Free Outside

I finally made it to Europe. And I did the Tour Du Mont Blanc!

After spending years building it up in my head as complicated, intimidating, and full of opportunities to embarrass myself, I decided to jump into the deep end and hike the Tour du Mont Blanc.

Over three days, I crossed France, Italy, and Switzerland, climbed more than 30,000 feet, slept in mountain refugios, drank an irresponsible amount of espresso, and somehow got bitten by an Italian fox.

In this episode, I recap the entire adventure, from getting lost in Geneva Airport to watching the sunset from Le Brévent above Chamonix. Along the way, I share what surprised me most about the Alps, why I put off Europe for 35 years, and how the things that scare us are often much easier than we imagine.

Topics:

Tour du Mont Blanc recap
Early season conditions and snow
Hiking through France, Italy, and Switzerland
Refugio culture
Traveling solo in Europe
The Italian fox incident
Espresso, croissants, and mountain passes
Lessons from 100 miles around Mont Blanc

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freeoutside.substack.com

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

What happens when nine experienced hikers flee their tent in the middle of a Siberian winter, leaving behind their boots, gear, and any chance of a normal explanation?

In 1959, the Dyatlov Pass Incident became one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in outdoor history. A group of young hikers set out into the Ural Mountains and never returned. When rescuers finally reached the scene, they found a tent cut open from the inside, strange injuries, missing gear, and more questions than answers.

Joining me is Kevin Goldberg from the Distance to Empty podcast as we break down what actually happened, the evidence, the most popular theories, and a few theories that are probably not supported by science.

We discuss avalanches, military testing, Soviet secrecy, hypothermia, survival decisions, and of course whether a Yeti may have been involved.

This episode is a little different from the usual Free Outside conversations, but if you love the outdoors, adventure stories, and unsolved mysteries, you're going to enjoy this one.

Let us know what you think happened at Dyatlov Pass.

#DyatlovPass #OutdoorMystery #FreeOutsidePodcast #DistanceToEmpty #Hiking #Backpacking #TrueCrime #AdventureStories

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Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

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Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

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#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Before Jade Bellsberg was winning races and competing against some of the best trail runners in the world, she was a writer filling notebook after notebook with stories.

In this conversation, Jade shares her unconventional path into ultrarunning, from crewing the Barkley Marathons before she'd ever run an ultra, to tackling Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim, building a coaching business, pursuing FKTs, and eventually becoming a professional trail runner.

We talk about why she still identifies as a writer first, how she balances competition with enjoyment, the mental side of racing, working with a sports psychologist, coaching athletes, and why consistency matters far more than talent.

We also dive into her unique life outside of racing, including how she and her husband somehow manage a household with 21 animals while traveling to races around the world.

This was one of my favorite conversations recently because it's a reminder that there is no single path into trail running. You never know where curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to try something new might lead.

Follow Jade and check out her writing, especially if you enjoy thoughtful reflections on running, racing, and the outdoors.

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Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com
Instagram: thefreeoutside
facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Bob Stewart joins the Free Outside Podcast fresh off finally setting the Benton MacKaye Trail FKT after two previous failed attempts.

What started as a backpacking challenge turned into an obsession with Fastest Known Times, leading Bob to records on trails like the Superior Hiking Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Mid State Trail, and now the Benton MacKaye Trail.

In this episode we talk about why the Benton MacKaye became his "white whale," sleep deprivation, hallucinations, unsupported FKT strategy, bizarre trail encounters, cold-soaked backpacking meals, and what keeps bringing people back to these massive endurance projects.

Bob also shares stories from the trail, including seeing great white sharks in the woods, imaginary hiking partners, and trying to explain a 289-mile FKT to confused campground hosts.

Topics:

-Benton MacKaye Trail FKT
-Failed attempts and coming back stronger
-Sleep deprivation and hallucinations
-Unsupported FKT strategy
-Superior Hiking Trail and Pinhoti Trail
-Backpacking vs FKTs
-Nutrition and gear
-Why obsession can be a superpower

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Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com
Instagram: thefreeoutside
facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Rory Linkletter is one of the best marathon runners in North America, an Olympian for Canada, and one of the most thoughtful voices in professional running.

Fresh off a 2:09 performance at the Ottawa Marathon and a congratulatory call from the Prime Minister of Canada, Rory joins the Free Outside Podcast to talk about life as a professional marathoner.

We discuss what it's like racing at the Olympic Games, how elite marathon contracts and appearance fees work, why the marathon may have surpassed track and field in popularity, the realities of building a personal brand as a professional athlete, and how social media has changed the sport.

Rory also shares insights into his training, highest mileage weeks, recovery philosophy, strength work, marathon pacing, heart rate data, and the mindset that has helped him become one of the world's top marathoners.

We also dive into trail running, Western States, sponsorships, podcasting, and whether a future switch from roads to trails could ever happen.

Topics:
• Ottawa Marathon recap
• Call from the Prime Minister of Canada
• Olympic Village stories
• Marathon vs track and field
• Pro running contracts and appearance fees
• Building a brand as an athlete
• Social media and sponsorships
• Training 130+ mile weeks
• Recovery, fueling, and consistency
• Western States and trail running
• The future of professional running

Follow Rory:
@rory_linkletter

Support our Sponsors:
Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/
Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726
CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee
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Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com

Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside

Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF

Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com

Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

Website: www.Freeoutside.com
Instagram: thefreeoutside
facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure