Tom Gathman aka Jabba is @TheRealHikingViking. At the time of this recording, he was attempting a southbound winter thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. In 2013 he thru-hiked the AT with fellow combat veterans in the Warrior Hike and in 2014 the 3,100 mile Continental Divide trail. In this interview, we talk with Tom about his progress thus far, faulty headlines, and whether his beard has contributed to his success as The Real Hiking Viking.

(R) #164 The Real Hiking Viking with Tom "Jabba" Gathman

A high altitude mountaineer travels through sub-zero temperatures, scales treacherous terrain, and carries hundreds of pounds of supplies. Many of us have very little in common with this person. We don’t need to worry about the lack of oxygen in the air or the extent of frostbite in our toes.

Yet, we are all human. There are certain ideas which apply to all of us, no matter if we are standing at 29,029 feet or sea level. Why is it important to step outside of our comfort zone? How do we weigh risk vs. reward? What psychological biases impact our behavior and decision making? On MtnMeister, we explore these ideas by talking with those who have found answers in the extremes.

Ben Schenck, the host of MtnMeister (pronounced Mountain Meister), asks thought-provoking and sometimes uncomfortable questions that you won't hear in a typical interview. Notable guests include Alex Honnold, Sasha DiGiulian, Ueli Steck, Jeremy Jones, Lynn Hill, Conrad Anker, Aaron Gwin and other adventurers in climbing, skiing, hiking, biking, and everything else in the mountains.

Sports

Health & Fitness

Wilderness

In today’s episode, we’ll cover the relationship between people, land, and how we use the land. My guest is Len Necefer, a Professor with appointments in American Indian Studies and the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona. Len’s newest film,  "Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee" explores the impact of opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development on the local Gwich’in people in Northern Alaska and Canada. Len is the founder of Natives Outdoors, an outdoor apparel company that supports indigenous people through cultural empowerment, and a board member of the Honnold Foundation, Alex Honnold’s foundation which supports solar energy initiatives to create a more equitable world.  Our Company Spotlight is with Fisher + Baker, a seven-person men’s apparel company based out of Minneapolis. Fisher + Baker uses technical fabrics in casual menswear designs where you wouldn’t expect to find technical fabrics. I’ll interview Alexa Stodola and Maggie Maloy about the company, then Roommate Max and I will see if Fisher and Baker is as timeless, purposeful, and functional as they claim to be.   Episode Sponsors SAXX Underwear: Use the code "meister" at checkout for $5 off and free shipping! https://www.saxxunderwear.com/ The Nomadik: Use code: "meister" for 20% OFF your first purchase at  https://www.thenomadik.com/meister   Episode Links Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee - https://www.gwichyaazhee.us/ About Len - https://ais.arizona.edu/users/len-necefer Natives Outdoors - https://www.natives-outdoors.org/ Honnold Foundation - http://www.honnoldfoundation.org/ Fisher + Baker - https://fisherandbaker.com

#214 Len Necefer | Fisher + Baker

Bethany Hughes (Fidgit) and Lauren Reed (Neon) are in the midst of a daunting project: hiking (and occasionally paddling and cycling) from the southern tip of Argentina to the northern tip of Alaska. The 20,000 mile journey is expected to take 5 or 6 years, and in this interview, they join from Medellín, Colombia, about 2.5 years into their journey. Fidgit and Neon talk about their motivation, strategies to get along with adventure partners, and Her Odyssey: a mission to connect stories of the land and its inhabitants.   In today’s Company Spotlight, we feature Peak Design, a camera accessory, bag, and “carry” brand. First and foremost, though, Peak Design is a design company. They’ve launched numerous successful crowdfunding campaigns for products that use innovative design to accommodate specific uses while still fulfilling the many different ways that people may use them. For 10%, use the code “meister10” at https://www.peakdesign.com/.     Episode Sponsor: SAXX Underwear. Use the code meister at checkout for $5 off and free shipping!      https://www.saxxunderwear.com/  

#211 Her Odyssey | Peak Design

Modern Huntsman is bi-annual magazine that works to restore the perception of hunting in our modern society by curating stories, pictures, recipes, and more. On today’s episode, I talk with the CEO and Co-founder Brad Neathery and Editor in Chief Tyler Sharp about why hunting has gained a certain reputation - from the influences of hunting companies and media to the individual-level behavior. We’ll also hear an essay from Volume 1 called “And So I Hunt", narrated by Brad. Finally, we’ll talk about how we reduce the divide between hunters and non-hunters.   Episode Sponsor: SAXX Underwear -  Use the code meister at checkout for $5 off and free shipping! https://www.saxxunderwear.com/   Episode Links: Modern Huntsman - https://modernhuntsman.com/ Pre-Order Volume 2 - https://modernhuntsman.com/shop/volume-two @ModernHuntsman - https://www.instagram.com/modernhuntsman/  

#210 Modern Huntsman, Brad Neathery & Tyler Sharp

Chris Warner is a well established mountaineer who has been climbing and guiding for several decades, a leadership educator, and the founder of Earth Treks climbing gyms. Last year, Chris attempted to climb the third highest mountain in the world, Kangchenjunga, but the summit escaped him. This season, he decided to give it another go. This episode is slightly different from our others. In hosting conversations with adventure athletes on MtnMeister, I’ve noticed that we are almost always talking about the past. This makes some sense  because we better understand the past; we can tell more cohesive stories because we already know the setting, the climax, and the resolution. But that isn’t reality, especially in adventure sports (there’s a good quote that goes, “Life is lived forward but remembered and understood backward.”) For today’s episode, the interview will have two parts which occurred at different times: I interviewed Chris a few days before he left for Kangchenjunga, and then again once he returned.   In today’s Company Spotlight, we feature DannyShane, a cycling apparel brand founded by Shane Hunt. DannyShane uses bamboo white ash in their fabrics, and the designs feature tartan plaids and other classic designs and colors with Scottish and Irish influence. After the interview, Roommate Max and I review the products. For 20% off at their online store (until August 12th), use the code “meister20” at www.dannyshane.com.    Episode Sponsor: SAXX Underwear. Use the code meister at checkout for $5 off and free shipping!   https://www.saxxunderwear.com/       Episode Links   https://chrisbwarner.com/ www.dannyshane.com/ https://www.earthtreksclimbing.com/ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2213661.The_Graveyard_Book https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Phil-Knight/dp/1508211809    

#208 Chris Warner | DannyShane

Pete Ripmaster is the winner of the 2018 Iditarod Trail Invitational. You’ve probably heard of the Iditarod before, and you might think it’s bizarre to be pulled by a bunch of dogs in sub-zero temperatures in the Alaskan wilderness. But that’s not the Iditarod that Pete won. He did the same course - 1,000 miles and 50 degrees below zero - in the form of an ultramarathon. With no dogs to help him along the way, Pete's feet carried him an average of 38 miles a day over 26 days. Go to SAXXunderwear.com and use the code “meister” at checkout for $5 off and free shipping on your first order.  Iditarod Trail invitational - http://www.iditarodtrailinvitational.com/ Pete Ripmaster's website - https://www.peteripmaster.com/

(R) #164 The Real Hiking Viking with Tom "Jabba" Gathman

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