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MtnMeister — Outdoor
MtnMeister

A high altitude mountaineer travels through sub-zero temperatures, scales treacherous terrain, and carries hundreds of pounds of supplies. Many of us have very little in common with this person. We don’t need to worry about the lack of oxygen in the air or the extent of frostbite in our toes.

Yet, we are all human. There are certain ideas which apply to all of us, no matter if we are standing at 29,029 feet or sea level. Why is it important to step outside of our comfort zone? How do we weigh risk vs. reward? What psychological biases impact our behavior and decision making? On MtnMeister, we explore these ideas by talking with those who have found answers in the extremes.

Ben Schenck, the host of MtnMeister (pronounced Mountain Meister), asks thought-provoking and sometimes uncomfortable questions that you won’t hear in a typical interview. Notable guests include Alex Honnold, Sasha DiGiulian, Ueli Steck, Jeremy Jones, Lynn Hill, Conrad Anker, Aaron Gwin and other adventurers in climbing, skiing, hiking, biking, and everything else in the mountains.

Latest Episodes:

#170 Adventure: Nature or Nurture? with Rickey Gates Mar 16, 2016

Show notes

In addition to food, water, and shelter, it seems that Rickey Gates has two additional basic needs: running and traveling. At age 34, Rickey has been living a vagabond-ish lifestyle for nearly half of his life by running, writing, and taking pictures. In this episode, we discuss the "how and why" of Rickey's adventurous lifestyle.

Check out Rickey's Meister Profile - http://mtnmeister.com/meister/rickey-gates

Thanks to our sponsor for today's episode, Mountain House. For 20% off, visit www.mountainhouse.com/meister

#169 The first ascent of Mt. Vinson with the 1966 American Antarctic Mountaineering Expedition Mar 09, 2016

Show notes

This time fifty years ago, each of the highest peaks on every continent had been summited. Except one. At 16,050 feet, Mt. Vinson is Antarctica’s tallest mountain, and in 1966, the American Antarctic Mountaineering Expedition was organized to make a first ascent. This year, the 50th anniversary of this iconic accomplishment, some of the members of the team reunited at the American Alpine Club’s Annual Benefit Dinner in Washington DC. In this episode, you'll hear them reflect on the historic expedition. This was recorded at the American Alpine Club's 2016 Annual Benefit Dinner presented by The North Face and REI. Special thanks National Geographic. Thanks to MtnMeister's sponsor for this episode, Mountain House. For 20% off, go to mountainhouse.com/meister

#168 Alex Honnold on the 100-year anniversary of America's National Parks Mar 02, 2016

Show notes

On August 25th America will be celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the National Parks. In good spirit, the American Alpine Club hosted its Annual Benefit Dinner in Washington DC and invited world-renowned rock climber Alex Honnold to be the keynote speaker.

In this episode, I sit down with Alex to talk about his experiences in the National Parks and his opinions on protected lands. Sometimes a person who gets interviewed as much as Alex will resort to "canned answers". Not Alex. I really appreciated how he listened to each question and gave thoughtful, candid responses.

Following the interview is Alex's keynote. This was recorded at the American Alpine Club's 2016 Annual Benefit Dinner presented by The North Face and REI. Special thanks National Geographic. Also, thanks to MtnMeister's sponsor for this episode, Mountain House. For 20% off of your purchase go to http://www.mountainhouse.com/meister

#167 A behind-the-scenes look at outdoors athlete sponsorship Feb 24, 2016

Show notes

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).

(R) #144 Microadventures with Alastair Humphreys Feb 17, 2016

Show notes

Alastair Humphreys is an adventurer, blogger, author, and motivational speaker. He has ridden a bike 46,000 miles around the entire world, rowed the Atlantic Ocean, and walked across India, but it’s the smaller adventures which have had the biggest impact. Alastair has created a concept called "microadventures", which encourages you to get outside, get outside of your comfort zone, and get to somewhere you have never been before.

#166 Racing across America with Adam Kimble aka The Bearded Sole Feb 10, 2016

Show notes

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 FB, IG, Twitter, or AdamKimble.com. Links to everything we discuss in today's episode (including Summit for Someone info) on our website, mtnmeister.com.

#165 Breaking the PCT speed record with Joe "String Bean" McConaughy Feb 03, 2016

Show notes

At 53 days, 6 hours, 37 minutes, Joe "String Bean" McConaughy holds the supported speed record on the Pacific Crest Trail. Joe covered around 50 miles a day in the summer of 2014, making his way northbound from Mexico to Canada. When you work that hard, you have to eat that much - Joe consumed around 8,000 calories a day. The project is called “Run for Colin”, named after Joe’s baby cousin who lost a battle with Neuroblastoma.

#164 The Real Hiking Viking with Tom "Jabba" Gathman Jan 27, 2016

Show notes

Tom Gathman aka Jabba aka The Real Hiking Viking is currently attempting a southbound winter thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. In 2013 he thru-hiked the AT with fellow combat veterans in the Warrior Hike. In 2014 he thru-hiked the 3,100 mile Continental Divide trail. In this interview, we talk with Tom about his progress thus far, faulty headlines, and whether his beard has contributed to his success.

#163 The first lady with Kitty Calhoun Jan 21, 2016

Show notes

Today's guest defies stereotypes. She’s a southern belle that has been guiding for over 30 years ago on the highest peaks in Peru, Alaska, Bolivia, and Nepal. She's a co-owner of Chicks with Picks, a company that runs ice climbing, rock climbing, and skiing clinics for women. Her name is Kitty Calhoun, but her accomplishments in alpine climbing would be personified by a mountain lion rather than a kitten.

#162 GEAR GIVEAWAY at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2016 Jan 12, 2016

Show notes

Outdoor Retailer is a trade show where companies show off their latest and greatest outdoor products: gear, clothing, technology, and everything else you can think of. At this year's Winter Market show, there were 22,000 overall attendees and more than 1,000 exhibiting brands.

In this episode of MtnMeister, we record two-minute segments with companies about their products. In exchange for being featured, they give you free gear! To win a piece of gear, all you have to do is send an email to ben@mtnmeister.com saying what you want - the first person who requests it wins. Once you win a prize, you are locked into that prize and cannot win anything else or switch.

$5,473 in gear. 21 companies. 37 winners.

For pictures and links, visit this page on our website - http://mtnmeister.com/meister/gear-giveaway-outdoor-retailer-winter-market-2016/

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