Episodes
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Genuine Climbing: https://genuineclimbing.org/
Anyssa's first appearance on Guides Gone WildAnyssa updates Guides Gone Wild on her diagnosis and first Climb for a Cause fundraiserValley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care (NJ)GOAT Climbing Gym (NJ)Casting for Recovery
Support climbing retreats for breast cancer survivors!: https://genuineclimbing.org/donate/
Join Anyssa & Moira at Climb for a Cause, October 23rd from 3-9pm at GOAT Climbing Gym, Hackensack, NJ
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, today I’m talking to my long-time pod friend Anyssa Lucena of Genuine Climbing, as well as Dr. Moira Christoudias, a breast surgical oncologist with Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care in Paramus NJ.
Anyssa and Moira have joined me today to talk all about their amazing new initiative, Genuine Climbing.org, which will be providing FREE climbing experiences to women affected by breast cancer.
Genuine Climbing's mission is hugely personal for both of these women, as you’ll hear - as Anyssa writes on the website, the lump she felt became the seed for this vision. And now that vision has turned into lots and lots of action - as of early fall 2024, they’ve achieved non-profit status for Genuine Climbing, they’ve got all their ducks in a row, and are now accepting applications for the three amazing climbing retreat events they’ve got confirmed on their calendar already for 2025. I hope you’ll join me in supporting this wonderful organization, the link to donate or volunteer is above - get on it!!
Even if you’re not a climber, you’ll want to listen in today - Dr. Christoudias drops more than a few truth bombs and dispels many myths about breast cancer risk. One in eight (!!) women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Let’s all educate ourselves on our risks, encourage our friends and family to do the same, and do everything we can to detect it as early as possible!!
A few more links for you: -
Back in July, I posted my episode with Nicole Freedman, the executive Director of NEMBA, and she was the one who introduced me to Paula Burton, a long-time mountain biker, NEMBA CT chapter founder, and instructor for NEMBA Trail School.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to meet Paula in person at the trail school I attended back in June, but we did connect over Zoom for an article I was writing for the NEMBA Single Tracks newsletter.
We hadn’t been talking for long before I realized that Paula was just the kind of guest I love, love, LOVE to have on this podcast - a real person doing really integral work that is constantly improving the outdoor experience for newbies and weekend warriors like me!
Paula’s been riding since before mountain biking was really a “thing”, and she’s got tons of stories to share that serve to highlight how far we’ve come in outdoor representation in the last 30+ years…. but also how not everything has changed quite so much.
Enjoy this special Friday Funday Feature!
NEMBA (New England Mountain Bike Association) - https://nemba.org/IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) - https://www.imba.com/
And a few more fun links:
Thunder Mountain Bike Park (Charlemont, MA)Appalachian Mountain ClubConnecticut Greenways CouncilGeorge Waldo State Park (Southbury, CT)What is a pump track?Rockhouse Hill (Oxford, CT)What is a Class 1 Ebike?Bluff Point State Park (Groton, CT)Highland Mountain Bike Park (Northfield, NH)Pittsfield State Forest (Pittsfield, MA)Building your Biking Bucket List? Paula’s recs:
Baja California (Mexico)Bear Ears National Monument (UT)Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument (UT)Moab (UT)Grand Junction (CO)Fruita (CO) -
Missing episodes?
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Today I am so ridiculously excited to be talking to Lia Lucine and Nicki Ripple, two of the three women behind a film project that is unfolding right now, somewhere off the coast of Maine - it's called Beyond the Compass, and is documenting a group of women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s who are on a four-day Outward Bound sailing expedition.
Lia Lucine on Instagram: @lialucine (https://www.instagram.com/lialucine/)Nicki Ripple on Instagram: @nicki.ripple ( https://www.instagram.com/nicki.ripple/)Go Fund Me site for Beyond the Compass: https://gofund.me/587bfc42Short 2019 Maine Public piece about the Burnt Island sailing program Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (ME)Learn more about Burnt Island (ME)
According to Nicki and Lia, ”this short film will chronicle the journey of an all-women crew on Outward Bound Hurricane Island’s Women over 65 sailing course - emphasizing their resilience through challenge and adventure, as well as the practice of enjoying life at any age. While mainstream media often underscores the importance of enjoying youth, these women serve as a reminder that while advancing in age presents its own difficulties, it does not preclude a fulfilling life.”
PREACH! Obviously as someone knocking on the door of 60 (albeit as gently as possible at this point), I am over the moon at the idea of these every-women’s stories being highlighted as they navigate the physical, mental and emotional challenges of this multi-day adventure.
So let's get this documentary onto the big screen already! You can support the production of Beyond the Compass at https://gofund.me/587bfc42 - make a donation, then tell your inspiring-story-loving-friends to do the same.
And bonus points, if you work for a brand or organization that plays in outdoor spaces, let your colleagues know about this awesome film, and maybe YOU will be the reason Beyond the Compass gets the huge corporate underwriter it needs to tear up the outdoor film festival circuit in 2025!
