LiveWild Radio

When you want to learn about safety in the backcountry there is no one better to talk to than a forest ranger. In this episode, we sit down with Adirondack Forest Ranger Scott van Laer about the Adirondack High Peaks, search and rescues and how you can be safer in the mountains. Scott has been a ranger for 20+ years so he has seen a lot of changes in the traffic to the mountains and the increased demand on the rangers.  We talk about how people can help advocate for more rangers to match the increased traffic the park is seeing. Plus you get to hear about why peeing on each other isn’t a good way to stay warm in the cold.  

Show Notes:

Follow Scott van Laer at ADK Ranger on Twitter, ADK Ranger on Instagram or on the Adirondack Almanack

NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) - High Peaks Wilderness  

Adirondack Almanack

Adirondack 46ers

Epic Search & Rescues:

• Feb 2018 Saddleback Rescue: Adirondack Explorer - How 34 rangers and 12 volunteers saved a hiker’s life

Adirondack Explorer - Guardians in the Woods Feb. 26, 2008

Want to Help Preserve the Adirondacks and Support the Rangers?

• Contact the ADK https://www.adk.org/

For more information about backpacking, we have a bunch of information on the Adirondacks in the LiveWild Radio Adventure Library.  Also, check out Ep. 28 on Adirondack Adventures. 

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As part of our plan to share our favourite places, we are doing episodes highlighting an area. This episode, we talk about why we love the Adirondack Mountains. At 6 million acres, it's one of the largest parks in the U.S. while being close to the Canadian Border and major east coast cities. It boasts 46 peaks over 4,000 feet, countless rivers and lakes and some of the best views you will find anywhere. Rugged trails, free camping and endless rock to climb, the Adirondacks are a prime destination that will take you many trips to explore. Listen in as we lay out the best places to go, the rules and some tips to make your trip better.

Show Notes:

• LiveWild Radio’s Adirondacks High Peaks Backpacking Guide 

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When we talk about adventure on the show it is usually about things like backpacking or rock climbing, but in this episode, the adventure is much closer to home. Our guest, Alex Vaillancourt, talks about the challenges and rewards of finding and living his truth. Born female, Alex is transitioning to male while working in the demanding field of industrial rope access. Most people only hear about transgender folks when it comes to political issues so it is easy to forget that they are real people facing obstacles most of us can never truly understand. Join us as we find out what it is like to transition, how the world has reacted and how we can make life less difficult for trans people.

Show Notes:

• Queer Rope Access Community Facebook Page

Follow Alex on Instagram 

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Just in time for Mental Health Awareness month, we tackle the subject on Ep. 27. Our friends Alyssa and Eric join us to talk about our struggles with depression, anxiety and overall wellbeing. Unlike our last episode with them, it is a little less funny but we go a lot deeper, talking about things that are hard for most people to say out loud, us included.

This is a long episode but we cover things like how diet and exercise affect mood, our strategies for dealing with mental issues, reprogramming your brain, concussions, and how mental health isn't separate from general health. Your brain is part of your body and you need to look after it.

This is a deeply personal episode which we hope helps people know they aren't alone. Everyone will face emotional struggles and mental health issues at some point in their life. Don't be afraid to speak about it and ask for help.

Show Notes:

Follow Alyssa Payne "Alyssa Outdoors" Instagram and Eric Goldring on Instagram 

Follow LiveWild Radio at Instagram, Facebook, www.livewildradio.com, YouTube or wherever you download your podcasts. 

Like a seasonal thing we cover certain topics each year expanding on the knowledge and ideas, we talked about last time. In Ep. 26 we revisit Winter Camping as it is one of our favourite things but we only have the weather to do it a few times per year. If you've never been winter camping give this a listen as we gear it towards the three-season camper who wants to make the jump.

• LiveWild Radio's "Almost Everything You Need to Know About Winter Camping - Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3" (Coming Soon!)

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A year ago, we released our first episode with no idea if anyone would even listen. A year later we have thousands of downloads and the beginning of a great community of like-minded adventurers. We look back on our favourite episodes and adventures of the last year. Cool guests, interesting topics and a lot of laughs. We finish up with our plans for the new year. Enjoy New Year's day and give it a listen. And to our listeners, we offer a hearty thank you and wish you the best adventures in the New Year!

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Ever wonder how the climbing routes you enjoy got put up? If so, join us as we talk to Gus Alexandropoulos of Ontario Climbing about the game of rock climbing. We recorded in his home climbing gym which was fun as we got to climb after recording. Aside from being a lifelong climber, Gus is a route developer, guide book author and journalist. His passion for climbing has led to it being both his business and lifestyle. Having developed a number of crags and putting up 200+ routes, he has a unique perspective. Learn about the history and politics of rock climbing in Ontario. 

GIVEAWAY ALERT!! Enter at LiveWild Radio's Instagram or Facebook post for this episode for your chance to WIN the set of 3 guidebooks below! Two winners will be drawn on December 22nd!!

Show Notes:

Ontario Climbing Guidebooks:  

• The Southern Escarpment - Volume 1

They say that not all who wander are lost. They are right, the ones who know how to plan trip and navigate can wander all they want and not get lost. In Episode 23, we talk about how to plan a backpacking trip and navigate in the wilderness. A little planning goes a long way towards having a fun trip rather than getting in over your head. We

Show Notes: 

LiveWild Radio blog articles: 

• Navigation for Backpacking

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Sometimes we are serious but sometimes we need to laugh. In this episode, we had a plan but when we started to record, it went out the window because we were having too much fun. We met Alyssa and Eric at the Beaver Valley Climbing Festival and wanted to talk to them about climbing, building a lifestyle of adventure and their cool camper van conversion. We also tell stories, get philosophical and discuss how the outdoors and climbing help with mental health. If you want a laugh then give us a listen. Download from iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, Stitcher or where ever you get your podcasts. 

Show Notes:

• Follow Alyssa Payne "Alyssa Outdoors" Instagram and Eric Goldring on Instagram 

Follow LiveWild Radio at Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, www.livewildradio.com or wherever you download your podcasts. 

We might be part-time adventurers but returning guest Sara Dhooma isn't. For the last few years, she has been trekking around the world. We catch up about her latest adventures including missiles in Israel and epic weather on the Continental Divide Trail. If you are looking for some inspiring stories and trip ideas then give it a listen.

Show Notes:

• The Israel Trail 

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