Adventuring for Mere Mortals

This month the guys sat down with a previous guest and he brought a friend! We have Kalman Tinka and Connor Bos (aka Ghost Mule and Hot Pants) in the studio. During our normal check-in Kyle had a HUGE announcement, he is now engaged! After the rest of the check-in, Trevor covered his homework from the last episode, then we moved onto our main topic. In a bit of a different direction than our normal episodes, we talked about a brand-new route that Kalman and Connor created and will be attempting the summer of 2025 in the Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness in Montana. We talk about the route itself, resupply strategies, the main challenges that the route will present, bear precautions they are taking, portions of the route they are most looking forward to, what makes their hiking partnership work, and finally why they are undertaking this challenge. It was great having Kalman on again and having Connor on for the first time. We are stoked for their trip this summer and wish them all the luck in the world! Trevor’s Homework from Last Episode Action Track Chairs Available from Georgia DNR Action Track Chairs Available from Minnesota DNR Rocket Mobility's All Terrain Wheelchair Named the Coolest Thing Made in Nebraska  Outdoor Accessibility Organization - Disabled Hikers Get in Touch with Kalman: Instagram: ⁠@everyday_backpacker⁠ YouTube: ⁠Everyday Backpacker⁠ Contact the Podcast: Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod⁠ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠⁠ Trev's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kyle’s Fake Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@kyledoesnthavesocialmedia⁠⁠

This month we sit down with State Park Manager and work acquaintance of Kyle, Lee Dillon. After our normal catch up, we dive right into Lee's experience and opinions on handicap accessibility in the outdoors. Lee has a unique perspective on this as a care giver for his son who was diagnosed with MS and used a wheelchair for the latter part of his life. We talk about measures that are being put in place in the park that Lee works in, prejudices that Lee has observed against handicapped individuals, how this is a personal blind spot for Kyle and Trevor since we are able bodied individuals, and really just how making even small parts of the outdoors accessible to people with mobility issues can greatly increase their quality and enjoyment of life. As we always say, the Outdoors is for EVERYONE! Having Lee on was an absolute delight and it was great to hit on a topic that we haven't really touched on in the past. Contact the Podcast: Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod⁠ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠⁠ Trev's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kyle’s Fake Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@kyledoesnthavesocialmedia⁠⁠

We are still here! This month we sit down with a few of our friends that took part in our yearly Adventure Crew Trip. Our destination this year was Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior. After we did some quick introductions we went straight into talking about our trip. After covering some basics of what our trip entailed, how we got out to the island, if Isle Royale met our expectations, our favorite moments, what wildlife we encountered, a tangent about what a designated wilderness area is, tips for folks that would like to plan a trip to Isle Royale, some comments about group dynamics since this was the largest group we’ve done a trip with and would we go back to Isle Royale. Thanks everyone that took the time to come on the podcast. I can’t wait for next years trip. Location TBD.   Contact the Podcast: Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod⁠⁠ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠⁠⁠ Trev's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kyle’s Fake Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@kyledoesnthavesocialmedia⁠

After a three-month hiatus, the guys sat down with one of Trevor’s friends from Grad School and certified horse girl, Emily Wolin! After introducing Emily, our normal check-in and going over how Emily was introduced to the outdoors, we got into our main topic, Horse Talk. We go really deep into different styles of riding, Trevor’s limited experience with horse riding, tons of horse terms, what does the term “horse girl” mean to us, fun horse facts, the horse – rider relationship, and more. Emily is also currently enrolled in Farrier school so we touch on what farriers are, what they do, and how they can truly make a horse’s life better. We wrap up with Trevor’s favorite questions and then bring it home with our normal podcasting housework. Emily, thanks for coming on and telling us all about your passions! Support Emily’s Horse Friends: Emily doesn’t have a public Instagram so you should follow the horse rescue she volunteers at and where she got her current horse, Freya: ⁠@walkinncirclesranch Contact the Podcast: Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod⁠ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠⁠ Trev's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kyle’s Fake Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@kyledoesnthavesocialmedia⁠

This month the guys sat down with hiker, youtuber, and member of the outdoor retail industry, Kalman Tinka! After our regular catch up we get into our conversation with Kalman. The conversation starts with how he was introduced to the outdoors and how his life brought him to his current relationship with the outdoors, but then it varies from how he uses hiking to aid in his fitness and to combat PTSD, how the goals of his YouTube channel align well with the podcast, solo vs. group hiking, tips for people figuring out their gear for their outdoor adventures, how popular gear may not always be the best for every person, and the importance of stretching and training to prevent injury while hiking. We finish up with Trevor’s favorite questions and then bring it home. Thanks Kalman for coming on. It was a delight to talk with you. Get in Touch with Kalman: Instagram: @everyday_backpacker YouTube: Everyday Backpacker Contact the Podcast: Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ Podcast Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠ Trev's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kyle’s Fake Instagram: ⁠⁠@kyledoesnthavesocialmedia⁠⁠

