Do beautiful outdoor photos actually help protect wild places or is that just something we tell ourselves to feel better? Gear Abby digs into the surprising history of photography, conservation, and whether social media really makes a difference.

Then: what happens when your hiking partner bails right before a dream trip? Shawnté shares honest advice for tackling fear, finding courage, and starting a big trail solo especially if you’re nervous about going it alone.

Our last listener is heading to the desert! Gear Abby tells them how to avoid (and survive) an encounter with cholla cactus, one of the Southwest’s most infamous spiky hazards.

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

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