Outdoors With Hiking Bob Studio 809 Radio

On this Bonus Episode for July, Bob talks with Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department Director Britt Haley about the 2025 department-wide Master Plan process.  It's been almost 12 years since the last department-wide master plan, and Haley talks about what has been accomplished since the last master plan, how the city has grown in the intervening years and how that affects the need for a new plan, what the department expects to learn from the master plan, how this master plan process is different than the last, and most importantly, the need for public involvment in the process. They also discuss the recent Trust for Public Land report on the economic benefits of parks in Colorado Springs, and how the information in that report pertains to the current master plan process. Colorado Springs PRCS Master Plan website: https://coloradosprings.gov/ParkSystemMasterPlan Trust for Public Land report: https://tinyurl.com/39y83yer Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: htt

On episode 444 of the podcast, Bob chats with National Geographic photographer Jonathan Kingston. They discuss Kingston's journey from Virginia to the western U.S. and from being a world class rock climber to a world class photographer. Kingston tells of how luck, being in the right place at the right time, and of course, having the required talent, landed him with a prestigous publication.  Also, the evolution of camera technology from film to digital to mirrorless, what kind of editing Nat Geo allows and much more, in this entertaining conversation. Kingston's website: https://jonathankingston.com/   Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob goes on a short hike with Chris Gonazales, the Executive Director of the Teller Trail Team in Teller County, Colorado.   They talk about the origin of the organization, it's mission and goals, and projects it's working on, including the new Avenger Open Space in Woodland Park. They wrap up with a discussion of upcoming events and how people can lend their support. Teller Trail Team website:  https://tellertrailteam.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's episode Bob is joined by co-host Kevin "Wild" Westendorf.  Bob answers listeners - and Kevin's - questions about his recent trip to Iceland. Questions about food, culture, hiking and more are answered. Also, the discuss the Colorado Springs Parks system master plan process, now underway. Kevin tells about his recent encounter with a rattlesnake in a Colorado Springs park, which leads to a discussion about what to do if you encounter a rattler and they also debunk some common myths about the snake. Park system master plan website: https://coloradosprings.gov/ParkSystemMasterPlan Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob talks about his recent trip to Iceland with National Geographic Expeditions, and his day-by-day experiences there.  He also invites listeners to send him questions they might have about the trip and he'll address them in a follow-up podcast. Note: The podcast was recorded in three sessions, with two of them on a ship ( of which one was during a storm) so while we tried to equalize the varying audio quality, you will notice some changes. We tried our best, so please bear with us. Photographer Jonathan Kingston:  https://jonathankingston.com/ National Geographic Expeditions: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

In this week's podcast, Bob talks with Martin Palmaz about the sport of paragliding. They discuss the difference between paragliding, parasailing, hang gliding, and ultralight flying. Palmaz, who is an experienced paraglider, talks about what it's like to paraglide, what kind of training it takes before one can paraglide, including how much it costs to learn and then equip yourself for the sport  He also talks about where in the Pikes Peak region paragliding takes place, and the inclusion, but not yet implementation of, paragliding in the Blodgett Open Space Master Plan in Colorado Springs. Bob tells of his experiences seeing paragliders at two local open spaces.  U.S. Hanggliding and Paragliding Association website: https://www.ushpa.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https

On this week's podcast, co-host Wild Westendorf joins Bob for a wide-ranging discussion about the proposed 2026 federal government budget and it's effect on the National Park Service. Also, they discuss the pros and cons of various types of emergency beacons for hikers, and how one segment of the industry is using a flawed and incomplete statistic regarding other devicesto promote their own.  Regardless, the message is you should have something other than a cell phone to signal for help. Rounding out the show is Colorado Springs' city wide parks and cultural services master plan process that is starting up, what it means and how the public can participate. Colorado Springs PRCS Master Plan website: https://coloradosprings.gov/ParkSystemMasterPlan Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast

Bob does a short, unscheduled podcast to announce exciting news about the new home of his newspaper columns covering outdoor recreation! Also, May 1st marks an important anniversary in Bob's personal life. Pikes Peak Bulletin website: https://pikespeakbulletin.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, Bob talks with Laurel Munson Boyers who spent 31 years as a park ranger in Yosemite National Park. She has written "Across Yosemite's Wilderness- A Trailblazing Woman's Career Protecting the Park's Backcountry" about her years patrolling and protecting the park's wilderness and backcountry. They talk about her childhood at Yosemite, then working her way up to being a wilderness ranger. Boyers compares the average backcountry hiker today and during the early years of her career and also how unusual it was for her to stay in one park for her entire career. They wrap up the conversation with a brief discussion about the current political climate in the country, including the massive budget and manpower cuts that have affected the National Park Service. The conversation is lively and informative, as is the book, which you can order here: https://tinyurl.com/mry8xuvz Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob w

On this week's episode, Bob talks with frequent guest Mandy Horvath, a bi-lateral amputee, she has conquered the Manitou Incline, Pikes Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, all under her own power.  In this episode, she tells the story of doing "No Legs, No Problem" (season 18, episode 1) of the TV show “Naked and Afraid” in which she and a male partner – both naked, and who had never met each other before - were dropped off in a remote rainforest and left to fend for themselves to get food, water and to create shelter, for 21 days. Mandy talks about the challenges they faced, the toll it took on her, and how they came to depend on each other. After, Mandy talks about what is in her future.  It’s a fun, informative and inspiring episode.  Mandy Horvath website: https://www.mandyhorvath.com/ "Naked and Afraid" show: https://www.discovery.com/shows/naked-and-afraid/episodes/no-legs-no-problem Mandy Horvath previous appearances on the podcast: https://hikingbob.com/curated-podcasts Please consider becoming a patron of this

