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In today’s episode, we’ll cover the relationship between people, land, and how we use the land. My guest is Len Necefer, a Professor with appointments in American Indian Studies and the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona. Len’s newest film, "Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee" explores the impact of opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development on the local Gwich’in people in Northern Alaska and Canada. Len is the founder of Natives Outdoors, an outdoor apparel company that supports indigenous people through cultural empowerment, and a board member of the Honnold Foundation, Alex Honnold’s foundation which supports solar energy initiatives to create a more equitable world. Our Company Spotlight is with Fisher + Baker, a seven-person men’s apparel company based out of Minneapolis. Fisher + Baker uses technical fabrics in casual menswear designs where you wouldn’t expect to find technical fabrics. I’ll interview Alexa Stodola and Maggie Maloy about the company, then Roommate Max and I will see if Fisher and Baker is as timeless, purposeful, and functional as they claim to be. Episode Sponsors SAXX Underwear: Use the code "meister" at checkout for $5 off and free shipping! https://www.saxxunderwear.com/ The Nomadik: Use code: "meister" for 20% OFF your first purchase at https://www.thenomadik.com/meister Episode Links Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee - https://www.gwichyaazhee.us/ About Len - https://ais.arizona.edu/users/len-necefer Natives Outdoors - https://www.natives-outdoors.org/ Honnold Foundation - http://www.honnoldfoundation.org/ Fisher + Baker - https://fisherandbaker.com

Caroline Gleich is a professional ski mountaineer, endurance athlete, and environmental activist. This past fall, she climbed and skied Cho Oyu, the sixth highest mountain in the world. On today’s episode, we’ll talk about that adventure, where she faced a spell of high altitude pulmonary edema (hape) that threatened her chances at summitting. Later in our conversation, we’ll talk about the implicit and sometimes explicit bias that women face in adventure sports that are predominantly male. In today’s Company Spotlight, we feature Onsight Equipment, an eco-friendly travel gear company based out of British Colombia. Onsight uses recycled materials to build travel storage solutions, including bicycle frame bags, messenger bags, and travel organizers. After my interview with their marketing and business development manager, Jens Ourom, I'll review some of the products with Roommate Max and Hannah Van Wetter. For 20%, use the code “mtnmeister25” at https://www.onsightequipment.com/ Episode Sponsor: SAXX Underwear. Use the code meister at checkout for $5 off and free shipping! https://www.saxxunderwear.com/ Episode Links: Caroline Gleich's website: https://carolinegleich.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinegleich/ Misogyny and Sexism: https://www.outsideonline.com/2313816/caroline-gleich-sexism

Bethany Hughes (Fidgit) and Lauren Reed (Neon) are in the midst of a daunting project: hiking (and occasionally paddling and cycling) from the southern tip of Argentina to the northern tip of Alaska. The 20,000 mile journey is expected to take 5 or 6 years, and in this interview, they join from Medellín, Colombia, about 2.5 years into their journey. Fidgit and Neon talk about their motivation, strategies to get along with adventure partners, and Her Odyssey: a mission to connect stories of the land and its inhabitants. In today’s Company Spotlight, we feature Peak Design, a camera accessory, bag, and “carry” brand. First and foremost, though, Peak Design is a design company. They’ve launched numerous successful crowdfunding campaigns for products that use innovative design to accommodate specific uses while still fulfilling the many different ways that people may use them For 10%, use the code “meister10” at https://www.peakdesign.com/. Episode Sponsor: SAXX Underwear. Use the code meister at checkout for $5 off and free shipping! https://www.saxxunderwear.com/

Modern Huntsman is bi-annual magazine that works to restore the perception of hunting in our modern society by curating stories, pictures, recipes, and more. On today’s episode, I talk with the CEO and Co-founder Brad Neathery and Editor in Chief Tyler Sharp about why hunting has gained a certain reputation - from the influences of hunting companies and media to the individual-level behavior. We’ll also hear an essay from Volume 1 called “And So I Hunt", written by Jillian Lukiwski and narrated by Brad. Finally, we’ll talk about how we reduce the divide between hunters and non-hunters. Episode Sponsor: SAXX Underwear -  Use the code meister at checkout for $5 off and free shipping! https://www.saxxunderwear.com/ Episode Links: Modern Huntsman - https://modernhuntsman.com/ Pre-Order Volume 2 - https://modernhuntsman.com/shop/volume-two/ @ModernHuntsman - https://www.instagram.com/modernhuntsman/

