How to Hike Alone, Pack a Raft, Walk On Ice & Still Have Hope

Host Shawnté Salabert and producer Colin “P.I.G.” True return with another round of outdoor gear confessions and advice in Gear Abby! The podcast where no question is too weird, petty, or controversial.

This week’s questions include:

• Solo Female Hiking – How do you get past the fear of hiking alone, especially when your brain is full of true crime podcasts? Abby shares stories, strategies, and a reminder to “fuck politeness.”
• Whitewater Raft Pack List – Backpacking and rafting trips are not the same. Abby explains what’s different when your whole life is strapped into a boat (hint: dry bags, Croakies, and maybe a watercolor kit).
• Traction Devices – Microspikes vs. crampons: the Facebook debate that will never die. Abby lays out what actually works for different snowy conditions.
• Remaining Optimistic – With climate change and industrialization shaping our future, how do we stay hopeful about the outdoors? Abby offers a mix of realism, action steps, and stubborn optimism.

As always, you’ll get equal parts useful advice, oversharing, and outdoor comedy gold.

Click here for full Gear Abby Episode Companion including all of the bings (aka footnotes) and even more from this episode!

Send your questions to [email protected] and they might make it onto a future episode!

Thanks for listening! Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

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