496: Camping (w/ Brooks Wheelan)

Summary

High and Mighty: Episode 496 – Camping with Brooks Wheelan

Release Date: December 12, 2024
Hosts: Johnny G and Arthur Gabris
Guest: Brooks Wheelan

Introduction

In Episode 496 of High and Mighty, host Johnny G welcomes comedian and adventurer Brooks Wheelan for an engaging discussion centered around camping and outdoor adventures. The episode delves into Brooks' experiences with bike camping, his upcoming rafting trip through the Grand Canyon, and his foray into creating a national parks podcast. The conversation is a seamless blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful reflections on the benefits of embracing nature.

Bike Camping Adventures

Johnny G introduces Brooks as a seasoned bike camper, highlighting how Brooks has transformed his Trek bike with panniers to embark on multi-day adventures:

Johnny G [01:45]: "Brooks, since the last time you were on, we talked about camping and because I was. I'm new to it, I guess I would consider myself still new since I'm not racking up experience. But I've also started following you on social media after that and your Instagram. I obviously have DM'd you every single time you posted something about it. But you've been bike camping a lot."

Brooks Wheelan shares his enthusiasm for bike camping and explains its advantages over traditional backpacking:

Brooks Wheelan [02:05]: "It's new and it's fucking rad. And it's my new favorite thing in the world. Yeah, I like. Carl Hess is another friend of ours. He got a mountain bike. Then I was just. Then I kidded out my Trek and got a basket, got the panniers on the back and we load it up and we just take off and go on bike camping trips now, which is like backpacking but with a bike. So you can get a lot of miles and it's freaking rad."

The hosts discuss the physical demands and rewards of bike camping, emphasizing its ability to cover more ground with less exhaustion compared to hiking.

Challenging Expeditions: Donner Pass and Beyond

Brooks recounts a particularly grueling bike pack through Donner Pass:

Brooks Wheelan [03:19]: "And it was the fucking hardest thing I've ever done."

He describes the intense two-day, 70-mile journey with significant elevation gains:

Brooks Wheelan [04:16]: "Yeah, I could if it's a normal. If it's normal out, like normal conditions, I could ride a bike 100 miles in a day and that would be a bitch. But no problem for sure. But what was hard about this is we did 8,000 foot elevation gain. So we like when climbed over a mile on really bad roads with loaded bikes."

Johnny G empathizes with the difficulty, highlighting Brooks' immense effort:

Johnny G [04:40]: "Brooks, since the last time you were on, ... But you were saying like we did it. It was not fun. It was brutal. It was really hard."

The conversation underscores the physical challenges of such expeditions, contrasting them with the enjoyment of bike camping.

Upcoming Rafting Adventure: Colorado River Through the Grand Canyon

Brooks unveils his ambitious plan to raft 18 days down the Colorado River:

Brooks Wheelan [06:13]: "I'm about to do this crazy trip 18 days down the Colorado river through the Grand Canyon."

Johnny G expresses both admiration and envy:

Johnny G [07:10]: "And I want to say, Brooks, that right there is one of the things that makes. Is one of the things I like about you is that my guess would be I have a bunch of friends that I would say, without a doubt, would choose SNL networking opportunity over literally anything else like that level."

Brooks discusses the mental and physical preparation required for such an expedition, emphasizing the solitude and disconnect from technology:

Brooks Wheelan [08:23]: "It's truly the best thing in the world. I, like, I would. I was telling Carl because we've been back. We've been bike packing so much. I was, that's. That's what came for this podcast idea."

Johnny G reflects on the therapeutic aspects of prolonged camping trips, noting their positive impact on mental health:

Johnny G [09:04]: "But part of what I like about camping is that, like, my phone, like, I like, tell my wife, okay, I'm pulling. I call her. I'm like, all right, I'm about 20 minutes from the campsite. I'm gonna lose you if you don't Hear from me by noon tomorrow, then you are allowed to start worrying. But I will get in touch with you by noon, but don't you worry. And then I'm just like phone off. And it feels so fucking awesome."

Creating a National Parks Podcast: "Harder Than We Thought"

Brooks reveals his side project, a national parks podcast aimed at exploring every national park through adventurous undertakings:

Brooks Wheelan [02:43]: "We're trying to do this podcast, the side producer project called Harder Than We Thought, a national parks podcast where we go to every national park and do what we think we can do."

He emphasizes the fusion of comedy and outdoor exploration, positioning it as a unique niche:

Brooks Wheelan [12:23]: "It's truly the best thing in the world. ... We're not the best comics. We're not the best fucking backpackers, but we're definitely the funniest backpackers."

