Explore every episode of the podcast The Backcountry Manifesto
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| How to Find GOLD | Dan Hurd Prospecting | Ep. 004 | 27 Feb 2025 | 01:12:56 | |
With over 1.3 million Youtube subscribers and counting, Dan Hurd of Dan Hurd Prospecting might be the world’s most popular prospector. This week, Dan swings by the Backcountry Manifesto Podcast studio with some amazing gold, gem and mineral specimens. Whether you’re a Dan Hurd Prospecting fan, a seasoned prospector, or even a first time 49er, stay tuned – this prospecting podcast is solid gold. In this episode, we discuss:
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| When a Drug Smuggling Plane Crashes In Yosemite - A True Story | Stonemasters Pt. 2, with John Long & Vern Clevenger | Ep. 003 | 27 Feb 2025 | 00:48:00 | |
Legendary climber John Long swings back by the TBM studio to unpack an infamous chapter in Yosemite climbing history -- the story of Dope Lake. Joining him is his buddy and fellow Stonemaster, Vern Clevenger. In the spring of 1977, a twin prop plane carrying around 6,000lbs of high-grade Mexican reefer crashed into Lower Merced Pass Lake, a small alpine reservoir nestled deep in Yosemite’s backcountry. When the climbers at Camp Four hear about the crash – and the plane’s contents – a second California “goldrush” begins. Chaos ensues. You may have heard versions of what Men’s Journal dubbed “The Legend of Dope Lake,” but you’ve never heard it like this. This is a deep-dive into the story of the plane crash that turned a ragtag band of climbers into pot-slinging pirates – complete with never before heard details – as told by those who lived it. Connect
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| Sex, Drugs, and Rock. . . Climbing? | Stonemasters Pt. 1, with John Long & Rick Accomazzo | Ep. 002 | 27 Feb 2025 | 01:09:33 | |
In the 1970s, a pirate group of climbers descended on the big walls of California’s Yosemite National Park and changed the world of rock climbing forever. They dubbed themselves “The Stone Masters.” This week, we’re talking to the original Stone Masters, John Long and Rick Accomazzo. In this episode, we talk about:
We hit all that and more, plus a sneak peak at Rick’s new book, available right now at Stone Masters Press! Climber or not, you won’t want to sleep on this. Links mentioned in this eipsode Connect
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| Six Months in Space | Astronaut Loral O’Hara | Ep. 001 | 27 Feb 2025 | 02:10:04 | |
Astronaut Loral O’Hara recently returned from 204 days in the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69 and 70. During that time, Loral conducted important science, worked out a surprising amount, and along with her best friend, fellow astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, completed a six hour EVA, commonly known as a “spacewalk.” And now, for whatever reason, she’s hanging out in the TBM studio to talk about the ultimate backcountry – space! In this episode, we cover:
If you’re into science, adventure, space flight, or have just always been curious about what life for an astronaut is really like, this episode is for you. Links mentioned in this episode Connect
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| Deep Sea Exploration, Avoiding Polar Bears, & Piloting Robots | WHOI Engineer Molly Curran | Ep. 005 | 06 Mar 2025 | 01:40:56 | |
Our topic today is deep sea exploration, and our guest is researcher and explorer Molly Curran. Molly is an engineer at the Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institution's Deep Submergence Laboratory. In her work, she designs and operates incredibly advanced submersibles to explore some of the world’s most difficult-to-access environments, like the fjords of Greenland and the depths below arctic sea ice. Molly is at the forefront of exciting science, particularly when it comes to broadening our understanding of geologic features like hydrothermal vents, deep sea volcanos, and glaciers. She also happens to be one of Hayden's very best friends. He's been lucky enough to share many conversations with Molly going back to their high school years, and now it’s our great pleasure to share one of our conversations with you. Links Tour the research vessel Molly lived aboard -- RV Celtic Explorer -- right here. Connect
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| Attacked by a Grizzly Bear | Rudy Noorlander | Ep. 006 | 13 Mar 2025 | 00:47:43 | |
On September 8th, 2023, outdoorsman and navy vet Rudy Noorlander was tracking a wounded deer when an encounter with a grizzly bear changed his life forever. On this episode of the backcountry manifesto, Rudy recounts the attack and his miraculous recovery. Links mentioned in this episode Connect
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| The World's Most Brutal Race: The Barkley Marathons | Laz Lake | Ep. 007 | 20 Mar 2025 | 01:32:24 | |
