Beyond The Trailhead

craig obrist
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Beyond the Trailhead Podcast is where the outdoor world comes alive. We sit down with the people shaping the industry—founders, designers, and adventurers—to hear the stories behind the gear and the journeys that inspire it. From trailhead conversations to trail-tested reviews, this series dives into what makes the outdoor community unique, real, and worth exploring. Whether you’re a gear junkie, a weekend warrior, or someone who just loves trail talk, this is your spot to discover what’s happening beyond the trailhead. Guest suggestions or you would like to be on the show email at info@craigobrist.com

  1. Angry Pika CEO/Founder Shaun Durkee | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 25

    −3 D

    Angry Pika CEO/Founder Shaun Durkee | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 25

    What do you do when you lose 75% of your business overnight? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Shaun Durkee, founder of Angry Pika Food (formerly Alpenfuel). What started as a side hustle selling backpacking meals turned into a full-blown business… until tariffs, a rebrand, and a legal battle forced everything to change. This episode dives deep into the real side of building an outdoor brand. We talk about: • The moment everything started to fall apart • Losing 50–75% of website traffic overnight • The forced rebrand from Alpenfuel to Angry Pika • The reality of tariffs and product costs • Building high-calorie backpacking food from scratch • Why most outdoor businesses don’t make it This one is raw, honest, and a must-watch if you’re building something of your own. 🥾 Check Out Angry Pika Food Website: https://angrypikafood.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angrypikafood Dealer Locator: Available on website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angrypikafood 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors — you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    50 min
  2. Essential Provisions CEO/Creator Robin Gentry McGee | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 24

    25 MARS

    Essential Provisions CEO/Creator Robin Gentry McGee | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 24

    Use code BEYOND15 to save 15% off your next order on essentialprovisions.com. What happens when you realize the food meant to help people… might actually be hurting them? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Robin Gentry McGee, founder of Essential Provisions. Her journey started with a life-changing moment after her father’s traumatic brain injury… and what she discovered inside hospital nutrition completely shifted her path. That moment led to the creation of a product that would go on to change clinical nutrition… and eventually evolve into what she’s building today with Essential Provisions. We talk about: • The moment that started it all • Building a company from scratch (twice) • The ups and downs of scaling and losing a business • Why most “healthy” food isn’t what it seems • Creating real, whole-food meals for the outdoors This one is all about resilience, purpose, and doing things the right way… even when it’s harder. 🥾 Check Out Essential Provisions Website: https://essentialprovisions.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentialprovisions 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors — you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1 tim 2 min
  3. Aarn Packs CEO Daniel Farber | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 23

    18 MARS

    Aarn Packs CEO Daniel Farber | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 23

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Daniel Farber, owner of Aarn Packs, one of the most unique and innovative backpack companies in the hiking world. If you’ve ever seen a backpack with balanced front pockets and wondered why it looks so different from traditional packs,this episode explains everything. Aarn Packs were designed around a simple but powerful idea: balance the weight of your pack so hiking becomes easier, safer, and more comfortable. Daniel shares the fascinating story behind the company, the design philosophy that separates Aarn Packs from traditional backpacking gear, and how innovation in load distribution can dramatically change the hiking experience. We also dive into the engineering behind their packs, the challenges of building niche outdoor gear, and why thoughtful design matters so much in the outdoor industry. Whether you’re a thru-hiker, gear nerd, or someone curious about the future of backpack design, this episode is packed with insight. 🏔️ In this episode we cover 🎒 Why most backpacks are poorly balanced ⚖️ The philosophy behind Aarn’s balanced pack design 🏔️ How load distribution affects hiking performance 🧠 The engineering behind front balance pockets 🌲 Why innovation in backpack design is so difficult 📦 The realities of running a niche outdoor gear company 🥾 What hikers get wrong when choosing backpacks Daniel also shares why comfort, efficiency, and body mechanics are often overlooked in backpack design — and how Aarn Packs approaches gear differently. 🌄 Connect with Aarn Packs Website https://www.aarnpacks.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aarnpacks Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AarnPacks YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@aarnpacksofficial 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors — you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1 tim 3 min
  4. Durston Gear Creator Dan Durston | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 22