Links to learn more: -
The Summer Olympics in Paris kick off in mere hours, so how appropriate that today I’m going deep with the first Guides Gone Wild former Olympian, Nicole Freedman, now the Executive Director of NEMBA, the New England Mountain Bike Association.
New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA): https://nemba.org/Elevate: https://elevatemtb.com/Guides Gone Wild talks with Sabra Davison, Little BellasVermont Mountain Bike Association: https://vmba.org/Kingdom Trails Association (VT): https://www.kingdomtrails.org/Hub on Wheels (not happening any more, likely a victim of COVID, sigh - but here's link to a Hub on Wheels FB page showing info and images from 2019): https://www.facebook.com/HubOnWheels/Toole Design GroupCo2 Inflator KitsBear Brook State Park (NH)
As you'll hear, Nicole’s Team USA experience is impressive, but even more amazing to me are the decades of devotion she’s applied to making bikes, and bike transportation, a bigger part of our everyday lives.
Nicole was the city of Boston’s first-ever 'Bike Czar'; during her tenure, she helped transform Boston from the three-times designated 'worst cycling city in the country' (according Bicycling Magazine), into a national leader in cycling accessibility and safety.
After some additional stints leading both urban and rural active transportation initiatives, in 2022, Nicole took the helm of NEMBA - only the third Executive Director in that organization’s 35 year history. NEMBA is a community of mountain bikers committed to creating epic riding experiences, preserving open space, and guiding the future of mountain biking in New England through its 35 chapters across all six New England states.
It’s almost like we’re e-biking our way through this conversation, we cover so much ground! From metro-west to Stanford to Sydney to Seattle, with multiple boomerangs back to the Boston area, all with the goal of making bikes the new normal for commuters, conservationists, and casual riders alike (no hot dog costume required!!)
Links from our conversation (not chain, the other kind!): -
Today I’m welcoming one of my wild new Western Maine friends, Julie Sloan, an owner and the lead instructor at Maine River Runners (https://www.maineriverrunners.com/) in Bethel, Maine.
Maine River Runners : https://www.maineriverrunners.com/Evans Notch Lodge
Maine River Runners came to town the summer of 2023, and jumped right in to the local business community with their fleet of kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, and accessories for rent, as well as a lesson program and shuttle service that brings paddlers up and down the Androscoggin from their riverfront home base in Bethel.
But this is no ‘Julie-come-lately’ story - even though her business just celebrated its first birthday, Julie Sloan has more than 20 years of experience teaching (both in classrooms and on the water), and holds certifications in swift water, coastal kayaking, SUP yoga teaching, and as an ACA Paddle Sports Safety Facilitator.
Julie’s story is one that fills me with joy because she has managed to meld her many interests and curiosities into a life she loves, that’s also creating so much good in the world and in her community as a result.
So get that river adventure on your calendar ASAP!:Are you a registered Maine Guide itching to get your community and clients on the water this summer?
Let’s talk paddle retreats!: https://www.evansnotchlodge.com/retreatsOr are you a land-lubber looking for some fun (and fabulous fundraising!) hiking opportunities this summer? :
Join or Support the Guides Gone Wildcats hike for Alzheimer’s - July 27thJoin or Donate to a Summits in Solidarity hike: https://givebutter.com/SummitsInSolidarityOr has Julie inspired you to start your own outdoor business? Check out my Guide for Guides on Liability Insurance and Social Media Marketing!
A few more links from our conversation (come on over to GuidesGoneWild.com for the complete list):
Ari Leach - Blackbird Guide ServicesAndroscoggin River Watershed CouncilHALA inflatable paddle boards (CO)Zapstix Surf Shop (NH) -
Today we celebrate the decade anniversary of one of the most storied and epic bike races in the east, the Rasputitsa, with race co-founder and co-director Heidi Myers.
So what exactly is Rasputitsa, you might be asking? Short answer is, it depends.
This year it was a whole weekend of events built around a 50-ish mile gravel bike ride/race that based itself at Jay Peak in Vermont, and included 4,500 feet of climbing.
For the long answer, PLEASE go back and listen to my earlier episode with Heidi, and follow @rasputitsadirt on Instagram to let the energy and ethos of this amazing person (and the event she helped to create) wash over you.
Content warning - audio is admittedly not great. Heidi lives in a rural spot in northern Vermont, and her service left a lot to be desired... so I ask you to bring the same level of intentionality to listening to this podcast that Heidi and the Rasputitsa team bring to every little, tiny detail of their race planning. Find a quiet place where you can focus on her words, you won’t regret it.
And one final note - spoiler for those who haven’t yet listened to Heidi’s first appearance on this podcast - she’s been battling early onset Parkinson’s for years. She is the last person to expect (or desire) any kind of sympathy or extra attention for what she’s going through, but I do think it’s important to consider when you look at how intentional she is, particularly regarding this race and community. She really does blow me away.
