The WIldeBeat Tells You How To Avoid Getting Eaten In The Backcountry

The WIldeBeat has relased Podcast Episode 80 entitled Fighting Animal Terror.

Steve's guest this week is Dave Smith (sounds like an alias!) who is a former backcountry caretaker at Yellowstone and has written several books on the topic of avoiding becoming lunch for a bear. He gives some good tips on how to handle bears, cougars, and other critters you may run into while hiking in the backcountry.

They mention high profile animal victims like Steve Irwin and Timothy Treadwell to demonstrate that anyone can be caught off guard and killed by an animal attack. Treadwell in particular would have done well to have heeded some advice from someone like Smith.

As always, the WildeBeat is well worth listening to and comes highly recommended by me. Subscribe in iTunes or bookmark the website for weekly episodes.

WildeBeat: Counting Up Essentials (Part 2)

The WildeBeat is back again this week with Part 2 of their "Counting Up Essentials" podcast episode.

This show continues the discussion from last week about the essential items you need to have when heading into the backcountry. Host Steve Sergeant talks with Doug Ritter, the executive director of the Equipped To Survive Foundation and Amy Racina, author of the book Angels in the Wilderness. Doug weighs in on his thoughts of what the "essentials" should be, while Amy continues telling her dramatic tale of having to be rescued after taking a nasty fall while hiking in King's Canyon.

Another very good episode full of information. These "skills" episodes are wonderful for beginners who are looking to learn more about safely enjoying the wilderness, and they are an excellent reminder to more experienced backcountry travlers on things we shouldn't take for granted.

Counting The Essentials With The Wildebeat

The Wildebeat is back with a new podcast episode this week, this time it's another one of their "skills program" which focuses on essential skills for survival in the wilderness.

The episode is entitled Counting Up Essentials (part 1), and discusses the "Ten Essentials" that everyone should have when they head out into the wilderness. This first part explores what exactly those ten essentials are and why they are necessary. Doug Ritter of Equipped To Survive weighs in on his particular list of things that are essential, while Amy Racina, author of Angels In The Wilderness talks about an incident she had several years back where the "essentials" helped her to survive.

Next week, Part 2 will finish off the list and tell more of Amy's tale. As always, you can find the episode on the WildeBeat website or through a subscription in iTunes.

The Wildebeat: "Are snow campers and winter wilderness visitors super-human?"

The WildeBeat is back with a new podcast episode that asks the question: "Are snow campers and winter wilderness visitors super-human?"

Steve heads out on the trail to get input from skiiers, snow shoers, and snow campers to get their thoughts on the subject. They call it a Vox Pop edition of WildeBeat, and it is fun and interesting to hear what the average outdoors person thinks on the subject.

So? What do you think? Are these guys super human or just plain crazy? There was a time when I thought they were crazy, but then I discovered the proper gear goes a long way. Clothing is so much warmer than it use to be, and it makes all the difference. But I still think Andrew Skurka is crazy. ;)

WildeBeat: Staying On Top of the Snow

The WIlde Beat is back with another podcast this week. This time it's a reprise of a show they ran last February that serves as an introduction to avalanche saftey. The episode is entitled Staying On Top of the Snow and features interviews with avalanche safety and forcasting.

It's a good episode to listen to if you're going to be traveling in the backcountry under snowy conditions in the coming months. We can always use a reminder of safety tips and skills before we head out.

WildeBeat: Race In The Backcountry

The Wildebeat is back with another podcast, this one entitled Race In The Backcountry. Contrary to what the title may lead you to believe, this isn't about an Adventure Race through Yosemite. In fact, it's actually a candid and interesting interview with Dr. Nina Roberts about why ethinic minorities seem to have little interest in outdoor related activites such as hiking, backpacking, and camping. Dr. Roberts has conducted research into the subject after noticing that she was one of the few minorities herself when she particpated in those activites.

I honestly can say that I never really thought about this subject before, and the show actually gave me pause while listening to it. The episode brings up some excellent points, and has some interesting theories as to why fewer minorities travel in the backcountry. Economics is mentioned as being one of the factors, but there are others as well. An interesting topic, that I wouldn't have even thought about had I not tuned into the Wildebeat. Nice work Steve!

Podcast Updates

New episodes of some of my favorite podcasts!

After a brief, two week hiatus, The WildeBeat returns with a new episode on the History of Backcountry Skiing. Howard Weamer is this weeks guest to discuss backcountry skiing and how it has evolved over the years. Howard has been the Master of the Backcountry Ski Hut at Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park for 33 years.

Pod Climber is back with a new episode as well, this time with an update from the 3 Peaks 3 Weeks team I mentioned last week. The team has summitted Mt. Meru, in the rain now less, and is now gunning for Kilimanjaro.

Finally, The Go Far Podcast has a great interview with Robyn Benincasa, one of the best adventure acers around. There are few men or women, who are as tough and experienced as Robyn, whose day job is a firefighter. Good stuff for anyone interested in the sport.

As always, these are available from their respective website that I linked to above, or by subscription in iTunes itself.

WildeBeat Weighs In On The America The Beautiful Parks Pass

Perhaps you've heard about the new America The Beautiful national parks pass. For a mere $80 you can buy a year long pass that will allow you, and your car load of friends, entry to any of the National Parks that you visit. It has come under scrutiny from the outdoor community with some seeing it as a tremendous bargain while others see it as a major increase in fees, especially when compared to the existing Parks Pass and the Golden Eagle Parks Pass which have been around for some time, and cost less money.

What does the new Pass cover? What can you do with it that you can't do with the already existing passes? Fear not, as Steve Sergeant and The Wildebeat are on the case. In the most recent podcast episode they ask some tough questions and take a good long look at the ATB pass. Steve attempts to sort it all out with the help of a number of guests who weigh in on the subject. Well worth a listen if you frequent the National Parks or purchase a pass such as this one.

Podcast Updates

Ok, so I've been completely slacking in my Podcast Updates of late, so I've got a few to share with you. First up, The Wildebeat has posted Episode 68: Light Lofty Jackets and Episode 69: Indoor Snow Camping. The first of these programs reviews two lightweight, synthetic jackets designed to replace fleece layers, while the second episode takes a look at the joys of snow camping, but in style. In this case, camping in a rustic backcountry ski hut. Sounds like fun to me!

Endurance Planet also has a couple of podcasts that I've failed to mention. First is this interview with "joggler" Perry Romanowski. What's a joggler you ask? Someone who juggles. While runing a marathon. I didn't make this up, and yes, it's kind of silly. Finally, there is an interview with Craig Howie, who discusses base level training and building a strong core for endurance sports. Craig is a triathlete who recently completed the Iron Man in Kona, Hawaii.

Podcast Updates

A few new podcasts in case you need something to listen to tonight.

First off, we have a new/old episode from The Wildebeat. The episode is called Reprise: A Winter Storm Warning and is a combination of Episodes 15 and 16 from last year, which told the tail of a group of hikers who were caught in a freak winter storm in California's John Muir Wilderness area, and left stranded. The episode gives some good tips and ideas for surviving those conditions as well. Some of those tips might prove helpful this time of year.

Endurance Planet has also posted their latest episode which is an interview with Gary Lavin, a strength and conditioning coach for endurance sports. Gary discusses training for triathletes and adventure racers, focusing on building your core, which can greatly help improve performance in a wide variety of events.

Podcast Updates

A few updates to my favorite podcasts that you might find interesting as well. First off, I missed this one last week while I was away for the holiday break, but better late than never. The WildeBeat has posted Episode 66: Deals For Wheels which takes a look at the environmental impact of mountain biking on the areas we ride through.

As a mountain biker, I have to admit that I have often wondered about this very subject. I love to ride my bike along a stunning trail as much as the next person, but heavy traffic can certainly have an adverse effect on wilderness preservation. I've also hiked some trails where mountain bikes were forbidden, and I wished I could ride there, but now I have a better understand of why that is the case.

Our friends over at Endurance Planet have posted their latest episode as well. This week it's an interview with Triathlete Sam WIlkinson. Sam discusses training, with a busy schedule no less, and his habits as a successful racer. And for those living in the colder climates he also talks about winter training. Sam is the author of Race Fans: My Genesis and Evolution as a Triathlete.