Johnny G highlights the importance of monetizing passions and maintaining authenticity:

Johnny G [13:06]: "And then when you choose to do something that you just love and try to make money off of it, you're like, any money I make, me and Carl would have been out here anyway. So, yeah, like, this is already, like, it's all gravy."

Personal Anecdotes and Shared Experiences

The episode is rich with personal stories, including Johnny G's memorable experience watching Gladiator and Brooks' humorous escapades ringing bells in Alaskan bars. These anecdotes provide a glimpse into their personalities and the camaraderie between the hosts and guest.

Johnny G shares a nostalgic memory of watching Gladiator with his brother:

Johnny G [19:12]: "I was in seventh grade ... I was all sad. ... I was just like, man, now I can't even go to Hawaii. ... I will never have a better movie going experience in my life."

Brooks Wheelan recounts a humorous incident at an Alaskan bar:

Brooks Wheelan [42:17]: "There was this one town, like Los Las Arenas ... a couple that had recently got married were on, like, their honeymoon. ... I was like, you have to buy everyone in here a drink. Ring the bell. ... And the woman's like, no. ... I just imploded a marriage. I was like, I got it. I'll buy it."

These stories not only entertain but also highlight the hosts' and guest's adventurous spirits and ability to find humor in challenging situations.

Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, several standout moments encapsulate the essence of the conversation:

Brooks Wheelan [02:06]: "It's new and it's fucking rad. And it's my new favorite thing in the world."
Johnny G [07:37]: "Or something like that level. And not to mention a cast member, former cast member. But the fact that you would say, like, yeah, I'm going to do the 18 day trip, which would give most of my other friends insane anxiety and PTSD."
Brooks Wheelan [12:23]: "And so is stand up. And we're pretty good at both. Let's just be the best at this weird little small thing."
Johnny G [18:56]: "It's my post divorce plans. Yeah, I just got a Maui beach bum. I'll be like, yeah, you need a."

These quotes reflect the candid and humorous tone of the episode, underscoring themes of adventure, authenticity, and the pursuit of personal passions.

Conclusion

Episode 496 of High and Mighty offers listeners a compelling blend of comedy, adventure, and heartfelt conversations. Through Brooks Wheelan's tales of bike camping, formidable rafting expeditions, and creative ventures into podcasting, the episode inspires a deeper appreciation for nature and the joys of stepping outside one's comfort zone. Johnny G and Arthur Gabris effectively steer the dialogue, ensuring that even those unfamiliar with camping can find value and entertainment in the discussion. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or simply seeking a good laugh, this episode delivers on all fronts.

**For more adventures and insights, tune into the next episodes of High and Mighty on Headgum. Don't forget to check out Brooks Wheelan's special, "Alive in Alaska," available for free on YouTube through 800 Pound Gorilla, and support the show by subscribing and becoming a patron on Action Boys.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments have been omitted to focus on the core content of the episode.

Summary

High and Mighty: Episode 496 – Camping with Brooks Wheelan

Release Date: December 12, 2024
Hosts: Johnny G and Arthur Gabris
Guest: Brooks Wheelan

Introduction

Bike Camping Adventures

Johnny G introduces Brooks as a seasoned bike camper, highlighting how Brooks has transformed his Trek bike with panniers to embark on multi-day adventures:

Johnny G [01:45]: "Brooks, since the last time you were on, we talked about camping and because I was. I'm new to it, I guess I would consider myself still new since I'm not racking up experience. But I've also started following you on social media after that and your Instagram. I obviously have DM'd you every single time you posted something about it. But you've been bike camping a lot."

Brooks Wheelan shares his enthusiasm for bike camping and explains its advantages over traditional backpacking:

Brooks Wheelan [02:05]: "It's new and it's fucking rad. And it's my new favorite thing in the world. Yeah, I like. Carl Hess is another friend of ours. He got a mountain bike. Then I was just. Then I kidded out my Trek and got a basket, got the panniers on the back and we load it up and we just take off and go on bike camping trips now, which is like backpacking but with a bike. So you can get a lot of miles and it's freaking rad."

The hosts discuss the physical demands and rewards of bike camping, emphasizing its ability to cover more ground with less exhaustion compared to hiking.

Challenging Expeditions: Donner Pass and Beyond

Brooks recounts a particularly grueling bike pack through Donner Pass:

Brooks Wheelan [03:19]: "And it was the fucking hardest thing I've ever done."

He describes the intense two-day, 70-mile journey with significant elevation gains:

Brooks Wheelan [04:16]: "Yeah, I could if it's a normal. If it's normal out, like normal conditions, I could ride a bike 100 miles in a day and that would be a bitch. But no problem for sure. But what was hard about this is we did 8,000 foot elevation gain. So we like when climbed over a mile on really bad roads with loaded bikes."