    11 MARS

    Durston Gear Creator Dan Durston | Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 22

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Dan Durston, founder of Durston Gear and the mind behind some of the most talked-about ultralight tents in the backpacking world. If you’ve spent time on trails like the Pacific Crest Trail or Appalachian Trail, chances are you’ve seen an X-Mid tent in the wild. But the story behind Durston Gear is just as fascinating as the gear itself. Dan shares how his obsession with ultralight backpacking gear started on hiking forums and long trails, eventually leading to the invention of the X-Mid tent design — an idea that first formed while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. beyond-the-trailhead-podcast-da… We dive into the early days of the brand, licensing the design to a larger company, and the moment Dan had to remortgage his house to launch Durston Gear independently. This episode is packed with insights for hikers, gear nerds, and anyone curious about building a company in the outdoor industry. 🏔️ In this episode we cover 🥾 How the X-Mid tent idea started while hiking the PCT 🎒 The evolution of ultralight backpacking gear 🏕️ Designing tents that balance weight, simplicity, and durability 📦 The risks of launching a gear brand 💸 Remortgaging a house to fund the first Durston Gear product launch 🌲 How community feedback shaped Durston Gear 🧠 Advice for entrepreneurs creating products in the outdoor industry Dan also shares stories from the trail and explains why simple design often wins over complicated gear. 🌄 Connect with Durston Gear Website https://durstongear.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/durstongear YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@durstongear 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors — you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1 tim
  5. Hilltop Packs Creator | Ben McMillen on Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 21

    7 MARS

    Hilltop Packs Creator | Ben McMillen on Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 21

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Ben McMillen, founder of Hilltop Packs, one of the most recognizable custom gear companies in the ultralight backpacking world. Hilltop Packs is known for their one-of-a-kind custom printed food bags, stuff sacks, backpacks, and ultralight gear that hikers proudly carry on trails across the world. But the story behind the company is just as fascinating as the gear itself. Ben shares how a photography studio, a print shop, and a simple idea to customize backpacking gear turned into a thriving outdoor brand. We dive into the early days of Hilltop Packs, the explosive growth during COVID, and the huge risk Ben took when a Dyneema shortage threatened the entire company. 🏔️ In this episode we cover 🥾 How Hilltop Packs started in a basement 🎨 The origin of custom printed backpacking gear 📈 How COVID unexpectedly launched the brand forward 🧵 The challenge of sewing and producing one-off custom gear 📦 Why Hilltop focuses on small customizable items ⚠️ The massive risk Ben took buying nearly $100k of Dyneema 🧠 Lessons from running multiple businesses at once 🌲 The mindset required to grow an outdoor brand If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a gear company from scratch or why so many hikers carry Hilltop gear — this episode is packed with insight. 🌄 Connect with Hilltop Packs Website https://hilltoppacks.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hilltoppacks YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@hilltoppacks 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors — you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    58 min
  6. Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 20 | Trail Goods Co. Creator Luke Pearsall

    25 FEB.

    Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 20 | Trail Goods Co. Creator Luke Pearsall

    🎙️ Episode 20 – Luke Pearsall | Founder of Trail Goods Company What happens when you pour everything into your dream… and it almost disappears overnight? In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, I sit down with Luke Pearsall, founder of Trail Goods Company, to unpack one of the most honest founder stories we’ve had on the show. Luke went from a 20-year career in commercial photography to building a premium backcountry food brand — only to lose his manufacturer, his inventory, and nearly his entire business in one blow. At one point, he had just $575 left in the bank before heading to a major trade show. This conversation is raw, real, and packed with insight for anyone building something in the outdoor industry. In this episode we cover: 🥾 Why most freeze-dried meals miss the mark 🔥 The true cost of sampling food at trade shows 📦 What it means to lose your entire inventory for 8 months 💸 Bootstrapping when everything is on the line 🏭 USDA regulations, freeze-drying, and manufacturing reality 🧠 The mindset required to survive as a small brand founder 🎄 The “Christmas miracle” that saved Trail Goods Luke doesn’t just talk about food — he talks about resilience, risk, and what it actually takes to build something from scratch. If you’ve ever considered launching a product-based business… this episode will hit home. 🌄 Connect with Trail Goods Company Website: https://trailgoodscompany.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailgoodscompany 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com For those asking about safety gear we use outdoors — you can get 15% off Overwatch x Rescue with code BEYOND15.

