This is a great show - I love listening to it. A huge issue which could easily be fixed is the audio levels. The interviewer is at a 10. The interviewee is at a 5. Please fix this - it’s excruciatingly loud to hear the interviewer after you’ve turned up the volume to hear the other person

I’m sure a sound engineer can help or maybe a microphone for podcasting! This is such an amazing podcast but your voice bushwhacks into my brain and we can even hear your breathing as the guest talks sometimes! I really want to hear what you and your guests have to say!

Difference in volume between presenter and guests now makes this unlistenable. Too bad… top-notch content.

This is my favorite outdoor podcast. I like the format, I like the intelligent questions you ask, and most of all I like the lessons learned section. Episode 89 helped me rethink a time when I almost had heat stroke and gave me tips about some early warning signs that guy hadn’t noticed. Thank you, thank you!

Would enjoy this podcast a lot more if the audio editing were way better!

5* host. 5* content. 5* stories. 1* audio. Volume overall is consistently low and requires it turned up to 11. the different volume of guest vs host causes jump scares. But I have consistently enjoyed the lessons learned and have been inspired me to reevaluate my gear and safety.

Instructor to student belayer: “It’s no one’s fault (that I fell and broke my ankle ) but you have agency” maybe it’s just me but something is missing

With so many comments about the poor audio quality, why isn’t the host adjusting?! It’s gotten worse. The stories and lessons learned are so valuable. Rather than an interview, the guests are allowed to tell their stories themselves, with some questions and prompting from Ashley. However, the difference in audio volume and quality between guest and host is sharp and grating. I often have to turn the volume up to hear the guest only to quickly turn it down again the moment Ashley speaks. Impossible to listen to this podcast with ear buds. Thanks for the stories, but please equalize the volume!

After listening to quality content like against the odds and the fine line, I was excited to find another podcast about search/rescue and accidents. It’s my opinion that the host detracts a lot from the guests story line with her misplaced input in the middle of their dialogue causing a break in the flow of storytelling. The audio quality isn’t the best. Very quiet guest speakers suddenly interrupted by the loud unexpected voice of the host.

This show has been consistent and interesting. While the audio quality / mixing / editing has been an issue forever, the great content has also been consistent. Would love to see a 5-10 minute end to each episode where an actual profesional (outdoor educator, risk mgmt pro, ski patroller, etc) discuss the accident and the story-teller’s perspective. Sometimes the interviewee glazes over Important issues and the host may not queue-in (cue-in?) in real time. Look forward to the evolution of this show

In the latest episode about the hand injury at Indian Creek, the hosts voice is SO much louder than the guest. If I had the volume high enough to hear the guest, my eardrums would be blown out every time the host spoke up. Harsh! Otherwise, a good, informative show, as always!

Super helpful - I’ve learned so much on safety and things to be more aware of when spending time outdoors to prevent injury/death and on self rescue. Thank you for this podcast! 🩵

I find that the host is often trying to balance being nice to the guest and calling their mistakes out to listener. Too often the host lets the guest pass over their biggest mistake. Example: the fact that the forecast for the wind river range was not clear prior to the guys in episode 90 (I was there the week before this incident). I’d suggest folks just read accidents in North America. Also the audio has been an issue for years.

It’s like sitting in on someone else’s debrief. I think it’s great.

My favorite thing about this podcast is the learning opportunities it offers for all of us adventurers. Learn from other peoples’ mistakes! Ashley does such a great job of offering a no-judgement zone for people to tell their stories and for us to be able to incorporate some learnings into our own trips to hopefully prevent it from happening to us. Highly recommend.

Thanks for a great pod. I love it!!! But can we talk about Duane S because his approach scares the heck out of me. First, if you led on a static line you really did not pay attention at all to anything. This is warning number one that Duane S needs to dial it way back and learn a lot by climbing with some mentors, which he basically admits he skipped entirely. Second, his explanation of TR solo is so weird and convoluted. Dude. You fix line. You rap. You climb up it using 2 devices that capture progress. What are you going on about with climber and belayer? Holy smokes.

Been loving these 1st hand stories from people not only as great reminders about ways we can be better prepared for when things go sideways and how to be safer in the places we play, but as a way to learn more about other of outdoor activities that I’m not familiar with. It takes a lot to be vulnerable and talk about a traumatic event, so I really appreciate people who have come forward with their experiences, so that we can all learn from them and hopefully avoid a bad situation ourselves. Thank you!

