Quick episode to ask you to do yourself a quick favor. I made a survey for Nature’s Callers to fill out, letting me know what they like about the show, what they want more of, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, for you to tell me YOUR KICKASS EPISODE IDEA. Please fill it out and do us both … Continue reading Happy New Year (almost) →

Nature's Call: Backpacking Through History

Happy New Year (almost)

Sabrina, Scott, David and I head to the Texas Hill Country for some VERY CLOSE to the city backpacking around Lake Georgetown. David takes an Uber when his Oboz fail him. We did a commercial for Topo Terraventure. We drank some genuine #hikertrash boxed booze. We slept under a huge ENO tarp. It was a … Continue reading Destroying My Achilles on the Good Water Loop →

Destroying My Achilles on the Good Water Loop

I count down the Top 11 place I want to go backpacking – hopefully giving you plenty of ideas for your bucket list. ERL Guidebook available for download now. It’s 33% off until the end of the year! The Backpacking Bucket List: 11. Buffalo River – This is in Arkansas and I’ve been saying I want … Continue reading My Top 11 Backpack Bucket List →

My Top 11 Backpack Bucket List

This is a true crime story with quite a bit of violence discussed – just a heads up. Cary Stayner murdered four women in the area immediately surrounding Yosemite National Park – he had grown up in the area and worked for a lodge frequented by guests of the National Park. Resources Mentioned: Outside Magazine: … Continue reading The Yosemite Killer →

The Yosemite Killer

Patrick and I put the LoftTek Adventure Jacket through the paces of a quick fall into a river (or, uh, a bathroom sink). I also speak with Tayson from Outdoor Vitals about the insulation (LoftTek) that powers this new puffy and why it’s better than down in (almost) every way. Go check out their Kickstarter and … Continue reading “Why am I wandering around outside in a soaking wet jacket?” →

“Why am I wandering around outside in a soaking wet jacket?”

Craig Rowe was a backcountry guide before he had the idea for TripTarp. He walks us through his journey from idea to Kickstarter and all the way to store shelves near you. Craig was kind enough to offer Nature’s Call listeners a 20% off deal with the code “CALL”.  

Behind the Scenes of a Gear Kickstarter Campaign

I went to Dinosaur Valley State Park outside of Fort Worth, Texas. They have foam dinosaurs that’re pretty cool. It had been raining all week and the ground was saturated. Then it rained some more. Resources: Dinosaur Valley State Park

“My Tent is Flooding” (Dinosaur Valley)

The conclusion. Connor and I made it to the lake, had a great time wandering around in the empty forest around. Really enjoyed teetering at the edge of the alpine zone. Gear and Grub from this Episode: SlingFin (the SplitWing tarp isn’t released yet, but they make kickass tents) JetBoil Flash (REI | Amazon, it’s cheaper … Continue reading Journey to Thunder Lake (and back again!) Pt. 2 →

Journey to Thunder Lake (and back again!) Pt. 2

Rocky Mountain National Park with my friend Connor. We got CRAZY LUCKY to get the wilderness permit we wanted (Thunder Lake). It’s a beautiful lake, the weather was very cooperative (some drizzling). It’s well worth your time, next time you’re going to RMNP. Gear and Grub from this Episode: SlingFin (the SplitWing tarp isn’t released yet, … Continue reading Journey to Thunder Lake (Part 1) →

Journey to Thunder Lake (Part 1)

Mike is a designer, a backpacker, and (of late) a board game creator. He made Trailhead, which is available on Kickstarter now through Halloween (10/31). Resources: Trailhead’s Kickstarter Bohnanza (the other game Mike mentioned taking on the trail)

Playing a Board Game around the Campfire

Sabrina RETURNS! Super excited to have Sabrina back in Dallas to give us all of her great PCT stories. Remember: the Eagle Rock Loop Guidebook is available now! Hike the ERL this fall! Resources: Topo Athletics Terraventure (Women’s) Topo Athletics Terraventure (Men’s) Sabrina’s Instagram Bodhi’s Instagram Info on the Greater Patagonia Trail

A Million Ways to Die on the PCT

FULL EPISODE COMING TOMORROW – Sabrina is back from the PCT and couldn’t record until Tuesday night so the full episode is delayed by a day. In this episode, I give a review after a couple weeks of using the Espro Ultralight (it’s pretty nifty) and a quick review of Jiva Coffee Cubes. I also … Continue reading A Quick Coffee Focus (Minisode) →

A Quick Coffee Focus (Minisode)

Mario and Audra tell their stories of getting involved in climbing, backpacking (to climb), and introducing kids to climbing. If you want to read the blog post Mario mentioned, you can find it here. CHECK OUT THE EAGLE ROCK LOOP GUIDEBOOK! I had a great time making it and I’m certain you’ll enjoy it (the … Continue reading Getting Your Car Stolen in the Desert →

Getting Your Car Stolen in the Desert

Bethany founded Brown Girls Climb (@browngirlsclimb) as a community for women of color to rally around rock climbing and each other. We chat about Bethany’s outdoor journey as we sit beneath the giant blue bear. BioLite is running a Kickstarter RIGHT NOW for their new headlamp. I’ve got my grubby little paws on one and … Continue reading Brown Girls Climb + BioLite’s Kickstarter →

Brown Girls Climb + BioLite’s Kickstarter

The “inhuman zone” is the point of altitude and frigid cold where man, and all of his gadgets, cease to function as intended. Jim Bridwell and climbing partner, Mugs Stump, found themselves in the inhuman zone as they climbed the Moose’s Tooth in the Alaskan Wild. Resources: “Vantage Point” – this story is an excerpt … Continue reading A Visit to the “Inhuman Zone” with Jim Bridwell →

hubhopper

Nature's Call: Backpacking Through History

hubhopper