Prepare to be inspired.
And some links before we go:
Rasputitsa - https://rasputitsadirt.com/@rasputitsadirt - https://www.instagram.com/rasputitsadirtHeidi Myers on Guides Gone Wild (debut!)Trish & Jen talk about VerticalSpecializedWHOOPBourne's EnergyZero GravityJay PeakMidSouth Gravel - @midsouthgravelGroundedNE - @groundedneBig Red Gravel Run - @bigredgravelrunFor the Love of Food CateringBivoTrash Gear Co (bike fenders and mud guards made in VT from recycled plastic!)Julbo EyewearCastelliPlink!Columbia Forest Products -
In honor of it being National Volunteers Week, today we're talking to Cindy Hession - scientist by day, hiker and volunteer chair for the 48 Peaks Hike to End Alzheimer's every other waking moment she can manage!
Alzheimers Association - alz.org - 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-390048 Peaks - A Longest Day EventLongest Day FundraiserNewsCenter Maine feature on 48 PeaksGuides Gone Wildcats Team PageRekLis Brewing Celebration (Bethlehem, NH) - June 8th, 2024
Cindy and I talk about her love affair with the White Mountains and hiking, her personal connection with Alzheimer's, and how the 48 Peaks fundraiser grew out of one man’s devotion to his wife. Her enthusiasm and dedication to this event will pour through your earbuds and make it obvious why Cindy was recognized with a national award earlier this year for her volunteerism.
To lend my support to Cindy AND the 48 Peaks initiative, I have started a fundraising team called Guides Gone Wildcats, and we are going to hike Wildcat A (and D on the way there, for all you peak-baggers!) If you want to join me on this epic hike, or support our team’s fundraising efforts with a donation of literally any amount, you can do both over on our Guides Gone Wildcats Team Page: http://act.alz.org/goto/guidesgonewildcats. Let’s DO THIS!
I hope you’ll hang with us until the end on this episode, because I’ve got a special offer for the Longest Day 48 Peakers out there, too!
But first, a few key links:AND - what would a podcast about hiking be without TONS of great hiking links (and even more over on our episode page at GuidesGoneWild.com!):
Mt. Sugarloaf (South Deerfield, MA)NH48 (list of the 48-4,000 foot mountains in NH)Pioneer Valley - a hidden gem? (MA)Seven Sisters (MA) 52 with a ViewPemi Loop vs. Mt. Pemi (there’s a difference!)The BelknapsMt. Moriah (NH)Mt. Watatic (MA)Wapack Range (MA/NH)Kula ClothHike Safe Card (NH) -
Sliding in better late than never this week (DAMN POWER OUTAGE!!) with my fabulous new friend, Tarin O’Donnell of the Tarin It Up Podcast.
TKO Yoga & Fitness: https://www.tkoyogafit.com/Tarin It Up PodcastWork out with Tarin on YouTubeWild Women Podcast SocietyEmily Holland on Guides Gone WildAngie Marie’s 'For The Love Of' PodcastSwell by Outspring : https://www.theoutspring.com/Crystal Mountain (WA)What is a ‘tender’? Wild RyeDovetail Workwear : https://dovetailworkwear.com/Black Diamond Rechargeable Headlamp
Tarin and I met through a women’s podcasting group, and even before I listened to her podcast, I realized I had to have her on because she’s been living a life that a lot of us glamorize and feel a little bit envious of…. Picture snowy woodlands, gorgeous mountains and lakes, skiing, snowmobiles, yoga, avy training at a craft brewery... It’s Lake Tahoe for crying out loud. You know the jam.
But - the reason I wanted to invite her on was NOT to give us an even worse case of FOMO - it’s because Tarin also keeps it totally real when it comes to talking about the hard and challenging things that can be part and parcel of “living the dream”.
There’s so much good stuff here - Tarin has spent almost her entire life tearing up the list of traditional expectations that society tries to guardrail girls and women with (spoiler alert: yes, she's a wrestler!!). She’s also been super creative in the way she’s crafted a life she can live on her own terms - up to and including recognizing and problem-solving for the burnout and financial challenges that pop up like annoying whack-a-moles as a result of her seasonal, outdoor-oriented lifestyle.
So listen up! And if you agree that Tarin would be the coolest online fitness coach and trainer ever, you can check out her offerings on her business site, TKOYogaFit.com, or connect directly with her on Instagram @tarin.k.o , she’s TKOYogaFit on Facebook, or TarinODonnell on LinkedIn.
And you most definitely should click on over to the Tarin It Up Podcast right now and subscribe or follow, maybe even queue a few up for this weekend’s drive up to whatever adventure you’ll be getting at once this stupid weather blows through. You’re welcome for introducing you to a new adventure bestie in your earbuds!
Lots-o-Links:Hope to see you at Guides Gone Wild's Tuesday Meetup - April 23, 2024 @ 6:30pm - True North Ale Company, 116 County Rd, Ipswich, MA - head over to GuidesGoneWild.com/meet for more details!
