The Only Way Out Is Through
Natalie Brechtel joined the U.S. Antarctic Program at the South Pole for a supposed dream gig, but instead it was the start of a year marked by harassment, a toxic work environment and loss. Despite losing the ability to trust both her colleagues and herself, she kept going back, redefining what it means to feel safe. A decade later, she faced one final exit challenge: to lead her team on a 26-day traverse to the South Pole.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Another State by Tigers in the Sky • Crossings by Sun Shapes • Easy’s First Tiger by Bossfight • Where the Morning Glories Grow by Dear Nora • Gone to the Gorge by David Swensen • Tracks provided by Track Club, Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
The Shorts– Chasing A Vision
At different points in their lives, both Brice Ruiz and Ashley Lose found themselves at a crossroads. Brice wanted to run his first ultramarathon, but wouldn’t call himself a “runner.” Ashley and her partner had just hit the road when she found out she was pregnant, pushing them to reconsider their definition of home. In each of their essays, Brice and Ashley find a path to creating the lives they wanted to lead.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Paris by Tigers in the Sky • Across the River by PADELM • Where the Morning Glories Grow by Dear Nora • Gone to the Gorge by David Swensen • Headwaters by Jason Tyler Buron • Golden Light by Tigers in the Sky • These Days by Tigers in the Sky • Phone Bill by Serene Sloth • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Track Club, Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
Race Day
Chances are at some point you’ve signed up for an organized race or event. Maybe you’ve participated in a local turkey trot or maybe you’ve run Western States. You register, pay the entry fee, train, show up and try hard. Race day can almost feel like magic. This is a story about the people behind the scenes making all that magic happen.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • San Onofre by Joanna Katcher • Enter Dawn by Graham Barton • Belanger by Graham Barton •. Beginning Again by Fairing • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Track Club or with permission from the artists.
The Winter Rangers
During their twelve winters as winter rangers in Yosemite National Park, Rob and Laura Pilewski have learned a thing or two about what it means to love a place– and a person.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • It’s You! by Brian Bombadil • Pirouette by Joya • Room 109 by Roma 49 • Red Fern by Brian Bombadil • Lighthouse by Garland • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Track Club, Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists
The Shorts– The Wilderness Within
Both Julia Hoer and Josie McKee suffered traumatic experiences that forced them to reckon with their identities and priorities. But through time in the mountains, each learned that they had within them everything they needed.
Music: If Walls Could Talk by Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto • Find a Love by Jesse Siebenberg • Across the River by PADELM • Wind Your Way Home by Jesse Siebenberg • Seeker by Kai Engel • Daisy by Tigers in the Sky • Thicker Than Water by Jason Tyler Burton • Delivered by Brendan O’Connell • Tracks provided by Track Club, Free Music Archive or with permission from the artists.
