When did you last hear a David Hasselhoff song on the radio?  After reminiscing on the golden age of radio, the guys dive in deep into a real conversation. So many gear companies and nutrition companies claim superiority over everyone else, but how does one wade through the boasting? We try to come up with an answer.

We are debating taking a trip to Mexico with Ted Cruz, but Doug’s eyes may still be frozen shut. Mathias is recovering slowly. Broken Arrow is moved from June to October and we wonder what races will look like this year. To end, we talk about cross training on a stationary bike and wonder if Doug will feel the benefits after a winter’s worth of riding. Hey, Scott, stay for the long outro music!

In Olympic National Park, bridges serve many functions. They obviously help us cross rivers, keep out feet dry and get us from Point A to Point B, but they also do so much more. They act as gateways; serving as portals to wilderness and adventure over deep ravines and stunning box canyons. The bridges of Olympic National Park are as unique as the destinations they lead to, each with as much personality and beauty as the rivers themselves. Those of us who hike here often have our favorites and we all keep striving to find more and more of them, hoping to further being inspired to hike further and reach deeper into America’s favorite wilderness. For beginners and those visiting Olympic, the bridges act as catalysts, encouraging longer hikes and a deeper connection with the nature of the area.

Mathias takes an avalanche course for trail runners while Doug longs to run with migrating animals. K2 is talked about, and the guys dive into a discussion about watching disasters in real time.

Winter weather is impacting training plans, but that is ok. Mathias has a good blanket to recommend. Tights get destroyed at Kaiser, but the power of walking during runs persists. Save local gear shops, they are the soul of the outdoor community, sometimes.

It’s time for some new gear for 2021. We talk masks, tights, sun shades, hydration packs and of course, socks! Which gear do we love? What are the problems with it? Who makes the most inappropriate joke? Listen and maybe learn!

When races are less of a priority, how do we get ready for a new race? Mathias signs up for a 100 miler, and we discuss the mental and physical challenges of preparing. Doug then brings up a story about an adventure some he knows is undertaking, which nobody will ever hear about. Is an experience with documentation something you would do? Oh, and Ultrasignup was sold.

On February 2nd, 2021, nearly a full year after Covid-19 infected every aspect of life in the United States and around the world, a mask requirement has been issued for all National Park lands. It is straight forward and very simple to follow, helping to keep everyone safe. 

After lobbying for Toto to be on the podcast, we dive into whether or not rock climbers compete about elevation gain on climbs. Doug may sign up for a race and Mathias is hoping for a European adventure race. We then discuss the short trail running film, Snow Going on the PCT. We end on shoe talk, which makes sense since this is a trail running podcast.

Mathias talks about running half marathons and getting caught in hail on Kaiser. We then discuss snowy days, avalanches and the mental skills we gain from scaling up for races and long runs. This episode even has a serious discussion, so give it a listen. Bonus points for someone who comes up with a sea shanty about the podcast.