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Today we take a scenic ride through the intricacies of trail development, where the rubber meets the road in terms of community building, advocacy, grant writing, marketing... and bike riding!
Marianne Borowski is the absolute force of nature behind the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail.For those of you who haven’t yet heard of it, the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail is an 83 mile long multi-purpose trail that spans northern New Hampshire, from Woodsville on the Vermont border to Bethel, Maine.
The Adventure Trail patches together pre-existing rail trails, bike paths, dirt roads and a few short pavement segments to create a fluid tour of the north country great for biking, hiking, cross country skiing, horseback riding, you name it - if it’s non-motorized, you’re probably good to go on this fantastic trail. AND you can get amazing support along the way, thanks to the countless resources available on the xNHAT.org website.
Such well-documented, well-thought-out trail networks don’t just magically appear out of the ether - there is always at least one extremely passionate advocate working behind the curtains to make their vision a reality for the rest of us to enjoy.
Marianne is just such a passionate, action-oriented visionary, and she was kind enough to invite me up to her hill-top perch in Bartlett to talk all things trail. I loved every minute of our conversation, so I’m sharing them all!
Head on over to xNHAT.org to get all the details about the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, including links to the Story Map, the GPS links, even how to get your very own copy of the OG waterproof paper map, so you can start planning your own Cross New Hampshire Adventure! And if anyone is interested in joining Trish and me on the ride later this summer/fall, shoot me an email - [email protected] - who knows, maybe we can do a whole group thing! That would be SO FUN!
In the meantime, more great links from our conversation:
Katy Trail (MO): https://bikekatytrail.com/Erie Canal Bike Trail (NY): https://bikeeriecanal.com/C&O and GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) Trails (PA, WV, MD, DC): https://bikecando.com/Cross Vermont Trail: https://www.crossvermont.org/Ride with GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/Read more about bicycling in Québec, and the ‘Bienvenue cyclistes!’ program: https://www.bonjourquebec.com/en-us/to-see-and-do/outdoor-activities/cyclingBike Friendly New York: https://www.ptny.org/cycle-the-erie-canal/bikefriendlyDero Fixit: https://www.dero.com/product/fixit-plus/Spencer Hawkes: https://www.spencerhawkes.com/Israel River Campground: https://israelrivercampground.com/Lamoille Valley Rail Trail: https://railtrails.vermont.gov/trails/lamoille-valley-rail-trail/Great American Bike Tours: https://www.cycletheusa.com/ -
Today I bring you another dose of practical, relatable, do-able inspiration with my special guest Val Hopkins from 365 Mile Challenge.
365 Mile Challenge: https://365milechallenge.org/@365 Mile Challenge on Instagram, @Official365MileChallenge on FacebookOutspring: https://www.theoutspring.com/Swell: https://www.theoutspring.com/events/ - watch the 2023 highlights hereAmy Hopkins, Saltwater Mountain Co. on Guides Gone Wild (Sept 2023)
Val’s business is all about meeting people wherever they are, bringing them into a supportive community, and providing them with tools, resources and motivation to build a movement habit that works within the limitations of their life, time and physicality - whatever those look like.
That would be inspiring enough, but wait until you hear about how Val, the tech-challenged nurse forced to retire early because of an injury, decided that she and her biologist daughter-in-law were JUST the people who should swoop in and save an internet-based movement community on the brink of shutdown… literally weeks before COVID locked us all inside, by ourselves.
The same drive that gets Val and her community moving "a mile a day, their way", served the 365 Mile Challenge business well, and Val and Kayla recently started their fifth year as stewards of the company and its app, offshoot communities, ambassadorships, and virtual races.
I hope you’ll check out Val’s website, 365milechallenge.org, as well as #365MileChallenge and @365MileChallenge on Instagram - and maybe even get involved in the challenge, or a virtual race, or just take advantage of all the useful resources and tips she’s curated on her fabulous website!
When you’re stuck in a rut, or life is going sideways for whatever reason, sometimes it only takes a teeny little prod to get a teeny little dose of movement to get you redirected to a brighter place. So why wait for the rut?? You can start building a movement habit now, in community with Val, Kayla and 365MileChallenge.org!
Links to the good stuff:Join us for our next Last Tuesday Virtual Meetup on 2/27!: https://www.guidesgonewild.com/meet
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Today we head OUTside with another fabulous wild guide, Rae-a Moughty, Founder and Director of Campfire Institute, an amazing organization that offers wilderness enrichment adventures for girls and LGBTQIA+ youth.
Campfire Institute: https://www.campfireinstitute.org/@campfireinstitute on InstagramThe OUT Retreat Weekend 2024Check out the amazing work Campfire Institute does in this video: http://vimeo.com/jennywoodward/campfireOUTdoor Leadership Training with Maine Tourism & Campfire InstituteEquality MaineGive the gift of Equitable Wilderness!Ari Leach of Blackbird Guide Services on Guides Gone Wild
I connected with Rae-a right after she’d wrapped up the Institute’s OUT on the Snow program held at Evans Notch Lodge over MLK weekend. We were both so fired up by the great time had by the teens, and we wanted to harness that energy to try to spread the word about Campfire Institute and all of its programs still on tap for 2024.