Today, Laz Lake is in the studio talking about the Barkley Marathons. The Barkley Marathons is the most notorious trail race around, and Laz Lake is the semi-evil genius behind it. Runner’s World has described it as “Five Loops Of Death” and “Arguably the craziest race in the world,” and it was even the subject of a full-length documentary called “The Race That Eats Its Young.” The Barkley Marathons is a five loop, approximately 125 mile race held annually in the Tennessee backcountry, specifically Frozen Head State Park. Over those 125 miles, finishers will have experienced a vertical gain equivalent to climbing Mount Everest TWICE. The cutoff time is just 60 hours. There are no formal course guides or aid stations, and the runners are forced to navigate by their own, hand drawn paper maps. Since 1986 only 20 runners out of more than 1000 have finished the Barkley Marathons. We talk to Laz Lake about
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| The Ultimate Survivalists | Evolutionary Anthropologist Dr. Steven Churchill | Ep. 008 | 27 Mar 2025 | 01:43:31 | |
This week on the show, we have Duke University’s Dr. Steven Churchill swinging into town to talk about early man as the ultimate survivalist. Dr. Churchill has been part of discovering two important early hominids and when it comes to neanderthals, he’s certainly among the most knowledgeable. One thing he knows for sure? Early man was on the strugglebus, but pushed through to become the ultimate survivalist. We talk about:
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| Is Bigfoot Real? | Sasquatch Researcher and Idaho State Anthropologist Dr. Jeff Meldrum | Ep. 009 | 03 Apr 2025 | 02:47:05 | |
Does Bigfoot exist? Dr. Jeff Meldrum – a professor of anatomy and anthropology specializing in primate locomotor adaptations and bipedalism at Idaho State University – believes Bigfoot is real (and probably prefers the term “Sasquatch”). Today on the show, Dr. Meldrum drops by TBM HQ to talk all things Sasquatch, as well as his life-long fascination with the controversial “relict hominoid.” In our conversation, we cover:
All that and more in this episode. If you’re a Bigfoot nerd or just interested in an academic’s perspective on the mystery primate, this episode of TBM is for you! Links mentioned in this episode
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| The FULL STORY of DB Cooper | Investigator Eric Ulis | Ep. 010 | 10 Apr 2025 | 02:36:02 | |
Who is DB Cooper? On November 24th, 1971, an unassuming middle aged man pulled off the only unsolved skyjacking in US history, parachuting out of the back of a Boeing 727 somewhere over the pacific northwest with $200,000 in cash strapped to his chest. He was never found. Today, some 53 years later, DB Cooper investigator Eric Ulis sits down with us to tell the whole story of DB Cooper, including new developments. We talk about:
All this and much more. If you're a nerd for unsolved mysteries, you're going to love this deep dive into all things DB Cooper. Connect
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| The Deadliest Sport | Wingsuit BASE Jumper Jamie Leibert | Ep. 011 | 17 Apr 2025 | 01:06:39 | |
Today on the show, Jamie Leibert, aka Captain Manicorn, is swinging by to talk about his journey from meth addicted felon serving a four year stint in federal prison to a world beating BASE Jumper and accomplished wingsuit flyer, traveling the world and finding new exits across 135 countries and counting. We talk about:
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| How to Build an Off-Grid Cabin | Matt Brenna of Alaska Cabin Adventures | Ep. 012 | 24 Apr 2025 | 01:43:16 | |
This week on The Backcountry Manifesto, we have Matt Brenna of the popular YouTube channel “Alaska Cabin Adventures” in studio to give you a crash course in building an off-grid cabin, from site selection to constructing an outhouse. Specifically, we cover:
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| Fly Fishing for Beginners! | Tom Rosenbauer of Orvis | Ep. 013 | 01 May 2025 | 01:45:57 | |
This week, THE Tom Rosenbauer slides into the studio and offers his thoughts on how to get into fly fishing. Spoiler alert: fly fishing is not that hard. If you've ever been curious about how to get started as a fly fisherman, this episode is for you. Links Mentioned Connect
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| Death on Everest Pt. 1: George Mallory & Sandy Irvine | Everest Historian Thom Pollard | Ep. 014 | 08 May 2025 | 01:00:38 | |
Recently, National Geographic explorer Jimmy Chin was credited with the discovery of remains belonging to a climber named Sandy Irvine, a member of the 1924 British expedition that ended in tragedy with not only his death, but that of his partner, George Mallory. This week on the show, Thom Pollard of the popular Everest Mystery Youtube channel joins us to tell the full story of the ill-fated 1924 British expedition on Everest -- one of the most controversial and enigmatic mysteries on the worlds largest mountain. We talk about:
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| Death on Everest Pt. 2: Face to Face with Mallory | Everest Historian Thom Pollard | Ep. 015 | 15 May 2025 | 01:11:54 | |
Today on the show, we're bringing you Part 2 of our conversation with Mount Everest Historian Thom Pollard. In Part 1, we told you all about the tragedy of the 1924 British expedition, which ultimately culminated in the deaths of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine. Today, we're talking with Thom about his first-hand experience on the 1999 expedition to find their bodies and coming face to face with Mallory himself. This is the story of perhaps the most controversial chapter in the history of the world's tallest mountain. In this episode, you'll hear about:
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| Jacob Knowles' Lobster Tales | Everyone's Favorite Lobster Fisherman Jacob Knowles | Ep. 016 | 22 May 2025 | 00:53:41 | |
Ever wondered what it’s like to haul lobster pots off the rugged Maine coast? In this episode of The Backcountry Manifesto, we sit down with Jacob Knowles, a fifth-generation lobster fisherman from Maine who’s reeled in a massive online following through his YouTube channel and TikTok videos documenting life on the water. With the harbor in the background, our conversation dives deep into Jacob’s world. We cover:
From the science of soft-shell lobsters to the pride of protecting oversized breeders, Jacob shares stories that connect generations of Mainers to the sea. Whether you’re a seafood lover, a conservation enthusiast, or just curious about life on the water, this episode has something for you. Links Mentioned Connect
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| The Wolves of Yellowstone and More | Dr. Aidan Beers | Ep. 018 | 05 Jun 2025 | 01:11:26 | |
This week on the show, Hayden's friend Dr. Aidan Beers swings by for dinner and a podcast on what two of his favorite things: the wolves of Yellowstone National Park and the brown bears of Katmai, Alaska. They also talk about Aidan's journey to becoming a wildlife biologist and how you can get on a similar path. This podcast is full of interesting conversation and first-hand accounts surrounding large carnivores in some of the most famous areas of their range. Hayden and Aidan chat into the night about:
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Six Months In Space | TBM Ep. 001: https://youtu.be/VU2N-N86uVs The World's Most Brutal Trail Race | TBM Ep. 007: https://youtu.be/wxEpczLjQt8 Grizzly Man Movie: https://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-Man/dp/B01M747C6J Black Bear Eats Kayak: https://youtu.be/nU5cMZymSr0 CONNECT Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab SPONSORS Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout. Special thanks to our partners at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout. CREDITS Featuring Aidan Beers Production Assistance by John Stock “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025 | |||
| El Cap: The First Ascents to the First Free Solo | John Long, Yosemite Rock Climbing Legend | Ep. 017 | 29 May 2025 | 00:55:20 | |
El Capitan is the most famous face in rock climbing, and it isn't even close. Fifty years ago, three climbers defied the odds, scaling El Capitan in a single day—a feat that redefined what’s possible in rock climbing. In this special episode, starting at the Yosemite Climbing Museum and ending under the shadow of El Capitan, we sit down with John Long -- one of the legendary trio behind that historic 1975 ascent--to relive the adventure and reflect on El Cap's singular legacy. We climb into:
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| The Delicate Art of Drugging Mountain Lions | Carnivore Biologist, Dr. Kristin Engebretsen | Ep. 019 | 12 Jun 2025 | 01:45:47 | |
Mountain lions roam nearly all corners of the western landscape, from the wildest reaches of the backcountry to our own backyards. They're even present in urban areas -- everyone's heard reports of mountain lions showing up in surprising places, like within Los Angelos city limits. But how much do we know about these big cats? Do these large carnivores pose relatively little risk to humans and our pets? Is the presence of mountain lions something we should worry about? Could Ricky Bobby really drive with a cougar in the car? In this episode, Hayden's friend Dr. Kristin Engebretsen drops by the studio to share what she's learned in the field and the lab studying these big cats. We talk about:
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Brown Bears of Katmai, Wolves of Yellowstone | Dr. Aidan Beers | Ep. 018: https://youtu.be/f4EldpL9wnk
CONNECT! Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab
SPONSORS Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout. Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.