Johnny G empathizes with the difficulty, highlighting Brooks' immense effort:

Johnny G [04:40]: "Brooks, since the last time you were on, ... But you were saying like we did it. It was not fun. It was brutal. It was really hard."

The conversation underscores the physical challenges of such expeditions, contrasting them with the enjoyment of bike camping.

Upcoming Rafting Adventure: Colorado River Through the Grand Canyon

Brooks unveils his ambitious plan to raft 18 days down the Colorado River:

Brooks Wheelan [06:13]: "I'm about to do this crazy trip 18 days down the Colorado river through the Grand Canyon."

Johnny G expresses both admiration and envy:

Johnny G [07:10]: "And I want to say, Brooks, that right there is one of the things that makes. Is one of the things I like about you is that my guess would be I have a bunch of friends that I would say, without a doubt, would choose SNL networking opportunity over literally anything else like that level."

Brooks discusses the mental and physical preparation required for such an expedition, emphasizing the solitude and disconnect from technology:

Brooks Wheelan [08:23]: "It's truly the best thing in the world. I, like, I would. I was telling Carl because we've been back. We've been bike packing so much. I was, that's. That's what came for this podcast idea."

Johnny G reflects on the therapeutic aspects of prolonged camping trips, noting their positive impact on mental health:

Johnny G [09:04]: "But part of what I like about camping is that, like, my phone, like, I like, tell my wife, okay, I'm pulling. I call her. I'm like, all right, I'm about 20 minutes from the campsite. I'm gonna lose you if you don't Hear from me by noon tomorrow, then you are allowed to start worrying. But I will get in touch with you by noon, but don't you worry. And then I'm just like phone off. And it feels so fucking awesome."

Creating a National Parks Podcast: "Harder Than We Thought"

Brooks reveals his side project, a national parks podcast aimed at exploring every national park through adventurous undertakings:

Brooks Wheelan [02:43]: "We're trying to do this podcast, the side producer project called Harder Than We Thought, a national parks podcast where we go to every national park and do what we think we can do."

He emphasizes the fusion of comedy and outdoor exploration, positioning it as a unique niche:

Brooks Wheelan [12:23]: "It's truly the best thing in the world. ... We're not the best comics. We're not the best fucking backpackers, but we're definitely the funniest backpackers."

Johnny G highlights the importance of monetizing passions and maintaining authenticity:

Johnny G [13:06]: "And then when you choose to do something that you just love and try to make money off of it, you're like, any money I make, me and Carl would have been out here anyway. So, yeah, like, this is already, like, it's all gravy."

Personal Anecdotes and Shared Experiences

Johnny G shares a nostalgic memory of watching Gladiator with his brother:

Johnny G [19:12]: "I was in seventh grade ... I was all sad. ... I was just like, man, now I can't even go to Hawaii. ... I will never have a better movie going experience in my life."

Brooks Wheelan recounts a humorous incident at an Alaskan bar:

Brooks Wheelan [42:17]: "There was this one town, like Los Las Arenas ... a couple that had recently got married were on, like, their honeymoon. ... I was like, you have to buy everyone in here a drink. Ring the bell. ... And the woman's like, no. ... I just imploded a marriage. I was like, I got it. I'll buy it."

These stories not only entertain but also highlight the hosts' and guest's adventurous spirits and ability to find humor in challenging situations.

Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, several standout moments encapsulate the essence of the conversation:

Brooks Wheelan [02:06]: "It's new and it's fucking rad. And it's my new favorite thing in the world."
Johnny G [07:37]: "Or something like that level. And not to mention a cast member, former cast member. But the fact that you would say, like, yeah, I'm going to do the 18 day trip, which would give most of my other friends insane anxiety and PTSD."
Brooks Wheelan [12:23]: "And so is stand up. And we're pretty good at both. Let's just be the best at this weird little small thing."
Johnny G [18:56]: "It's my post divorce plans. Yeah, I just got a Maui beach bum. I'll be like, yeah, you need a."

These quotes reflect the candid and humorous tone of the episode, underscoring themes of adventure, authenticity, and the pursuit of personal passions.

Conclusion

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments have been omitted to focus on the core content of the episode.

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Summary

Introduction

Bike Camping Adventures

Challenging Expeditions: Donner Pass and Beyond

Upcoming Rafting Adventure: Colorado River Through the Grand Canyon

Creating a National Parks Podcast: "Harder Than We Thought"

Personal Anecdotes and Shared Experiences

Notable Quotes

Conclusion

Summary

Introduction

Bike Camping Adventures

Challenging Expeditions: Donner Pass and Beyond

Upcoming Rafting Adventure: Colorado River Through the Grand Canyon

Creating a National Parks Podcast: "Harder Than We Thought"

Personal Anecdotes and Shared Experiences

Notable Quotes

Conclusion