It’s a special holiday episode of Gear Abby!

This week, Shawnté and Colin turn the mics on each other to reflect on the year in the outdoors. They cover the weirdest listener emails (including a truly unforgettable deep dive into elk mating habits), the biggest outdoor stories of the year, and their favorite gear picks from trail shoes to backpacks and sandals.

They also look ahead to 2026, talking consistency over clout, favorite adventures, recovery from injury, and why sometimes the best outdoor goal is simply getting outside with people you love.

Come for the gear talk. Stay for the elk erotica.

Got a question? Send it to [email protected].

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear, Gossamer Gear

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Do thru-hikers lose their “trail cred” if they car camp? What’s the most responsible way to offload extra outdoor gear without sending it straight to a landfill? And how do you train for a spring trail race without freezing your ass off all winter?

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté Salabert tackles outdoor gatekeeping, gear hoarding, and cold-weather running with equal parts honesty, humor, and practical advice. Reminding us all to hike our own hike, stop judging each other, and maybe invest in better gloves.

Got a question? Send it to [email protected]... no trail cred required.

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear, Gossamer Gear

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles three absolute heaters: the ethics of climbing chalk, the surprising brilliance of ponchos (and the even more surprising brilliance of rain chaps), and what to do when nature calls in the dead of winter and the ground is frozen solid.

Also: curling, scuba fears, PVC tubes full of poop, and a love letter to wind shirts.

• Chalk Ethics 101: Hidden cost: the environmental toll of chalk manufacturing.
• Poncho Town, Population: You. Final verdict: wear whatever keeps you dry — fashion is between you and your god.
• Winter Poop Protocol: Emergency snow option: dig deep, break it up, bury responsibly (last resort only).
• What’s in Shawnté’s Pack?: A full ode to the humble wind shirt.

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear, Gossamer Gear

Got your own question for Gear Abby? Send it to [email protected] and it just might end up on the pod.

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

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This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles four wildly different but totally relatable outdoor questions: from scattering ashes in national parks to finding love on trail, staying safe on frozen lakes, and picking the right rain shell without losing your mind.

In This Episode:

• Scattering Ashes in National Parks: Yes it's legal in most parks (with a permit).
• Trailside Romance: Myth or Magic? Love can happen out there (PCT marriages are real!)
• Ice Fishing 101 (w/ special guest: Stepdad Mike!): Warmth tools range from mittens to full-on heated shanty palaces.
• Rain Shell vs Poncho vs All the Fancy Fabrics: Don’t overcomplicate materials. Match the jacket to the activity, not the marketing hype.

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear, Gossamer Gear

Got your own question for Gear Abby? Send it to [email protected] and it just might end up on the pod.

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

On this weeks episode of Gear Abby Shawnté celebrates Women-Led Wednesday with adventure book recs, a beginner snowshoe deep dive, and what to do when you stumble into an elk harem.

• Women Adventure Writers You Need to Read: Memoirs from river guides, thru-hikers, and survival badasses
• Snowshoeing 101: How to pick the right snowshoe deck size for your weight + conditions.
• Wildlife Etiquette: What to do when you encounter elk, moose, or other large ungulates. The “Horny Animal Power Rankings” make its debut.
• What’s Worth Carrying in the Backcountry: Shawnté’s essentials beyond the phone.

Click here for full Gear Abby Episode Companion including all of the bings (aka footnotes) and even more from this episode!

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear, Gossamer Gear

Got your own question for Gear Abby? Send it to [email protected] and it just might end up on the pod.

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté explores outdoor etiquette, gear hot takes, and how to get creative outside without losing your mind or your tent floor.

• The Permit Problem: A listener’s “asshole brother” hates paying for permits, but Shawnté lays out why those fees matter (from protecting wildlife to funding trail crews) and why caring for public lands means ponying up.
• The Ground Cloth Debate: Pup Tent Pat writes in to declare ground cloths “bullshit.” Shawnté disagrees (strongly), explaining how a cheap layer of Tyvek can save your $500 tent and your sanity.
• Painting in the Wild: Artist and outdoor educator Latasha Greene joins to share her minimalist plein-air setup, tips for letting go of perfectionism, and why getting dirt in your paint is basically a rite of passage.
• Bougie Hikers Unite: Shawnté and Colin field a question about U.S. hut-to-hut trails that scratch the luxury itch.