On this week's podcast, Kevin "Wild" Westendorf returns, and he and Bob catch up on what he's been doing since he was last on the podcast, including a brief review of his Garmin GPS watch and a comparison of it and his previous Apple watch. Then, they discuss the impacts the drastic federal budget cuts is having on our public lands, and also the collateral damage to the job market and local economies. Finally, Bob talks about a story in a local newspapers newsletter that quoted a Facebook post, which reported that an e-bike rider had to be rescued in the Texas desert after her e-bike battery went dead, and she then pushed the e-bike for twenty miles. As it turns out, other than a cyclist needing to be rescued from the Texas desert, most of the story is false. In an age where mis-information is rampant, Bob chastizes the newspaper and its newsletter for not doing basic fact-checking to ascertain the truth.  Bob's recent article about federal budget cuts: https://tinyurl.com/avzx325k News release about Texas cy

On this week's episode, Bob talks with popular author and survival expert Creek Stewart about his latest book "Disaster Survival 101 - The Essential Guide to Preparing and Surviving any Emergency Scenario". Stewart has appeared on a multitude of news programs, TED talks and more. They discuss how inadequately prepared most households are for any type of emergency that might last more than 3 days. whether it be a fire, flood, blizzard, or anything else, the small steps people can take to be better prepared, and some of the misconceptions people have about preparedness and survival. Creek Stewart website: https://www.creekstewart.com/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's podcast, the topic is Artificial Intelligence generated photography, and images that are produced that are falsely labelled as being of specific places, such as the Garden of the Gods or other scenic attractions. In the first part of the podcast, Bob chats with Colorado Springs-based photographers Jason Fazio, Daniel Forster and Jae Jarratt. They discuss what "AI photography" is, if it is even an art form, the different types of AI tools, how it affects peoples perception and expectations of photography, and more. In the second part of the podcast, Bob talks with Melissa Williams from Visit Colorado Springs about how they use photography and the controls they place on the use AI imagery. They also discuss how they plan to manage visitors expectations when they see an image that is not actual reality. Links: Jason Fazio: https://www.jasonfaziophotography.com/ Daniel Forster: https://www.danielforsterphotography.com/ Jae Jarratt: https://www.distantlandsphototours.com/ Picture Perfect Colorado: h

On episode 432 of the podcast, Bob chats with Todd Marts, Director of the El Paso County Parks and Community Services Department. They discuss what the department did in 2024, and plans for 2025. Topics include newly completed and updated master plans for Paint Mines Interpretive Park and Jones Park, a new trail in Pineries Open Space, continuted work towards building a nature center in Fox Run Regional Park, an assessment of the parks system in 2025 and more.  Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

Bob talks with Alicia Filley, a/k/a "The Healthy Hiker" about hiking and building and maintaining balance and why it's important for hiker fitness. They discuss the proper use of hiking poles for balance, how to evaluate your balance, and what kinds of exercises help increase balance. The Healthy Hiker website:  https://www.thehealthyhiker.com/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob  

On episode 430 of the podcast, Bob chats with Britt Haley, Director of the  Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. They discuss some of the accomplishments of department in 2024, and plans for 2025. Topics include Blodgett and Fishers Canyon Open Spaces, e-bikes, a comprehensive managment plan for Pikes Peak and the Ring the Peak Trail, the 2025 budget, and more.  Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

It's the first ever New Years Day podcast (it just worked out that way) for Bob and Kevin! They discuss how 2024 went for them and reveal if Bob reached his yearly goal of 800 hiking miles, and also review Bob's recent newspaper column on outdoor recreation New Year's resolution.  Along with other topics, Kevin also discusses what drove him to switch to a new GPS smartwatch and he compares his new model to his old. Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

Bob's co-host Kevin "Wild" Westendorf returns. After catching up on recent adventures, they discuss last minute holiday buying, setting resolutions, Bob's progress on getting to his yearly goal of 800 miles, donating during the Give campaign and much more. Give Pikes Peak website: https://campaign.givepikespeak.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob

On this week's episode, Bob talks with Susan Davies, the Executive Director of the Trails and Open Space Coalition (TOSC), on her upcoming retirement.  They talk about her fifteen-year tenure at the helm of the organization, including the biggest accomplishments - and disappointments - of TOSC during that time. They also discuss how the political climate regarding outdoor recreation has changed in the last fifteen-years and how it may change in the future. They also discuss what her plans are moving forward, both personally and as an parks advocate. Finally, they also talk about the Give Pikes Peak campaign, and why you should donate to TOSC. TOSC website: https://www.trailsandopenspaces.org/ Give Pikes Peak website: https://campaign.givepikespeak.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this p

2024 Give Pikes Peak campaign participant Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) is the guest. Hear about what they do and why you should donate to them during the 2024 campaign. RMFI website: https://www.rmfi.org/ Give Pikes Peak website: https://campaign.givepikespeak.org/ Please consider becoming a patron of this podcast! Visit: https://www.patreon.com/hikingbob for more information  Hiking Bob website: https://www.HikingBob.com Wild Westendorf website: https://wildwestendorf.com/ Where to listen, download and subscribe to this podcast: https://pod.link/outdoorswithhikingbob