345: Ty Gagne: Risk, Rescue, and Decision-Making in the Whites

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 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