The Dirtbag Diaries

In late summer of 2025, Kurt Refsnider straddled the Canadian border in Washington, pointing his bike south towards the border of Mexico. He was about to bring concept to reality: the first rider to attempt the Orogenesis trail, a decades long pursuit to bring a mammoth single track through-ride across the entire pacific crest of the United States and Mexico. This is a story of how a trail is made. 

Orogenesis Collective is raising $250K by the end of the year to care for the trail. 

Listen to Fitz’s story about riding the Oregon Timber Trail (Apple | Spotify)

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Tyler and Paul, two fathers at different ends of the parenting spectrum, contend with what it means to live an adventurous life as a parent. As they embark on challenges of their own, they both come away with new perspectives on how to define success in the outdoors. 

Support comes from

Kuat Racks 

Oboz 

Darn Tough () Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG

Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order. 

Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today and get episodes ad free.

When local river guide-turned small-town investigative reporter Sam Karas discovers that the Trump administration has been quietly waiving environmental regulations to expedite the building of a new border wall, she knows that they'll be coming for the Big Bend soon. This remote corner of West Texas is widely beloved for its rugged beauty, dark skies, and unique wildlife, and now, locals are coming together across party lines to protect the way of life they know and love along the Rio Grande. 

Thin Green Line Chandra Brown, river guide and writing coach, led a 5 day retreat canoeing the Rio Grande. On their final night, Mother Nature erupted.

Support comes from

Kuat Racks 

Oboz 

Darn Tough  Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG

Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order. 

Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Derick Lugo’s first hike was the Appalachian Trail. By the time he finished six months later, he was transformed. As Mr. Fabulous, Derick has inspired audiences all over the country to get outdoors and put one foot in front of the other. 

Get a signed copy of A Fabulous Thru-Hike or The Unlikely Thru-Hiker at Derick’s shop.

Support comes from

Kuat Racks 

Oboz 

Darn Tough  Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG

Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order. 

Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

In this live recording from STRIB Unbound, host Fitz Cahall sits down with Josh Klauck and Jarrod Alder of Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop and Nasrieen Habib of Hiking Hijabie to talk about building community and getting outside in the great city of Minneapolis. 

Thanks to Unbound for inviting us.

Support comes from

Darn Tough  Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG

Kuat Racks 

Oboz 

Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order. 

Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.