The Backcountry Manifesto

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: The landmarks on the route of an Everest summit The DEATH ZONE Khumbu Icefall Sherpas Commercialization of the mountain Permits in Nepal and China Minecraft Youtuber turned Everest summiteer Links mentioned in this video Everest Mystery Youtube Channel Minecraft Youtuber turned Everest Summiter 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 Partners Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com to purchase the VERY FIRST Backcountry Manifesto barrel pick, available right now! 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

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 Hoby's Instagram Hoby's TikTok Hoby's Youtube 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 Partners Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com to purchase the VERY FIRST Backcountry Manifesto barrel pick, available right now! 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

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 Chasing Shadows Book Greg's Instagram Greg's Facebook Greg's X Our episode with Jack Horner, Paleontologist Our episode with Molly Curran, WHOI EuanArt Instagram 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. 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

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: Yellowstone Fears Caldera Systems Signs of Eruptions and Warnings Ash Layers of Mount Everts Eruption Complexity Lava Flows: Past Eruptions and Global Effects Explosive Eruptions Real Hazards: Hydrothermal Explosions and Earthquake Timeline for Potential Eruptions Ash Flows: Impact & Radius What are the odds? Sensationalization What you should take away from Yellowstone Links mentioned in this video Caldera Chronicles USGS Youtube USGS Volcanos X USGS Volcanos Instagram USGS Volcanos Facebook 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. 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

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: Clayton's life as a cowboy The Stygimoloch skull that started it all Clayton's fossil collection and commercial operation The discovery of the Dueling Dinosaurs The legal battle over fossils and mineral rights Academic vs. commercial paleontology rift How the Dueling Dinosaurs were sold The Nanotyrannus vs. juvenile T. Rex debate The future of paleontology  Links mentioned in this video Clayton Phipps Instagram Hell Creek Hooligans Youtube 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. 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

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: Nanotyrannus and potential differences between T. rex Famous T. rex specimens The KT Boundary Sue, the T. Rex The ensuing legal battle with the Feds The BHI Museum Links Mentioned in this Episode Black Hills Institute Black Hills Institute Youtube Channel Pete Larson on Instagram 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. 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

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: Reverse-Engineering Dinosaurs: The Dino Chicken Project The Ethics of De-Extinction Is T. Rex a Scavenger? Ontogeny Warm-Blooded Dinosaurs: Rewriting Prehistoric Physiology Triceratops vs. Taurosaurus: A Case Study in Dinosaur Classification Jack's Vietnam Deployment More Controversy: Marriage and Departure from the Museum Legacy and Current Work: Mentoring and Public Engagement Listener Q&A: Answering Your Dinosaur Questions Links Mentioned in this Episode https://museumoftherockies.org/ 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. 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

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: Casey's unusual grizzly attack Bear body language and communication Bonding with Brutus, the bear Grizzly conservation How to stay safe in Grizzly Country Your questions answered! Links Mentioned in this Episode Casey Anderson's Youtube Channel Casey Anderson's Instagram Montana Grizzly Encounter Our Episode with Rudy Noorlander Our Episode with Aidan Beers 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. Credits “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

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:  How Harriet Tubman smuggled folks to freedom Navigating the backwoods of Maryland by starlight  Environmental hazards of the underground railroad  Harriet Tubman's spy missions for the Union Army How to retro-fit a passenger vessel into a gun boat The Combahee river raid Dr. Fields-Black's 2025 Pulitzer Prize winning book, Combee 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

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: The journey of a scientist turned mountain lion expert The biology and adaptations behind their stealth and strength How the hell you get a collar on a lion Using hounds to catch mountain lions What it's like to dart a mountain lion Where very heavily medicated mountain lions tend to fall asleep Handling and studying the predators up close How mountain lions share the landscape with us—and what that means for their future Playing with cougar kittens up close Mountain lion Q&A featuring YOUR questions!   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

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: The Wolves of Yellowstone Wolf Conservation The Bears of Katmai National Park Fat Bear Week Hazing Giant Predators Becoming a Biologist 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 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: The bold plan to conquer El Cap in a day, hatched by Jim Bridwell with John Long and Billy Westbay How Warren Harding’s grueling 1958 ascent set the stage for El Cap’s epic history The rush of climbing 3,000 feet in 15 hours, fueled by honking horns and camp camaraderie The evolution of El Cap feats, from Lynn Hill’s free ascent to Alex Honnold’s jaw-dropping free solo John’s raw reflections on 50 years of climbing, loss, and staring down “the big stone” Links Mentioned Stonemasters Pt. 1 Stonemasters Pt. 2 Connect Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch Our Partners 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. Credits Featuring John Long Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak 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

