In this episode of the Seek Outside Podcast, we cover critical backcountry lessons, real-world missing hiker cases, and what happens when someone disappears in the wilderness and specifically on through hikes.

We kick things off by recapping the Grand Junction Gear Scavenger Hunt, then dive into our top backcountry lessons learned in 2025—from staying open-minded and allowing more time than you think you need, to avoiding overconfidence in your hiking abilities.

Next, we’re joined by Cathy Tarr of the Fowler O’Sullivan Foundation for a powerful and informative conversation about missing hikers. We discuss a John Doe missing hiker case that was partially solved thanks to the individual using a Seek Outside backpack.

Cathy also explains the vital work the Fowler O’Sullivan Foundation does to support families of missing hikers, what actually happens behind the scenes when a hiker is reported missing, and the most common reasons people go missing on thru-hikes and in the backcountry.

This episode is a must-listen for hikers, backpackers, thru-hikers, search and rescue enthusiasts, and anyone who spends time outdoors.

???? Topics Covered:

Grand Junction Gear Scavenger Hunt recap

Top backcountry lessons learned in 2025

Staying open-minded & avoiding overconfidence outdoors

Missing hiker & John Doe wilderness cases

Fowler O’Sullivan Foundation’s mission

https://fofound.org/

What happens when a hiker goes missing

Common reasons hikers disappear on thru-hikes

Backcountry safety, preparedness, and lessons learned

???? Subscribe to the Seek Outside Podcast for real conversations about backcountry travel, outdoor lessons, and wilderness safety.

Welcome back to the Seek Outside Podcast—the show built for hardcore outdoor adventurers, gear heads, backcountry hunters, hot-tent campers, and anyone obsessed with high-performance outdoor equipment.

In this episode we start things off with some exciting new gear and merch drops, including:

???? New Seek Outside Logo Gear

???? Black Beard Fire Starters now available on our website

???? All-new Stocking Stuffer Bundles for the holiday season

FILL OUT THIS TIER LIST, SCREENSHOT AND SEND IT TO [email protected] TO BE ENTERED TO WIN FREE GEAR!

After that, we dive into some of the most common hot-tenting questions we get from our customers, including:

✔️ How long do Seek Outside stoves burn?

✔️ What’s the best type of wood to use in a hot tent stove?

✔️ What is Dyneema fabric and why is it used in ultralight shelters?

✔️ Hot tent tips for winter camping & deep-cold conditions

Then we roll into our featured interview with KJ Thompson of Black Beard Fire Starters. We cover:

???? How to start a fire anywhere — even in wet conditions

???? What every survival kit should include and why you need one

???????? What it means to be a USA-made company

???? Why Black Beard makes one of the most reliable fire starters in the outdoor industry

If you love hot tent camping, backcountry survival skills, fire-starting gear, ultralight fabrics, or American-made outdoor products, this episode is for you.

00:00 – Intro

03:20 – New merch + Black Beard Fire Starters

15:21– Hot Tent Q&A (stove burn times, wood types, Dyneema, etc.)

49:10 – Interview with KJ Thompson

Welcome back to The Seek Outside Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Kaleb Bell from the Colorado Bowhunters Association (CBA) for a deep dive into the world of bowhunting, wildlife conservation, and the unique experiences that come with being a bowhunter in Colorado.

We kick things off with a conversation about how people get started in bowhunting, what draws them in, and why bowhunting creates such unforgettable outdoor experiences.

From there, Kaleb shares details about his fast-paced mountain goat hunt this year, giving us insight into the challenges, adrenaline, and preparation involved in high-country hunting.

Finally, we discuss the mission of the Colorado Bowhunters Association, including how the CBA promotes bowhunting, supports ethical hunting practices, and works to protect wildlife and habitat across Colorado.

Whether you're new to bowhunting, an experienced archery hunter, or simply passionate about conservation, this episode is packed with insight, education, and great stories.

???? Topics Covered

How beginners start their bowhunting journey

Unique and transformative bowhunting experiences

Kaleb’s 2025 mountain goat hunt recap

What the Colorado Bowhunters Association does for hunters & conservation

The importance of protecting wildlife and public access

It’s a packed episode of the Seek Outside Podcast! ???? We kick this episode off with our Christmas outdoor gear wish lists — from new hiking boots, muzzleloaders, bigger coolers, to more of the gear we’re drooling over this season.

Then we explain some bad hunting etiquette stories from the mule deer woods, before ranking our favorite hunting trip experiences — On Tier List Maker.

???? CONTEST ALERT:

Want to win some Seek Outside gear?

???? Make your own tier list of your favorite hunting experiences here: https://tiermaker.com/create/best-experiences-in-hunting-18811000

???? Send a photo of your list to [email protected]

or [email protected]

to be entered to win a Backcountry Tool Roll and more.

Finally, we sit down with our New Zealand hunting friends, who share insider tips for hunting big game in New Zealand — including how to access hunting areas, transport meat and antlers, and plan the trip of a lifetime.

???? In This Episode:

Our top Christmas gear picks for hunters & backpackers

Real talk on poor hunter etiquette in the field

Tier ranking our best hunting experiences

How to enter the Seek Outside gear giveaway

Big game hunting tips from New Zealand

???? Tell us in the comments: What’s on your outdoor gear wish list this year?

???? Stay Connected:

???? Subscribe for more weekly outdoor talk & hunting stories!

