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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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I’ve been on the hunt for a lightweight mountain rifle for a few years now and just recently learned of Bergara Rifles USA after a friend said I should check them out. I looked them up and reached out to learn more and the next thing I knew, I was on the phone with Tony Smotherman talking about the Bergara backstory. Since this is a backpacking podcast, I think we’re due for an episode regarding a backpacking-friendly mountain rifle. That’s exactly what the Bergara Premier Series Mountain Rifle 2.0 is. It’s light, durable, and comes in a number of popular hunting calibers.

This episode might be focused on getting to know Bergara and what they do best, but I think it’s more than that. Tony shares his personal story of how he got into the outdoors and I think it’s something a lot of people can relate to.

This is what I love about this podcast. I can cover something as simple as a backcountry rifle and the company that makes it while simultaneously driving home the idea that we all have something in common, regardless of where we are from and what we do in the backcountry.

For those backcountry hunters out there listening, you’ll FOR SURE want to check out Bergara after this episode. And for those non-hunters, I think you’ll still enjoy the episode from the perspective of learning about other outdoor cultures.

Show Notes and Links

• Introduction to Tony and Bergara Firearms
• Backstory on Tony Smotherman
• How and why Tony got into the outdoor industry
• Learning to chase your dreams and goals
• Getting to know Bergara Firearms and their backstory
• Bergara’s decision to build custom firearms
• Employing veteran gunsmiths
• The team behind Bergara
• Product line comparisons
• The importance of the weight of a rifle
• The impact of rifle weight
• Benefits of carbon fiber rifle stocks (vs. wood)
• Choosing the right tools for the job
• Learning not to sweat the small stuff
• How to follow up with Bergara Firearms
• https://www.bergara.online/us/
• https://www.bergara.online/us/rifles/premier/mountain-2-0-rifle/
• https://www.instagram.com/bergara_rifles/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5_KVcmKS9L8VpFFCdCbO-g

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Chris Niccolls has been reviewing cameras and camera systems on YouTube for years now. If the system exits, there’s a pretty solid chance he’s not only had his hands on it but he’s been able to run it through its paces and created a video about it. This is what Chris does; he learns about the tech, the features, and the capabilities of the entire camera system as a whole so YOU, the viewer, can decide whether or not it’s going to work for you or not.

This is exactly why I wanted to talk to Chris. To hear from his perspective what is important in a camera system and how to choose one of your own for backcountry adventuring.

If you’re into photography or videography and you’re searching for a system to call your own, this episode should no doubt help you in your search.

Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• Backstory with Chris
• Digesting the complicated nature of photography
• Pairing photography with technology
• Exciting trends in the camera industry
• How to navigate the available camera choices
• Pros and cons of micro 4/3 systems
• Dialing in on a system that works for you
• Enjoyment over image quality
• Learning to be specific on your use case
• Camera carry
• The Fuji X100V for backpacking and hiking
• The thing about landscape photographers
• The rise of hybrid shooting and what that means
• https://www.dpreview.com/
• https://www.youtube.com/user/dpreviewcom
• https://www.instagram.com/dpreview
• https://www.instagram.com/chris.niccolls
• https://amzn.to/3j1KzF7

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Karla Amador is the co-founder of the 52 Hike Challenge, an organization dedicated to encouraging adventure and getting people outside. In this episode, we dive into Karla’s personal backstory and how she came to create the 52 Hike Challenge as well as how to deal with the negative self-talk that often happens when we’re in the middle of a physical or mental challenge.

Karla has a very relatable story that I think a lot of people can identify with and she’s willing to share it openly with others so they can learn from her journey. She has a big heart and an encouraging spirit!

Please enjoy this episode with Karla and thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• Origin story of the 52 Hike Challenge
• How hiking changed Carla’s life
• Why hiking was so beneficial to healing to Karla
• Experiencing the John Muir Trail
• How to deal with the struggle
• Lessons learned from the JMT
• Why 52 Hikes in a year?
• What you can get out of a 52 hike challenge
• Training your mind to deal with challenges
• Why we tend to go to the negative instead of the positive
• What to make of the current COVID 19 pandemic and the energy surrounding it
• How to followup with Karla and the 52 Hike Challenge
• https://www.52hikechallenge.com
• https://www.instagram.com/52hikechallenge/
• https://twitter.com/52hikechallenge
• https://www.americanbackcountry.com/store/national-parks-catalog/repreve-5/new-for-2020.html
• https://www.americanbackcountry.com/store/national-parks-catalog/repreve-5.html?limit=30

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Aron Snyder is the President of Kifaru International, a household name and brand in the world of backcountry hunting.  When I first heard of Aron, I was commuting to and from work an hour each way and spent a lot of that time learning as much as I could from his experiences via podcasting because, at the time, I was beginning to get nice and cozy with the idea of backpack hunting.  I needed as much information as possible, and that’s what I got along with a lot of entertainment.

Aron has spent a lot of time in the field learning things that you can only learn by actually being there.  He’s succeeded, failed, and succeeded again, and as you’ll hear in this episode, it’s getting the reps in that count.  Nothing is a substitute for miles and time in the backcountry because that’s what actually teaches you what you need to learn.  

This episode with Aron Snyder is full of insight from a guy who designs packs for a living, runs a backcountry hunting company, and spends countless hours in the field doing the work.  When he speaks, listen closely and apply what he says to your own backcountry efforts.

Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• Arons backstory and road to Kifaru
• Kifaru’s product testing and revision process
• Patrick’s background in the backpacking industry
• On “chasing the lightweight rabbit”
• How to change your approach for different backpacking styles
• Designing for others, not yourself
• Adapting for the situation you’re headed into
• The approach to Kifaru design
• Un-complicating the backpacking process
• Learning how to backpack is a constantly evolving process
• Learn from your failures
• Shoot for the “happy medium” gear
• Gear for the fun of it, and gear for the application
• Different gear for different missions
• More backcountry, fewer spreadsheets
• How to followup with Aron and Kifaru
• https://kifaru.net/
• https://www.instagram.com/kifaru_intl/
• https://www.facebook.com/kifaruinternational/
• https://www.youtube.com/Kifarutube

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There is no “one size fits all” solution for backcountry footwear.  The wall of shoes at your local outdoor store should be proof enough of that, but how in the world are you supposed to choose?  It’s a process, so Josh Kirchner is back on the show to share his journey with backcountry footwear.  In this episode, we dive into a discussion on where to begin finding the right boot or shoe and techniques on how to adjust the fit and feel of your footwear.

Josh is the voice behind Dialed In Hunter and several other great publications.  He’s put a lot of miles under his feet in the deserts of Arizona chasing wild critters and has learned a few things about what works and what doesn’t for him when it comes to backcountry footwear.  

If you’re struggling to figure out this whole footwear thing for backpacking, this is the episode you’ll want to tune into!

Show Notes and links

• Introductions
• Why footwear is SO important
• Josh’s journey to finding the right boot
• Troubleshooting fit issues
• Understanding boot styles
• What boot Josh uses today
• The importance of Leukotape
• Finding footwear is a process
• Fighting the desire to overdo it
• Footwear as tools
• Thoughts on socks
• Addressing “weak ankles”
• Trekking poles as an extension of footwear
• Walking techniques that help with foot problems
• The impact of lacing up a boot
• Choosing the right sock
• Josh’s book “Becoming a Backpack Hunter”
• 5 Tips For Choosing A Hunting Boot
• Becoming a Backpack Hunter
• http://dialedinhunter.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/dialedinhunter/
• https://www.facebook.com/dialedinhunter
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6ItIjVnltPYvPWohOPk0dQ?
• https://twitter.com/dialedinhunter

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Today, we’re getting to know Brad and Jason of Argali Outdoors. Together, they are the driving forces behind Argali Outdoors.  Knowing why you do what you do is the one thing that you can look back on when making both personal and business decisions and it’s pretty clear that Jason and Brad defined that first before doing anything else.

Brad was previously on the podcast discussing an Argali-produced film, but a few things have changed since then so I thought it would be great to have him back on to update everyone on what they’re up to nowadays.  If you want to get to know the guys behind the brand, you'll enjoy this one!

Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• Getting to know Brad
• Getting to know Jason
• How Brad and Jason linked up
• Jason’s background with film
• The early days learning to film a hunt
• How Argali came to be
• Growing Argali
• The importance of storytelling
• What’s new with Argali
• The importance of “why”
• Changes to video projects
• Argali branded products
• Jason’s thoughts on camera choices for backcountry filmmaking
• How to follow up with Argali
• Links
• https://argalioutdoors.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/argali_official/
• https://www.facebook.com/argaliofficial/
• https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA_R_X4kk4P-ZUSrt2CXmng

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I wouldn’t change a single thing about my 2017 hike of the Pacific Crest Trail because what happened out there made it MY hike and I love it for what it was.  That said, we can’t help but reflect on the things we’d do differently.  I like to think of it as learning valuable lessons rather than being unhappy with various aspects of my hike.

I’ve had three years to digest my lessons learned and have come away with a short list of things I’d do differently if I had to do it all over again from scratch.  Some are PCT-specific while others are not.  Even if you’re not planning on hiking the PCT or any other long trail, I think you’ll benefit from some of the items on my list.

Show Notes

• Hiking for sponsors
• Hike alone more
• Simplified layering system
• Hike in Altra Lone Peaks
• Ditch my pack lid
• Bring my nice camera
• Hike slower for longer
• Spend less time in town
• No more resupply boxes
• Garmin InReach instead of SPOT tracker
• Bring my Wife
• Not obsess about upcoming miles

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Paul Medel has spent a lifetime learning as much as he can about elk.  From the time he first heard a bugle on a tape as a young man, he knew he had to know more.  For over 20 years, Paul has been educating people on the ins and outs of how elk talk to each other and has helped countless hunters notch a tag during the fall hunting seasons.

In this episode, we get to know Paul and his passion for elk.  Even if you don’t hunt I think you’ll have a hard time not smiling from ear to ear while you hear Paul talk about why he loves calling elk so much.  His energy is contagious and I think you'll really like hearing from someone who loves what they do.

Enjoy!

Show Notes and Links

• Introductions
• Paul’s background growing up
• The early days of calling elk
• How Paul learned about how elk communicate
• Learning to communicate back to elk
• How communicating with elk has enhanced the wilderness experience
• What happens when to a skill your intention changes
• What’s so alluring about elk hunting?
• What keeps Paul going back for more each year?
• Paul's passion for the outdoors
• What impacts calling responses
• Elk calling examples
• How to learn more about Paul and the Elk Nut App
• http://www.elknut.com/
• https://apps.apple.com/us/app/elknut/id1231479425
• https://www.instagram.com/elknutoutdoors
• https://www.instagram.com/elknutapp

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