Featuring Kristin Engebretsen “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025 | |||
| Harriet Tubman: Survivalist, Guide, and Spy | Pulitzer Prize Winner Dr. Edda Fields-Black | Ep. 020 | 19 Jun 2025 | 01:31:16 | |
Let's get something out of the way: your social studies teacher sucked and Harriet Tubman was way cooler than whatever you learned in 5th grade. Dr. Edda Fields-Black, recent recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for her book, Combee, joins us in the studio to talk about the adventures of Tubman, who was not only a spy and underground railroad conductor, but also one of the most badass backcountry guides who ever lived. From pulling guns on freedomseekers having second thoughts about their escape, to her role as a spy and leader in the Combahee River Raid during the Civil War, we dive into all the cool shit your teacher didn't tell you. In this episode, we talk about:
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Edda Fields-Black's Pulitzer Prize winning book "Combee" CONNECT! Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab
SPONSORS Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout. Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.
“Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025 | |||
| Grizzly Bears! | Casey Anderson, the Grizzly Guy | Ep. 021 | 26 Jun 2025 | 02:17:45 | |
When it comes to grizzly bears, no one gets closer than Casey Anderson. In fact, for 19 years, Casey's best friend WAS a grizzly bear named Brutus, who Casey would regularly wrestle, ride, and use as a teaching tool at the Montana Grizzly Encounter, a grizzly bear rescue he co-founded in his 20s. Today, he took a break from his busy career as a TV personality and conservation content creator to swing by the studio and talk about grizzly bears, the conservation issues they face, what to do in the event of an attack, and how to prevent attacks in grizzly country. We talk about:
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| The Man Who Inspired Jurassic Park | Jack Horner, Paleontologist | Ep. 022 | 01 Jul 2025 | 02:02:26 | |
The man who inspired Jurassic Park and acted as a technical advisor on the first six films, Jack Horner swings by the studio to talk all-things dinosaurs. We cover everything from dinosaur ontogeny, to his controversial dino chicken project, as well as the man himself. One of the most famous paleontologists, if not, THE most famous paleontologist, of the last century, this is an interview not to be missed. If you're a dino-nerd waiting for the new Jurassic World film, this one's for you. In this episode, we talk about:
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| T. Rexes, Prison Sentences, and a Dinosaur Named "Sue" | Pete Larson, BHI President | Ep. 023 | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:58:02 | |
Peter Larson, President of the Black Hills Institute for Geological Research, is one of the most knowledgable paleontologists working today. His museum, located in the Hill City, South Dakota, boasts the highest concentration of dinosaur bones of any museum on earth. While to many, Pete's known for his work as a leading expert in the study of theropods, particularly T. rex, he's also known for being at the center of one of the biggest controversies ever to rock the paleontological world -- the discovery, excavation, and FBI confiscation of the world famous T. rex known as "Sue." The saga is a story so unbelievable, it went on to become the focus of an Emmy-winning documentary, Dinosaur 13. In this episode of the Backcountry Manifesto, we're on site at BHI, and with endless dinosaur specimens in around us, we talk all things paleontology, here compelling evidence in the "Juvenile T. rex or Nanotyranus?" debate, and get a first-hand account of the discovery, excavation, and confiscation of "Sue," as well as the resulting aftermath which saw Pete spend 18 months in federal prison. In this episode, we talk about:
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| Cowboys, Lawyers, and a Fossil Worth Millions: The Dueling Dinosaurs Saga | Clayton Phipps | Ep. 024 | 10 Jul 2025 | 01:18:32 | |
After years of searching, third generation Montanan rancher Clayton Phipps and his friends Mark Eaton and Chad O'Connor, discover one of the greatest dinosaur fossil specimens of all time: the remains of two perfectly preserved dinosaurs seemingly locked in battle. The find is worth millions, and quickly becomes the focus of not only the paleontological world, but an intense legal battle over who will see the profits. Ultimately the case will be decided by Montana's supreme court and become the basis for landmark legislature. Today, we're in Eastern Montana getting the story straight from the horse's mouth. We sit down with Clayton -- known to most as the "Dinosaur Cowboy" -- as he tells the complete story of the Dueling Dinosaurs, as well as the series of events that led him to trade his saddle for a shovel, and life on the range for a career in commercial paleontology. Whether you're a fossil fanatic or just love a good underdog story, this episode is all about grit, glory, and the bones of ancient beasts, waiting to be discovered. We talk about:
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| When Will Yellowstone Erupt Again? | Dr. Mike Poland, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory | Ep. 025 | 17 Jul 2025 | 00:46:03 | |
Is the Yellowstone Supervolcano really going to erupt and end life as we know it, and with the recent and unexpected geothermal events in Biscuit Basin, how worried are the scientists that study the Yellowstone caldera? Is it true the animals of Yellowstone are fleeing, signaling an eruption may be on the immediate horizon? This week on the show, Dr. Mike Poland -- scientist in charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory -- joins us in the field to debunk myths, explain caldera systems, and break down what a real eruption would look like. From geothermal explosions, to ancient ash layers on Mount Everts, massive lava flows, and why earthquakes are the bigger worry, we cover it all. Plus, Mike calls out those sensational clickbait videos and shares why this iconic landscape is endlessly fascinating without the hype. If you're obsessed with volcanoes, geology, or just love Yellowstone's wild side, this episode is for you. We talk about:
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| JAWS: A Soon-To-Be True Story? | White Shark Expert Dr. Greg Skomal | Ep. 026 | 24 Jul 2025 | 01:20:44 | |
On the 50th anniversary of Jaws, are we headed for a real-life Amity Island catastrophe with rising shark encounters off Cape Cod, or is the hype around white sharks getting way overblown? What's really drawing these apex predators back to our shores, and how worried should beachgoers be? This week on The Backcountry Manifesto, Dr. Greg Skomal -- the leading expert on Atlantic white sharks -- dives deep into the world of sharks, fatal attacks, and close calls. From the chilling 1936 Massachusetts man-eater incident that shaped public fear, to how Jaws ignited his career and sparked a frenzy of shark tournaments, we break it all down. Greg unpacks naval disasters like the USS Indianapolis, pioneering tagging tech from the '60s, the Marine Mammal Protection Act's role in seal population booms (and shark comebacks), revolutionary underwater robots like Shark Cam, epic expeditions to Guadalupe Island where sharks attacked his gear, and his heart-stopping near-miss while tagging a massive white shark. Plus, we tackle the tragic 2018 fatal attack, community fallout echoing Jaws, and lingering mysteries like white shark breeding grounds. Greg also shares stories from his book Chasing Shadows, blending adventure with science from Arctic Greenland sharks to Red Sea whale sharks. If you're hooked on sharks, marine biology, or the thrill of ocean predators without the sensationalism, this episode is your ultimate deep dive. Links mentioned in this video
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| Dr. Hoby's Backcountry Adventure | Dr. Hoby Wedler, Guide to Life's Greatest Things | Ep. 027 | 31 Jul 2025 | 01:35:12 | |
On this episode of the Backcountry Manifesto, we're taking you on a Montana backcountry adventure guided by the one and only Dr. Hoby Wedler. Dr. Hoby is a wildly popular sensory storyteller who explores the world around him using sound, smell, taste and touch to offer his fans and followers a unique perspective on the world around him. From foraging early-season chanterelles in undisclosed forests (complete with their apricot-plum aroma), to metal detecting for gold nuggets in historic mining districts, and mastering fly fishing on the Yellowstone River amid thunderstorms and swallow-filled caves, Hoby describes his backcountry adventure. We also dive into whiskey tastings, elk dinners with wild mushrooms, and life lessons on embracing challenges, preparation for adventure, and positivity. Later, Hoby ranks his favorite experiences during his Montana mission and offers his thoughts on fearlessness in the face of new experiences. You've likely listened to countless podcasts on backcountry adventure, but none quite like this. Links mentioned in this video Connect
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| Has Everest become too commercialized? | Thom Pollard, Everest Historian | Ep. 028 | 08 Aug 2025 | 01:08:31 | |