Click here for full Gear Abby Episode Companion including all of the bings (aka footnotes) and even more from this episode!

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear, Gossamer Gear

Got your own question for Gear Abby? Send it to [email protected] and it just might end up on the pod.

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles three very different outdoor dilemmas and reviews a new meal replacement. From embracing your inner luxury camper to surviving bad backcountry water to a new edition of 'What's in my pack?!'

• Can Bougie Be Outdoorsy? Shawnté helps a listener navigate the tension between high-end comfort and dirtbag authenticity with tips for easing into the outdoors and glamping guilt-free.
• The Dysentery Demons Are Real: REI’s Bubble Gut Boris writes in about water filters and algae. Gear Abby breaks down what your gear can’t remove (looking at you, toxic bloom) and why sometimes the smartest move is just don’t drink it.
• The 'Code Brown' Chronicles: A listener's question prompts Shawnté’s definitive guide to shart survival. Complete with wipes, bidets, smooth rocks, and emotional resilience.
• What’s In My Pack: America's new favorite podcast segment returns as Shawnté reviews Rec Pak meal pouches, a 700-calorie, shake-and-chug meal replacement. Is it something you should try? Listen to Gear Abby to find out!

Click here for full Gear Abby Episode Companion including all of the bings (aka footnotes) and even more from this episode!

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear, Gossamer Gear

Got your own question for Gear Abby? Send it to [email protected] and it just might end up on the pod.

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté and Colin take on everything from trail etiquette to mountain-town elitism with a heavy dose of laughter, crankiness, and wisdom.

Special guest Katie Burrell (comedian, skier, and Weak Layers creator) joins the show to talk about mountain-town culture, toxic coolness, and how to actually find kind people to ski and bike with.

• Angry Rae Returns: Should you call out bad outdoor behavior or just let it go? Shawnté breaks down when to educate, when to ignore, and when to just walk away.
• The Enforcer: Colin lands his first official voiceover role. (Kind of.)
• Cool Kids Only? Katie Burrell joins to unpack mountain-town hierarchy, ski-bum gatekeeping, and how to find genuine, low-ego adventure partners.
• Urban Nature FTW: Shawnté makes the case for New York City as a legitimate outdoor town (yes, really).
• Tent Therapy: The eternal question: should you ditch your trusty Big Agnes for an ultralight Dyneema trekking-pole tent? Shawnté’s tent monologue might just convert you.

Click here for full Gear Abby Episode Companion including all of the bings (aka footnotes) and even more from this episode!

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear

Got your own question for Gear Abby? Send it to [email protected] and it just might end up on the pod.

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté celebrates hitting double digits with stories that prove adventure takes many forms. From near-death river crossings to, uh, 'creative' trail recreation.

• Scariest Moments Outdoors: Shawnté relives a terrifying Sierra river crossing that dethroned her mountain lion encounter.
• Hikers With Benefits: Advice for couples looking to, ahem, elevate their outdoor experiences—respectfully and comfortably.
• Winter Thru-Hikes: Trails you can tackle after quitting your job (or before seasonal affective disorder hits).
• Gear Care Corner: How, when, and why to wash your backpack—and why your washing machine is not invited.

Click here for full Gear Abby Episode Companion including all of the bings (aka footnotes) and even more from this episode!

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear

Got your own question for Gear Abby? Send it to [email protected] and it just might end up on the pod.

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.

This week Shawnté welcomes the Kilian Jornet to Gear Abby (yes, seriously).

They cover mountain running, mindset, and how to lighten up both your pack and your attitude.

This weeks questions cover:

• Kilian’s Beta: How to safely merge trail running and climbing, build mountain confidence, and stay humble in the peaks.
• Bidet Bonanza: Gear Abby's definitive backcountry butt-care guide
• Tick Talk: We talk about repellents for humans and dogs that might actually work and ponder if ticks get it on.
• What’s In My Pack: Why Polartec Alpha might be the best weird-looking fabric you’ll ever wear.

Click here for full Gear Abby Episode Companion including all of the bings (aka footnotes) and even more from this episode!

Support those who support Gear Abby: Fjallraven, Garage Grown Gear

Got your own question for Gear Abby? Send it to [email protected] and it just might end up on the pod.

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

Sign up for NEWS FROM THE FRONT, Rock Fight's semi-weekly newsletter by heading to www.rockfight.co and clicking Join The Mailing List.