???? Visit us at www.seekoutside.com

???? Follow us on Instagram: @seekoutside

#SeekOutsidePodcast #HuntingPodcast #OutdoorGear #HuntingInNewZealand #BackpackingGear #Muzzleloader #ChristmasGearList #HuntingEtiquette #BigGameHunting #SeekOutside

In this episode of the Seek Outside Podcast, we kick things off with a funny but all-too-relatable topic — why are hot tubs never working at hotels and Airbnbs anymore? From there, Owen shares the ups and downs of his tough rifle elk hunt, giving some great insight into what makes elk hunting so challenging and rewarding.

Then we dive deep into backpack selection for backpacking and backcountry hunting. We cover everything you need to know about choosing the right pack fit, frame size, and frame style. We also break down pack fabrics, features, capacity, and how to match your pack to your specific hunting or hiking needs.

To wrap things up, we sit down with Rusty Smith from Baby Booners — a company that uses 3D scanning to create miniature replicas of your big game mounts. If you’ve ever wanted a unique way to remember your trophy, you’ll want to stick around for this conversation!

???? Keywords:

Seek Outside Podcast, backpack hunting, backpacking gear, elk hunting stories, how to choose a backpack, hunting backpack fit, Seek Outside gear, backcountry hunting, hot tub rant, Baby Booners 3D mounts, hunting podcast, outdoor podcast

???? Learn more about Seek Outside gear:

???? https://seekoutside.com

Baby Booners website: https://babybooners.com/

Follow us on social media:

???? Instagram: @seekoutside

???? Subscribe for more outdoor stories, hunting talk, and gear deep dives!

n this episode of the Seek Outside Podcast, we’re joined by Carl Lewallen from Rec Pak for an action-packed discussion on new gear, game meat, and backcountry performance.

???? We kick things off by introducing our brand-new product — the Flat Roll XL. Designed like a tool roll but for camping and backpacking gear, the Flat Roll XL helps you organize all your essentials in one compact, easy-to-access roll. Perfect for staying dialed in on your next adventure.

???? Then we dive into meat care in the field, and share a critical lesson on aging wild game meat to maximize taste and tenderness — especially important for those processing their harvest in remote settings.

????️ We also share our Top 3 Favorite Fall Meals for cooking up wild game meat. From savory stews to grilled favorites, these are must-tries for your fall hunting season.

????With guest Carl Lewallen from Rec Pak, we shift gears to talk backcountry nutrition, fueling for ultra-marathons and hunting trips, and how proper nutrition can make or break your performance in the wilderness. Carl also dives into the differences between Roosevelt elk and Rocky Mountain elk, and what each species demands from hunters.

Check out our website for more episodes on backcountry hunting, gear tips, and wilderness adventure: https://seekoutside.com/

???? Follow us on Instagram: Seekoutside

Late season hunting is coming....Ready to level up your cold weather camping and hot tenting game? In this episode, we dive into must-know tips for staying warm, dry, and safe in late fall and winter conditions — whether you're an expert hot tent user or just getting started.

In This Episode, We Cover:

How to make sure your stove fires up every time

Moisture management & reducing condensation in your tent

Choosing the right campsite to increase warmth and reduce condensation

Best practices for wood prep & fire efficiency

Real-world hot tent camping experiences & gear insights

???? These essential hot tenting techniques will help you stay comfortable and confident, even in sub-zero temps.

???? Perfect for hunters, backpackers, bushcrafters, or anyone planning a hot tent camping trip this season.

???? Check out Seek Outside's Hot Tent Bundles here:

https://seekoutside.com/hot-tent-bundles/

Premium hot tents and stoves built for rugged backcountry performance.

???? Drop your favorite winter camping hacks or questions in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!

Looking for the perfect hot tent for your fall hunting and camping trips? In this episode, we dive deep into every one of Seek Outside’s full lineup of hot tents — from ultralight trekking pole shelters to spacious 16-person tipis.

We break down:

n this episode of the Seek Outside Podcast, we start things off with a DST Tarp Giveaway – and there’s only one more episode to win in an upcoming episode, so don’t miss out!

From there, we dive deep into a conversation about hunting rifles, breaking down why the caliber you choose is often the least important part of selecting your rifle. We explore bullet size, ballistics, and why a light trigger may be one of the most overlooked but essential features for hunters.

We also discuss the newest season of Alone, why it turned out to be the shortest season ever, and how surviving in the desert may be one of the toughest environments possible.

Later in the show, we’re joined by Justin Walker from the Alaska Professional Hunters Association (APHA). Justin explains why the APHA plays such a crucial role in protecting hunting opportunities in Alaska, and he shares his near-death experience in the Alaskan wilderness this past spring—a story you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of the Seek Outside Podcast, we dive into our brand new Ultralight Glassing Saddle and Camp Chair – a lightweight, packable seating system that sets up easily with trekking poles, perfect for glassing, hunting, or hanging out in camp without carrying extra weight or bulk. https://seekoutside.com/lookout-sittin-saddle/

Ryan also shares his Top 5 Archery Elk Hunting Gear Items most that hunters overlook, giving you practical tips to be more prepared and effective in the field.

We’re then joined by Logan Romney to talk archery mule deer scouting, getting in shape for backcountry hunts by running, and his must-have gear for scouting trips. Whether you’re chasing elk, glassing high country mule deer, or dialing in your backcountry kit, this episode is packed with insights and gear ideas you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:

00:00 – DST Tarp Giveaway

10:15 – Ultralight Glassing Saddle & Camp Chair Overview

16:48 – Ryan’s Top 5 Overlooked Archery Elk Hunting Items

35:18 – Happy Hour

45:50 – Logan Romney

Topics Covered:

Ultralight hunting gear

Backcountry glassing solutions

Archery elk hunting essentials

Mule deer scouting strategies

Hunting fitness tips

Lightweight camp comfort ideas

Links & Resources: