On this week's podcast, Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director Karen Palus is the guest. The discussion covers what the parks department accomplished in 2021 and what's ahead in 2022. There's a lot covered in this podcast! Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android

In this week's podcast, Bob and Kevin discuss how climate change is affecting winters in Colorado, and also the dramatically dropping water level in Lake Powell, and how this affects outdoor recreation. The discussion then goes to Kevin's recent hikes on the new trails in the Sweetwater Canyon in North Cheyenne Canon Park. They also discuss a recent winter storm rescue in North Carolina and why they believe the person rescued was foolhardy, and put lives in danger. And finally, this podcast and Bob's column are up for Outdoor Media Awards, and they ask for listener support. This podcast sponsored by SpringsHomes.com Links mentioned in this podcast: Lake Powell water level is dropping: https://n.pr/3G3KwTM Bob's articles about hiking the new trails: https://bit.ly/3r3Alue https://bit.ly/3KN9wSA https://bit.ly/3KLWvc0 North Carolina winter rescue: https://wapo.st/3fVkZBu Colorado Search and Rescue card: https://bit.ly/3u4JFzI Vote for this podcast! Best Podcast: https://bit.ly/3KUU6fo Best Blog/Column: https://bit.ly/3AFeM6f Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android

This week's guest is El Paso County (Colorado) Community Services Director Todd Marts. As part of the Community Services department, he also oversees the county parks department, and has been a long-time parks department employee and was promoted to director in 2021. The discussion involves the past years successes and future plans for El Paso County Parks, including when new parks will open, and much more. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android

Alicia Filley, Physical Therapist a/k/a "The Healthy Hiker" and a frequent show guest, returns. On this episode the discussion centers around how someone who is usually a "day hiker" can train and prepare to do long, multi-day hikes, such as the Colorado Trail. https://www.thehealthyhiker.com/ This podcast sponsored by Springs Homes Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin start the New Year by reviewing their experiences from 2021 and their plans for 2022. They also discuss preparing for winter weather recreation, and a lawsuit involving a guided hike on Cheyenne Mountain that resulted in a search and rescue operation. Winter weather prep article: https://bit.ly/3zona9J Broadmoor lawsuit: https://bit.ly/3JGvoyE Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android

On this week's podcast, Bob chats with Lloyd Athern, the Executive Director of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative. They discuss the organizations mission and goals, and the work they do to keep access to Colorado's highest peaks open to hikers and mountaineers. They discuss the groups long history, and how they partner with the US Forest Service and other land managers to maintain trails 14,000' peaks. CFI website: https://www.14ers.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin Westendorf discuss a recent storm that hit Colorado Springs and the reaction people had to the resulting damage and power outages. They discuss whether people were reasonable in their expectations of the government to attend to their problems, and are people who seriously recreate outdoors better prepared for these events than those who aren't. Also, Bob talks about some first aid and blister remedies from mymedic.com Finally, Bob and Kevin discuss their resolutions for the upcoming year. Links in this podcast: Column about giving experiences for the holidays: https://bit.ly/3edzdwz Recent podcast with Colorado Springs' City Forester: https://bit.ly/3H5iIPS Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android

On this week's podcast, Bob interviews Becky Leinweber, the Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA), a new participant in the 2021 IndyGive campaign. They discuss what makes PPORA unique in the outdoors recreation community, it's mission, it's outreach and stewardship, and how donations to the IndyGive will help it meet its goals. PPORA website: https://ppora.org/ IndyGive campaign: IndyGive.com Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information. Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android

This week's podcast features Jennifer Peterson, the Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, and a participating organization in the 2021 IndyGive campaign. We discuss the work RMFI has done over the past year, the work planned for next year, and how your contribution can help them achieve their goals for the upcoming year. Rocky Mountain Field Institute: RMFI.org IndyGive campaign: IndyGive.com Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information. Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android

On this week's podcast, we go on an audio of tour of Fishers Peak State Park, with park manager Crystal Dreiling. As we stopped at a few different locations in the park, Dreiling describes each site, and what amenities are planned. We also discuss the on-going planning process for the park, how the public can be involved in the process, and a timeline for the park development. This podcast sponsored by Springshomes.com Fisher Peaks State Park website: https://www.fisherspeakstatepark.com/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information. Hiking Bob on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and website Wild Westendorf on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website Listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify and Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Android