Sacred Slopes
“I did the skiing thing, I did the Navajo thing, and those worlds didn’t cross,” says Len Necefer. After learning how to ski-mountaineer in the winter of 2017, Len set out on an ambitious goal: to connect the Navajo cultural traditions of the mountains he comes from with his new love– skiing.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw • Quasi Motion by Kevin MacLeod • The Wall Cahall by Fitz Cahall and Cordelia Zars • Remedy for Melancholy by Kai Engel • Sage Circa by Amy Stolzenbach • Primary Colors by Ken Christianson • The Architect by Cleod9 • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
The Shorts — Balancing Act
Today, Carly Rushford and Paddy O’Connell find their edge on the snowy mountain slopes. In our first double-short episode, we hear how downhill skiing has helped Carly and Paddy shape their place and purpose in the world.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • The Last Wild Mountain by Bradley Carter • The Very Beginning by Bradley Carter • High Country Waltz by Bradley Carter • The Biddy Bong Song by Publish the Quest • Regal by Bradley Carter • Brooks by Kai Engel • Freaks by Bradley Carter • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
False Summit
“From here, it’s going to be easy.” Ryan Wichelns and Gabe Messercola repeated this phrase throughout their 21 day expedition in Denali National Park in 2015. From crossing scree-covered glaciers, to traversing ridgelines and downclimbing icy cliffs, to fording waist-deep rivers, Alaska taught these young mountaineers a lesson in making and letting go of plans.
See an overview of their route.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Jaco 2 by Bradley Carter • Indian Summer by John Berry • Somnolence by Kai Engel • Scenery by Kai Engel • Lake Rise by John Berry • July by Kai Engel • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
The Perfect Pace
“I think being on foot just allows you to walk past a person’s front door. I think that’s really important,” says Rickey Gates.
Rickey learned a lot about his country when ran across the United States. But when he finished, he realized his trip was incomplete and he set out to run every single street in San Francisco. His efforts to get to know the place he calls home ignited a movement of people getting to know their local communities all over the world.
Find maps, photos and more on Rickey’s website.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • One Day by Bradley Carter • All Together by Cleod9 • Primary Colors by Ken Christianson • Drifting by Cordelia Zars • Auroras by John Berry • The Landing by John Berry • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
The Shorts — Little White Canoe
“Thru-hiking started to feel like a compulsion: I had to hike the same way I had to breathe,” writes Eloise Robbins. After she fell in love with another thru-hiker on the PCT, she uprooted her life to be with him in Canada. Deprived of a job, a community, and most of all–mountains, Eloise wondered if the sacrifice for love was worth it.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Brooks by Kai Engel • Ghost Dance by Ken Christianson • Firediary5 by Ken Christianson • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
