472 Matt & Merry from Peaks2Plains weather discuss El Nino

On this week's podcast, Bob sits down with expert meteorologists Matt Meister and Merry Matthews from Peaks2Plains Weather to discuss the upcoming El Nino and how it will affect Colorado, the Pikes Peak Region and outdoor recreation for this summer through winter. They talk about what an El Nino is, whether the hype about it being a "super" (and now some outlets are saying "mega") El Nino is warranted and how it could possibly even be less than some are predicting. The only thing certain is that this summer and winter will be different than last. Also, how to be safe in inclement summer weather and the importance of a local weather service such as Peaks2Plains. Peaks2Plains website: https://peaks2plainsweather.com/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

Bob talks with author Randi Minetor about her latest book "The Bear at the Bird Feeder". A previous guest on the podcast, her current book is about the rising number of human-wildlife encounters in or near peoples homes, and more importantly, how to prevent them. The book covers not only bears, but many other animals, including raccoons, coyotes and even alligators to name a few. The book - and conversation between Bob and Randi - gets into the specific behaviors of each animal featured, what they're attracted to and how to prevent interactions with them. This is a lively, fun and informative conversation and also timely as bears come out of hibernation. The book is published by Globe-Pequot and is available everywhere books are sold. Publishers website: https://tinyurl.com/3sa734s5 Randi Minetors previous appearance on the podcast: https://tinyurl.com/3tpnv9kp Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's episode, Bob and Kevin express their appreciation of the volunteers who work in parks and on trails. They also discuss a local TV meteorologist who left their job and where they went, and finally, they discuss the profound effect this winters drought is having on the Colorado environment. Class 6 felony to cause a wildland fire during a formal burn ban is Colorado Revised Statute 18-13-109 (2) (a) Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob and Kevin discuss Bob's recent trip to Monument Valley Tribal Park, news that Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be taking a bigger part in search and rescue some operations in Colorado, but not, as many believe, taking over SAR operations that are the responsibility of county sheriff's. Also, higher fees for daily passes to Colorado State Parks for cars with out-of-state license plates, even if driven by Colorado residents, and finally Kevin talks about his plans to spend the summer doing short hiking trips in Colorado and New Mexico. Bob's YouTube video about his trip to Monument Valley: https://tinyurl.com/4v4ztar2 Colorado Parks and Wildife search and rescue news release: https://tinyurl.com/r3z899z5 Article about state park entry fees: https://tinyurl.com/nheryr3v Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob welcomes back frequent guest Alicia Filley, a/k/a The Healthy Hiker. A professional physical therapist and avid hiker, she talks about four common myths about training for hiking and offers suggestions for proper ways to train. The Healthy Hiker website: https://www.thehealthyhiker.com/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, co-host Kevin "Wild" Westendorf talks about his recent experiences hiking in the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona and Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Parks. He and Bob talk about the difficulties of the hikes, Kevins encounters with other hikers and his overall experiences on this trip. It's a great travelogue and must-listen for anyone considering visiting any of these places in northern Arizona. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

**Apologies for the echo at the beginning of the recording** On this week's podcast, Bob and Kevin discuss the recent announcement from Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department (PRCS) regarding cuts being made to city parks amenities, services and maintenance due to a lack of funding. They lament how elected officials, and not the PRCS staff, are to blame for the cuts and how elected officials talk a lot about how important parks are, until tough decisions have to be made and then the parks department gets hit hard. They talk about the history of the parks department being the victim of unreasonable cuts and how funding never seems to get back to where it was prior to the cuts. Bob calls out the Colorado Springs mayor for not even mentioning anything the parks department did in his 2025 list of city accomplishments and he lauds the PRCS staff for continuing to do their jobs for a seemingly unappreciative city government. Bob challenges any elected official who wants to discuss the cuts to come on the show and set the record straight. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob talks with Marisa Michael, a registered dietitian, about her recently released book "Nutrition for Outdoor Recreation". Michael, who has a long list of qualifications including being a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and holding a diploma in sports nutrition from the International Olympic Committee, talks with Bob about how outdoor recreationists can properly fuel themselves not only to make the most of their adventures, common mistakes recreationists make and how to avoid emergencies due to insufficient or improper nutrition. Their conversation covers real-life situations for Colorado's high elevations and how cyclists, hikers, runners and climbers can best prepare themselves for their next adventure. The book is available now from Falcon Guides and bookstores nationwide. Falcon Guides website: https://tinyurl.com/58mzwp6r Marisa Michael website: https://www.realnutritionllc.com/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob talks with Todd Marts, the director of the El Paso County (CO) Parks Department. They discuss the significant accomplishments of the department in 2025 and what's ahead for 2026, including how El Paso County avoided a budget shortfall similar to what affected other governments in the area. They also discuss Marts' upcoming retirement, after 31 years with the parks department. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob and co-host Kevin discuss a Colorado Parks and Wildlife report on a recent fatal mountain lion attack in northern Colorado. Mountain lion attacks are exceedingly rare, and fatal attacks even more rare, which brings into question how concerned should the average hiker be and what precautions should they take? Also the latest step in the Colorado Springs Parks system-wide master plan process and the recent assessment that was done of parks needs and facilities. They wrap up with an update on their Patreon offerings and a special offer for new patrons. Colorado Parks and Wildlife mountain lion attack report: https://tinyurl.com/58vcy3kk Colorado Springs Parks system assessment: https://tinyurl.com/ybtpj7k6 Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob