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What would you ask? What would Derek and Carl ask? Professional zoologist Ashley Cole-Wick joins the show and answers all of the interesting, tough and ridiculous questions thrown at her from members of the B&B community as well as the hosts. Questions ranging from 'Should we be concerned if birds suddenly stop chirping' to 'What's the deal with cow mutilations' are all part of the show. Also, Derek gets fired up over some of Carl's trivia questions. Shocker.

Do you encounter trail villains? Do you just slink away from them in order to keep the peace? Perhaps you're allowing them to continue to wreak havoc on other peaceful trail users. Derek and Carl identify the most common and most egregious trail villains and then determine how to have a proper showdown...the "right" way. Which villains have yelled at Carl before? Which ones is Derek most afraid of? Also, Derek conducts Villain Trivia. You can imagine how that ends up.

Enter here for the trip giveaway by 57Hours!

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Get the BEST device on the market: Zoleo!

Check out our other wonderful sponsor Summit Strength's Training for Trekking Podcast and Facebook Page.

Live Ultralight with Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

How do you fill that darn filter bag with the small hole? Are there light weight hygiene options? Should you be aware when others are taking care of their business? This episode explores using gear in creative ways and learning how to handle gear more efficiently to make for more successful trail days. Also, is there Giardia dirt?

Enter here for the trip giveaway by 57Hours!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Get the BEST device on the market: Zoleo!

Check out our other wonderful sponsor Summit Strength's Training for Trekking Podcast and Facebook Page.

Live Ultralight with Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

How do you survive an Avalanche? Professional ski/mountaineer, Greg Hill, joins to the show to discuss a range of topics including Electric Greg (a documentary he's featured in), how to go on his guided trips, and everything in between. Also, both Derek and Carl inadvertently try to sabotage the episode.

Enter here for the trip giveaway by 57Hours!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Get the BEST device on the market: Zoleo!

Check out our other wonderful sponsor Summit Strength's Training for Trekking Podcast and Facebook Page.

Live Ultralight with Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Do you fear change like everyone else? Well, get prepared! Derek and Carl discuss major advancements (both good and bad) that will impact your outdoor adventures. Hiking aids, new policies, no more bear canisters, 3rd world batteries that may become a common part of your backpacking trip (Derek's idea), and many more are discussed. Also, a MAJOR guided trip giveaway is shared with the B&B family.

Enter here for the trip giveaway by 57Hours!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Get the BEST device on the market: Zoleo!

Check out our other wonderful sponsor Summit Strength's Training for Trekking Podcast and Facebook Page.

Live Ultralight with Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Have you ever watched a mystery show and thought you knew the answer? This is your chance! Derek and Carl provide three outdoor themed (but family friendly) mysteries. They share the obvious and outside-the-box theories with the limited clues provided. And somehow Derek thinks that a dining room table might have saved a life.

This month only, get a screaming deal on the Zoleo!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our other wonderful sponsor Summit Strength's Training for Trekking Podcast and Facebook Page.

Live Ultralight with Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Are you carrying extra pounds and bulk for no reason? Derek and Carl discuss items they've brought or they've seen in the backcountry that simply have no purpose. This is not a rehash of the old items they like to make fun of. One of them that Carl brings up might be the most controversial item of all time. And Derek explains why he stores dirty water in his ziploc trash bag. Also, Derek invites his grandma to briefly join the show. 

This month only, get a screaming deal on the Zoleo!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our other wonderful sponsors Summit Strength and Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Over the last year Derek and Carl have investigated a few different devices for remote communication. This episode features the one they landed on: the Zoleo. Morris, president of the company, joins the show to answer all types of emergency questions you would want answered (and some you may have never thought of). Also, Derek shares his risky strategy for getting a signal from inside a car.

This month only, get a screaming deal on the Zoleo!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our other wonderful sponsors Summit Strength and Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Jesse, from Youtube Channel Backcountry Forward, joins the show to discuss the highs and lows of hiking the Great Divide Trail. Which gear choices held up over the long haul? Which gear did not? And, is it possible to tear apart gear with "trail strength"? Also, Carl thinks Derek is making up trivia questions on the spot (which is why they don't make sense half the time).