Dr. Robb Gaffney is a psychiatrist, former extreme skier, and author of Squallywood: a guide to Squaw Valley’s most extreme lines. In this episode, we’ll talk about the brain and risk taking, social contagion, and ways to encourage the next generation to take more responsible risks. Robb is also part of a movement to Keep Squaw True, as unwanted real estate development is threatens the North Lake Tahoe area. In today’s Company Spotlight, we feature Coalatree, an eco-friendly outdoor apparel brand founded by Charlie Bessey. Coalatree uses recycled materials like coffee grounds and plastic bottles to make sustainable, organic products for the mountains and the city. After my interview with Charlie, Hannah Van Wetter and I review the Trailhead Pants. For 20%, use the code “meister” at https://coalatree.com/. Episode Sponsor: SAXX Underwear. Use the code meister at checkout for $5 off and free shipping! https://www.saxxunderwear.com/ Episode Links: Keep Squaw True: https://www.sierrawatch.org/keep-squaw-true/ Movie Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-premiere-the-movie-to-keep-squaw-true-tickets-48848643608 The Effect of Sexual Arousal on Sexual Decision Making: http://people.duke.edu/~dandan/webfiles/PapersPI/Sexual%20Arousal%20and%20Decision%20making.pdf Squallywood: http://squallywood.com/  

Chris Warner is a well established mountaineer who has been climbing and guiding for several decades, a leadership educator, and the founder of Earth Treks climbing gyms. Last year, Chris attempted to climb the third highest mountain in the world, Kangchenjunga, but the summit escaped him. This season, he decided to give it another go. This episode is slightly different from our others. In hosting conversations with adventure athletes on MtnMeister, I’ve noticed that we are almost always talking about the past. This makes some sense  because we better understand the past; we can tell more cohesive stories because we already know the setting, the climax, and the resolution. But that isn’t reality, especially in adventure sports (there’s a good quote that goes, “Life is lived forward but remembered and understood backward.”) For today’s episode, the interview will have two parts which occurred at different times: I interviewed Chris a few days before he left for Kangchenjunga, and then again once he returned. In today’s Company Spotlight, we feature Dannyshane, a cycling apparel brand founded by Shane Hunt. Dannyshane uses bamboo white ash in their fabrics, and the designs feature tartan plaids and other classic designs and colors with Scottish and Irish influence. After the interview, Roommate Max and I review the products. For 20% off at their online store (until August 12th), use the code “meister20” at www.dannyshane.com. Episode Sponsor: SAXX Underwear. Use the code meister at checkout for $5 off and free shipping!   https://www.saxxunderwear.com/   Episode Links https://chrisbwarner.com/ www.dannyshane.com/ https://www.earthtreksclimbing.com/ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2213661.The_Graveyard_Book https://www.amazon.com/Shoe-Dog-Phil-Knight/dp/1508211809

Pete Ripmaster is the winner of the 2018 Iditarod Trail Invitational. You’ve probably heard of the Iditarod before, and you might think it’s bizarre to be pulled by a bunch of dogs in sub-zero temperatures in the Alaskan wilderness. But that’s not the Iditarod that Pete won. He did the same course - 1,000 miles and 50 degrees below zero - in the form of an ultramarathon. With no dogs to help him along the way, Pete's feet carried him an average of 38 miles a day over 26 days. Go to SAXXunderwear.com and use the code “meister” at checkout for $5 off and free shipping on your first order. Iditarod Trail invitational - http://www.iditarodtrailinvitational.com/ Pete Ripmaster's website - https://www.peteripmaster.com/

