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PODCAST

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears

Rock Fight, LLC

Gear Abby: Outdoor Advice Without the BS! Sick of outdoor podcasts that gate keep, worship influencer gear lists, or make you feel like you don’t belong? Yeah, we do too. That’s why Gear Abby exists. With Gear Abby you won"t get an ounce of shame or gear snobbery. It"s just unfiltered advice, honest conversations, and the occasional "WTF" moment in the wild. Hosted by outdoor journalist and adventure junkie Shawnté Salabert, this show answers the real questions you’re too embarrassed to ask out

sports wilderness

All Episodes

39:01

GoPro Frenemies? The Crimson Avenger! & In Search Of...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/04/24

What do you do when your favorite adventure buddy suddenly turns every outing into a full-on GoPro production? This week, Gear Abby helps a listener figure out how to set boundaries when social media starts getting in the way of real-life fun.Next, we tackle a question many people are too embarrassed to ask: how do you handle your period on a backpacking trip? Shawnté breaks down practical tips, myth-busting (no, bears aren’t hunting you), and how to stay comfortable and confident on trail.Finally,

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40:40

Trail Registers, Trail Nicknames & Ropes Gone Bad

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/04/17

Ever wondered where those summit trail registers actually come from and where they go when they disappear? This week, Gear Abby digs into the surprising history behind those iconic peak notebooks.Next, a listener questions whether spouses should be allowed to assign trail names and whether there’s an official appeal process when you get stuck with a mediocre nickname.Finally, things get serious (well as serious as Gear Abby gets anyway): what should you do if your climbing partner wants to use a

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52:09

Outdoor Dating Red Flags & Ski Patrol Dreams

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/04/09

Is flying across the country for adventure worth the climate impact—or should you stay closer to home? This week, Gear Abby tackles a big question about balancing outdoor travel dreams with environmental responsibility.Then things get spicy: what outdoor gear or trends instantly give you the ick on a hiking date? Shawnté and Colin weigh in with their personal red flags and invite listeners to send in theirs.Finally, thinking about becoming a ski patroller? A special guest joins the show to break

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45:52

Instagram Hot Takes, Finding That Hiking Courage &...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/03/26

Do beautiful outdoor photos actually help protect wild places or is that just something we tell ourselves to feel better? Gear Abby digs into the surprising history of photography, conservation, and whether social media really makes a difference.Then: what happens when your hiking partner bails right before a dream trip? Shawnté shares honest advice for tackling fear, finding courage, and starting a big trail solo especially if you’re nervous about going it alone.Our last listener is heading to the

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47:54

How to Handle Climbing Gym Creeps & Are These $300...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/03/19

Why do you actually need a bear canister in the Sierra? Shawnté breaks down the wild (and very human-caused) history behind food-conditioned bears and why proper storage matters more than ever.Then: what do you do when a climbing gym regular crosses the line from annoying to straight-up creepy? Gear Abby delivers a no-BS guide to shutting it down and standing your ground.Plus, what’s in Shawnté’s pack? A deep dive into the ultra-hyped Norda 002 trail shoes! Are they really worth the price, or just

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50:18

Should You Geotag? Do Compression Socks Work? Plus:...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/03/12

Should you geotag your favorite outdoor spots on social media or keep them secret? Do compression socks actually help runners, or are they just a glorified shin hug? And if your gear closet is full of old-school backpacking equipment, what ultralight innovations are actually worth upgrading?This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté Salabert and producer Colin True tackle the outdoor internet’s favorite argument about geotagging and “gatekeeping,” break down the science (and hype) behind compression socks for

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54:13

Storm Smarts, Trail Love & Trail Toilets

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/03/05

What should you do if a storm rolls in while you're backpacking with no shelter in sight? How do you convince a partner to join you on a longer backpacking trip if they’re worried about trail hygiene? And how exactly do you get comfortable… going to the bathroom outside?This week on Gear Abby, outdoor educator Shawnté Salabert tackles lightning safety and storm strategy in the backcountry, offer relationship advice for hikers dating non-through-hikers, and return to everyone’s favorite Gear Abby

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50:29

Satellites, Swamps & Summit Huts

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/02/26

Do you really need an InReach if your phone has SOS? How worried should paddlers be about alligators? And what’s that strange building on top of Mount Whitney?This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté Salabert breaks down backcountry communication devices and whether your smartphone is enough, explain how to paddle safely in alligator country, and dig into the surprisingly wild history behind the hut on the summit of Mount Whitney.Our listeners create our podcast! Send your questions to

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42:07

Natural Selection on the Trail, Camino Boot Failures...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/02/19

Should we rip down the railings in national parks and let natural selection take over? This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles a heated question about safety features on public lands and debates where personal responsibility ends and park management begins.Then, a Camino hopeful writes in with a blister crisis after breaking in new boots. Shawnté dives deep into fit, heel locks, insoles, trail runners vs. boots, and yes… a little strategic lubrication.Finally, a retail worker wonders if attending

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39:08

When Trail Running Goes Mainstream & Your Ski Buddies...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/02/12

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles a salty question about whether trail running has lost its “cool factor” now that it’s gone mainstream and whether gatekeeping the sport is just aging-contrarian energy.Then things get real: a listener shares how sobriety is changing his ski season and friendships. Shawnté digs into ski culture, alcohol pressure, and how to protect your joy on the mountain without compromising your recovery.Plus: in What’s In My Pack?, Shawnté tests a new handheld hydration

