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Episodes
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
This week on the show, we have Duke University’s Dr. Steven Churchill swinging into town to talk about early man as the ultimate survivalist. Dr. Churchill has been part of discovering two important early hominids and when it comes to neanderthals, he’s certainly among the most knowledgeable. One thing he knows for sure? Early man was on the strugglebus, but pushed through to become the ultimate survivalist.
We talk about:
Some of Dr. Churchill’s research at Duke University
Homo Neledi
The Rising Star cave system
How to say “Cro Magnon” the sexy (and correct) way
Steve’s book, Thin on the Ground
How everything wanted to kill early man
Neanderthals being hybrid into oblivion
Hunting habits and tools
Why living in “the fertile crescent” sucked
How cave bears were vegans, but would happily unalive you
Links mentioned in this episode
Steve’s Book: Thin on the Ground: Neandertal Biology, Archeology, and Ecology (Foundation of Human Biology)
Steve on Wired’s Tech Support
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
Special thanks to Dr. Steven Churchill for the extra photos
Featuring Dr. Steven Churchill
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
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Today, Laz Lake is in the studio talking about the Barkley Marathons. The Barkley Marathons is the most notorious trail race around, and Laz Lake is the semi-evil genius behind it. Runner’s World has described it as “Five Loops Of Death” and “Arguably the craziest race in the world,” and it was even the subject of a full-length documentary called “The Race That Eats Its Young.”
The Barkley Marathons is a five loop, approximately 125 mile race held annually in the Tennessee backcountry, specifically Frozen Head State Park. Over those 125 miles, finishers will have experienced a vertical gain equivalent to climbing Mount Everest TWICE. The cutoff time is just 60 hours. There are no formal course guides or aid stations, and the runners are forced to navigate by their own, hand drawn paper maps. Since 1986 only 20 runners out of more than 1000 have finished the Barkley Marathons.
We talk to Laz Lake about
The origination of the Barkley Marathons
How to apply for the Barkley Marathons
Veterans and virgins
Laz’s bad habits
Finish rate of the Barkley Marathons
Athletic Achievement in endurance sports
Jasmin Paris’s Completion of the Barkley Marathons
Other backyard ultra-marathons
Links mentioned in this episode
Full Documentary “The Race That Eats Its Young”
Tamara Reynolds Photography
David Miller Photography
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
Partners
Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit https://SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit https://OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.
Many thanks to the folks that made this episode possible
Featuring Laz Lake
Special thanks to Tamara Reynolds for her photography
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
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
On September 8th, 2023, outdoorsman and navy vet Rudy Noorlander was tracking a wounded deer when an encounter with a grizzly bear changed his life forever. On this episode of the backcountry manifesto, Rudy recounts the attack and his miraculous recovery.
Links mentioned in this episode
Alpine Adventures Montana
Alpine Adventures Montana :: TripAdvisor Reviews
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
Partners
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 Rudy Noorlander
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
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Our topic today is deep sea exploration, and our guest is researcher and explorer Molly Curran.
Molly is an engineer at the Wood’s Hole Oceanographic Institution's Deep Submergence Laboratory. In her work, she designs and operates incredibly advanced submersibles to explore some of the world’s most difficult-to-access environments, like the fjords of Greenland and the depths below arctic sea ice. Molly is at the forefront of exciting science, particularly when it comes to broadening our understanding of geologic features like hydrothermal vents, deep sea volcanos, and glaciers.
She also happens to be one of Hayden's very best friends. He's been lucky enough to share many conversations with Molly going back to their high school years, and now it’s our great pleasure to share one of our conversations with you.
Links
Tour the research vessel Molly lived aboard -- RV Celtic Explorer -- right here.
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
Join the TBM Patreon Community
Partners
Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com! Promo code "BACKCOUNTRY"!
Special thanks to our partners (except Grady) at Out Yonder Company! Use code "BACKCOUNTRY 15" for 15% off site-wide!
Many thanks to the folks that made this episode possible
Featuring Molly Curran
Special thanks to WHOI
Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak
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
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
With over 1.3 million Youtube subscribers and counting, Dan Hurd of Dan Hurd Prospecting might be the world’s most popular prospector. This week, Dan swings by the Backcountry Manifesto Podcast studio with some amazing gold, gem and mineral specimens. Whether you’re a Dan Hurd Prospecting fan, a seasoned prospector, or even a first time 49er, stay tuned – this prospecting podcast is solid gold.
In this episode, we discuss:
Dan’s background
Claims & Mining
Gold, Gems, & Treasures
How to become a prospector
Top things to prospect for in US & CA
Links mentioned in this episode
Dan Hurd’s Youtube, Instagram, and Online Shop
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
Join the TBM Patreon Community
Partners
Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com! Promo code coming soon!
Special thanks to our partners (except Grady) at Out Yonder Company! Use code BACKCOUNTRY 15 for 15% off site-wide!
Many thanks to the folks that made this episode possible
Featuring Dan Hurd
Produced By Andrew O’Neill with Hayden Sammak
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
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Legendary climber John Long swings back by the TBM studio to unpack an infamous chapter in Yosemite climbing history -- the story of Dope Lake. Joining him is his buddy and fellow Stonemaster, Vern Clevenger.
In the spring of 1977, a twin prop plane carrying around 6,000lbs of high-grade Mexican reefer crashed into Lower Merced Pass Lake, a small alpine reservoir nestled deep in Yosemite’s backcountry. When the climbers at Camp Four hear about the crash – and the plane’s contents – a second California “goldrush” begins. Chaos ensues.
You may have heard versions of what Men’s Journal dubbed “The Legend of Dope Lake,” but you’ve never heard it like this. This is a deep-dive into the story of the plane crash that turned a ragtag band of climbers into pot-slinging pirates – complete with never before heard details – as told by those who lived it.
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
Join the TBM Patreon Community
Partners
Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com! Promo code "BACKCOUNTRY"!
Special thanks to our partners (except Grady) at Out Yonder Company! Use code "BACKCOUNTRY 15" for 15% off site-wide!
Many thanks to the folks that made this episode possible
Featuring John Long and Vern Clevenger
Special thanks to Stonemaster Books
Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak
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
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
In the 1970s, a pirate group of climbers descended on the big walls of California’s Yosemite National Park and changed the world of rock climbing forever. They dubbed themselves “The Stone Masters.” This week, we’re talking to the original Stone Masters, John Long and Rick Accomazzo.
In this episode, we talk about:
Rick’s new book “Tobin, the Stone Masters, and Me”
The Stone Master’s Joshua Tree genesis
Yosemite’s infamous Camp Four
Feuds between climbers and rangers
John as the pioneer of free-solo climbing
Daring rescues/Rick and Dale Bard’s attempted rescue of Bob Locke
Ascents that pushed rock climbing to new heights
The life of Rick’s friend and arguably the greatest climber of the era, Tobin Sorenson
We hit all that and more, plus a sneak peak at Rick’s new book, available right now at Stone Masters Press! Climber or not, you won’t want to sleep on this.
Links mentioned in this eipsode
Order Rick’s book here!
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
Join the TBM Patreon Community
Partners
Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com! Promo code "BACKCOUNTRY"!
Special thanks to our partners (except Grady) at Out Yonder Company! Use code "BACKCOUNTRY 15" for 15% off site-wide!
Many thanks to the folks that made this episode possible
Featuring Rick Accomazzo and John Long
Special thanks to Stonemaster Books
Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak
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
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Wednesday Feb 26, 2025
Astronaut Loral O’Hara recently returned from 204 days in the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69 and 70. During that time, Loral conducted important science, worked out a surprising amount, and along with her best friend, fellow astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, completed a six hour EVA, commonly known as a “spacewalk.” And now, for whatever reason, she’s hanging out in the TBM studio to talk about the ultimate backcountry – space!
In this episode, we cover:
Job applications for astronauts and astronaut basic training
An astronaut as the head of HR
Getting selected for a mission to space and mission-specific training
The events leading up to launch
Spaceflight
Day-to-day life on the ISS
Drinking purified urine
Conducting an EVA, aka a “spacewalk”
What is awesome/what sucks about being an astronaut
Putting international politics aside in space
Returning to Earth and throwing up (a lot)
If you’re into science, adventure, space flight, or have just always been curious about what life for an astronaut is really like, this episode is for you.
Links mentioned in this episode
Loral and Jamin’s EVA
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
Join the TBM Patreon Community
Partners
Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com! Promo code "BACKCOUNTRY"!
Special thanks to our partners (except Grady) at Out Yonder Company! Use code "BACKCOUNTRY 15" for 15% off site-wide!
Many thanks to the folks that made this episode possible
Featuring Loral O'Hara
Special thanks to NASA
Produced by Andrew O'Neill with Hayden Sammak
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