    1 tim 14 min
  7. Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 19 | Farm to Summit Creator/Owner Louise Barton

    18 FEB.

    Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 19 | Farm to Summit Creator/Owner Louise Barton

    Guest: Louise Barton — Founder of Farm to Summit Join us for an inspiring conversation with Louise “Lou” Barton, founder of Farm to Summit, a Durango-based company making dehydrated backpacking meals sourced from local farms and up-cycled produce. Lou shares how a 23-day Yellowstone backcountry research trip — and watching her coworkers struggle on low-quality trail food — sparked the idea for Farm to Summit. What started with a home dehydrator and farmers markets has grown into a mission-driven brand focused on sustainability, flavor, and fueling real adventures. In this episode we dive into: 🥕 Sourcing thousands of pounds of produce from local farms 🌱 Using up-cycled vegetables to reduce food waste 📈 Growing slowly and sustainably instead of scaling too fast 👩‍👧 Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the outdoors 🥘 Why taste tests and quality control matter more than hype 🏔️ How the outdoor community shapes their meals and mission From feeding thru-hikers and climbers to families and even diplomats abroad, Farm to Summit meals are showing up in some unexpected places — and the stories behind them are powerful. If you love backpacking, food, or founder stories, this episode is packed with insight and heart. 🔗 Connect with Farm to Summit 🌐 Website: https://www.farmtosummit.com Buy on REI https://app.rockporch.com/mlink/qIi4bkn5nv 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmtosummit 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farmtosummit 📍 Store Locator: https://www.farmtosummit.com 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com

    1 tim 4 min
  8. Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 18 | Leichtmut Creator & Owner Jacob Muth

    11 FEB.

    Beyond the Trailhead Podcast Ep. 18 | Leichtmut Creator & Owner Jacob Muth

    In this episode of Beyond the Trailhead, Craig sits down with Jacob Muth, founder of Leichtmut, a small but innovative brand creating ultralight camera bags for hikers and outdoor photographers. Jacob shares how frustration with heavy camera carry systems and wet gear on trail pushed him to start designing his own solutions. What began as a MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) hobby turned into a real business focused on ultralight, waterproof, and quick-access camera bags for people who refuse to leave their camera behind. We dive into: 📸 Why most camera bags fail on trail 💧 How Jacob designed a zipper-free, waterproof system 🧵 The trial-and-error of sewing and prototyping gear himself 🌍 How a crisis and career pivot led to launching Leichtmut 📦 Learning advertising, pricing, and scaling as a one-person brand 🎒 Why ultralight hikers are told to ditch their camera — and why Jacob disagrees If you’re a photographer, thru-hiker, or dreaming about building your own gear brand, this episode is packed with honest lessons and creative problem-solving. 🔗 Connect with Leichtmut 🌐 Website: https://www.leichtmut.de 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leichtmut.gear/ 🎧 Listen to Beyond the Trailhead ▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Beyondthetrailhead 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-trailhead/id1860050826 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/11g9jx9Oyd2YSHipi0mmDy?si=72d97f11c5f64ea6 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetrailheadpodcast 🌐 Website: https://obristimagery.com

    1 tim
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Om

Beyond the Trailhead Podcast is where the outdoor world comes alive. We sit down with the people shaping the industry—founders, designers, and adventurers—to hear the stories behind the gear and the journeys that inspire it. From trailhead conversations to trail-tested reviews, this series dives into what makes the outdoor community unique, real, and worth exploring. Whether you’re a gear junkie, a weekend warrior, or someone who just loves trail talk, this is your spot to discover what’s happening beyond the trailhead. Guest suggestions or you would like to be on the show email at info@craigobrist.com

Information

  • Skapad av
    craig obrist
  • Aktiva år
    2025 - 2026
  • Avsnitt
    25
  • Åldersgräns
    Barnvänligt
  • Copyright
    © 2025 craig obrist
  • Leverantör

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