The Black Hills are home to more than 100 known caves - including the world's third-longest cave system at Jewel Cave National Monument with it's miles of unmapped passageways, and the complex caves systems at Wind Cave National Park, which are not merely a geological wonder they also make up a sacred site for the Lakota people.

We join pioneer explorer Chris Pelczarski for some hands-on spelunking in seriously narrow caves (that are sometimes home to mountain lions). Then we meet indigenous park ranger Sina Bear Eagle and learn about the Lakota emergence story and its deep spiritual meaning.

-Brain Thacker, presenter

Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:

• Chris Pelczarski and Adam Weaver from the Black Hills Cave and Nature Conservancy
• Sina Bear Eagle from Wind Cave National Park

Recorded on location, this audio adventure is designed to do more than just let you hear what it's like to be there. It's designed to let you feel what it's like for real.

Find out more at Travel South Dakota.com where you'll find lots inspiration, ideas and everything else you need to know to plan your great South Dakota adventure.

CONNECT WITH US

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⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design.

Armchair Explorer is a part of the Voyascape Podcast Network check out their other shows from around the world at voyascape.com

Mentioned in this episode:

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Sometimes the wrong path is the best path. I was stumbling down the side of a steep mountain slope, pushing through thorny bushes, scratched, thirsty and utterly confused. But I was smiling. While on a week-long hike across the Ligurian hills in northwest Italy – I had become hopelessly lost.

But then something magical happened: I rounded a corner into a mountain meadow filled with dozens of wild horses - muscled stallions with jet black manes, gold skinned mares and tiny foals. Startled at first, they soon found themselves more curious than afraid and gradually came to graze by my side.

It took me half a day to find my way back again, but it was worth every cut and bruise. The best adventures always happen when you least expect it.

1. Aaron Millar

In today’s episode, host Aaron Millar shares the story of one of his favorite long-distance hikes of all time.

The Old Salt Road is part of a network of ancient trading paths that crisscross northwest Italy. For over a thousand years mule herders, laden with precious salt from the ports of Liguria, would use this trail to trade with the rich plains of Lombardy, returning with goatskins of wine, salami and cheese.

The hike begins in the fertile wine-growing plains of Oltrepo Pavese - 50 miles north of Genoa – and then heads steadily south, crossing the Apennine Mountains, before dropping down 80 beautiful miles later to the small fishing village of Camogli on the Ligurian coast.

This is a story about a bucket list hike through one of the most beautiful places in Europe. But it’s also the story of how this old road was now nearly forgotten, and the trail that is bringing it back to life.

CONNECT WITH US

Ready to Explore? If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who’ve lived them, make sure to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode of Series 4 of Armchair Explorer.

If you’re interested to find out more about how to do this hike for yourself drop Aaron a line on Instagram

Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠

⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design.

Armchair Explorer is a part of the Voyascape Podcast Network check out their other shows from around the world at voyascape.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

"Humans are meant to excel. And when you start pushing that and seeing how capable we are, it's phenomenal what you can actually go and do."

-Justin Packshaw

When Justin Packshaw was trekking in Antarctica several years ago, he noticed something disturbing: The ice shelf had visibly melted since his previous visit, just a few decades prior. "In the grand scheme of how old our world is, and its present state, that's a really quite frightening thing," he said. And with that, he had an idea. Not all scientists have the time, resources, or, frankly, the stamina to conduct invaluable in-person research in the heart of Antarctica, which holds the record as the world's coldest, windiest, and driest continent. But Justin did.

He and his adventure partner, Jamie Facer-Childs, proposed a data-gathering mission to several universities: They would cross Antarctica's heart and gather critical scientific data about climate change. But other agencies were interested in the trip as well.

As it turns out, pushing the human body to its limits - physically, psychologically, mentally - is one of the key areas of research for space agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency. Justin and Jamie's expedition would collect critical data on behavior, coping abilities, teamwork, endurance, even eyesight, that would be invaluable for future space missions in which astronauts will live for years in a space no larger than a studio apartment.

This is a good, old-fashioned adventure romp - but it's more than that too. It's also a story about science, psychology, Mars, and climate change. It's about how we cope with the most extreme physical challenges imaginable and ultimately how that defines us as humans.

FIND JUSTIN

Learn more about Justin and his adventures at his website, JustinPackshaw.com, or follow him on Instagram @JustinPackshaw. Find more details about the Antarctica expedition at ChasingTheLight2021.com.

SOCIAL

Share the show with your friends! Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening, follow @armchairexplorerpodcast on Instagram and Facebook, check out Armchair Explorer's website, armchair-explorer.com

CREDITS

This episode was produced by Armchair Productions. Find our other shows at armchair-productions.com. Jenny Allison wrote and produced this episode, along with host and producer Aaron Millar. Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Theme music written by the artist Sweet Chap.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world

This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.

Voyascape Podcast Network