350: Guitar Playing in the Orange Mud with Josh Sprague

This week the Cultra Crew AFB and Anna G. talk with Josh Sprague — founder of Orange Mud — about building gear, starting businesses, and adventure racing. Josh grew up on a Kansas farm selling rubber band guns and raising 4-H pigs before working at Walmart and Goodyear. In 2012 he started Orange Mud after getting frustrated with hydration packs that didn't work for runners. By 2014 he quit corporate life and went all in. We also talk adventure racing, the multi-sport sufferfest of running, biking, paddling, and navigating with map and compass plus gear design, heat management, and why Josh only creates products when they're actually better. Josh also runs 7 Clay and Anvil and Acre, all while keeping Orange Mud independently owned. Adventure, entrepreneurship, gear nerdery, and the usual Cultra nonsense. Orange Mud US Adventure Racing Association USARA Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Outro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Sign up for a race at Live Loud Running and feel better Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112   

  Ellie Pell joins AFB, Phred, and Anna G talkin desert DNFs, frozen suffering, Barkley chaos, Olympic trivia, and women's running research, all in classic Cultra style. Ellie's Black Canyon DNF Ellie breaks down her early exit at the Black Canyon 100K after a mile-4 muscle cramp shut things down. Contributing factors: hydration, pacing, and warm-up. Or was it just the body doing what it do? Frozen Snot Report Anna G recaps the brutally cold Frozen Snot Trail 1/2 Marathon—boulder fields, shortened distances, and legendary volunteers. Barkley, Big Races & The Sport's Direction Is trail running evolving, or being packaged? The group dives into what growth means for culture, community, and authenticity. Cultra Matic: Winter Olympics They name all 16 winter sports and invent new ones (ski jump biathlon, endurance figure skating, full-contact 50K speed skating). How to bring Ultra events to the Olympics. Research & Real Talk Ellie shares insights from her weighted vest study on postmenopausal women and as we discuss female participation in trail running. AFB updates listeners on shoulder recovery and the podcast's continued return to weekly episodes. Black Canyon 100k Results Frozen Snot Jared Beasley's Book Connecticut Forest & Parks Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Outro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112   

Cold. Wind. Frozen stream crossings. Dumb ass decision making, or genius? AFB recaps the Real King of Pain in Glastonbury, CT where thigh-deep icy water turned solid led to DQs (sorry Alex, Besic, and Bill), and winter racing felt more like a survival course. Josh and Shan hit Belltown AS, Mark Kelly (in shorts) and fast Tony D braved the road freeze, and Anna G tackled Frozen Snot, and Evil Becky wins Frozen Heart 900 because of course she did. Special guest Ryan Danby reports back from the Frozen Heart 900 and shares his ultra origin story, CT kid turned multi-100 mile finisher at Anchor Down Ultra 24 Hour. He's already signed up again. Because apparently once isn't enough. The crew debates big-money race acquisitions, grassroots trail culture, backyard ultra curious,  bear encounters, bad snowshoe customer service, cats destroying sleep, and Fred's escape plan to Mexico. Apparently AFB and Fred each have 3 cats, and Ryan has 1 dog; so at least you learned something.  Plus we close with 112 Forever  Support the show. Support local races. Keep paddling.  Connecticut Forest and Parks Author Jared Beasley  Frozen Heart 900 Anchor Down Ultra Fleet Feet Grows Connecticut Footprint with Acquisition of Marathon Sports Glastonbury Marathon Sports Acquires six03 Trail Races and Cranmore Mountain Race Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Outro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Sign up for a race at Live Loud Running and feel better Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112   

Martin Janoschek drops in to talk AMC life, from winter leadership courses to stewarding ski trails at Cardigan Lodge. The crew dives into backcountry ski setups (tele, AT, splitboard), ski-leash lessons learned the hard way, and why lodges feel extra magical when it's stupid cold outside. Anna and Josh recap deep-freeze winter hikes in New Hampshire, sharing hard-earned lessons on pacing, layering, keeping food from freezing, and why slow groups can be colder than you expect. Things get real with a sketchy Mount Cardigan after-dark decision, hypothermia talk, and when turning around is actually the win. Plus: Cultra-Matic makes a comeback as the crew tries to rattle off the 10 Essentials from memory, AMC education gets some love, Patreon supporters get shouted out, and ultrarunning legends, big donations, and big race plans round out the episode. Cold weather, good decisions, and a little Cultra chaos. https://amcnh.org/ AMC New Hapshire AMC Winter School Feb 27- March 1 Amber Lynn Constant and an amazing January in the Whites! Video of Free Solo of Taipei 101 Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Outro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112   