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: The daily grind of a commercial lobster fisherman The evolution of lobster traps—from wooden classics to modern wire designs Conservation in action: tail notching, slot limits, and releasing egg-bearing lobsters Jacob’s journey from boat deck to internet fame, blending tradition with modern storytelling The challenges and joys of fishing, plus a glimpse at the co-op system that keeps it all running Hopes for the future: lobster hatcheries, sustainability, and his kids joining the family trade 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 Jacob Knowles on Youtube Jacob Knowles on Instagram Jacob Knowles on TikTok Connect Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch Our Partners 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. Credits Featuring Jacob Knowles Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak 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

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: Thom Pollard's summit of Mount Everest The 1999 expedition team Aftermath and Fallout of the 1999 expedition Search for Irvine's camera What 75 years on Mount Everest does to a body Did Thom take a photo of Mallory's face? Links Mentioned Everest Mystery Youtube Channel The Happiness Quotient Podcast Connect Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch Our Partners 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. Credits Featuring Thom Pollard Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak 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

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: Who are George Mallory and Sandy Irvine? Controversy over their summit attempt Sandy Irvine's camera The routes of Everest What is the Everest Death Zone? Early vs. Modern Alpine Gear Links Mentioned Everest Mystery Youtube Channel Connect Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch Our Partners 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. Credits Featuring Thom Pollard Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak 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

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 Orvis Fly Fishing Learning Center Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast Connect Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch Our Partners 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. Credits Featuring Tom Rosenbauer Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak 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

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: Matt's Story from WA to AK Finding Land on a Budget Learning to Build Building Blunders and How to Fix Them Heating and Electricity Solutions Sourcing and Managing Water Off-Grid Outhouses, Composting, and Cabin Comfort Building and Bathing like Alaskans Do Why March and September Shine in Alaska Crafting the Cabin on Wheels The Bob Ross Effect Convenience, Meaning, & the Joy of Building Montana & the Spirit of the West Music and Creativity: Matt's Journey Links Mentioned Alaska Cabin Adventures website Alaska Cabin Adventures YouTube Connect Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch Our Partners 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. Credits Featuring Matt Brenna, Alaska Cabin Adventures Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak 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

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: Early Life and Challenges Criminal Activities and Introduction to Extreme Sports Prison and Self-Discovery Life After Prison and Personal Growth Introduction to Air Sports Base Jumping and Wingsuiting Success, Addiction, and Discontent Relocating to Europe Dancing with Death: The Art of Proximity Flying Parallels, Perils, and Politics Alpine Base Jumping Adventures Patagonia and The Future Links Mentioned Captain Manicorn Youtube Captain Manicorn Instagram Tobin, The Stonemasters, And Me Stonemasters Pt. 2 | TBM Ep. 003 Connect Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch Our Partners 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. Credits Featuring Jamie Leibert aka Captain Manicorn Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak 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

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:  Eric Ulis, a pro blackjack player turned cold case investigator Hijacking a Boeing 727 $200k cash ransom DB Cooper's successful evasion of the law The cash discovery at Tena Bar Flaws in the FBI investigation Eric's new theory on where DB Cooper landed Summer diatoms The necktie Eric's lawsuit against the FBI The metallurgist suspect 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 Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch Our Partners 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. Credits Featuring Eric Ulis Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak 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

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:  Bigfoot vs Sasquatch  The origins of Bigfoot The Bluff Creek Site The Patterson Gimlin Film  Bigfoot footprints Pressure ridges and anatomical characteristics Why it's so hard to fake a footprint Bigfoot Skeptics  Bigfoot Range An estimate of the current Bigfoot population Why we haven’t found a Bigfoot body Dr. Meldrum's experiences hunting Bigfoot The biggest question: Will we ever find Bigfoot? 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 Jeff Meldrum's Book: Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science Gareth Patterson's Book: Beyond the Secret Elephants Relict Hominoid Inquiry Connect Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch Our Partners 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. Credits Featuring Dr. Jeff Meldrum Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak 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