Podcasts Updates

Two new podcast episodes to bring to your attention today.

Following last weeks episode onFast Food For the Backcountry, the Wildebeat has followed up this week with an episode on Backcontry Home Cooking which offers some great ideas for cooking your own food while backpacking or hiking in the backcountry. Both episodes, when taken together, are great for considering what type of food you want to carry with you, weighing in the convenience of the pre-packaged meals vs. what you can make yourself. This is a topic that I never take lightly, as I always want to have plenty of food, but I don't want to carry too much extra weight. You'll suffer greatly if you don't have plenty to eat (and drink), but you can end up suffering if you're carrying too much as well. I tend to error on the side of caution and bring more food than I'm going to need.

The other updated podcast today is The Rest of Everest who bring us Episode 27: You've Got Mail!. In this epsiode, the team waits out very windy weather, and spends time contacting civilization through e-mail, corresponding with well wishers and enjoying some time (and food) in camp before the real climb gets underway.

WildeBeat Reviews Backcountry Food

The Wildebeat, one of my favorite podcasts, has released a great new episode that should be of benefit to anyone heading out into the backcountry and wondering what they should bring along to eat. The episode, entitled Fast Food For the Backcountry is an excellent source of information for beginners who want to plan on eating well while backpacking, as well as experienced backcountry explorers who are looking for something new and different to add to their menu. The focus is on those dehydrated meals that cook up quickly with some hot water and offer a fast, tasty treat. But the question is, do they taste good, and are they good for you?

A few of these meals, some water, and a Jetboil system is all you need.

Weekly Podcast Round-Up

My favorite podcasts updated with new episodes once again. Endurance Planet brings us an interview with Ben Greenfield who discusses training for triathlons using a holistic approach that involves "lifestyle, nutrition and training. "

When you're finished listening to that, head over to Wildebeat.net to download their latest episode, The Poop on Mount Whitney, part 2, which continues from last weeks episode that looked at the environmental impact of all the people that visit Whitney each year. (On a personal note, thanks to fine folks at Wilde Beat for giving my blog a mention!)

Finally, it's time for another episode of The Rest of Everest. This week it's Episode 25: Back To Basecamp. Following an acclimatization climb, the team returns to ABC for some thicker oxygen and a much needed rest.

As always, these podcasts can be downloaded from their respective sites, or subscribed to in iTunes for automatic syncing with your iPod. (My preferred method!) Am I missing a great outdoor/adventure podcast? Drop me an e-mail or post a comment to tell me what I need to add to my list.

Weekly Podcast Round-Up

It's a new week, and a new set of podcasts have been released for our listening pleasure. First we have the latest from Endurance Planet who spend some time chatting with Eddie O'Dea this week. Eddie is a mountain biker who offers thoughts on training for events, nutrition leading up to a race, and more. If you're into competitive mountain biking, it's a very good episode to listen to.

Meanwhile, the good folks over at The Wildebeat have released a new podcast entitled The Poop on Mount Whitney (part 1). This episode takes a look at the environmental impact of having 20,000+ hikers on Mount Whitney every year, and how the "Leave No Trace" program just wasn't enough to keep the area clean, and healthy. This is an important issue that all of us who are outdoor enthusiasts need to concern ourselves with, ad I've run similar posts about efforts on Mount Blanc and Mount Everest itself.

Weekly Podcast Updates

Some of my favorite podcasts have released new episodes that you might find interesting. First up, Endurance Planet has conducted an interview with Jon Gould a successful attorney and mountain biker, who discusses training methods, nutrition, and some of his bigger races.

Next up, The Wildebeat has an excellent episode this week entitled Mount Whitney For Beginners which gives advice and tips on climbing the highest peak in the continental United States. Whitney is considered one of the classic climbs for Norther American climbers, and is an excellent place for working on your mountaineering skills.

Finally, The Rest of Everest has posted Episode 23: Climbing The North Col. This is a video podcast that always has great footage, and strives to give you a behind the scenes peek at everything that goes into a big mountain climb like Everest. I've finally managed to catch up on all the back episodes, and now I look forward to each of the new ones. If you're interested in mountaineering, or want to learn more about climbing Everest, I highly recommend watching these episodes.