Art and Phred talk winter survival mode: dodgy road conditions, shoulder rehab, fitness dips, and why flexible training beats heroic stupidity this time of year. We also review a Canadian Trail Running (Fishing) Magazine article about How to Be a Lifelong Runner. And take a quick yard sale dive into Skimo, just before we thank our Patreons. We finish with a dope Suno generated 112 song. Art's snowy van saga + recovery update Winter marathon training reality checks Cut 112 is happening sign up, crew, pace, or suffer responsibly The Real King of Pain run incoming (stream crossings + party, home by kickoff) Snowy trails vs rocks: pick your poison SKIMO hits the Olympics  trail runners invading winter sports Running long-term: avoid dumb injuries, run happy, not wrecked Burrito League envy and community run shenanigans Shoutouts to the Cultra crew Patreons grinding through winter miles Bottom line: stay active, stay kind, don't take yourself too seriously, and we'll see you out there. Link to How to Be a Lifelong Runner Link to Burrito League  Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Intro music by Nick Byram Outro Music by Suno Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Sign up for a race at Live Loud Running and feel better Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112   

The Cultra Crew welcomes New Hampshire–based author and risk management executive Ty Gagne for a wide-ranging conversation on mountain rescues, decision-making, and human behavior in the backcountry. How can we have fun, and live to tell about it? Why This Episode Matters Whether you're an ultrarunner, hiker, or weekend adventurer, this episode digs into the uncomfortable but essential truths about preparedness, accountability, and how quickly things can go wrong in the mountains we love. We also open with some details about the Vermont 100 Lottery, and close with some Patreon love! Hosts: AFB, Anna G, Josh G Episode Highlights Ty Gagne's 2008 Franconia Ridge experience and how it changed his relationship with risk What mountain rescues reveal about human decision-making under stress Key themes from That's Where You'll Find Me, The Last Traverse, and The Lions of Winter Experience vs. expertise: why time in the mountains doesn't always equal good judgment The role of ego, optimism, and groupthink in backcountry incidents Leadership and communication failures that commonly precede emergencies Practical takeaways for runners, hikers, and winter athletes in the White Mountains Thank you to Forrest from The Mountain Wanderer Maps and Books for lending me your personal copy of Lions of Winter!  Learn more about Ty Gagne at https://www.fullconditionsnh.com/ty-gagne-about Follow Ty on Instagram @fullconditionsnh Vermont 100 Info Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Outro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112   

Phred recaps finishing the Across the Years Ultra in Arizona, logging another 100-mile effort and marking his 19th consecutive year with a 100-mile finish. The crew swaps ultra lore, legendary runner sightings, and stories from the deep end of endurance running. Plus we shout out our Cultra Fam. Then we go from hot to cold. The conversation shifts into winter running survival mode, covering traction options, screw shoes, Gore-Tex debates, layering strategies, and knowing when to run, walk, or rethink bad ideas on ice. They also preview the Real King of Pain trail run, discuss cold-weather mistakes, alternative winter sports, and even fire-building skills required for upcoming winter races.   Topics Covered Across the Years Ultra recap Fred's 19 straight 100-mile finishes Ultrarunning legends & absurd mileage Winter traction: spikes, screws, Yaktrax Layering rules that (mostly) work Gore-Tex pros & cons Real King of Pain trail preview Winter survival & fire-building   Coming Up Next episode features an interview with Author Ty Gagne on decision-making in extreme winter conditions. Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Outro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112   

This solo episode is equal parts major announcement, status update, and classic Cultra over-share. AFB checks in on where the show has been, announces a big geographic expansion for Cultra TRP, lays out full details for the 2026 #CUT112 / #CUT50, and closes with a personal update on a long-overdue shoulder replacement. Intro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Twitter @BlueBlazeRunner Sign up for a race at Live Loud Running and feel better Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112   

Ian Golden from The Trails Collective, Finger Lakes Running Co., Red Newt Racing joins Evil Becky Burke to talk about the challenges of coaching runners of all ages and abilities.  Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Outro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Sign up for a race at Live Loud Running and feel better Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112     

Author Jared Beasley can tell a great story! Including his encounters with Lazarus Lake, where he earned access to cover the Barkley and Backyard World Championship. Jared shares what he learned: Laz isn't testing fitness—he's testing willpower. Jared's new book The Endurance Artist: Lazarus Lake, the Barkley & a Race with No End covers all this and more. The Beauty of Breaking Down Whether dropping at mile 75 or missing a story deadline, Jared finds the same lesson; failure fuels growth. He also recalls witnessing raw humanity at the Backyard, when a Japanese runner and his crew shared a powerful moment of empathy and exhaustion. The Birth of Backyard Ultra The crew dives into how Laz dreamed up the last-man-standing format back in high school and how it's evolved into a worldwide endurance experiment in pain, strategy, and survival. Listen in for: The real story behind In Search of Al Howie Why Laz Lake embraces failure What theater and ultras have in common How you might win a free copy of his new book Buy a copy of The Endurance Artist: Lazarus Lake, the Barkley & a Race with No End Jared on Instagram: @Jaredbnewyork  Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store! Outro music by Nick Byram Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter  basic licker.  If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids Buy Fred's Book Running Home More Information on the #CUT112