Rae-a is an educator, registered Maine Guide, and all around ray of sunshine, as you’ll hear. Her passion for her work literally pours out of her, and she can’t grow her programs fast enough to keep up with the demand from all corners of Maine.
After you're done tuning in today, make sure to click on the link below to watch the beautiful video Jenny Woodward created with Rae-a (aka "Cricket"), featuring some of the teens that have found their voice and powerful connections through Campfire Institute programs. These kids are amazing and totally, authentically themselves, right down to the classic teen eyerolls!
It is NOT too late to sign up for Campfire Institute’s fabulous 2024 programming, so head over to CampfireInstitute.org - and even if you aren’t actively looking to register YOUR child or young adult for a program, you might just think of smashing that DONATE button and helping to sponsor another.
Please also follow @campfireinstitute on Facebook and Instagram - and there’s even a @campfireinstitute TikTok for the youth in your life to get their stoke on without having to stoop to joining you on the old folks’ socials!
And finally - if you are a retreat leader or guide looking for a low-key, affordable and comfy place to basecamp YOUR next group adventure, I hope you’ll check out Evans Notch Lodge - it's a sweet spot for groups like Campfire Institute, and we will work with you to achieve your vision for your event, retreat, bootcamp, whatever. Contact @evansnotchlodge on Instagram or Facebook, or come on over to EvansNotchLodge.com for more info.
Make sure to check OUT these links from our conversation!: -
What you need to know RIGHT THIS SECOND is that we are kicking off the Last Tuesday of the Month Virtual Meetup - for any and all Guides Gone Wild peeps - starting NEXT TUESDAY, January 30th, at 7pm.
Bethany's inspiring episode on Guides Gone Wild: https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/bethany-cass-ggw146 Trish and I talk about Vertical: https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/ggw068-vertical-weekend-recap-with-trish-and-jenTrish and I talk about Rooted: https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/rooted-mtb-festival-recap-ep111
How can you join the virtual meetup, you ask?
CLICK HERE or head on over to GuidesGoneWild.com/meet and sign up for the calendar invite and Zoom link!
At this first meetup, we will be talking about visions and goals and hopes for 2024 - and the rest of the year, we’ll be inviting in the guides and conversations and accountability we need to actually get all the fun stuff done!
So where did this idea come from, you might ask?
Well, grab a cup of hot tea, close your eyes, and picture yourself cozied up by a lovely woodstove in the Maine woods.... That’s where I was a few weeks back with my trusty sidekick Trish and Guides Gone Wild all star listener and guest Bethany Cass, on a spontaneous adventure at the Flagstaff Hut (Maine Huts & Trails).
I just happened to bring my little recorder with me so I could pick their brains about what they find valuable about these little adventures.
Apologies for the janky audio, but I hope you enjoy a little eavesdropping into why little spontaneous spurts of nature are so AMAZINGLY amazing!
And in case you want to hear more of us talking all the feels!: -
Read more about Emily's decision about GearME:
Someone listening will know someone who would be STOKED to take over this amazing business;Someone listening will be STOKED to take over this amazing business themselves; and/orEVERYONE listening makes a point of getting to GearME in the next month to stock up on their outdoor needs, support the circular economy, and give Emily the most financially rewarding send-off possible!
https://www.gearmeoutdoors.com/sale-of-business
If you or someone you know wants to learn more about the GearME business sale, please contact Michael Hall, Commercial Real Estate Broker with The Jordie Lee Company: 207-773-1111 (office) or email [email protected]
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Way back in March 2021, I talked to Emily Kirkton, the owner of GearME, a fabulous outdoor consignment gear and apparel store in Freeport, Maine.
As of this month, after 5+ years of running this awesome business, Emily has made the difficult decision to move on to new challenges (and honestly, more family time), so she is looking for a buyer and starting to plan for a transition toward the end of February.
I would love to help Emily in any way I can - so I’m replaying this conversation in the hopes that I can make one of the following options manifest:Plus, this conversation is tons of fun to listen to - whether you’re a newbie adventurer, a small business owner, or a grown-up trying to get a kid outdoors, Emily shares great tips and tricks that are as applicable today as they were back in March 2021.
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Timestamps for the impatient :-)
0:02 -- GearMe Outdoor Consignment Store Transition
10:15 -- Overcoming Challenges in Becoming a Guide
14:32 -- Starting an Outdoor Retail Store
27:29 -- Outdoor Adventure With Kids
33:30 -- Changing Perspectives and Parenting Outdoors
38:09 -- Gear Recommendations for Outdoor Activities
42:01 -- Consignment and Gear Buying Tips
Enjoy! -
Hopping into the Wild One Wayback Wagon this week to take a quick look back at 2023 - and while we're at it, grab some last minute gift ideas, giving thoughts and gritty inspiration to take us through this darkest day and into the light of the new year!
