Episode 59 | Ben Kilbourne Reads “Good Gear Lets You Be Present”
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Summary
We talk a lot about gear on this podcast. Gear is fun, and if you are a fan of this pod, you probably have an interest not only in if something works, but why it works. Still, it’s easy to begin to fetishize gear, to turn it almost into the point of having adventures rather than a tool to facilitate them. Don’t believe us? Just search “gear layout” hashtags on Instagram.
That’s why we’ve always loved the essay “Good Gear Lets you be Present” by Ben Kilbourne. In his classic style, Ben struggles to balance his technical and professional interest in gear with his desire to be more fully present on outdoor adventures, something that many of us also struggle with. We think you’ll enjoy his perspective.
Outline
- 00:00:20 – intro
- 00:01:40 – “Good Gear Lets You Be Present” begins
- 00:13:51 – song begins
Living Now ©Ben Kilbourne 2022. Music and lyrics by Ben Kilbourne.
Resources
- read the written version of this essay
- explore more content by Ben Kilbourne
- browse Backpacking Light’s thought-provoking catalog of essay content
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Credits
Executive Producer - Backpacking Light; Show Director and Host - Ryan Jordan; Producer - Chase Jordan; Theme music: Look for Me in the Mountains written by Chris Cunningham and Ryan Jordan, performed by Chris Cunningham (acoustic guitar, lead and harmony vocals, harmonica), Chad Langford (upright bass), and Tom Murphy (mandolin), produced by Basecamp Studios in Bozeman, Montana.
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Disclosure
Sponsorship Policy: Backpacking Light does not accept compensation or donated/discounted products in exchange for product mentions or placements in editorial coverage, including any podcast episode content not excplicitly identified as sponsored content. Some (but not all) of the links in these show notes may be affiliate links. Learn more about affiliate commissions, influencer marketing, and our consumer advocacy work by reading our article Stop wasting money on gear.
Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: Episode 59 | Ben Kilbourne Reads “Good Gear Lets You Be Present”
Ben Kilbourne reads his essay on the balance between caring about gear and being present on adventures.
Enjoy!
Nice reading, the problem with gear, is once you have your trip planned it is what you are left with to think about until you can actually go somewhere.
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