Am unsubscribing due to the inconsistency of audio between the interviewer and guests. I’ve been a long time listener and I keep hoping it gets better but doesn’t. I am out of patience

Content and stories are all great. Some old and new ones that really stick with me. Lots to learn. However, it’s borderline unlistenable because of some audio editing (or lack thereof) issues: 1) needs normalisation so the loudest and quietest sounds aren’t miles apart. 2) average audio level is too low relative to other podcasts / media. I need to turn this up 15-20% higher than everything else. This wouldn’t be as much of an issue if it didn’t compound with issue 1. I’m sure the interviewees don’t always have the greatest mics but the above should be able to be handled regardless.

The basejumping episode was incredible! Love how he broke it down-know your weather,crew,medical kit,etc. He has the most amazing friends & brother!! Thank you for such great insights into base-jumping

Definitely a few interesting stories, but a ton of noobs with minimal real mountain experience bragging about their excursions then falling while hiking

The content is interesting and well done… stories are great for discussions after the fact as well. Our only complaint is in the editing/producing in that the microphone of the host is much louder than frequently her guests… in order to hear the guests you turn up the radio then when the host speaks you get blasted! Should be an easy fix for an otherwise great listen!

The thing about saving lives through prevention is you mostly never know you save them and you mostly never get thanked. Having these open conversations about outdoor accidents is how backcountry users learn to be smarter and safer. Thank you for this amazing podcast, Ashley!

I love this podcast, highly recommend. One aspect that I am always curious about is the cost of rescues—I think it would be interesting to hear if the adventurer had any special insurance, like AAC’s rescue’s benefit or if their rescue was provided as a public service or volunteer SAR group—or if private pay was required.

I love listening to search and rescue/adventure stories and this is the best podcast I’ve found. The stories are super interesting and told in a way that is both informative and non-judgmental, without minimizing the bad decisions some of the people have made. It is also super helpful in reviewing what went wrong so the listeners can try to avoid the mistakes others have made.

Love this show, the audio though turns me off from it. Some feedback, mixed volumes from host to guest, it’s frustrating to listen to and I’ve stopped episodes mid-way because of it

I don’t climb. I dont even like to climb stairs. But this podcast had me hook from the first episode I heard. Then it was a bingefest! I couldn’t stop. It had me googling all kinds of climbing related gear and terms so I could follow along. It’s a great learning experience of the human endurance and courage.

I have been binge listening while shoveling the endless 2023 California snow. Ashley and all the guests have made wonderful companions. I appreciate the guests’ vulnerability and quality storytelling. I cried, laughed and learned. Merci!

For all climbers, outdoors women and men, and people that want to learn from the mistakes of others! I always look forward to new episodes on this podcast. Very grateful it exists! Thanks to the host for all their hard work they put into this !

The podcast itself is awesome. Some of the episodes, however, are unlistenable. The audio is all over the place. I'm constantly turning up and down the volume to adjust for the hosts quiet track and then the guests way too loud track, after a few times of trying to drive and listen and monitor volume, I had to shut it down. I'll keep checking back... Not every episode is like this, but the ones that are make it a frustrating listening experience. Hope it gets better:)

Ashley Saupe does all of us an incredible service by providing a space for brave people to tell their stories of ‘near misses’ in their outdoor pursuits. Ashley listens while stories are told, asking an occasional knowledgeable question or thoughtful comment and ends with “Lessons learned.” A fine podcast full of learning opportunities for all of us.

I listen to this for interesting risk management perspectives/missteps/etc. I am not a climber, but I really appreciate the lessons learned shared here. I spend a lot of time in the woods, but a lot of that has been for work (wildfires) and for recreation (trail running, mountain biking, hiking), so I’ve been interested in human factors and why and when things go wrong for awhile; lions, tigers and heuristic traps….oh my. Thank you all that share your stories and much respect to those that have not survived. May we all continue to learn and share and help each other avoid catastrophic consequences.

I like this show, and the stories that the interviewees tell. I’ll keep listening to this show. I don’t want to tear the interviewer down. But there’s definitely room for improvement with interview technique, questions, even voice inflection/tone…

What’s more important than keeping the public informed on safety? I’ve learned so much from this show and the mistakes and accidents of the guests.

