Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears

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 whatever keeps you dry — fashion is between you and your god.
• Winter Poop Protocol: Emergency snow option: dig deep, break it up, bury responsibly (last resort only).
• What’s in Shawnté’s Pack?: A full ode to the humble wind shirt.

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 range from mittens to full-on heated shanty palaces.
• Rain Shell vs Poncho vs All the Fancy Fabrics: Don’t overcomplicate materials. Match the jacket to the activity, not the marketing hype.

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 badasses
• Snowshoeing 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 Rankings” make its debut.
• What’s Worth Carrying in the Backcountry: Shawnté’s essentials beyond the phone.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté explores outdoor etiquette, gear hot takes, and how to get creative outside without losing your mind or your tent floor.

On The Docket!

• The Permit Problem: A listener’s “asshole brother” hates paying for permits, but Shawnté lays out why those fees matter (from protecting wildlife to funding trail crews) and why caring for public lands means ponying up.
• The Ground Cloth Debate: Pup Tent Pat writes in to declare ground cloths “bullshit.” Shawnté disagrees (strongly), explaining how a cheap layer of Tyvek can save your $500 tent and your sanity.
• Painting in the Wild: Artist and outdoor educator Latasha Greene joins to share her minimalist plein-air setup, tips for letting go of perfectionism, and why getting dirt in your paint is basically a rite of passage.
• Bougie Hikers Unite: Shawnté and Colin field a question about U.S. hut-to-hut trails that scratch the luxury itch.

This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté tackles three very different outdoor dilemmas and reviews a new meal replacement. From embracing your inner luxury camper to surviving bad backcountry water to a new edition of 'What's in my pack?!'

On the docket!

• Can Bougie Be Outdoorsy? Shawnté helps a listener navigate the tension between high-end comfort and dirtbag authenticity with tips for easing into the outdoors and glamping guilt-free.
• The Dysentery Demons Are Real: REI’s Bubble Gut Boris writes in about water filters and algae. Gear Abby breaks down what your gear can’t remove (looking at you, toxic bloom) and why sometimes the smartest move is just don’t drink it.
• The 'Code Brown' Chronicles: A listener's question prompts Shawnté’s definitive guide to shart survival. Complete with wipes, bidets, smooth rocks, and emotional resilience.
• What’s In My Pack: America's new favorite podcast segment returns as Shawnté reviews Rec Pak meal pouches, a 700-calorie, shake-and-chug meal replacement. Is it something you should try? Listen to Gear Abby to find out!