Chris McNamera is the founder of Outdoor Gear Lab, Tech Gear Lab, and Supertopo. If you are a climber or gear head, there’s a chance you’ve heard of these. He’s also well respected climber, holds some serious big wall speed records and has climbed El Cap 80 plus times. In the early 2000s, Chris was one of the pioneers of wingsuit base jumping, but he eventually quit the sport because of it's risk. Today, he's reinventing South Lake Tahoe one of the best mountain towns in the US. In today’s Company Spotlight, we feature Sufferfest Beer Co., and it’s founder, Caitlin Landesberg. Sufferfest is a beer built to reward you post-adventure – or maybe during your adventure, depending on what you’re in to! After the interview, Hannah Van Wetter and I review the beer and have a few drinks. For 20% off at their online store, use the code “meister” at www.sufferfestbeer.com. You can buy the beer online at Craft City - https://www.craftcity.com/all-beers/all-breweries/sufferfest This summer I am reporting on Big City Mountaineers and their Summit for Someone trip on Longs Peak from September 7th to 9th. I have reported on these trips in the past, and this year, we’ll be promoting their Corporate Challenges program, where a company can host a trip of it’s own. I think it’d be a cool story about team-building and corporate social responsibility (plus your company will get some good PR out of the whole thing). Everyone who signs up gets a 70L pack, Mountainsmith trekking poles, a BCM t-shirt, and their voice on MtnMeister! If you or your company are interested in getting involved, shoot me an email at ben@mtnmeister.com. Links Outdoor Gear Lab - https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/ Tech Gear Lab - https://www.techgearlab.com/ Supertopo - http://www.supertopo.com/ South Lake Tahoe - https://tahoesouth.com/ Buy Sufferfest Beer - https://www.craftcity.com/all-beers/all-breweries/sufferfest Chris McNamara on Enormocast - https://enormocast.com/episode-88-chris-mcnamara-living-the-ever-changing-dream/

Dr. Jared Vagy is a doctor of physical therapy and known as “The Climbing Doctor”. He’s a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at USC, works with Olympic athletes on teams in both the US and China, and has treated and taught more than 1,000 climbers. He’s the author of Climb Injury Free, which includes injury advice from professional climbers and step by step rehabilitation instructions for climbing injuries. In this interview, we talk about common injuries among climbers, how to know when to push hard and when to back it off, and the difference between pain and injury. In today's Company Spotlight, we feature a Portland, OR based company, Thunderbolt Sportswear, and it's co-owner, John Connor. Thunderbolt's signature item is a do-it-all pair of soft shell pants/jeans made with Schoeller Dryskin, and they've now expanded to shirts and outerwear. After the interview with John, Roommate Max and I review the products. For 25% off, use the code "mtnmeister" at https://www.thunderboltsportswear.com/ Episode Links: The Climbing Doctor - https://theclimbingdoctor.com/ Stephen Curry strobe classes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6CHAmdkVDM Clarifying the Role of Pain in Injuries - https://theclimbingdoctor.com/clarifying-the-role-of-pain-in-injuries/ Buy the Book - http://a.co/5PoHwQO Climbing Doctor Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theclimbingdoctor/?hl=en

Of all of the guest requests that I receive from listeners, Steve House is the name that comes up most. Steve is one of the most respected alpine climbers of this generation. In a time when establishing a quantity of summits has a certain superficial appeal, Steve stays committed to quality. He moves through the mountains in light and fast style, and through his programs like Alpine Mentors and Uphill Athlete, he teaches other climbers to do the same. In this interview, we’ll profile his introduction to climbing, the importance of mentors, and his approach to training. He’ll also talk about an accident in 2010 that left him stranded on the wall. After Steve's interview, I’ll speak with Jeff and Susan Russell, the founders of Ridge Merino, in our Company Spotlight segment. Jeff Russell was heading up soft goods at Armada when he realized that all of the Armada athletes - when they weren’t at photoshoots - wore merino baselayers instead of the synthetic ones that Armada produced. Jeff and Susan set out to make youthful, cost effective merino base layers to fill the void. Get 20% off with the code "meister" at https://www.ridgemerino.com/ This episode is supported by Health IQ, an insurance company that uses science and data to secure lower rates on life insurance for health conscious people. healthiq.com/meister Links: Training for the New Alpinism - https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Mountain-Steve-House/dp/0980122775 Beyond the Mountain - https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Mountain-Steve-House/dp/0980122775 Uphill Athlete - https://www.uphillathlete.com/ Skyward Mountaineering - http://skywardmountaineering.com/ Alpine Mentors - https://www.alpinementors.org/

