Gear Abby: An Outdoor Advice Column For Your Ears

Where Is the Quietest Place in America & Do You Need an Ultralight Pack?

September 12, 2026·40 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Where can you go to find real silence in the outdoors? Which lodge kicked off the grand tradition of national park lodging? And is buying an ultralight backpack actually worth the money?This week on Gear Abby, Shawnté searches for the quietest places in America including the famous “One Square Inch of Silence” in Olympic National Park, dives into the history of Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn, and explains why the lightest backpack isn't necessarily the best backpack. Plus: Bluetooth-speaker rage, Colin's refusal to visit Yellowstone, backpack “mammary pouches,” and the disturbing realization that last week's tarantula sex conversation apparently isn't over yet.Gear Abby can answer your questions! Send them to deargearabby@gmail.com.Gear Abby is a production of Rock Fight, LLC.

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