In today's podcast, Andrew chats with some of the folks from IDFL Laboratory and Institute (originally known as the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory) about water-resistant down. Also in this episode, Andrew shares some of the creative things listeners are doing in the backcountry and gives his final thoughts on the Nunatak Gear Bears Ears 50 pack. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-46-down 

Backpacking Light Podcast

Water-resistant Down

In this SKILLS SHORT EPISODE, Ryan and Andrew talk about strategies and techniques for creative pursuits in the backcountry: painting, writing, composing, photography, journaling, and more! Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-45-backcountry-creativity 

Skills Short: Backcountry Creativity

In this episode, Andrew chats with Jadon Bales (Communications Director, Wyoming Wildlife Federation) about the new reality of wildfire behavior in the west. Ryan gives some actionable advice on planning for worst-case wildfire scenarios and highlights some new discussions going on at Backpacking Light. Also in this episode - Platypus' new water filter could be a game-changer. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-44-wildfires/ 

The New Reality of Western Wildfires

In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, author Ben Kilbourne uses the writing of Aldo Leopold to examine his motivations when exploring the backcountry. It's a thought-provoking essay that may just have you reconsidering why you are out there. Would you like to read the written version of this podcast? Check it out here. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-043-observing-transition 

Observing Transition Season

In this Skills Short episode, Ryan takes a deep dive into windscreens: cheap hacks, well-constructed after-market options, and how they interface with various stove categories.  Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-42-skills-windscreens 

Skills Short - Windscreens

In today’s podcast, we are joined once again by Matt Mason for part two of our ongoing bikepacking conversation. This conversation digs a little more deeply into the nuances and logistical questions of bikepacking. Also in this episode: an app that helps you determine how much fuel is left in fuel canisters, a windscreen to improve the efficiency of your stove, the new Backpacking Light website, and more. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-41-bikepacking-part-two 

Matt Mason: Bikepacking and Public Lands Part II

Who or what makes a trail? This is the question Backpacking Light author Ben Kilbourne asks himself (and us) as he reads his essay The Anthropology of a Trail. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-39-bikepacking 

Anthropology of a Trail

In today’s podcast, we are joined by Matt Mason. Matt is a multi-hyphenate adventurer and backpacker turned bikepacker. Our chat functions as kind of a Bikepacking 101 class, so if you've been thinking of taking up the sport but don't know where to start, this is a great entry point. We also talk about Matt's efforts at public land advocacy in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-39-bikepacking 

Episode 39 | Matt Mason: Bikepacking and Public Lands

In this Skills Short episode, Ryan and Andrew talk about the essential skills and gear needed to take up the sport of tenkara-style fly fishing. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-38-skills-short-tenkara-fishing/ 

Skills Short - Tenkara Fly Fishing

In this episode, Ryan chats with Dirk Friel, co-founder of TrainingPeaks, about endurance training for backpackers and how to get the most out of limited training time. Also in this episode: hiking in a post-covid world, wilderness permits, bear-canister compatible packs, synthetic insulation, and more. Click here for show notes: https//backpackinglight.com/podcast-037-endurance-training 

Episode 037 | Endurance Training for Backpackers

In this episode, Backpacking Light Managing Editor Andrew Marshall reads his essay Salamander Song - a love letter to the soggy, squelchy, perpetually socked-in Great Smoky Mountains. If you enjoyed this podcast and would and would like to see some of Andrew's accompanying photography and paintings, make sure and check out the written version of Salamander Song, here. Click here for shownotes: https//backpackinglight.com/podcast-036-salamander-song 

Salamander Song

In this episode, Ryan and Andrew chat with Survivorman Les Stroud about his new book "Wild Outside."  Also in this episode: training and recovery tools, a new stove from Jetboil, and a book that digs deep into the housing crisis in towns that function as outdoor portals. Click here for shownotes: https//backpackinglight.com/podcast-035-les-stroud 

Les Stroud

In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Andrew and Ryan talk about mental health. This is something they both struggle with, and they’ve got a lot of thoughts on how to manage it both in and out of the backcountry. As their jumping-off point, they use a recent paper called Levels of Nature and Stress Response.  Also in this episode: new favorite winter gear, updates on the new website, and some recent favorite content at BPL. Also—has Andrew finally found some trail runners that will last more than 500 miles? click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-34-mental-health 

Mental Health

In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Andrew and Ryan talk about digital route planning. There are a huge variety of digital tools out there, and all of them have different strengths and weaknesses, so the guys spend a lot of time breaking things down by software type, best uses, and pros and cons.  After that, Andrew interviews Misha Gopaul, the founder of FATMAP. They talk about the technology needed to create 3D mapping software, how FATMAP is trying to make ripples in the digital route-planning world, and the responsibilities that come with being a company operating in the outdoor space.  Finally, Ryan gives an update on the just-released Backpacking Light Trek Planning Masterclass and chats briefly about the upcoming Staff Picks article. click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-33-digital-route 

Digital Route Planning

In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Andrew and Ryan interview some of the folks who came together to make friend’o-the-podcast Jeff Garmire’s recent FKT of the Colorado Trail a success: Maggie Slepian, Dylan Harris, Nik Tizekker, and, of course, the Fastest Known Tiger himself. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-32-colorado-fkt 

Jeff Garmire and the Colorado Trail FKT

The Backpacking Light Podcast explores the technology, gear, skills, and philosophy of backcountry wilderness travel through stories, interviews, and investigative reports.

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Backpacking Light Podcast

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