My number priority in climbing is safety, and I started listening to this show before I ever started climbing outside. I know that lessons I’ve learned from those brave enough to share have made a difference to me and others. I love the episodes about misadventures where everything turned out ok, but I think it’s important to hear everyone’s story so that others’ injury or loss can serve a greater purpose and get more people home safely. This show is an incredible gift to the community.

I love these topics! But I listened to a whole long podcast where the interviewee spoke with the interviewer not saying a word. Those podcasts are boring. The best podcasts have an active vibrant and charismatic interviewer who bring the best out of the interviewee.

I started listening to this podcast in 2020, and I’ve been hooked! I only signed up for Patreon JUST so I could support the show (I promise I will also support other podcasts in the future!). Ashley is dedicated, mindful, and always respectful in her interviews. While we all have our own opinions about some of the stories, what matters most is that the lessons learned are being talked about. I’m sure these lessons have prevented some bad days in the mountains for people who listen to the show! Always good reminders in the episodes of what to do and what NOT to do. Thank you Ashley for your hard work! We appreciate it!

Really hoped a few tough questions would be asked of Ken Wylie. Shocked the host didn’t even read his book in advance of the “interview”. Shows keep getting weaker and weaker.

Great show but I dont like how Ashley has to continually talk about how she is the only person who works on the show and need support to keep it going. I get it that it takes work but so does everything. Lot of people run podcasts and you tube channels. Don’t do it if you do t like doing it. Plenty of stuff to listen to.

Love the idea and the content, but the storytelling and the interviews need help most of the time. A producer would do wonders for the show. Also, “learnings”? “Lessons” is what you’re looking for.

As an outdoor lover with many varying interests (too many to gain expertise in just one) I so appreciate this podcast, host and guests sharing their experiences. Many of these experiences are traumatic and painful to recount and as a listener I have great respect and admiration for that. I have no doubt that those of us listening are safer in our endeavors because of this platform. Personally it has changed the way I approach my interests and how I assess risk. Many thanks -M

For my time which is more valuable to me than money, there is no better show than the sharp end for adventure enthusiasts. I’ve been listening to Ashley from the very beginning and it’s impossible to say how many accidents she has helped me to avoid because of the lessons learned shared in this space. Keep it up and thank you.

What was once a educational show interviewing self-respecting outdoor people, it is now the “Monthy Idiot Who Shouldnt Be Outside”. Hard to learn lessons from people who don’t have the basics to bring food, water, or a cell phone with them. I loved the girl who kept repeating “We were traveling ultralight, so we didn’t bring helmets”. How much can you learn from a privileged idiot? This podcast highlights the nightmares of Colorado 14ers when inexperienced idiots strand themselves, or how about the girl who almost killed her own dog? This podcast is now a joke.

Just found this and have been binge-listening to all of the episodes. It’ll be a sad day when I’m caught up and have to wait for new ones

I’ve been listening since the first episode. A lot to appreciate in every episode. What I value most I think is how Ashley gives so much room to the storyteller to explore, feel, realize, and determine. The process needs time and patience and Ashley applies and allows expertly. So much more to say but this aspect of the podcast is most impressive to me.

One of the best ways to create a culture of safety is to reflect on and share experiences of mishaps and near misses. This podcast helps that sharing scale up for the internet age. I love having the chance to hear about incidents even beyond my circle of friends and local community and therefore absorb more lessons about how to stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.

As an AAC member I found out about the Sharpend podcast several years ago. After a couple episodes I was hooked on the program. I would listen to the episodes in order as I logged my training miles for a summit attempt on Denali. It helped make the miles and effort fly by. My trip was Covid delayed in 2020 when all climbing was cancelled for the season. The silver lining in this dark cloud was I listened to 12 more episodes before my successful climb in 2021. The story tellers comfortably tell their accident in interview format with Ashley. They are all situations that outdoor activity seekers can relate to or actually have done but got away without injury or consequence. It Is the lessons learned section that has benefited me the most. I mentally take note of these and apply the to my own outdoor experiences. Listen for yourself. Thank you Ashley.

i enjoy this podcast so much! i enjoy the genuine stories of this sport that i love so much.

I live in a real training “desert” for EMS, much less for backcountry rescue/medicine. Thank you for keeping me connected to the world I love!

Great, informative podcast with an excellent host. This is the best outdoor podcast I have come across. Not only are these episodes a learning opportunity, but they are experiences coming from all levels of outdoor enthusiasts.