Nature's Call: Backpacking Through History: Recent Episodes
Cody Owen
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) →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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?” →
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”.
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
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 →
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) →
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)
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
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) →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Big City Mountaineers takes under-resourced kids on wilderness adventures. Here’s how they do it (and the story of Bix Firer, BCM’s Director of Programs). Resources: Big City Mountaineers (you can get involved in your area or donate!)
Cody tastes and sips his way around the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Resources: AlpineStart Instant Coffee ESPRO P7 (pitcher-sized French press, the ultralight is available exclusively at Starbucks for now) Campfire Meals Know Brainer (drinkable Ketogenic breakfast options) Nature’s Coffee Kettle Mighty Organic jerky and meats (they gave me a jalapeno beef stick and IT WAS AWESOME) … Continue reading NEW Camp Food for 2018 →
Wesley Trimble tells us about his own outdoor journey and how you can get involved with the good work being done at the American Hiking Society. Resources: CP and the PCT (Wesley’s short film) Wesley’s blog American Hiking Society How to Hike in Hot Weather Stuff You Can Buy to Help the Show: REI’s Labor … Continue reading How the American Hiking Society works for You →
A collection of interviews with the companies making the coolest tech and gadgets for camping and backpacking. There’s a definite mix of backpacking gadgets AND car camping accessories, even ones that might be just as comfortable on your patio as at base camp. Treat Yo’ Self: Zippo Electric Handwarmers BioLite Firepit (NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon) … Continue reading Trail-Blazing Tech from the Summer Market →
Sevag Kazanci talks with Cody about giving back to the wild places that inspire campers and backpackers (and looking great while you do it!) Parks Project works with top-notch designers to create products that won’t become “landfill gear.” Those products (t-shirts, hats, candles, etc.) are sold and a huge portion of the proceeds supports a specific … Continue reading How Parks Project saves Joshua Trees →
Alright, time to spill the beans on the BEST GEAR from Outdoor Retailer this summer. NEMO addressed David’s concerns with the Hornet 2P. Helinox made a super lightweight cot! Awesome gear abounds, our gear nerd cup runneth over! Gear/Brands Mentioned this episode: Helinox (Lite Cot launches soon!) Rumpl Poncho – If you’re looking for a Rumpl … Continue reading The 8 COOLEST Pieces of Gear from the Summer Market →
First episode with recordings from the floor of the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. We chat with: Sierra Designs about their brand new Nitro Quilt WigWam about 113 years of sock experience NEMO about reinventing the closed-cell foam pad ENO about the revised Guardian bugnet We’ve got a lot more content coming from the Summer Market. … Continue reading I Made it to DENVER →
My journey from Dallas to Denver for the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. I camped in Palo Duro State Park, a great halfway point between the two. To follow along with the Summer Market this week, follow me on your drug -erm- “social media platform” of choice: Facebook Instagram Twitter Shout out to Josh and Lauren, … Continue reading Roadtrip and Rattlesnake (Denver Part 1) →
Allison Haskell is a backpacking instructor at my local REI. She was cool enough to come by and talk to us about our own outdoor journey AND the history of America’s first long-distance hiking trail, Vermont’s Long Trail. You can find her on Instagram (@thewildhaskell) Join the Nature’s Call Patreon Community (be a Wild Mark!) … Continue reading Chocolate Pudding in a Thunder Storm →
This week we’re talking about the best ways to beat the heat while hiking in the summer (hint: #1 is to hike somewhere it’s not hot). Resources: American Hiking Society’s Guide to Hot Weather Hiking Cody’s Guide to The 10 Essentials (check out that sun protection section) The 100% Official, Totally Cool Nature’s Call Patreon … Continue reading 7 Ways to Avoid Dying While Summer Hiking →
Liz and Danny are back. They’re leaving for their 7,000-mile, cross-country trek in a little over a month but before they leave, they’re advising you on your next backpacking tent (or your very first)! Join the Wild Marks Club on our Patreon today. The dynamics at play when choosing a new tent are: Weight Comfort/Durability Cost … Continue reading How to Choose a New Backpacking Tent →
