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.

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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.

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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

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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?

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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.

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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!

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A host of fellow adventurer share some of their backpacking problems (big and small). Both Derek and Carl weigh in on how to tackle issues with packing, food, sleep, time, and the value of a pack manifest. Also, did Carl drop a water bottle in an Sasquatch carcass and is there a budget Osprey pack after all?

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

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Author, trial advocate, founder of the Florida trail, and co-founder of the American Hiking Society Jim Kern joins the show to discuss issues surrounding America's National Scenic Trails. Also, does Derek have insecurity issues regarding vocabulary words?

Check out Jim Kern's book: Broken Promise: The Plight of Our National Trails

Learn How to Protect Our National Scenic Trails: Hiking Trails in America

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

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

One of our most popular guests, Youtuber Kevin Outdoors, joins the show to talk about a variety of topics. There's definitely a few in there that you don't expect. And Derek wraps things up with a trivia question that even he doesn't know the answer to.

Check out Kevin's Book: Backcountry Eats

Here's a video from his channel telling you all about it:

Admittedly Derek and Carl have had some trip planning issues over the years. Cassie from Illinois lays out trip planning tips that will make newbies feel comfortable every step of the way. Also, Derek is accused of having an odd view of people with different budgets than him. And Carl uses trivia to help improve Derek's social skills.

Cassie's Facebook Group: Backcountry Enthusiasts

Rowan Smith from Summit Strength joins the show to discuss how to move beyond the weekend trip. Whether it's a week long or multi-week adventure there are many things to consider. Also, Derek gives Rowan some new nicknames and Carl suggests three more alternative ways to train.

Check out Rowan's Podcast: Training for Trekking

and his Facebook Page: Training for Hiking and Trekking

You don't need to be a survival expert, a ranger, or a scout to have an outdoor adventure. Derek and Carl explore skills you mistakenly feel you might need before you head outside. While they may be helpful, they certainly aren't essential. Also, Carl covers some impossible skills in trivia that we all strive to achieve.

Check out our latest reviewed company: Backcountry Fuel Box!

Derek and Carl identify and discuss products that make false claims that you might believe. Some are from reputable companies. Also, Carl's wife, Jessica, weighs in on a controversial piece of gear. She also rats him out for not following one of the rules in Canyonlands.

Derek and Carl address common irrational fears many hikers have. Do alligators view hammock campers as hanging burritos? Is sleeping outside less scary than in a tent? What do you say to bear when you're about to unload some bear spray on it? Also, is it okay to throw your backpack in a washing machine?

Derek and Carl discuss their lists to help newbies prepare for a trip. Carl posed this topic to a backpacking group online and shares the top responses from them. Also, Carl just returned from Canyonlands and discusses Rocky's way to carry water as well as another's guy's gear list theory and how that will likely pose a problem in the future. And Derek reviews backpacking dishwashing gloves.

Derek and Carl rank the top 6 pieces of gear to buy -- in order -- that will not onl get you the most weight savings for your buck but will also improve function and efficiency on the trail. 

Also, Carl reviews a Backpacking Quilt from Zenbivy!

Some of the Gear Discussed in This Episode (Click on it to help us out!)

-Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

-Granite Gear Crown2 Backpack

-Therm-a-rest NeoAir Uber Light Sleeping Pad

-Therm-a-rest Neo Air Ultralight Sleeping Pad

-Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30 Sleeping Bag

-Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Tent

-Jetboil Stash Backpacking Stove

-MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 50 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us at Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

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

CHECK OUT our latest VIDEO: Maroon Bells: A Backpacking & Blisters Story

Derek and Carl hit the desert trail with a crew of 12. And...the SOS button got pressed. That story and how Derek proved to be not only extremely helpful but also a bit of a saboteur at the same time.

5 Pieces of Gear We Recommend (Click on it to help us out!)

-Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight Backpack *Featured & Reviewed*

-Moon Cheese *Featured & Reviewed*

-Jetboil Stash Backpacking Stove

-Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

-Therm-a-rest Neo Air Ultralight Sleeping Pad

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 50 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us at Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

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.

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

CHECK OUT our latest VIDEO: Maroon Bells: A Backpacking & Blisters Story

It's not all about going ultralight. And, to be honest, most of us don't. So, what's worth splurging on regarding weight and cost? Derek and Carl discuss some legitimate (and questionable) options. Also, Carl shares a story about how he was recently threatened with physical violence during a training session. Did he handle the situation correctly?

5 Pieces of Gear We Recommend (Click on it to help us out!)

-Outdoor Vitals Gear

-Jetboil Stash Backpacking Stove

-Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

-Granite Gear Crown2 Backpack

-Therm-a-rest Neo Air Ultralight Sleeping Pad

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 50 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us at Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

CHECK OUT our latest VIDEO: Maroon Bells: A Backpacking & Blisters Story

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

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

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

What is one of the most dangerous places to travel when out on a mountainous backpacking trip? And how do you handle the curveballs that might be thrown at you? This episode will tell you!

5 Pieces of Gear We Recommend (Click on it to help us out!)

-Outdoor Vitals Gear

-Jetboil Stash Backpacking Stove

-Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

-Granite Gear Crown2 Backpack

-Therm-a-rest Neo Air Ultralight Sleeping Pad

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 50 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us at Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

Get 20% newest sponsor Marmoset Music for all of your music licensing needs with coupon code BLISTERS20, Prepared4X  (use Coupon Code 'Backpack20' for 20% off) and 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

Derek and Carl explore some different clothing options for the trail and make suggestions for some that you can leave behind. Derek suggests he's willing to wear a ridiculous item for half a day if Carl brings it. (Carl is bringing it next week to Capitol Reef.) Also, Tayson from Outdoor Vitals weighs in with his latest and greatest clothing related release: an ultralight hoodie. And should we beware fake rangers?

Featured: Preorder the Ventus Active Hoodie from Outdoor Vitals

5 Pieces of Gear We Recommend (Click on it to help us out!)

-Outdoor Vitals Gear

-Jetboil Stash Backpacking Stove

-Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

-Granite Gear Crown2 Backpack

-Therm-a-rest Neo Air Ultralight Sleeping Pad

GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 50 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us at Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

CHECK OUT our latest VIDEO: Maroon Bells: A Backpacking & Blisters Story

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

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

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