On a high avalanche danger day last February, two parties sought out safer, low angle-terrain in Utah’s Wasatch mountains. A colossal avalanche swept through the zone. Four of eight people died. Avalanche Forecaster Nikki Champion of the Utah Avalanche Center, who investigated this tragic accident, gives the low down on what went wrong and what we can learn.
Out and Back Podcast
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Learn how to train for big mountain adventures from the city…during a pandemic. Find out the biggest reason why people quit their thru-hike. Get our very best five pieces of advice from the pros this year so you can tackle your goals in 2022.
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Backcountry skiing and riding can be both tempting and intimidating. The promise of untouched powder is alluring, but the threat of deadly avalanches is ever-present. How do you manage the risk? Renowned avalanche expert Bruce Tremper is here with tips on how to choose a safer route.
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Mac of Halfway Anywhere has been conducting surveys on the PCT for eight years, and on the CDT for four. Get the inside scoop on what makes people quit the trail, why he dislikes trail magic, and why he swears he’ll never hike the AT.
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Making a great cup of coffee in the backcountry is tricky. You can enjoy a silky smooth cup from a french press, but you have to lug around the equipment and the messy grounds. Or you can settle for the convenience and featherlight weight of instant coffee, but that often tastes terrible. Tune in to the Out and Back podcast to hear pro thru-hikers Heather “Anish” Anderson, Hiking Viking, Adventure Alan, and Liz “Snorkel” Thomas settle this debate once and for all.
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Learn how to overcome your backpacking fears this week on the Out and Back podcast. Allison Boyle, the face behind the ultra-popular blog and hiking resource She Dreams of Alpine, lays out the big three fears newbie backpackers feel. She shares her tried and true strategies for overcoming them, as well as why almost everyone wants to back out of their trip right before they start. Plus, learn how she turned her passion for the outdoors into a career.
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As wildfires derail recreation plans across the West, how can we account for longer and fiercer fire seasons? Former wildland firefighter Amanda Monthei lifts the curtain on fire misperceptions this week on the Out and Back podcast. Tune in to learn how we can work with — rather than against — fire, and how to take advantage of burn scars on your next trip.
Let’s face it — there’s no excuse to get stranded off the grid anymore. Satellite communication devices are now lightweight and budget friendly. Learn all about these palm-sized messaging units, including what actually happens when you press the SOS button. And get a special discount on a ZOLEO satellite communication device.
Fifteen years ago, an owl swooped down to Mike Clelland with a message. That event changed the trajectory of his life, leading Mike to become a leading historian and author on the connection between highly charged owl encounters and UFO abduction. Yes, you read that correctly. Tune in to the newest episode of the Out and Back podcast and be prepared to never look at the world the same way again.
Eight years ago, Jenny and Scott Jurek wanted to visit Japan for their honeymoon. But life got in the way, including Jenny’s career as an outdoor gear and apparel designer, Scott’s record-setting Appalachian Trail thru-hike, and the birth of their two children. With two toddlers in tow, the family shipped their bikes to Hokkaido, Japan. They covered 600 miles over a month while carrying their own gear. By the end, the kids didn’t want to go home. Tune in to the Out and Back podcast to get the inside scoop on the trip and the Jurek’s wild life.