The Shorts– On The Other Side
Finding out what we’re capable of takes trial and error and a whole lot of trust. For Meg Morris and Emmye Vernet, they each had a guide who helped them see another side of the outdoors.
For Meg, her dad fostered her love of fishing, from Maine to Alaska to Tijuana, and helped her navigate through an unexpected challenge. Emmye didn’t grow up feeling at home outside. Her best friend Rose helps her discover the outdoors, partnership and love.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Lone Wolf by Saxons • Golden Lights by Tigers in the Sky • Depoe Bay by David Swensen • Until We Die by JT Ruff • Should Have Known Better by Topo Azul • Valse by Roma 49 • Swamp Dragon by SmokeM2D6 • Anything by Amico Mio • River Shadows by David Swensen • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell
Tracks provided with permission from the artists or from Track Club
Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts
In the fall of 2015, photographer Pete McBride and writer Kevin Fedarko embarked on a journey to rally support to protect one of our most awe-inspiring national treasures: the Grand Canyon. Their method? A 700+ mile sectional thru-hike of the wilderness that lies between the rim and the river. They knew the trek would challenge them, but they had no idea how quickly and completely the canyon would leave them demoralized and physically destroyed.
The two of them were contemplating giving up, when, as Kevin puts it, ‘A miracle happened’.
Today, a story about three people who have dedicated the better part of their lives to developing a unique skill–and a project so complicated and important that it required their cumulative experience to pull it off. It’s also a story about friendship, and how friends working together for a common goal can lead to something greater than the sum of its parts.
In addition to writing A Walk in the Park, Kevin also wrote The Emerald Mile. We talked with him about that process in The Threshold Moment (Apple | Spotify)
Watch some of the highlights of Kevin and Peter’s hike.
Check out Pete’s photography and film work as well as Into The Canyon.
To learn more about the current threats to the Grand Canyon visit Save the Confluence
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Eclosion by Salmo • Sunset by Kai Engel • Cowgirls by Ken Christianson • Something by Kai Engel • The Return by nisei23 • Snowmen by Kai Engel • Firediary5 by Ken Christianson • Night Without Sleep by David Mumford • Done With Dallas by Bradley Carter
Tracks provided by Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
Rob Pope: Superhuman
In 1994, Forrest Gump took the box-office by storm and became a staple of cable TV reruns in the following decades. Its feel good message about a simple man who lived life heart first struck a chord, but hidden inside a six minute montage was a grueling test of the human limits — a 15,000 mile ultrarun across the US almost five times. In 2018, Rob Pope became the first to complete this superhuman run, and became fascinated with others who push their limits.
Listen to Rob talk with other superhuman folks on How To Be Superhuman
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell •
Tracks provided with permission from the artists.
Mr. H’s Pivot
Mild-mannered, elementary school teacher Jason Hardrath may be a superhero. After competing in college as a cross country athlete, he turned to triathlons and then Iron Mans to push the limits of his endurance. Simultaneously, he developed his skills in the mountains and soon sought to combine the two, setting an audacious goal– the first person to complete 100 Fastest Known Time (FKT). Jason’s endurance and commitment seemed unending. That is, until he got COVID.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Cold Storage Percussions Unit • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell
Tracks provided by Track Club or with permission from the artists.
See You Next Week
Over the last few years, students at Utah State University built a weekly ritual at their school gym to grow the climbing community on campus. When Utah’s legislature passed a contentious bill last year, that routine was stripped away after. Students rallied to raise awareness, fighting to keep their weekly meet-up alive.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • A Finer Line by Jason Tyler Burton • Another State by Tigers in the Sky • Crossings by Sun Shapes • Catch The Groove by Curio • Valse by Roma 49 • Bowing Hearts by Strings in the Kitchen • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell
Tracks provided with permission from the artists or from Track Club
