It’s smoke and fire season in the west and everything is burning…. ugh, your favorite podcast hosts had plans, and great plans for one more big adventure run before the winter. We also dive deep into the questionable inspiration of one of the most popular trail races in the world. Deep stuff, as always.

Doug gets almost blown off a mountain top and Mathias sneaks in a mid-week climb of the beloved Mt. Ellinor. And he find goats. Yes, there are still there, as well as photographers or at least people with camera gear. Oh, and the trail is getting spruced up, which is very nice, thank you Mt. Rose Trail Crew. Let’s get some more mountains in before snow falls, shall we?

Recent Wonderland running achievements have us all in awe. You ran how fast around that awesome mountain of ours? Speaking of mountains and running, there’s a lot of that happening right now, and we’re all here for it. Also, a long conversation about that post-adventure run fast food visit. What’s your poison? Let us know via the usual channels.

Jason Hardrath joins the show to share his journey to 100 FKTs. Calling in from Yosemite after just having completed the insane and awe-inspiring ‘Yosemite Picnic’ he shares his thoughts on how our adventures and physical exercise shape us as people and make us better humans.

Doug takes a deep dive into the usefulness of the Strava subscription and gives us an update on his new running belt. Mathias talks about gondolas and UTMB, of course. Peak Week is happening.
Neither of them talk about IPAs.

Enjoy this random picture of a bonfire on the beach to match the randomness of this episode. Douglas tries on a new running belt, Mathias wins a shirt, both are in a running low as summer is slowly turning.

Peak Week starts Monday – come and join us!

Are we seriously talking about the Enchantments again? Yes, yes, we are. We also share stories about running away from thunderstorms and into sunrises. Rock Candy hats are finally in stock and books are ready to ship. Get some!

Skating where the puck is going to be, your hosts discuss local sports news ad nauseam, say ‘farewell and good riddance’ to John Muir, and take a deep dive into their respective weekend adventures. Doug climbs the stunning Elephanthead Mountain in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area and Mathias explores a sneaky little trail linking up the Ellinor trail system with the Mt. Rose summit loop in the Olympics.

Mathias climbs Mt. Skokomish above Lake of Angels, well, almost, with Brent Miller for the Summer of Vert Vertical K+ Challenge.
Doug shares stories of bear encounters and becomes a Local Legend, thanks to a new Strava feature. This, and so much more in today’s episode of your favorite trail, mountain and adventure running podcast.

Doug scrambles on ridge lines, Mathias hosts another virtual race and tries to find a route to run himself. Socks are tested and shoes are evaluated. Good times.

More big races are cancelled for the year. The Enchanted Valley Chalet’s final fate is being decided. The Enchantments are overrun, again. Oh, and Hamilton is on Disney+.

What flavor do you want your hydration fuel to be? Why are watch straps so expensive? What happens when you wear sandals in the sun? How fun is it to run through an entire night?

This and many other important life lessons are being discussed in this week’s episode of your favorite trail running podcast.

Doug and Mathias discuss their respective runs for last weeks Summer of Vert 4HR Vertical event. Doug finds bliss in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness and Mathias stands twice on the summit of Mt. Rose. Also discussed are route building skills, beer encounters and how to overcome the fear of the unknown outdoors. Feels like a real running podcast around here.

The time is right for Doug and Mathias to go ‘there’. In this deep and serious episode we address the issues of the day. We’re also buying running socks in outdoor stores and listening to cassette tapes of our past.

Doug sees a bear and Mathias walks on snow. Both events are eye-opening and a bit more unsettling than they should be. But lessons are learned and pictures takes.