When you think of the Himalayas, images of Everest and K2 probably come to mind. But scaling those formidable peaks only scratches the surface of what the region has to offer. Ski mountaineer Luke Smithwick has made it his goal to ski 500 beautiful and iconic backcountry lines in the world’s highest and most expansive mountain range. Tune in to the Out and Back podcast to learn why Smithwick thinks Himalayan backcountry skiing is worth a trip halfway around the world.
Out and Back Podcast
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Big Mountain skier Sophia Schwartz teams up the Sean McCoy, the editorial director of GearJunkie, to highlight their favorite backcountry ski gear this year. Tune in to learn more about avalanche airbags, beacons, climbing skins, and more.
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The transition from resort skiing to the backcountry can seem daunting, but you no longer have to go it alone. Bluebird Backcountry ski area is a totally new concept that is designed to mentor backcountry skiers through the steep learning curve of winter travel in the mountains. Tune into this conversation with Bluebird Backcountry co-founder Erik Lambert to discover why this brand new ski area without lifts is so hot this year.
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Bruce Tremper nearly died in an avalanche. Tune in to hear this harrowing tale, and how getting buried alive changed the trajectory of this avalanche expert’s life.
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The upcoming backcountry ski season might not be pretty. That’s what Search and Rescue mission coordinator Charles Pitman warns on this episode of the Out and Back Podcast. Since the pandemic hit, search and rescue calls have been higher than ever in Pitman’s jurisdiction of Summit County, CO. And he’s expecting those numbers to climb even higher as soon as the snow flies. Learn what you can do to stay safer in the wilderness this winter.
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Fastest Known Times have exploded in popularity this year. Co-founder of fastestknowntime.com Buzz Burrell breaks down all things FKT on this week’s episode of the Out and Back podcast. Buzz explains the rise of this trend, what makes a solid FKT route, and the allure of chasing speed records around the world.
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Special Out and Back co-host The Real Hiking Viking joins Shanty to chat with hiking legend Zach “Badger” Davis. Badger shares how meditation and mental preparation helped him complete thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail despite having zero backpacking experience. He shares how that thru-hike changed his life, leading him to write Appalachian Trials and found The Trek. Plus, Viking and Badger share wild stories from their joint PCT thru-hike.
This year, Gaia GPS started a podcast to help inspire your backyard adventures and beyond. Here are the top five episodes according to our listeners. Stories range from unexpectedly becoming a world class athlete, to surviving a bear attack.
Ultra runner Courtney Dauwalter cannot seem to find a big enough challenge. Learn what motivates her to test her limits and her mental hacks to push through the seemingly impossible this week on the Out and Back podcast.
Get the Most out of Your National Park Trip with Guide Book Author Scott Turner
by Abby Levene
by Abby Levene
On this episode of the Out and Back podcast, hiker and guide book author Scott Turner shares how to make the most of a one-day visit to a national park. He gives insider tips on how to get off the beaten path, and what time of year to visit certain parks. Turner also runs through everything you should bring in your pack to have fun and stay safe on a day hike.