Chad’s experience on the JMT
• Navigating the permit process
• Preparing for the JMT
• Getting punched in the face by the JMT
• Lessons learned on the JMT
• Learning the rhythm of the mountains
• The powerful connection to others on the trail
• Chad’s takeaway from the JMT
• Confidence equals freedom in the backcountry
• How to followup with Chad online
• https://www.instagram.com/chadahooche_/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9Hz3X4LcG4fczA5vtz59Q

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• www.byland.co
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This episode of the By Land Podcast might get uncomfortable for hunters because I’m going to take a very hard and very uncomfortable look at the reality of what hunting culture actually is in 2020. This is not a topic that I take lightly. I’ve been sorting this out in my head for a long time now and thought it was time to put this out to listeners for them to consider as well.

This episode is a sort of thought experiment. We’ll dive into a number of questions regarding my own realities when it comes to hunting and what it is and isn’t, explore a hypothetical question of how long it would take for hunting ethics to breakdown, and lastly what this means for hunting in the future if my assumptions are correct.

This was not an easy episode to put together and I expect it will not be easy to listen to for some hunters out there who believe that their own version of hunting is the REAL version of hunting.

I’ll also dive into my concerns on whether or not echo chambers exist within minority factions of hunting communities and how that may be damaging to the future of hunting as a whole if left unaddressed.

Episode 120 is a loaded one and for those who decide to stick around, I hope it sparks conversation within your own small social circles so that we as a collective can begin to find solutions to the harsh reality of modern hunting culture.

Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• The questions I’ve asked myself about hunting culture
• Definition of “echo chamber”
• What is the reality of hunting culture?
• What is the future of hunting?
• How many hunters do the right thing?
• My experiences with others’ bad ethics
• Who’s the real majority?
• Is “what hunting is and isn’t” just a big echo chamber?
• My thought experiment on human nature
• Change comes from a desire to change
• What is the future of hunting?
• What is the reality of hunting?
• What happens if hunting is voted out of existence
• The attempt of the industry to change the narrative of what hunting is and isn’t
• The hunting narrative isn’t working
• Analyzing the kill shot
• Final thoughts

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Mark Huelsing is a Dad, Husband, hunter, and just so happens to work at Exo Mountain Gear.  However, in this episode, we go in a bit of a different direction.  No gear talk and no hunting stories (ok..maybe one).  I’ve always appreciated Mark’s insight that goes beyond the generic gear talk.  Anytime I need an outside opinion on something, he’s ready and willing to offer a thoughtful perspective.

This is NOT a gear episode.  Instead, this is more of a conversation you’d have at the end of a long day on the trail or hunt while sitting around a campfire.  We cover everything from why it’s good for you to be bad at something, the feeling of needing to be productive with your time in the outdoors while also wanting to relax, and the realization that some of us might not ever be the world's greatest hunter.

If you’re in the mood for a conversation that explores more than just gear and stories, this is the one for you.  I’m grateful Mark was willing to open up about these topics and I’d encourage each of you listening to do the same.  Ask yourself the hard questions and see what comes of it.

Show Notes and Links

• Introduction to Mark
• Where Mark gets his enjoyment from his early morning training
• Thoughts on the crux of the need to feel “productive” in the woods when away from family
• How hunting creates participation with nature
• The contrast created by wanting to be relaxed in the field AND productive
• Learning to allow your mind to run with it when you’re in the field
• Where Mark’s outdoor story begins
• The benefits of sucking at something
• Mark's conscious decision to NOT be an amazing hunter in favor of spending more time with family (and being okay with it)
• The desire to have a story and process over a result
• The “pressure” in the industry to outperform everyone
• Being honest about what you’re willing to sacrifice for
• Taking advantage of opportunities when you have them
• How to follow up with Mark
• https://exomtngear.com/
• https://exomtngear.com/pages/the-hunt-backcountry-podcast

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Out of the blue in 2017 I realized I had been sitting on a pile of camouflage hunting gear that I only used once a year during the hunting season. For the remainder of the year, it sat in boxes gathering dust. Literally thousands of dollars worth of camo that I wasn’t using and wouldn’t use anytime outside of the hunting season.

I concluded it was time to quit camouflage and swap those items out with solids in order to optimize my purchases. Since doing so, I haven’t looked back.

This episode is a spin-off of the original article I wrote called “3 Reasons You Should Consider Quitting Camouflage.” It has since become my MOST popular article on the site so I figured I’d do a full episode going through the 3 reasons I think YOU should consider quitting camouflage as well.

Show Notes and Links

• Episode introduction
• Clearing the air and setting the stage
• How I came to quit camouflage
• Reason #1: Cost Savings
• Reason #2: Camo is more about marketing than camouflage
• How we got into this camo fiasco in the first place
• Camouflage as a marketing tool
• Reason #3: More Options
• What and how deer and elk see
• Ultraviolet
• How to choose a camouflage pattern
• Final thoughts
• The original article with links: https://byland.co/blog/2017/12/11/3-reasons-you-should-consider-quitting-camouflage
• Visible Light Spectrum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color

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