GIFT IDEAS:
https://backcountryfoodie.com/ - use code WILD at checkout to save 20% on memberships
https://navitour.com/ - support local Maine Guides and trip leaders
https://www.cedargrovesauna.com/ - sweat and soak up and down mid-coast Maine
https://saltwatermountainco.com/ - treat your bestie to a luxurious DryRobe
https://www.arcticlynxmaternity.com/ - help those moms-to-be stay active and warm
https://www.carolinesdream.com/ for all the natural skincare (chamois cream is a fave!)
CAN'T MISS EVENTS:
https://www.summitsinsolidarity.org/ Me & White Supremacy Challenge kicks off January 30; watch for Solidarity Hike Day in June
https://camdensnowbowl.com/toboggan-championships/ Cheer on A Flying Flock - February 2-4
https://somersetsnowfest.org/ and Skijor Skowhegan- February 16-24
https://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org/adirondack90miler/ September 6-8
INSPIRATION TO SHARE:
Anne Parmenter - https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/anne-parmenter-ems-climbing-everest-mountaineer-ggw122
Bethany Cass - https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/bethany-cass-ggw146
Anyssa Lucena - https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/climb-for-a-cause-anyssa-lucena-ggw147
Tori Gray - https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/tori-gray-the-wilderness-guru-ggw137
Lindsay Currier - https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/lindsay-currier-bikepack-maine-ggw149
Kat Ripley - https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/kat-ripley-juniper-moss-guide-services-ggw150
CAUSES TO CONSIDER:
https://diversifywhitewater.org/
https://latinooutdoors.org/
https://protectourwinters.org/
https://www.mainegearshare.org/
What did I miss? Who do I need to interview? What are you looking forward to in 2024? Let me know - [email protected]!
Happy Solstice, happy holidays, peace and love to you all :-) ~Jen -
Today we get back to my wild fan-girling business with Renaissance woman and Registered Maine Guide, Kat Ripley.
Kat and I recently worked together on an amazing event hosted by Anna Heath and We Built This, where eight wanna-be carpenters were brought together for a weekend of learning, building, mending, yoga and outdoor mindfulness - that last part was where Kat came in for this event.
One of Kat’s most potent talents involves bringing people into nature in a meaningful way, which she’s now doing through her Juniper Moss Guide Services. Kat walked us all through an amazing exercise at the end of our weekend, which she is generous enough to share again today.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg of value and inspiration this exceptional woman brings - Kat’s many interests and multiple resets and restarts might just get you fired up to try something new yourself in the new year, or at the very least, start putting yourself first in ways that truly matter!
As a gift for yourself this holiday season, make for darn sure that you follow Kat Ripley everywhere: check out her website, JuniperMossGuideServices.com, where she’s already got some very fun-sounding stuff brewing for 2024; then head over to Instagram and give her a follow @junipermossguideservices and @kat_rip so you can bask in her thoughtful longer-form captions and the fun pix of her adventures and yurt life!
**IMPORTANT NOTE: Content warning for this episode - we don’t get into a ton of detail, but we do discuss domestic abuse and child abuse. If those topics will be hard for you, maybe take this week off - but let me also say that your home should be a safe place, and if you ever feel even remotely like that is not the case, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Help is available, please keep yourself and your family safe this holiday season and always.You can also find help locally:
In Maine - https://www.mcedv.org/get-help/
In New Hampshire - https://www.nhcadsv.org/
In Massachusetts - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/list-of-domestic-violence-services-by-massachusetts-county
In Vermont - https://www.vtnetwork.org/
In Connecticut - https://www.ctcadv.org/
In Rhode Island - https://ricadv.org/
In New York - https://www.nyscadv.org/find-help/program-directory.html
Bikepack MaineFlagstaff Lake HutLindsay Currier on Guides Gone WildWe Built ThisThunder Ridge Ski Area (NY)Maine Huts & TrailsMerino Wool Neck Gaiters by BuffEvans Notch Lodge
A few more links from our conversation (many more on the episode page over on GuidesGoneWild.com!): -
Today I’ve got an awesome conversation with just the kind of everywoman superhero I love to talk to on the pod - Lindsay Currier, a registered Maine guide, mountain bike coach, enduro racer, trail builder, ski patroller, total mom goals and the force behind Bikepack Maine.
Packraft MaineRolling Fatties (Kingfield, ME)How to become a Registered Maine GuideChariot Bike TrailerCarver Bikes Maine Huts and TrailsBurley PiccoloStowe Leaf Blower - Stowe Trails Partnership (VT)Kingdom Trails (VT)Kids Ride Shotgun Bike SeatShotgun PogiesEDT - Eastern Divide TrailKatie Holden - Red Bull ‘Formation’Devinci Mountain/Enduro BikesEastern States Cup EnduroTrans New England EnduroSteep & Cheap
Lindsay’s lived on both coasts and a few places in between, and has spent a bunch of years doing a bunch of stuff to lift up women in biking, whether as her full-time gig or as a side-hustle-on-steroids.
