Park Rats Podcast

We then talk about two beautiful parks down under. Australia is home to many National Parks with very unique wildlife.

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is an icon of Australia. The large rock serves as a tourist site but most importantly as a spiritually significant place for the aboriginal people. Its stunning height and rock art attracts large crowds who are no longer allowed to climb the rock and for good reason.

The Grampians National Park Is also a stunning rock formation. Along this mountain range the granite mountains attract climbers from around the world to send some gnarly boulders and sport routes. If you are looking for a good time, ask the rock wallabies they know what's up. 

Until next time you smelly rats,

PEEACCEEE!!!!!!! 
 

You never know what a cougar is gonna do ;)

In the first half of this episode we talk about some of the encroaching luxurious resorts surrounding popular national parks and some of the ways people are looking to experience national parks without leaving the comfort of the own homes and Netflix binges.

If you really want to experience the true nature of national parks without glamping or without electricity, we compiled a few crazy hikes to isolated campsites for those inclined (literally and figuratively).

In the second half of this episode we talk about the important steps you need to take to have a shot at surviving a deadly animal attack.  While deaths from many of these animals are rare, it is good to know how to protect yourself if you ever come face to face with one of these animals.

For more info on defending yourself from deadly animals check these links out:
Bears
Bobcat
Polar bear
Cougar
Kangaroo
Koala

Alrighty rats
Happy National Park Week

Heyo!

Happy National Park Week bruddahs and sistahs. Get involved with your national parks near you. This year, you can start right here:

Donate to the National Park Foundation

Or get involved virtually somehow: 
https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/parks-at-home
Visit nps.gov/npweek or nationalparkweek.org for more virtual programming

Pretty cool shit huh, no funny business. Just being a park loving goober.

Alrighty,
We’ll catch ya!

What's slappin Park Ratzzzz!

You have definitely heard of these large clothing brands but did you know the climbers/naturalists behind them? Find out when we talk about the history of The North Face and Patagonia in this episode of the PRP.

We talk about some huge names in climbing lore who created massive clothing and outdoor equipment brands from nothing. They took huge risks throughout the respected companies histories and always strived for a greener product (at least while the original creators where involved). 

Also a huge shout out to The South Butt it was a shame to see you get sued... we will surely be getting sued at some point so please DM us with some legal advice.

Until next time you ratscals,

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPeace :)

Hey yo,

Don't listen to this episode... I'm not trying to pull a fast one to make you listen to it, this seriously was just me and josh exhausted talking about some cool activities and the latest park news. May not be our best.

Here is some correlating facts to the episode:

Catch and Release Fishing

20 Ways to recreate in the national parks

Go murder these things

White Water Rafting and Shi-

K goodnight, see you next week!
zzzz

Hey guys so here's the deal.

Right NOW, parks are hiring the next park rats for thousands of types of National Park Jobs. Today, we wanted to go in depth on how to get a job as a food service worker in the big three concession companies. A lot of sites will point you to a form on their site, but they almost always redirect to Aramark, Xanterra or Delaware North. So here is what you need to know to get a job and get in the national park that you want to visit. Remember, at the core of this experience the work comes second ;)

At the top of this episode we talked a little bit about our OK trip which was ok... not amazing. But definitely pretty memorable. Sorry to the poor saps in rural Oklahoma. We start talking about how to get a park job at 16:52

There are of 25,000 jobs open for you to be the perfect fit. These include Culinary, Grill Cooks, Food Service Workers, Bar Back and Bartender, Hostesses/ Hosts, Guest Services, Barista, Cocktail Server, Busser, and even Dinner Theatre?!?

Make sure you pick one that is hourly or seasonal and don't get trapped with a vague title or you'll be stuck washing dishes like our boi Kyle.

To find a job that fits you, go here: Aramark, Xanterra.
Do some research on the restaurant you really want to work in. Here is a good place to start.

We compiled a few tips on how to survive in the craziness of the national park job hunt. 