Follow Jesse on Instagram!

Check out our new sponsor Zoleo for a great deal on a backcountry Satellite Communicator!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our other wonderful sponsors Summit Strength and Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

In the Season 5 Premier Derek and Carl explore what it takes to have a 70lb pack that puts a trip in jeopardy. Rocky "weighs in" on the matter and claims he was defeated by Yosemite. Can we learn something from somebody who hoards gear and consumables in their pack? Also, Carl raises the stakes for weekly trivia.

Check out our new sponsor Zoleo for a great deal on a backcountry Satellite Communicator!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our other wonderful sponsors Summit Strength and Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Are we making mistakes that cost us time, weight and money? Carl suggests a cheap way to save pack ounces but Derek isn't buying it (literally and figuratively). Also, how do you know where to go on a first trip or to a new place? And what embarrassing mistakes has Carl made in the past?

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our wonderful sponsors Summit Strength and Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

How do you make it to camp (or back to the trailhead) when you've got nothing left? How do you handle the group member who's hitting the wall? Does this describe every trip for Derek? Carl shares some of his experiences from a recent Yosemite trip where this happened. Also, just how far are you willing to go to motivate the person lagging behind?

Products Reviewed on This Episode

-Dynafit Alpine Shoes

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our wonderful sponsors Summit Strength and Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Derek and Carl come up with an odd list of problems and solutions related to altitude sickness. Carl just got back from taking some flatlanders to elevation and some of them struggled. Was his trip plan appropriate? You (and Derek) can judge. Also, Derek blames an unexpected product for high altitude nausea.

Quickdraw vs. BeFree vs. Squeeze Showdown Video

Products Reviewed on This Episode

-Platypus Quickdraw

-Klean Kanteen

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our wonderful sponsors Summit Strength and Outdoor Vitals! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Green Beret, Ultimate Survival Alaska Star, Dual Survivalist and now, Ursack representative, Grady Powell joins the show to give a different perspective concerning proper food storage. He also shares his experience of throwing salmon at a Kodiak bear to stop it from chasing him. Derek and Carl follow up with their takeaways from the interview including What would it take to get an Ursack away from a bear? and How would a bear logically decide between attacking a canister or a bag?

Carl attended the latest Outdoor Retailer show in Denver and he brought the mic with him! Derek reacts to a series of interviews with a variety of organizations that respond to important, unexpected, and absurd questions. Also, Derek thinks the pine cone trowel argument is solved by the LNT organization.

Some of the companies discussed on the show:

Olukai Sandals

Reliefband

Gobi Heat

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our wonderful sponsors: Outdoor Vitals nd Summit Strength! 

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Back from the Wind River Range, Derek and Carl discuss the theme of this year's big July trip: interesting encounters with a variety of hikers. Somebody bailed from the trip last minute. And, has a podcast villain emerged?

Upgrade Your Sleep System With Our Latest Sponsor: Zenbivy. Use code 'BLISTERS' for free shipping!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our wonderful sponsors: Prepared4X  and Summit Strength! Use Coupon Code 'Backpack20' for 20% off!

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Over the course of the podcast Carl and Derek (mainly Carl) have challenged some wilderness regulations--especially related to bears. This episode features a discussion with Ranger Rick Sanger that addresses all of these challenges. As a backcountry ranger, Rick Sanger was a key part of the search and rescue efforts for a lost colleague in Eric Blehm's book The Last Season. Does Mr. Sanger have a response to all of the B&B bear canister rhetoric? (Basically, can he shut down Carl's arguments for alternative solutions?) That, and some crazy bear stories, will be discussed in this episode.

Upgrade Your Sleep System With Our Latest Sponsor: Zenbivy. Use code 'BLISTERS' for free shipping!

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 60 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Check out our wonderful sponsors: Prepared4X  and Summit Strength! Use Coupon Code 'Backpack20' for 20% off!

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on our Facebook page, @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast on Instagram or email: hikercman@netscape.net

Get 20% new sponsor Marmoset Music for all of your music licensing needs with coupon code BLISTERS20.