As always, these podcasts are available on the websites and the links I provided, or in iTunes, where you can subscribe to them and have them downloaded automatically.

New Podcast Episodes.

Some of the podcasts I've mentioned recently have released new episodes that you may find of interest. First up, The Wildebeat has posted Episode 60 which review two lightweight solo shelters for fast packing, solo hikers/backpackers. Meanwhile, the team over at The Rest of Everest have released Episode 21 of their video podcast dedicated to a complete Everest expedition. In this episode, entitled "ABC FYI", you'll learn everything you need to know about Advanced Base Camp on Everest. You can get both podcasts from their respective websites, or by subscribing to them within iTunes. Great stuff again from both of teams.

Is Backpacking a Dying Sport?

Is backpacking a dying sport? That seems to be the question asked by this article over at the Seattle Weekly website. Backpacking was a craze that took off in the United States during the 60's and 70's, but seems to have fallen by the wayside in recent years as something people do when they head outdoors. The article sites a study that shows the number of American's who participate in backpacking is dropping fairly substantially, especially amongst the 16-24 year old age groups, where the sport has traditionally been popular. Other activities, such as trail running, adventure racing, and snowshoeing have all seen steady growth.

What's the solution? Well, the article quotes Demetri Coupounas, founder of GoLite who is a strong proponent of Fast Packing. It's the mantra of GoLite in fact. Drop the weight, take the bare necessities, and move fast an light on your hikes.

It's a shame that backpacking has fallen out of favor to a degree. Many people are missing out on an opportunity to explore the backcountry in the best way possible, but it's also not for everyone. You need to plan ahead, and think about what you're doing and where you're going. You need to carry your gear and food and other equipement, and you have to know how to navigate and surive off the beaten path. The upside of less people taking part in the sport, is that there are fewer people out there when we head into the backcountry, which means more solitude. That always sounds good to me.

Update: (10/6/2006) I urge everyone to read the comments posted on this article by Steve Sergeant. He has made some great points about how the lack of interest in backpacking can cause less resources to be given to our natural resources in general, and a growing sense of apathy amongst people to fight to defend the backcountry. I completely agree with what he has to say, and although my comments above make it sound like I'd prefer fewer people to actually be in the backcountry, I was actually trying offering a little tongue in cheek commentary. Obviously I love the wilderness, and want to see it preserved for all of us to enjoy, future generations included. Steve, who produces the Wildebeat podcast, does a much better job making the argument than I can, so again, be sure to read his comments.

Cool Podcasts!

I mentioned last week that I had picked up a new iPod. A new 8GB iPod Nano to be exact. I was long over due to replace my older, aging, hard drive based digital audio player, and the newly enhanced Nano fit the bill. It's flash memory based, which is much better for running, working out, and doing anything where motion is involved. On top of that, the new metal casing is much more resistant to wear and tear than the older Nano. Anyway, in using the device for a week now, and I've come to discover the joys of a good podcast. I've listened to a number of them in the past, and my old player would play them as well, but the iPod and iTunes just makes it so easy to subscribe to them and automatically download them to the Nano.

I wanted to point out two of these in particular that I am enjoying. The first is Endurance Planet which focuses on training for running, triathlons, cycling, adventure racing and more. The current episode is on mountaineering of all things. I've listened to a number of their programs in the past, but they'll now be a staple on my new Nano, and if you're into competitive outdoor sports, I'd highly recommend giving them a listen. You'll find tips on training, information on upcoming events, and some great insights from professionals in the sports. The other podcast that has caught my ear is the Wildebeat which deals more with camping, hiking, backpacking and other outdoor activities. Both podcasts have a wealth of back episodes to keep you busy, and with new ones coming out all the time, they should have something to interest everyone. You can download them from their respective websites, or if you have an iPod you can subscribe to them directly in iTunes. As I find other podcasts of interest, I'll be sure to post them here.

Along with the new Nano, I also bought a Nike Armband for running, which I can already tell you is excellent and worth the money. But I also purchased the Nike+ system to use while working out. I've had a chance to mess with it a little and I'll write a comprehensive review when I've had more experience with it. Right now though, I can say that it's a very promising device for runners. Certainly a useful item for training.