• Apply for multiple positions at the same location
• Have a back up park in mind
• Apply in the spring (now)
• Lie on your resume
• Always say you can work the entire summer
• Prepare to be working as early as May
• If you get to the parks early you have better opportunities for a better job
• Be patient. There are a bunch of applications each year and they have to sort through them all. They may take a month to message you back
• Don’t be afraid to ask for a better position or schedule when at the park
• Expect to be busy at work (parks are more populated than ever)
• Request time off in advance
• Be prepared for dorm style living
• You will most likely have one to two roommates
• They will probably give you a recommended packing list when you get hired
• Plan on showing up early on your check in day so you can get settled
• DON'T SKIP ORIENTATION 
  • It is mandatory and you may have to wait a week to start working (or maybe that’s what you want to do)
• Pack for cold weather no matter the park
• If you are under 21 be smart 
• You are not working for NPS you are working for a large company (Which has its pros and cons) but if you are fired you can be kicked out of the park. As soon as you are not an employee you are a tourist and have to abide by the parks rules
• Girls, be smart and be safe. Most park employees are great people and interesting characters but there are creeps. Companies have a strict sexual harassment policy but things will slide under the radar. Don’t be afraid to call someone out. It is always smart to be in a group

All this and more will soon be on a cheat sheet accessible to you all so stay tuned!

Until next time....

PEEACEEEE!!!!!

What is UP Park Rats!?!?!?!?!?

As we research for these wonderful episodes we deliver to you, we can't always get to all of our information we found. In this episode, we bring you some of the juicy research that didn't make it in the episode.

We first talk about an influencer who faked a hike in a park for instagram clout. Not a great move :(

We then talk about a bear that had a particular interest in foot stank. This is one of the first accounts of this happening to stay safe out there.

Lastly, we take a good bit of the episode to talk about some of the history and current conservation efforts regarding the bison. Bison are some great beasts that have a tough history of being over-hunted in America. 

We may do another episode of leftovers in the future but let us you know what you think in our instagram DMs

PPPEEEAAACCCEEEEE Y'AALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!

Happi Week Guis,

Bet you think we are talking about parks. Lol yeah obv. Today we wanted to touch on some of the dopest hikes in the continental United States. We talk a little bit about some long bois, like the American Discovery Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. There are a few people that have hiked these 5000+ mile trails that we wanted to acknowledge and praise and kind of roast for their crunchy ass ways. There are some prime spots to take your dog and then some that your dog may not be vibing with. We like dogs!!! 

Matt talks about the Four Mile Trail in Yosemite and the history of this extremely fun and lowkey dangerous hike. From the Glacier Point Hotel, Firefall, and a bunch of kids riding jackasses, we cover the crazy history of this not exactly accurately named trail. 

Shoutout to Timberyard Brewing for their beers to keep us company, Wolftree is fantastic!

And follow us on tiktok and insta at parkratspodcast.

Ok i gotta go

Bye

Its getting spicy,

This week we are talking about the SEXIEST national parks according to the weirdest website. Josh has fell down a rabbit hole in this episode that involves scam artists, dating site predators, and an insane collection of first person opinions of which park is the best for doing the dirty.

We also talked about the least sexy parks which includes one park that may surprise you! And we read bad reviews, one of our favorite things to do on the podcast!

Matt, also wraps up the Olympics with one of his stupid and unnecessary bits to put in perspective the most athletic national parks. What park runs the fastest? What's the longest jump in national parks? What park is the best curler? You're going to have to listen to find out.

Enjoy the episode and if you do, follow us on instagram @parkratspodcast. We'll catch you next week!

PEACE

What the HECK is happening you rats?!

Today we talk about those small little towns that surround National Parks and some of their charms and farms. National Park satellite towns can be a great resource for shopping and lodging on your adventures. These places have can have their charm and often something out of the ordinary.

The first park town we talk about is Whitefish Montana. If you have ever wanted to be in a hallmark movie and/or meet a secretly rich lumberjack who will show you the meaning of Christmas this is the place to be. Enjoy the local hootenanny and partake in the various outdoor activities they have in the town. 

We then talk about the wonderful town of Cody Wyoming. If you like wrangling cattle, large collections of firearms and outdoor activities you will probably have a great time in Cody. Cody is a huge place in the sport of rodeo and you can catch one there most summer nights. Cody also has the buffalo bill museum which is a great place to see some of the local history and also so so so so so so so so many guns. 

To fire off a few more towns we talk about Lee Vining which is just north of Williams Butt and that super cool and not funny at all. It's a classic mining town and a great slice of American history.  Merced is another park town which was known as the gateway to Yosemite before other passages were created.

We talk about some other small park towns and stuff but your going to have to listen to find out hehehehehehe.

Anyways... enjoy the episode, drive safe, eat a hearty stew and just have a great day y'all.

PEEEEE!!!

PS. ace