Chris Davenport, at age 46, is one of the most accomplished big mountain skiers today. He was a pioneer in figuring out a way to make a career out of skiing and has inspired the generation of freeskiers that you see today. Recently he was inducted into the Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame. Chris talks about the early days, his upcoming projects, gear, and MountainHub, an app that uses Crowdsourced information to assist you with your outdoors adventures. https://mountainhub.com/explore After Chris's interview, we introduce a new segment to MtnMeister: the company spotlight. In our company spotlights, we feature short interviews with lesser-known outdoor brands and give them an opportunity to talk about their line of products. Then, Hannah Van Wetter and I review the product. Today's company spotlight is with OROS Apparel, who features a NASA technology used for space suit insulation in their outerwear and midlayers. Get 10% off with the code "meister" at checkout. https://www.orosapparel.com This episode is supported by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps active and health-conscious people get lower rates on their life insurance. See if you qualify with a free quote at healthiq.com/meister

This is MtnMeister's annual episode about Big City Mountaineers’ Summit for Someone program, where passionate climbers can ascend their dream peak and raise money for charity in the process. On these trips, I bring a portable recording device with me while I try to climb a mountain that’s outside of my comfort zone. Summit for Someone is the fundraising arm of Big City Mountaineers. Similar to how marathon or cycling fundraisers work, hiking and climbing enthusiasts can take on a big physical challenge and raise money for an organization that aligns itself with the challenge. In this case, outdoors enthusiasts are raising money to give underserved urban youth the opportunity to discover the outdoors and learn critical life skills along the way. This year was an especially exciting trip for MtnMeister. We invited invited listeners of the podcast to join the climb - all of them had to fundraise $4,000, physically train to climb the Grand, and be open to spending 4 days climbing with people they have never met before. We also had a professional photographer, Chris Shane, and a designer/illustrator, Adam Danielson join to visually document the trip. In this episode, you’ll learn more about Big City Mountaineers and hear from one of the program participants, Kim, about how BCM has had an impact on her. Then you’ll hear about our experience climbing the Grand Teton with Jackson Hole Mountain Guides. Finally, we’ll wrap things up with how you can do your own Summit for Someone climb. Special thanks to: Osprey Packs for providing our climbers with the Variant 52L pack. American Alpine Club for their support of MtnMeister. Former host of MtnMeister Russell Wilcox. Save up to 50% on solar installation with Do-It-With at https://www.diwhome.com/ or email Russell at rwilcox@diwhome.com Jackson Hole Mountain Guides for keeping us safe. We highly recommend our guides for your next adventure: Nate Opp, Michael Wachs, Jacob Schmitz

Today's guest is Dan Richards, the CEO of Global Rescue. Global Rescue provides travel and health risk management services, ranging from specialty care to evacuation. In this episode, we talk to Dan about Global Rescue's business model, how having a "backup" impacts decision-making, and whether Dan has ever had to use the services of his own company. Gear up and support Big City Mountaineers’ Summit For Someone Grand Teton Climb sponsored by Osprey and MtnMeister. Save some cash – 20% - and make a donation to Big City Mountaineers all at once! Click through here to get your discount and make your donation! http://www.mountaingear.com/webstore/?voucherCode=20BCM5&cmp=emc-20BCM5 OR Just type 20BCM5 at checkout in the Keycode box. Offer good from 6/7-6/9.

April 15-23 is National Park Week, and this coming weekend, April 22-23, you get free admission to every National Park in America. In this episode, I interview Mikah Meyer, who is on a mission to become the youngest person to experience all 417 units in America’s National Park System. He started around this time last year, and as of the release of this episode, he’s a little over a third of the way. In today’s episode you’ll hear about his motivation for the project, how he makes it work, and a change in lifestyle that makes it all worth it. Follow along Mikah's journey on his website tbcmikah.com or follow him on Instagram @TBCmikah. To sign up for our Grand Teton climb this summer to benefit Big City Mountaineers, visit mtnmeister.com/teton

