In Episode 34, we welcome back friend of the show Beth for a wide-ranging conversation that blends winter overlanding reality checks with trip stories, gear lessons learned the hard way, and a few laughs along the way.

We start with a follow-up on rainy-weather ventilation gear, including an honest post-mortem on the Roadie window tent—what works, what doesn’t, and how operator error (and torrential rain) can change your opinion fast. From there, Beth recounts a recent snow-wheeling trip that turned into a full-on snow-shoveling expedition, complete with deep snow, traction boards, recovery teamwork, and a surprise electrical issue traced back to a loose battery terminal.

The conversation dives into snow-wheeling best practices for newcomers: choosing the right trails, staying out of trouble near cliffs, managing expectations around recoveries, and why going with experienced drivers matters more than any single piece of gear. We also get into tire talk (Wildpeaks, AT vs MT tradeoffs), traction boards in snow, and the realities of winter travel when conditions don’t forgive mistakes.

Later in the episode, Beth and Garrick reflect on a past multi-day overland trip through eastern Oregon and Idaho—highlighting slower travel days, memorable camps, creative camp entertainment, food planning lessons, portable showers, and managing fuel and water in hot, arid environments.

To wrap things up, Garrick shares an update on picking up cross-country (Nordic) skiing as a new winter pursuit, including trail access tips, Snow Park permits, traffic realities around Stevens Pass, and why lessons are worth the time. As always, we close with Random Recommendations covering airflow fans for pets, steam cleaning rigs and homes, and a trail-condition app that winter recreation folks will appreciate.

It’s an episode about learning by doing, embracing the work that comes with winter adventures, and finding new ways to get outside—even when conditions don’t make it easy.

Links

• Luno Fan
• MCCULLOCH Steam Cleaner
• Nordic Pulse
• Washington Sno-Park Permits

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Opening music is Fun by Vibe Tracks https://goo.gl/Vb19cj

In this episode of Remote Trails Radio, Garrick and Melody trade road-trip stories from winter travel across the West, introduce Melody’s new pup Yuzu, and share updates from past episodes - including a deep dive into Bluetti’s new Charger 2 and what it means for vehicle-based power systems.

Garrick walks through his experience with the Starlink Mini, explaining how standby mode makes satellite internet surprisingly practical for overlanders who want connectivity without committing to a full monthly plan. Melody brings a must-listen podcast recommendation on air compressors and duty cycles, adding context to their earlier gear discussions.

The second half of the episode looks forward to 2026, with a packed calendar of events - from Overland Expo SoCal + PNW and the Northwest Overland Rally in Plain, WA, to the Big Thing in Montana and the Panhandle Overland Rally in Idaho.

They wrap with media recommendations, tax-filing tips, and a few predictions about where overlanding is headed - EVs included.

It’s a relaxed, wide-ranging conversation about travel, tech, and community, perfect for anyone planning their next adventure or just dreaming about the season ahead.

• Bluetti Charger 2
• Botches Offroad: Morrflate
• Month of Feb: Dirtfish Rally Ice Driving
• Feb 27-28: FAT Ice Race 2026
• March 14-15: Overland Expo SoCal
• June 18-21: Northwest Overland Rally
• June 26-28: PNW Overland Expo
• July 9-12: The Big Thing at XOverland Ranch
• Sept 18-20: Panhandle Overland Rally
• FreeTaxUsa.com

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Remote Trails Radio Instagram @remotetrailsradio

Remote Trails Radio YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RemoteTrailsRadio

Opening music is Fun by Vibe Tracks https://goo.gl/Vb19cj

Welcome to the first Remote Trails Radio episode of 2026—and instead of a highlight reel, we’re doing the anti-wrap. Garrick and Melody unpack a wild, soggy, and often frustrating Pacific Northwest fall, from historic flooding and washed-out highways to snow seasons that never quite showed up.

From there, things turn productive (and optimistic): we celebrate our first-ever fan mail, share practical motivation hacks for actually finishing projects, and dive deep into one of the biggest backcountry updates in years—the release of Washington BDR 2.0, plus a surprise refresh of the Oregon BDR. Garrick breaks down what changed, why it matters, and how these updates make multi-day BDR trips more realistic than ever.

The episode also includes:

• A deep dive into Whidbey Island adventures, including Fort Ebey State Park, glacier-carved kettle terrain, and XC-style MTB trails with big history
• Overlanding logistics with dogs (including a new four-legged passenger joining the crew 🐾)
• Nitro Circus highlights and why it’s worth seeing live
• DIY fire starters, boot dryers, and underrated road-trip snacks in Random Recommendations

It’s a wide-ranging, cozy, information-packed episode—perfect for planning your next adventure while the weather does whatever it wants.

💬 Got something to share?
Use the “Send us a text” link in your podcast app, or email us at RemoteTrailsRadio@gmail.com
—you might hear it on a future episode.

🔗 Links

• Teton Sports Camp Cot with Pivot Arm
• Instagram for “How Long Does It Actually Take”: @christi.newrutzen
• Cook Unity
• Snoozer Dog Console Seats
• Nitro Circus
• Rebel Cheese
• WABDR 2.0 Update
• ridebdr.com, FB WABDR, FB ORBDR, FB IDBDR
• Travel Guide: Fort Ebey State Park
• Bigfoot Bushcraft Fire Starters
• DryGuy Boot Driers

Thanks for sticking with us through 2025. Here’s to better weather, better trails, and even better adventures ahead.

RTR, over and out. 🚙🏍️❄️

Send us a text

Support the show

Remote Trails Radio Instagram @remotetrailsradio

Remote Trails Radio YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@RemoteTrailsRadio

Opening music is Fun by Vibe Tracks https://goo.gl/Vb19cj