Search & Rescue Volunteers Need Your Help | How One Simple Donation Could Save a Life

Every year, Search & Rescue volunteers head into the mountains to help hikers, backpackers, climbers, and outdoor adventurers on what may be the worst day of their lives. What many people don't realize is that rescuers often give up their own warm clothing to protect injured patients during a rescue.

In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie Pankey sits down with Lawson Glidden, fifth-generation owner and president of Minus33 Merino Wool, to explore an inspiring nationwide program helping Search & Rescue teams across the United States.

You'll learn how gently used merino wool base layers are being repurposed into life-saving SAR kits, why merino wool remains one of the most trusted materials for mountain safety, and how every outdoor enthusiast can help support the volunteers who answer the call when emergencies happen.

• Why Search & Rescue teams sometimes give away their own clothing during rescues
• How the Minus33 SAR Kit Program is helping rescue teams nationwide
• Why merino wool remains one of the best materials for hiking, backpacking, and mountain travel
• Tips for layering in changing mountain conditions
• How you can donate used merino wool clothing to help save lives

Whether you spend your weekends hiking the Sierra Nevada, backpacking wilderness trails, camping with family, or simply love the outdoors, this conversation offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the people working to keep mountain recreation safer for everyone.

Learn more about the SAR Kit Program:
https://minus33.com/pages/sar-kits

Read Sierra Rec Magazine's original feature:
https://sierrarecmagazine.com/minus-33-sars-kits/

Visit Sierra Rec Magazine for destination guides, hiking ideas, backpacking routes, camping inspiration, road trips, fishing destinations, seasonal adventures, and outdoor stories from across the Sierra Nevada.

🌲 Website:
https://SierraRecMagazine.com

🎥 Watch full podcast episodes, destination videos, hiking adventures, and travel guides on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@SierraRecMagazine

If you enjoy authentic outdoor stories, please follow the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves spending time in the mountains.

#SearchAndRescue #HikingSafety #Backpacking #MerinoWool #OutdoorSafety #SierraNevada #Camping #MountainSafety #SierraRec

In this episode:Explore the Sierra year-round

Discover why people keep returning to the **Sierra Nevada** and how a lifetime of exploring creates a deeper connection with the mountains. In this episode of the **Sierra Rec Now Podcast**, Charlie Pankey sits down with outdoor adventurer, photographer, and creator **Nick Breaks Everything (Nick Valdovinos)** to talk about **Sierra Nevada hiking**, **Pacific Crest Trail adventures**, **Kearsarge Pass**, **Owens Valley**, **Death Valley**, **California off-roading**, mountain photography, backpacking, and the mindset that keeps drawing us back into the mountains.Whether you're planning your next **California hiking trip**, searching for **hidden Sierra Nevada destinations**, looking for **off-road adventures in the Eastern Sierra**, or simply love hearing stories from people who live for the outdoors, this conversation is packed with inspiration, practical insight, and a genuine love for exploring beyond the famous viewpoints. From technical mountain bike trails to remote desert canyons, Nick shares what it means to chase challenge, curiosity, and adventure throughout the Sierra Nevada.If you enjoy stories about backpacking, hiking, mountain photography, overlanding, off-roading, the Pacific Crest Trail, or discovering lesser-known places across California's mountains, be sure to subscribe for new Sierra stories every week.⛰️ **In this episode you'll discover:**00:00 Introduction01:05 Meet Nick Breaks Everything03:20 How mountain biking shaped a lifetime of adventure05:10 Favorite off-road destinations and why canyons matter07:10 Kearsarge Pass and combining backpacking with off-roading09:00 Why Owens Valley is one of California's greatest adventure regions11:00 Planning multi-sport Sierra Nevada weekends12:50 Hiking for the trail—not just the destination15:10 Building mountain bike trails and understanding trail design17:20 Photography as storytelling in the outdoors20:30 Why the Sierra Nevada and Death Valley inspire creativity22:30 Learning to appreciate different landscapes24:00 Seeking challenge through outdoor adventure26:00 The Rubicon Trail story and overcoming setbacks27:30 Why the mountains keep calling us back29:30 Authentic outdoor storytelling and social media32:00 Favorite trails, hidden places, and the Inyo Mountains35:00 Rapid-fire Sierra Rec questions39:00 Final thoughts🌲 **Featured Topics**• Sierra Nevada hiking• Pacific Crest Trail• Kearsarge Pass• Owens Valley• Eastern Sierra• Inyo Mountains• Death Valley National Park• California backpacking• California off-roading• Mountain biking• Mountain photography• Outdoor adventure• Overlanding• Hidden California destinations• Sierra travel inspiration📍 **Learn more from Sierra Rec Magazine**Explore destination guides, hiking articles, backpacking stories, campground reviews, road trips, podcasts, and travel inspiration from across the Sierra Nevada:https://www.sierrarecmagazine.com🎙️ **Guest**Nick ValdovinosInstagram: @nickbreakseverythingPhotography: https://vxposure.com👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and Share. Every subscription helps us continue telling authentic stories from the Sierra Nevada and introducing you to remarkable people who inspire others to get outside.#SierraNevada #HikingCalifornia #Backpacking #PacificCrestTrail #OwensValley #KearsargePass #DeathValley #MountainPhotography #Overlanding #OffRoading #CaliforniaAdventure #EasternSierra #SierraRec #OutdoorAdventure #ExploreCalifornia

If you've only driven through Siskiyou County on Interstate 5, you've barely scratched the surface.

In this episode of the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, Charlie sits down with AJ Brown from Discover Siskiyou to explore one of California's most overlooked outdoor destinations.

From the iconic slopes of Mount Shasta to 89 alpine lakes, hidden waterfalls, scenic byways, mountain communities, and uncrowded adventures, discover why more travelers are beginning to look north for their next Sierra escape.

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or searching for somewhere beyond the crowds, this conversation is packed with practical travel ideas and local insight.

🏔️ Why locals compare Siskiyou to a less crowded Tahoe

💧 Come for the mountains. Stay for the water.

🥾 Hiking, backpacking and the Pacific Crest Trail

🚗 Scenic drives and hidden mountain communities

🏕️ Camping, alpine lakes and outdoor adventures

🌋 Mount Shasta's history, mystery and outdoor recreation

🌄 Why Siskiyou County deserves a place on your California bucket list

Guest:
AJ Brown
Discover Siskiyou

🎧 New episodes every Tuesday.

Until next time...

Keep Exploring.

In this episode