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53:57

Minnesota Protest Questions, Poop Problems & A...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/02/05

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles one of the most thoughtful (and emotionally charged) listener questions yet: how outdoor folks can show up when politics, safety, and public spaces collide. Joined by Garage Grown Gear founder Lloyd Vogel, the conversation digs into why the outdoors has always been political and what real allyship can look like.Then, things take a sharp (and familiar) turn back to trail reality with a listener question about poop emergencies; including etiquette, survival

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46:40

Are Outdoor Stores Worth Saving? Plus: True Crime...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/01/29

On this episode of Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles four listener questions that range from trail life to public lands policy:Do brick-and-mortar outdoor retailers still matter in an era of DTC everything?What’s the best outdoor-themed true crime to read when you’re not alone in the woods?Is the Kula Cloth actually hygienic? Shawnté is joined by Kula Cloth founder Anastasia Allison to break down the facts.And finally, Shawnté digs into the controversial decision to raise national park entrance fees for

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44:53

Is Ethical Gear Real? Is Death Valley Alive? Is a...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/01/22

Are there any truly ethical outdoor brands or is sustainability mostly marketing? This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté Salabert digs into what “ethical” and “sustainable” actually mean in the outdoor industry, how to spot greenwashing, and which brands are genuinely trying to do better.Then, Shawnté mounts a passionate defense of Death Valley National Park, breaking down why the desert is far more alive (and beautiful) than its name suggests and exactly how to convince a skeptical travel partner.Finally,

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52:07

How to Eat on Trail, Learn to Ski & Save Your Chest

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/01/15

What should you actually eat on a long trail? Is there a way to learn downhill skiing without blowing your entire budget? And how do you find a sports bra that truly supports a bigger chest for high-impact sports?This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté Salabert breaks down trail food favorites and regrets, shares realistic advice for trying to ski on the cheap, and welcomes sports bra expert Dr. LeJean Lawson for a deep dive into fit, fabric, and why “divide and conquer” matters when it comes to breast

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50:02

Campfire Ethics, Hydration Drama & Thru-Hiker Reality...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2026/01/08

Is it ethical to have a campfire anymore? Do you really need electrolyte drinks on every hike? And what happens if you don’t win a coveted thru-hike permit?This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté Salabert tackles campfire ethics in the age of mega-fires, breaks down hydration myths (spoiler: pickles beat Pedialyte), and walk a hopeful thru-hiker through the very real logistics of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail without a long-distance permit. Practical advice, a little tough love, and just enough chaos to

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45:11

Happy Holidays From Gear Abby! Elk Erotica, Shoe Talk...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2025/12/25

It’s a special holiday episode of Gear Abby!This week, Shawnté and Colin turn the mics on each other to reflect on the year in the outdoors. They cover the weirdest listener emails (including a truly unforgettable deep dive into elk mating habits), the biggest outdoor stories of the year, and their favorite gear picks from trail shoes to backpacks and sandals.They also look ahead to 2026, talking consistency over clout, favorite adventures, recovery from injury, and why sometimes the best outdoor

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48:16

Trail Cred Is Fake, Gear Hoarders Anonymous & the...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2025/12/18

Do thru-hikers lose their “trail cred” if they car camp? What’s the most responsible way to offload extra outdoor gear without sending it straight to a landfill? And how do you train for a spring trail race without freezing your ass off all winter?This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté Salabert tackles outdoor gatekeeping, gear hoarding, and cold-weather running with equal parts honesty, humor, and practical advice. Reminding us all to hike our own hike, stop judging each other, and maybe invest in better

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43:00

The Great Chalk Debate, Poncho Town & The Snow Poop...

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2025/12/11

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles three absolute heaters: the ethics of climbing chalk, the surprising brilliance of ponchos (and the even more surprising brilliance of rain chaps), and what to do when nature calls in the dead of winter and the ground is frozen solid. Also: curling, scuba fears, PVC tubes full of poop, and a love letter to wind shirts.Today's Lineup!Chalk Ethics 101: Hidden cost: the environmental toll of chalk manufacturing.Poncho Town, Population: You. Final verdict: wear

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39:17

Spreading Ashes, Ice Holes & On Trail Meet-Cutes!

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2025/12/04

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles four wildly different but totally relatable outdoor questions: from scattering ashes in national parks to finding love on trail, staying safe on frozen lakes, and picking the right rain shell without losing your mind.In This Episode:Scattering Ashes in National Parks: Yes it's legal in most parks (with a permit).Trailside Romance: Myth or Magic? Love can happen out there (PCT marriages are real!)Ice Fishing 101 (w/ special guest: Stepdad Mike!): Warmth tools

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41:08

Sexy Elk, Big Decks & Women Adventure Writers!

Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears ·

2025/11/27

On this weeks episode of Gear Abby Shawnté celebrates Women-Led Wednesday with adventure book recs, a beginner snowshoe deep dive, and what to do when you stumble into an elk harem.In This Episode!Women Adventure Writers You Need to Read: Memoirs from river guides, thru-hikers, and survival badassesSnowshoeing 101: How to pick the right snowshoe deck size for your weight + conditions.Wildlife Etiquette: What to do when you encounter elk, moose, or other large ungulates. The “Horny Animal Power

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