This month the guys sat down with outdoor educator, wilderness instructor, AT thru-hiker, and all-around interesting person, Justin Tucker! After a short intro and a quick catch up, we got ino the main part of our conversation with Justin. The conversation varied from questions about Justin’s job as a wilderness instructor, how Justin’s first big outdoor adventure was a spur of the moment trip to Iceland, his journey from taking the train from NYC for day hikes to hiking the entire Appalachian Trail, dealing with loneliness while on trail, his experience as a minoritized individual on the AT, and how vlogging his AT hike had a positive impact on his hike among other topics. Trevor then asks his favorite questions and Justin brings up how important it is to get people of color into the outdoors because we all belong outside and there is a lot of work and conversations that need to happen before that becomes a reality. We then brought it home with plugs and the normal things to wrap things up. Thanks again for coming on the podcast Justin. It was our pleasure to tell your story and your experiences with everyone! The post Justin mentioned about how BIPOC people heavily support environmental protections but only make up a small percentage of Green jobs and organizations can be found: Here Get in Touch with Justin: Instagram: @trailheadjustin YouTube: Trailhead Justin Contact the Podcast: Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Trev'sInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kyle’s Fake Instagram: ⁠@kyledoesnthavesocialmedia⁠ Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠

This month the guys sat down with one of Kyle’s adventure buddies, Javier Sorto. After our normal quick catch up, we jump right into our main topic, all about summitting Mt. Washington in the Winter! Javier leads a group up the mountain every New Years and this year, Kyle and his girlfriend were part of the group. We chat about Mt. Washington, the trip itself, the gear required, how a winter ascent of Washington differs from one in the summer, the importance of safety in the mountains in the winter, and that really with enough preparation, this kind of endeavor is more achievable than one might expect at first glance. We round out the conversation with Trevor’s favorite questions then bring it on home. Thanks again to Javi for coming on, hopefully the conversation keeps folks safe out there and inspires people to go out and do something challenging! Contact the Podcast: Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Trev's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kyle’s Fake Instagram: @kyledoesnthavesocialmedia Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠

This month Kyle is back in studio, so the guys sat down with the founder of Xplore N More – Philly, John Harper. After our normal quick catch up, we get right into our main topic which is centered around how John makes and maintains connections through his group, Xplore N More – Philly. The conversation varies from how Joh started this group, the barriers he works to remove for members, how he manages a group of that size, the responsibilities that fall on people that run adventure groups like this, and even tips on how to start your own group. After finishing up the interview with Trevor’s favorite questions, we bring it on home and wrap things up. John’s passion for making connections between his members and just people in general really shown through. It was great having him on and I know Kyle will be going on more trips with Xplore N More in the very near future. Get in touch with John Instagram: ⁠@xplorenmore Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/xplorenmorephilly/ Contact the Podcast: Email: [email protected] Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠  Trev's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠

This month Kyle couldn’t make it to the recording due to prior commitments, but Trevor sat down with friend of the podcast, Tim Kottman, to talk about his favorite hobby, Bowfishing. After a quick catchup, we hit on a number of topics ranging from differences from “regular” fishing, licenses and regulations, equipment needed to get started, what kind of conditions are best to go bowfishing in, and numerous others. As we discussed the types of fish that Tim usually targets, we found out that he typically goes after carp species, many of which are invasive to the waters he is fishing in. This led into a great conversation about how targeting these species can give our native fish a better chance of survival and harvest fish that can make a great meal at the same time. Kottman was extremely knowledgeable and his passion for the topic really shows. It was great having him on, and we hope everyone learned something. Get in touch with Tim on Instagram @thebadtim Check out the Copi Cookbook on Facebook Contact the Podcast: Email: [email protected] Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠  Trev's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠

This month the guys sit down with a friend of Trevor’s who absolutely loves extremely long endurance activities, Andé Wegner. Andé and Trevor met a decade or more ago when they were both deep into the obstacle racing scene, so it was great to talk with her again. After we all catch up, we start with how Andé was introduced to the outdoors and her status as a Gen X latchkey kid, got an overview of her most recent event, the 310 mi Long Voyage at the Garmin Gravel Worlds, she off-handedly mentions she completed the Triple Anvil Ultra Distance Triathlon. We then circle back to why she prefers ultra distance events over what people would consider normal; we expound on how awesome training at night can be and go over how someone like Andé graduated from normal distance races to the extremely long distance events she does now. We then move onto Andé’s experience as one of the few women competing in these events (Here’s a hint, it’s been a positive experience), and she gives some tips for anyone that is interested in participating in ultra distance events. Having covered the endurance events pretty well, we pivot to pet talk since Andé is a veterinarian, then finish up with Trevor’s favorite questions. This was a great conversation and now both Kyle and Trevor are thinking of signing up for some longer distance events. Get in touch with Andé Instagram: @ravenswildwind DeeDee the Dobie’s Instagram: @deedeethedobie Check out the SISU Iron (Andé is on the Staff) https://sisu-endurance.com/products/sisu-iron @sisu.endurance on Instagram Contact the Podcast: Email: [email protected] Insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@meremortalpod ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠  Trev's Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@trevorbollmann⁠⁠  Discord: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/RkvwxAeyVF⁠⁠⁠