TW: This episode contains descriptions of violence. Susan Ramsay and Robert Mountford Jr. were social workers in the early ’80s who were hiking the Appalachian Trail to raise for the disabled children they worked with. They were murdered outside of Pearisburg, Virginia in May of 1981. The same man later attacked Scott Johnston and Sean … Continue reading Murder on the Appalachian Trail →
Carson Sailor is back to discuss Boone, North Carolina’s namesake, Daniel Boone. We learn that most of Boone’s legend was made up by soulless marketers to sell mediocre land in Kentucky but Daniel Boone was a cool guy who found a way to get businessmen to fund his cool HYOH-style lifestyle. Resources: Carson’s other episode, How … Continue reading Daniel Boone: Frontier Real Estate Agent →
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! Sorry for the delay, guys and gals. I had a technical issue earlier this week when I sat down to edit and delayed the episode. Tim Hunt (@timgoeswild) is a “Good Guy to Know” at SlingFin, the makers of the wonderful 2LiteTrek. He’s PCT and AT class of ’15 and he’s here … Continue reading Tim Hunt, AT (’15) and PCT (’14) →
Tesla believes their Model X can take me into the backcountry. I took one for a test drive and asked a lot of questions of their sales rep to decide if I think this is true. Resources from this episode: Tesla’s Model X (go check one out) Outside Magazine’s Tesla article Chacos – the most … Continue reading Can a Tesla Model X Replace My Jeep Wrangler? →
They hiked 200 miles in 2 weeks, killed the guy who insulted them and changed the course of American history while completely drunk. Carson Sailor, Executive Director of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, sat down with me in Boone, North Carolina to talk about the mountain men of the Lost Province and their outsized impact on … Continue reading How Mountain Men Won the American Revolution →
We. Talk. Food. Sabrina left for the PCT TWO DAYS after we did this episode. She was in final planning mode and was getting her last ducks in a row. Here are all the foods she recommended: Smashmallow Baker on Main ZipFizz Snickers (Almond AND Hazelnut) Excalibur Dehydrator (it makes food) We compared poison ivy (great audio … Continue reading Two Days til Her PCT Thru-Hike →
The CONCLUSION to Kinsey and Cody’s Appalachian Adventure. Resources to plan your AT hike: Postholer’s AT map (the trailhead and weather overlays are super helpful!) The trailhead we started from Gear I mentioned: Osprey Exos 58 (I LOVE THIS PACK!) MSR Water Filter (smaller and updated since I purchased) Gear Kinsey mentioned: NEMO Rave – … Continue reading Overnight on the Appalachian Trail (Part 3) →
Trekking poles are tricky. I talk about how I use them to go up and downhill. If you’re interested in the Nature’s Call Merit Badge system, send me a Facebook message (just click the “Send Message” button) and we can chat about you’d like to see in the program! Resources to plan your AT hike: Postholer’s … Continue reading Overnight on the Appalachian Trail (Part 2) →
My wife Kinsey’s first backpacking trip! We stayed at the Moreland Gap Shelter on the AT. We met a lot of thru-hikers and even more sections hikers. You can hike the AT in bite-sized pieces if you only have a week or two a year to get out! Resources to plan your AT hike: Postholer’s … Continue reading Overnight on the Appalachian Trail (Part 1) →
For hundreds of years, people have walked the Camino de Santiago from all over Europe. Our guest this week, Jeremy Enns is a podcast producer and long-time hiker and backpacker. He told us the story of the time he woke up to find a friend burning his space blanket for warmth (and to ward off … Continue reading How to Burn Your Space Blanket… The Bushwhack-Mountaineer Way →
The Big Red Canoe, affectionately named “Clifford” by my wife, made his first splash in the San Marcos River. It. Was. A. Blast. I threw my little brother into the water. I got wet. I got cold. It was all worth it. The good people over at Tentsile were kind enough to send over their … Continue reading My FIRST River Diary + Tentsile Una Review →
I contacted every company that makes camp food, freeze-dried or not. These are the kickass companies who supported our community by getting back in touch with me AND sent a ton of samples for us to test on this episode and upcoming episodes: OvaEasy (fear not the egg crystal, boys and girls) Omeals (free samples available … Continue reading The ULTIMATE Camp Food Taste Test →
Dirtbaggers rolled in cash, they bought steak dinners and left $100 tips, they showed up with new gear and nice vans to live in. The winter of ’76/’77 was a crazy time to climb in Yosemite Valley. The source of the cash? Thousands of pounds of primo weed in Lower Merced Lake. Camp 4, infamous … Continue reading How a Plane Crash Changed Rock Climbing Forever →
Renee Patrick, prolific thru-hiker and adventure blogger, works with the Oregon Natural Desert Association to craft a brand-new, 750-mile route in the Oregonian high desert. She tells us her outdoor story, which began in the woods of Wisconsin, took her to Africa with the Peace Corps, and led her to the AT (Appalachian Trail), PCT … Continue reading How ONDA Blazed a Trail in the Oregonian Desert →
Kenny Flannery has been hitch-hiking, couch-surfing, and (stealthily) camping for the last 10 years. He doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. How to Travel the World on a Shoestring Kenny just started. He caught a ride from New York City to Wyoming on a family trip, then a friend bought him a train ticket and … Continue reading 10-Year Globetrotting Couch-Surfer invents BivyPack →
Tested out a new backpacking tent from SlingFin on this episode. David and I give a thorough, whiskey-fueled review of SlingFin’s 2Lite Trek. Guys, seriously, SlingFin is making cool stuff and they have been awesome to the podcast. They lent me the 2Lite Trek I used in this episode. David and I loved this tent. … Continue reading Caprock and Palo Duro with SlingFin →
The co-founders of Perilous Outdoor Company, Michael and Konner, share their outdoor journey (altitude sickness in Colorado and hail in Big Bend) AND their vision for a new rain jacket, one with an integrated pack cover. As promised in the episode, as soon as these guys go to market I’m buying a jacket (and then … Continue reading Re-Inventing the Rain Jacket →
Pro-tips abound with veteran thru-hikers Liz and Danny. To everyone asking to hear from Liz again, you’ve been heard! If you’re looking for those Liz and Danny approved footwear selections, here ya go: Alta Lone Peak – Men’s Alta Lone Peak – Women’s La Sportiva Wildcat – Men’s La Sportiva Wildcat – Women’s If you’re … Continue reading Liz and Danny Share Thru-Hiking Wisdom and Their 7000mi Plan →
Conor McElyea, Senior Product Guru with Cairn, told his outdoor and professional story (hint: it involves a lot of mosquitos, a search for snow in a drought, and a smidge of tricking friends into the backcountry). Upgrade your adventures this month: Sign up at GetCairn.com (use the code “NATURE5” to save $5 off your first … Continue reading Cairn and Conor McElyea Upgrade Backpacker Adventures… Every Month →
Remember when you died of cholera? Dysentery? If you’re reading this, you didn’t die of those diseases. Water filtration and cleanliness is what keeps those diseases at bay. Slate.com recently published an article about why you shouldn’t filter your backcountry water, basically accusing the outdoor recreation industry of perpetuating myths about waterborne pathogens that only … Continue reading A (Brief) History of Water Filters →
Patagonia’s Ron Hunter, manager of employee activism, joined Cody to talk about his life spent outdoors and why it inflamed his passion to protect wild spaces. From the 1950s, camping in national parks on family road trips, to Yosemite’s hallowed Camp 4 in the 1970s, Ron Hunter has spent a lifetime in love with America’s … Continue reading Patagonia’s Fight to Protect Our Wild West(ern) Lands →
It all started in an empty lot in his neighborhood, next door to a mechanic’s shop. Make-believe with childhood friends turned into study and discipline, which took Joe to college, then into the woods as a guide. Joe’s Axe Recommendations I asked Joe for advice on axes during the interview. Here’s what he recommended: Gransfors … Continue reading Why Joe Robinet Became a Outdoorsman →
Chris Penny is a lifelong Canadian outdoorsman. He’s been camping and playing in the snow since he was a kid in Ottawa. Building a Quinzee and Urban Camping at the Bus Station Chris told a story of building a quinzee that was too big to sleep in and the time he wouldn’t pay for a … Continue reading Building a Quinzee in the Canadian Wintry Wilds →
After a week of everyone in my office coming down with the flu, I got sick of fluorescent lights and coughing co-workers. So I ran away to one of my favorite places: Ouachita National Forest. Winter Overnight at Winding Stair I hiked a couple miles in and made camp under the rock shelf where … Continue reading Trail Diary: Winding Stair Winter Overnight →
The Year was 1850. Victorian high society was obsessed with the picnic. They translated all the baubles and sophistication of a Victorian dining room outside. They were really into the juxtaposition of the formal dining experience and the informality of the outdoors. Up until this point, picnics consisted of cold food: meats and cheeses, fruit, … Continue reading The Magical History of the Camp Stove →
Followed Annette McGivney’s advice and went to Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle. Learn how Patrick and I planned the trip and what gear was necessary for winter camping in the second largest canyon system in the United States. Patrick and I had a blast. The Lighthouse is an amazing natural rock formation. Insert … Continue reading Palo Duro and The Ultimate Winter Weather Camping Hack →