We don’t talk a ton about how Lindsay got into biking in the first place, or what brought her into racing and coaching initially, but I’ve linked up a fantastic blog post here (https://www.josiebikelife.com/2015/11/women-involved-series-lindsay-currier.html) that will give you a window into her life and back story as of 2015, when it was written.
There’s still lots of ground to be covered today, though, and while a lot of things have changed for Lindsay in the past decade (mostly driven by the fact she now has a daughter, Saffron, and lives in Maine instead of out West), there are still a few golden threads that are woven all the way through - among them her commitment to promoting women on and around bikes; her innate drive to foster community; and her desire to help others avoid all the costly and borderline critical mistakes and slipups she made as she learned how to ride big.
And as an added bonus for any of you who dream of riding big with your little rippers, Lindsay shares some mindset tricks and gear tips that will help set you up for success!
Follow Lindsay's (and Saffron's!) adventures:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaybethc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsay.currier.50
Bikepack Maine: http://www.bikepackmaine.com/
A hint of the single track miles we cover can be found in our extensive link list (come on over to the episode page on GuidesGoneWild.com for even more)!: -
Today we're embarking on a culinary thru-hike with registered dietitian and logistical powerhouse Aaron Owens Mayhew, the founder of Backcountry Foodie and the trail mom we all wish we had!
https://backcountryfoodie.com/Subscribe to the Backcountry Foodie YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@backcountryfoodieKeep an eye on the BCF blog for a recap of Aaron’s Tour du Mont Blanc in September 2023: https://backcountryfoodie.com/blog/Backcountry Foodie Shop: https://backcountryfoodie.myshopify.com/@backcountry_foodie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/backcountry_foodieMeg Carney, The Outdoor Minimalist, on GGW: https://www.guidesgonewild.com/podcast/meg-carney-outdoor-minimalist-ep115Brittany Haas - Alpenventures Unguided: https://www.alpenventuresunguided.com/Condor Trail Info: https://www.condortrail.com/Favorite cold-soak recipe: https://backcountryfoodie.com/sun-dried-tomato-pesto-pasta-ultralight-backpacking-recipe/Frogg Toggs Emergency Poncho: https://www.froggtoggs.com/frogg-toggsr-emergency-poncho-4734
I’m not even a long distance hiker (yet?!?), and can count on one hand the number of times I’ve backpacked for consecutive days sleeping outside, honestly - but I’ve been OBSESSED by the Backcountry Foodie business for years, since Aaron was doing Facebook Lives sitting outside in her vanlife days... and as COVID was lingering on, I listened to countless podcasts featuring Aaron telling her hiking back story, and the origin story of Backcountry Foodie. (Link below to one of the many good ones from friend of the pod, Meg Carney of The Outdoor Minimalist Podcast!)
So we’re not going to talk much Backcountry Foodie history today - I’m much more stoked about the brilliant power move Aaron started leaning into this year, when she began experimenting with ways to more directly support backpackers in their thru-hiking attempts.
We'll also hear about the trials and triumphs Aaron experienced on her recent Tour du Mont Blanc - SOOOO MANY good takeaways for traveling backpackers, so make sure you listen to the end!
AND THEN - head on over to BackcountryFoodie.com to check out all of the amazing free resources and recipes available to get you fired up and fueled up.
OR BETTER YET - level up into one of the Backcountry Foodie membership programs, which will get you access to the entire library of recipes and nutrition guidance, as well as a discount in the Backcountry Foodie online shop!
BUT WAIT, THERE'S EVEN MORE! Take advantage of a special discount Aaron is extending to all friends of Guides Gone Wild - use code WILD at checkout to get 20% off any Backcountry Foodie membership - woot!!
Get a little WILD, use code WILD, and start eating right on the trail, river, campground, wherever and whenever you find yourself fueling up far from your kitchen home base!
More fun links: -
On Guides Gone Wild, we talk to lots of women who do extremely brave things - but I have to say, being vulnerable and open about a life-changing diagnosis and treatment (and the mental *ss-kicking you are still going through as a result), is the bravest kind of bravery in my book.
Climb for a Cause (Thursday, October 26th; 7:00-9:00pm)GOAT Climbing Gym (Hackensack, NJ)For the Breast of UsThe Ellie FundThe Big Cs: Chicks, Climbing and Cancer (FB Group)Anyssa’s first episode on Guides Gone Wild (April 2022)
Anyssa Lucena first graced the Guides Gone Wild airwaves in April 2022, when she was in the early days of building her business, Genuine Climbing, through which she provides guiding, instruction, coaching and community around her passion for rock climbing.
Literally a month after we first spoke, Anyssa’s life and business got turned completely upside down when she found a lump in one of her breasts.