It's our semi-annual GEAR GIVEAWAY episode! Twice a year, we attend the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City to cover new products, technologies, and companies in the outdoors industry. If this is your first time listening to our gear giveaway episode, here’s how it works. In exchange for being featured on today’s episode, each company has agreed to give away free gear to our listeners. These are all real products that are either currently on the market or will be - they aren’t promotional. To win the free gear, all you have to do is email me at ben@mtnmeister.com.The first person who requests it, gets it. You can only win one prize, and after you win it, you cannot exchange it. Winners must be in the USA. For $5 off a MtnMeister t-shirt - gumroad.com/l/QiebU

For the fourth consecutive season, MtnMeister will be hosting its OR Giveaway episode. In this extra-popular episode, we record segments with companies about their latest and greatest gear, technologies, footwear, and apparel. All participating companies give away free prizes to our loyal listeners. Here's how to win: After you listen to the episode, email ben@mtnmeister.com and say which specific prize you want. The first person who requests a prize, gets it! You can only win once and you can't trade for a different prize. Listening early is important, but the episode is released on a mystery date, unless... We are offering you the opportunity to purchase information about the episode’s release (the date, a time window, or the EXACT date and time). Last giveaway episode, there were over 30 prizes and 26 people purchased the “date and exact time” package. Those are damn good odds! $4 for the date - https://gumroad.com/l/XFCZF $8 for the date and 3-hour time window - https://gumroad.com/l/zpdGn $12 for the date and exact time - https://gumroad.com/l/Ksxl Note: these prices will double on January 1st, so ACT NOW!

If you’re a fan of this show, you probably understand that time outside makes you feel better. In fact, you’ve probably built it into your schedule - a little time outside every day keeps the doctor away, right? Buy why does this work? Are there bigger implications than your own personal use? On today’s episode, we bring you three distinguished guests who are working on advancing nature as a public health solution. Episode Guests: Stacy Bare, Director of Sierra Club Outdoors and veteran of the United States Army Dr. Nooshin Razani, pediatrician and researcher at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Craig Anderson, post-doc researcher and fellow at the UCSF VA hospital and the Greater Good Science Center. Want to get involved? Shoot me an email at ben@mtnmeister.com. Buy a MtnMeister T here - https://gumroad.com/l/QiebU

This episode was originally recorded in February of 2016. The “Did someone get paid to say that?” question runs through my mind a lot. Often, I have trouble finding the answer. For example, when a guest on MtnMeister gives a gear recommendation, does he/she get paid by that company? If he/she does, can we trust that the recommendation is authentic? How do these sponsorships work? What do the brands get from the athletes and what do the athletes get from the brands? How does this impact us as outdoors consumers? In this episode, we hear from a couple of professional athletes, a large outdoors brand, and a talent manager. If you have questions or comments, leave them in the discussion forum on our website mtnmeister.com or send me an email (ben at mtnmeister.com).

This episode was originally recorded in February of 2016. "In 2009, Adam Kimble ran his first 5k. In 2011 his first half, 2012 his first marathon, and 2014 his first ultra. Now, in 2016, he is attempting to become the fastest person to run across the USA. The time to beat is 46 days, 8 hours, 36 minutes, and to do it he will have to average 68 miles a day. On February 15th, he will leave Huntington Beach and head west to hopefully finish around March 30th in NYC. Follow Adam @thebeardedsole on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or his website. To express interest in MtnMeister's Summit for Someone climb to benefit Big City Mountaineers, fill out this form - https://goo.gl/forms/k9xaPQB4jW3Ai31i1 Buy a MtnMeister t-shirt here - https://gumroad.com/l/QiebU  

At 80 years old, Dale Sanders is the oldest person to paddle the entire Mississippi River. "The grey beard adventurer" paddled 2,345 miles from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. Dale’s passion and enthusiasm are evident in our conversation, and I think you’ll find yourself smiling while you listen. Dale raised over $23,000 dollars to promote awareness and fight type 1 juvenile diabetes, a disease from which his 10 year-old grandniece, Anna, suffers. For 20% off Stio, use the code "meister" at checkout at http://www.stio.com/ For 5% off Bulls Bikes, use the code "bullseye5" at https://www.bullsbikesusa.com/ If you are interested in joining MtnMeister for a Summit for Someone climb to benefit Big City Mountaineers, please fill out this form - https://goo.gl/forms/8Y0bgqw650RYA8qE2