Is Everest still a climber's ultimate test, or has it become too crowded and controversial?

This week on The Backcountry Manifesto, Everest historian, climber, and 1999 Mallory expedition participant Tom Pollard joins host Hayden Sammak in PART 3 of our discussion to share his gripping firsthand stories. We dive into Tom's four Everest attempts, his 2016 summit triumph, the evolution of guiding from pre-1996 pioneers to today's high-stakes operators, and the raw power of Sherpa climbers. Plus, breakdowns of key landmarks like the Hillary Step and South Col, the perils of avalanches and bottlenecks, debunking myths around "Into Thin Air," and reflections on what Everest truly represents beyond the hype. If you're fascinated by high-altitude adventure, mountaineering history, or the human spirit against nature's extremes, this episode is your summit push.

We talk about:

• The landmarks on the route of an Everest summit
• The DEATH ZONE
• Khumbu Icefall
• Sherpas
• Commercialization of the mountain
• Permits in Nepal and China
• Minecraft Youtuber turned Everest summiteer

• Everest Mystery Youtube Channel
• Minecraft Youtuber turned Everest Summiter

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com to purchase the VERY FIRST Backcountry Manifesto barrel pick, available right now!

• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA
• Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025

On this episode of the Backcountry Manifesto, we're taking you on a Montana backcountry adventure guided by the one and only Dr. Hoby Wedler. Dr. Hoby is a wildly popular sensory storyteller who explores the world around him using sound, smell, taste and touch to offer his fans and followers a unique perspective on the world around him.

From foraging early-season chanterelles in undisclosed forests (complete with their apricot-plum aroma), to metal detecting for gold nuggets in historic mining districts, and mastering fly fishing on the Yellowstone River amid thunderstorms and swallow-filled caves, Hoby describes his backcountry adventure. We also dive into whiskey tastings, elk dinners with wild mushrooms, and life lessons on embracing challenges, preparation for adventure, and positivity. Later, Hoby ranks his favorite experiences during his Montana mission and offers his thoughts on fearlessness in the face of new experiences.

You've likely listened to countless podcasts on backcountry adventure, but none quite like this.

• Hoby's Instagram
• Hoby's TikTok
• Hoby's Youtube

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com to purchase the VERY FIRST Backcountry Manifesto barrel pick, available right now!

• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA
• Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025

On the 50th anniversary of Jaws, are we headed for a real-life Amity Island catastrophe with rising shark encounters off Cape Cod, or is the hype around white sharks getting way overblown? What's really drawing these apex predators back to our shores, and how worried should beachgoers be?

This week on The Backcountry Manifesto, Dr. Greg Skomal -- the leading expert on Atlantic white sharks -- dives deep into the world of sharks, fatal attacks, and close calls. From the chilling 1936 Massachusetts man-eater incident that shaped public fear, to how Jaws ignited his career and sparked a frenzy of shark tournaments, we break it all down. Greg unpacks naval disasters like the USS Indianapolis, pioneering tagging tech from the '60s, the Marine Mammal Protection Act's role in seal population booms (and shark comebacks), revolutionary underwater robots like Shark Cam, epic expeditions to Guadalupe Island where sharks attacked his gear, and his heart-stopping near-miss while tagging a massive white shark. Plus, we tackle the tragic 2018 fatal attack, community fallout echoing Jaws, and lingering mysteries like white shark breeding grounds. Greg also shares stories from his book Chasing Shadows, blending adventure with science from Arctic Greenland sharks to Red Sea whale sharks.

If you're hooked on sharks, marine biology, or the thrill of ocean predators without the sensationalism, this episode is your ultimate deep dive.

• Chasing Shadows Book
• Greg's Instagram
• Greg's Facebook
• Greg's X
• Our episode with Jack Horner, Paleontologist
• Our episode with Molly Curran, WHOI
• EuanArt Instagram

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
• Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.

• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA
• Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025

Is the Yellowstone Supervolcano really going to erupt and end life as we know it, and with the recent and unexpected geothermal events in Biscuit Basin, how worried are the scientists that study the Yellowstone caldera? Is it true the animals of Yellowstone are fleeing, signaling an eruption may be on the immediate horizon?

This week on the show, Dr. Mike Poland -- scientist in charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory -- joins us in the field to debunk myths, explain caldera systems, and break down what a real eruption would look like. From geothermal explosions, to ancient ash layers on Mount Everts, massive lava flows, and why earthquakes are the bigger worry, we cover it all. Plus, Mike calls out those sensational clickbait videos and shares why this iconic landscape is endlessly fascinating without the hype. If you're obsessed with volcanoes, geology, or just love Yellowstone's wild side, this episode is for you.

We talk about:

• Yellowstone Fears
• Caldera Systems
• Signs of Eruptions and Warnings
• Ash Layers of Mount Everts
• Eruption Complexity
• Lava Flows: Past Eruptions and Global Effects
• Explosive Eruptions
• Real Hazards: Hydrothermal Explosions and Earthquake
• Timeline for Potential Eruptions
• Ash Flows: Impact & Radius
• What are the odds?
• Sensationalization
• What you should take away from Yellowstone

• Caldera Chronicles
• USGS Youtube
• USGS Volcanos X
• USGS Volcanos Instagram
• USGS Volcanos Facebook

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
• Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.

• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA
• Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025

After years of searching, third generation Montanan rancher Clayton Phipps and his friends Mark Eaton and Chad O'Connor, discover one of the greatest dinosaur fossil specimens of all time: the remains of two perfectly preserved dinosaurs seemingly locked in battle. The find is worth millions, and quickly becomes the focus of not only the paleontological world, but an intense legal battle over who will see the profits. Ultimately the case will be decided by Montana's supreme court and become the basis for landmark legislature.

Today, we're in Eastern Montana getting the story straight from the horse's mouth. We sit down with Clayton -- known to most as the "Dinosaur Cowboy" -- as he tells the complete story of the Dueling Dinosaurs, as well as the series of events that led him to trade his saddle for a shovel, and life on the range for a career in commercial paleontology. Whether you're a fossil fanatic or just love a good underdog story, this episode is all about grit, glory, and the bones of ancient beasts, waiting to be discovered. We talk about:

• Clayton's life as a cowboy
• The Stygimoloch skull that started it all
• Clayton's fossil collection and commercial operation
• The discovery of the Dueling Dinosaurs
• The legal battle over fossils and mineral rights
• Academic vs. commercial paleontology rift
• How the Dueling Dinosaurs were sold
• The Nanotyrannus vs. juvenile T. Rex debate
• The future of paleontology

• Clayton Phipps Instagram
• Hell Creek Hooligans Youtube

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
• Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.

• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA
• Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025

Peter Larson, President of the Black Hills Institute for Geological Research, is one of the most knowledgable paleontologists working today. His museum, located in the Hill City, South Dakota, boasts the highest concentration of dinosaur bones of any museum on earth.

While to many, Pete's known for his work as a leading expert in the study of theropods, particularly T. rex, he's also known for being at the center of one of the biggest controversies ever to rock the paleontological world -- the discovery, excavation, and FBI confiscation of the world famous T. rex known as "Sue." The saga is a story so unbelievable, it went on to become the focus of an Emmy-winning documentary, Dinosaur 13.

In this episode of the Backcountry Manifesto, we're on site at BHI, and with endless dinosaur specimens in around us, we talk all things paleontology, here compelling evidence in the "Juvenile T. rex or Nanotyranus?" debate, and get a first-hand account of the discovery, excavation, and confiscation of "Sue," as well as the resulting aftermath which saw Pete spend 18 months in federal prison.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Nanotyrannus and potential differences between T. rex
• Famous T. rex specimens
• The KT Boundary
• Sue, the T. Rex
• The ensuing legal battle with the Feds
• The BHI Museum

• Black Hills Institute
• Black Hills Institute Youtube Channel
• Pete Larson on Instagram

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
• Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.

• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA
• Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025

The man who inspired Jurassic Park and acted as a technical advisor on the first six films, Jack Horner swings by the studio to talk all-things dinosaurs. We cover everything from dinosaur ontogeny, to his controversial dino chicken project, as well as the man himself. One of the most famous paleontologists, if not, THE most famous paleontologist, of the last century, this is an interview not to be missed. If you're a dino-nerd waiting for the new Jurassic World film, this one's for you.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Reverse-Engineering Dinosaurs: The Dino Chicken Project
• The Ethics of De-Extinction
• Is T. Rex a Scavenger?
• Ontogeny
• Warm-Blooded Dinosaurs: Rewriting Prehistoric Physiology
• Triceratops vs. Taurosaurus: A Case Study in Dinosaur Classification
• Jack's Vietnam Deployment
• More Controversy: Marriage and Departure from the Museum
• Legacy and Current Work: Mentoring and Public Engagement
• Listener Q&A: Answering Your Dinosaur Questions

• https://museumoftherockies.org/

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
• Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.

• Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
• Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
• Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
• Production Assistance by John Stock
• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA
• Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025

When it comes to grizzly bears, no one gets closer than Casey Anderson. In fact, for 19 years, Casey's best friend WAS a grizzly bear named Brutus, who Casey would regularly wrestle, ride, and use as a teaching tool at the Montana Grizzly Encounter, a grizzly bear rescue he co-founded in his 20s. Today, he took a break from his busy career as a TV personality and conservation content creator to swing by the studio and talk about grizzly bears, the conservation issues they face, what to do in the event of an attack, and how to prevent attacks in grizzly country. We talk about:

• Casey's unusual grizzly attack
• Bear body language and communication
• Bonding with Brutus, the bear
• Grizzly conservation
• How to stay safe in Grizzly Country
• Your questions answered!

• Casey Anderson's Youtube Channel
• Casey Anderson's Instagram
• Montana Grizzly Encounter
• Our Episode with Rudy Noorlander
• Our Episode with Aidan Beers

• Catch up with Hayden on IG, TikTok, and more: https://linktr.ee/Hayden_Sammak
• Follow TBM on Youtube, IG, and everywhere else: https://linktr.ee/BackcountryManifesto
• Get yer limited-run TBM X Out Yonder Co. merch: https://outyondercompany.com/pages/shop-the-out-yonder-x-backcountry-manifesto-collab

• Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.
• Special thanks to our patterns at Out Yonder Company! Visit OutYonderCompany.com and use code “BACKCOUNTRY15” for 15% off at checkout.

• “Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025