Art and Phred talk winter survival mode: dodgy road conditions, shoulder rehab, fitness dips, and why flexible training beats heroic stupidity this time of year. We also review a Canadian Trail Running (Fishing) Magazine article about How to Be a Lifelong Runner. And take a quick yard sale dive into Skimo, just before we thank our Patreons. We finish with a dope Suno generated 112 song.

• Art's snowy van saga + recovery update
• Winter marathon training reality checks
• Cut 112 is happening sign up, crew, pace, or suffer responsibly
• The Real King of Pain run incoming (stream crossings + party, home by kickoff)
• Snowy trails vs rocks: pick your poison
• SKIMO hits the Olympics trail runners invading winter sports
• Running long-term: avoid dumb injuries, run happy, not wrecked
• Burrito League envy and community run shenanigans
• Shoutouts to the Cultra crew Patreons grinding through winter miles

Bottom line: stay active, stay kind, don't take yourself too seriously, and we'll see you out there.

Link to How to Be a Lifelong Runner

Link to Burrito League

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Intro music by Nick Byram

Outro Music by Suno

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The Cultra Crew welcomes New Hampshire–based author and risk management executive Ty Gagne for a wide-ranging conversation on mountain rescues, decision-making, and human behavior in the backcountry. How can we have fun, and live to tell about it?

Why This Episode Matters

Whether you're an ultrarunner, hiker, or weekend adventurer, this episode digs into the uncomfortable but essential truths about preparedness, accountability, and how quickly things can go wrong in the mountains we love. We also open with some details about the Vermont 100 Lottery, and close with some Patreon love!

Hosts: AFB, Anna G, Josh G

Episode Highlights

• Ty Gagne's 2008 Franconia Ridge experience and how it changed his relationship with risk
• What mountain rescues reveal about human decision-making under stress
• Key themes from That's Where You'll Find Me, The Last Traverse, and The Lions of Winter
• Experience vs. expertise: why time in the mountains doesn't always equal good judgment
• The role of ego, optimism, and groupthink in backcountry incidents
• Leadership and communication failures that commonly precede emergencies
• Practical takeaways for runners, hikers, and winter athletes in the White Mountains

Thank you to Forrest from The Mountain Wanderer Maps and Books for lending me your personal copy of Lions of Winter!

Learn more about Ty Gagne at https://www.fullconditionsnh.com/ty-gagne-about

Follow Ty on Instagram @fullconditionsnh

Vermont 100 Info

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Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back

Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow

Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids

Buy Fred's Book Running Home

More Information on the #CUT112

Phred recaps finishing the Across the Years Ultra in Arizona, logging another 100-mile effort and marking his 19th consecutive year with a 100-mile finish. The crew swaps ultra lore, legendary runner sightings, and stories from the deep end of endurance running. Plus we shout out our Cultra Fam. Then we go from hot to cold.

The conversation shifts into winter running survival mode, covering traction options, screw shoes, Gore-Tex debates, layering strategies, and knowing when to run, walk, or rethink bad ideas on ice.

They also preview the Real King of Pain trail run, discuss cold-weather mistakes, alternative winter sports, and even fire-building skills required for upcoming winter races.

Topics Covered

• Across the Years Ultra recap
• Fred's 19 straight 100-mile finishes
• Ultrarunning legends & absurd mileage
• Winter traction: spikes, screws, Yaktrax
• Layering rules that (mostly) work
• Gore-Tex pros & cons
• Real King of Pain trail preview
• Winter survival & fire-building

Coming Up

Next episode features an interview with Author Ty Gagne on decision-making in extreme winter conditions.

Get your official Cultra Clothes and other Cultra TRP PodSwag at our store!

Outro music by Nick Byram

Become a Cultra Crew Patreon Supporter basic licker. If you lick us, we will most likely lick you right back

Cultra Facebook Fan Page Go here to talk shit and complain and give us advice that we wont follow

Cultra Trail Running Instagram Don't watch this with your kids

Buy Fred's Book Running Home

More Information on the #CUT112