Is Everest still a climber's ultimate test, or has it become too crowded and controversial? This week on The Backcountry Manifesto, Everest historian, climber, and 1999 Mallory expedition participant Tom Pollard joins host Hayden Sammak in PART 3 of our discussion to share his gripping firsthand stories. We dive into Tom's four Everest attempts, his 2016 summit triumph, the evolution of guiding from pre-1996 pioneers to today's high-stakes operators, and the raw power of Sherpa climbers. Plus, breakdowns of key landmarks like the Hillary Step and South Col, the perils of avalanches and bottlenecks, debunking myths around "Into Thin Air," and reflections on what Everest truly represents beyond the hype. If you're fascinated by high-altitude adventure, mountaineering history, or the human spirit against nature's extremes, this episode is your summit push. We talk about:
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| Free Soloing is Actually Really Easy | Lincoln Knowles ft. Cedar Wright & John Long | Ep. 029 | 04 Jun 2026 | 01:48:39 | |
Lincoln Knowles is 21 years old, lives out of his Jeep, and has the climbing internet at war with itself. To half the community he's a reckless idiot free soloing a harder route every day until he falls; to the other half he's the funniest, most self-aware thing to happen to the sport in years. The truth — as Hayden finds out — is that the kid is a genuinely elite climber (a sub-10-hour Nose-in-a-Day, on-sight free solos in Yosemite, V11 on the board) who's running the most committed satire in outdoor media. This one goes everywhere: Lincoln's Yosemite "tear" and a storm-soaked bail off the Nose, a surprise call to climbing legend John Long, the Alex Honnold text and the Climbing magazine hit piece, and an extended phone-in from Cedar Wright, who makes the full punk-rock case for why this stuff matters. It's funny, it's genuinely unsettling when the talk turns to mortality, and it's impossible to look away from. Whether you think he's the future of the sport or a tragedy waiting to happen, you'll understand exactly why everyone's arguing about him. In this episode, we talk about:
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE https://www.instagram.com/lincolnclimbs/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCynU0ZTas1hr6HMg-XAnTBA Our episode with Jamie Leibert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FHdEmyKRQw Our episode with John Long: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kDnVzaNE7g Climbing Magazine Article: https://www.climbing.com/culture-climbing/lincoln-knowles-going-viral-free-soloing/ Jayme Moye: https://jaymemoye.com/published/
Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025 #podcast #rockclimbing #freesolo #climbing | |||
| Deathtraps, Hantavirus, and the Other Joys of Caving | Adam Weaver, Caver | Ep. 029 | 01 Jun 2026 | 01:39:45 | |
Adam Weaver holds the world record for the farthest anyone has ever traveled from a cave entrance — miles of crawling and climbing into a place no helicopter or rescue team can reach. He edits NSS News, America's only national caving magazine, and was recently tapped by ABC News to break down the Laos cave rescue for the public. In one of the most genuinely unsettling episodes we've recorded (Andrew does NOT like caves), Adam gets into the gear, the 9-inch passages, and the very real ways a cave can kill you — plus the full story of a teenager trapped a mile deep, 24,000-year-old mummified animals, and a quarter-mile traverse with no floor.
In this episode, we talk about:
CONNECT! Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto
CREDITS Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill Production Assistance by John Stock “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA
Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025 #podcast #cave #rescue #cavediving #laos | |||
| Mutiny, Cannibalism & How America Really Began | Peter Mancall, Historian | Ep. 031 | 11 Jun 2026 | 02:01:15 | |
Your social studies teacher gave you Henry Hudson in about two sentences: a guy, a river, New York. Dr. Peter Mancall — USC historian and author of Fatal Journey and the new continental history Contested Continent — is here to give you the other 99%. We start with Hudson's doomed final voyage: iced into the bottom of Hudson Bay for a brutal winter, a starving crew, a mutiny, and a captain set adrift in a rowboat never to be seen again. Then we zoom all the way out. This is a two-hour tour through the early America that gets left on the cutting-room floor — the fur trade and the "perfect trade good" of alcohol, John Adams' filthiest joke, the cannibalized girl of Jamestown, Columbus's fall from hero to villain, Cahokia's lost pyramid city, the Vikings who quit North America, and the 1680 Pueblo Revolt that scrubbed an empire off the map. It's bloody, it's funny, and it'll permanently change how you hear the word "Thanksgiving." If you love history that refuses to flatten people into heroes or villains, this one's for you.
CREDITS Hosting by Hayden Sammak Production by Andrew O'Neill “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025 | |||