So a few trigger warnings for today: very salty language; cancer; survivor guilt; trauma. If those kinds of things cut a little too close right now, skip this and come back next time.
But whether you’re in for this week’s audio ride or not, please do check out Climb for a Cause, an event that Anyssa is hosting Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the GOAT Climbing Gym in Hackensack, NJ from 7-9pm.
If you’re able to attend in person, you’ll have a fantastic time learning and climbing and learning some more, and will be welcomed with open arms by the amazing community that Anyssa has around her.
If you can’t be there in person, I hope you’ll consider donating to the same causes that Anyssa will be supporting with her proceeds from the event: For the Breast of Us, the first online community dedicated to women of color affected by breast cancer; and The Ellie Fund, which provides essential support services like transportation to appointments, housekeeping, grocery assistance, childcare reimbursement, that kind of thing for breast cancer patients, to ease the stresses of everyday life, so that they can focus on recovery, healing, and spending time with family.
And a final reminder that early detection can make a HUGE difference - get the mammogram, check yourself out once in a while, and if anything seems to be changing or is concerning you - ANYTHING! - waste no time, make sure to talk to your doctor.
All the links, all together: -
Today I’m talking to Bethany Cass, an awesome new friend I met around this time last year when she and her daughter Maddie attended the Guides Gone Wild Iron Chef weekend that I hosted with Ari Leach of Blackbird Guide Service.
At the time, as you’ll hear, Bethany was kind of treading water in a sea of discontent, but getting ready to take some bold strokes in new directions - and less than one year later, things are poppin' off for her, as the kids would say!
WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR what she is doing in 2024!!
But the point I want you to come away from this conversation with is NOT that you have to go big or stay home. There is more than one right way to seek - and hopefully find - fun, inspiration, and fulfillment.
Bethany’s soul was called toward meditation, yoga, and spending quiet time in the wilderness - yours might be finding a dozen friends for a whitewater or ski trip, or dangling from ropes on a rock face or splashing in a waterfall, or maybe hanging out with your favorite four-legged friend at your local land trust trail. It's all good! If it's outside in nature and it makes you feel good, it's worth doing!Some of the cool stuff we talk about - come on over to GuidesGoneWild.com to see the full list!:
AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) HutsREI OutletGreenleaf Hut (AMC)What are energy therapies?How long is a Half Ironman Tri?SupYo AdventuresJana Olenio on Guides Gone WildBackroads TravelSupYo Machu Picchu trip (August 2024)Sherpa of SoulsPemi WildernessPolly Mahoney on Guides Gone WildMahoosuc Guide Service (Newry, ME)Maine Huts & TrailsKula Cloth - Kula’s amazing Instagram!
We Built This Workshop - come build a tent platform with us! -
I’ve got another special encore for you this week to remind all of us of the absolute power and beauty that can come from making connections, staying curious and just saying YES! (despite your nagging doubts...)
Picture yourself in April 2020, flailing around in and out of lockdown, wondering if the world was legit ending. That’s about the time I decided to use some of MY newly found free time to start reaching out to Maine guides to eventually recommend to visitors of our Lodge property, refusing to believe that we’d never be able to travel again.
And the very very first person to whom I reached out - who eventually took an even bigger leap and agreed to be interviewed by me, for purposes that weren’t even 100% clear to me at the time - was Alicia Heyburn.
Alicia is the Executive Director of Teens to Trails, a registered sea kayak guide, she’s on the boards of Maine Island Trail Association and Maine GearShare, she’s basically the Kevin Bacon of Maine, I think everyone in the state is, at most, two or three connections away from her.
I’ve stopped counting the number of guests I’ve had on Guides Gone Wild that were direct or indirect referrals from Alicia. And guess who reached out a month or so ago to let me know that a space had opened up on a trip she was going on with PackRaft Maine?!?
My kneejerk reaction was "I don’t think so, that sounds kinda hard and complicated, plus it’s a far drive, blah blah blah no blah...."
And then I was like, "Jen, you have spent the last four years talking a big game about getting outside, being a beginner, trying new things with new people, moving into the life you want to live - so shut the **** up, figure it out and make it happen!"
So last weekend I drove 4 ½ hours and shared a tent and two days of end to end outdoor amazingness with someone who was a complete stranger less than five years ago, whom I randomly connected with on LinkedIn.
Alicia is one of a kind, as was this trip: Alejandro Strong, the founder of PackRaft Maine, shepherded our group of complete newbies through the process of packing all our gear and led us as we biked the Penobscot River Trails, into Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, where we camped at Lunksoos Campground, then paddled the East Branch of the Penobscot back to our starting point on Sunday.
It was a weekend of sparkling water, the darkest skies and epic stargazing, making new friends and trying lots of new things.
And all because I talked to someone cool many moons ago. And said yes.
Enjoy this encore! And come on over to GuidesGoneWild.com to see all the links from Alicia's debut episode! - Show more