Annette McGivney is the southwest editor of Backpacker Magazine and the author of Pure Land, available now. She explains her history with backpacking and the way that it helped her in her struggle with PTSD. Pure Land: A True Story of Three Lives and The Search for Heaven on Earth Annette’s newest book weaves together … Continue reading Annette McGivney and Pure Land: How the Outdoors Can Overcome Trauma →
Kit Carson is more than a man; he’s a distillation of the American West. He’s the sort of guy where the idea of him eclipses who he was. People started writing fictional accounts of his deeds long before he was dead. So-called “Blood and Thunder” Western stories could be had for a quarter back east. … Continue reading Kit Carson: How the West was Lost… by Winning It →
Patrick, Steven, and I go on a colossal road trip to our southernmost National Park: Big Bend. I learned that sometimes being prepared doesn’t mean that you’ll succeed. It was a difficult journey and we had to make a tough call between what was safest for the group as a whole and what was the … Continue reading Trail Diary: Big Bend National Park →
Liz is a prolific thru-hiker. She’s done the AT, the PCT, and the Colorado Trail. She’s currently planning a trip to do the Continental Divide. She teaches the thru-hiking course at my local REI, we became fast friends after I attended the class (and she made fun of me throughout it). Hike Your Own Hike (and … Continue reading Love & Hate on the PCT: Liz’s First Thru-Hike →
Simon is BACK on the show. We’re fresh off another REI Garage Sale and we’re giving you the 7 strategies we use at every garage sale to maximize our savings. The Garage Sales are awesome events and I want to give a shoutout to the Dallas REI for throwing another great one. Everybody in line … Continue reading Simon Says: 7 Money-Saving Strategies for the REI Garage Sale →
Last year, my friend Derek Tusing began a thru-hike of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) with a friend. After ~300 miles, Derek made the decision to bail. We take a deep dive into the decision and the intense psychological challenges that accompany the equally daunting physical challenges of a 1600 mile hike across the U.S. Because … Continue reading Psychology of a Failed Thru Hike →
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are the textbook definition of explorers. Let’s look at the life of Meriwether Lewis, a troubled guy with an ending you didn’t learn about in fourth grade. It’s a melancholy week at Nature’s Call, as, once again, I mourn the loss of a guy who died before I was born (shout … Continue reading Hot Stones for the Rheumatism (and Other Fall Camping Tips) →
My buddy Simon and I hit the road to Arkansas. We parked at the Little Missouri Trailhead in Ouachita National Forest and camped for the night before heading out on our epic backpacking, hitchhiking adventure! Get on the trail with us in a series of trail diaries direct from the trail! Action! Excitement! Bears (or, a … Continue reading Trail Diary: Eagle Rock Loop (Bears! Eagles! Snakes! Hitchhiking!) →
Patrick and Steven jump into the studio with Cody to recount their favorite and scariest memories growing up in the Boy Scouts of America. They recall being placed in the “Turtle Patrol,” building a lean-to with Hollywood and Rabbit, and getting their pneumonia merit badges on Pikes Peak. Patrick and Steven both achieved the Life … Continue reading Wasps in the Outhouse and Hypothermia on Pikes Peak: Boy Scout Memories →
John Wesley Powell, Union Civil War vet, amputee, and valiant adventurer, set off with his crew to do something that had never been done (and shouldn’t have been replicated). They navigated the Colorado River (and Green) from Wyoming all the way through the Grand Canyon. They did it in rowboats. Almost everybody survived. The source … Continue reading How to Explore the Grand Canyon in Rowboats (John Wesley Powell) →
John Muir is a heavy-hitter in the outdoors and environmental movements. His initial departure from the city to go “wherever is wild” is rambling but, eventually, he ends up where his heart was happiest: Yosemite Valley. In this episode, I take a deep, Campbellian dive into that story through the lens of The Hero with … Continue reading Mr. Muir Goes to Yosemite →
The winter of ’76/77 was an extraordinary time in Yosemite’s backcountry. Dirtbaggers rolled in cash, they bought steak dinners and left $100 tips, they showed up with new gear and nice vans to live in. The source: thousands of pounds of primo weed in Lower Merced Lake. Camp 4, infamous habitation of famed climbers was … Continue reading Yosemite’s Green Winter: Backcountry Crashbuds →
Jedediah Smith was an archetypal, backpacking mountain man. He spent his life exploring the Western United States, hunting mythical rivers, trapping beaver pelts, and surviving by wit and luck. In our first podcast episode, Cody dives deep into his life (and his Wikipedia page) to look at the adventure, the face-sewing, and the contradictions of … Continue reading Jedediah “Sew My Face On” Smith: The Original Backpacking Mountain Man →