Jul

Mikey Buys a House

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99547607″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]We’ve told stories about people quitting jobs, ditching mortgages and selling worldly possessions to go live life on their own terms. The road is ubiquitous with freedom, and sometimes we hear its call later in life. But what if you heard the call at 13 years old? If you had lived your entire adult life on the road? If you’d never signed a lease or even paid rent. Would there come a time to settle down? Meet climber and photographer Mikey Schaefer. Passion can lead to the most incredible places, even to the most American of dreams–Buying a home. This is our version of the picket fence.

Music: We Are Nowhere and It’s Now by Bright Eyes • She’s the One by Caribou • The Waydown by Modest Mouse • Small Answering Machine mix by Cassettes Won’t Listen

Music provided by Mevio’s Music Alley.

Jun

The Shorts — Bootstrapping

Bootstrapping

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/97425353″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Our baptism in wild places is different for each of us. For some, it’s ingrained so early in life that it hardly registers as a memory. For most, it was probably a little awkward, a bit daunting, yet so compelling that we wanted to do it again. For Wendy Irwin, it began with, “a soft-shell cooler, a MacGyver like trust in the magical properties of duct tape, and a ‘Tent for Sale’ ad in the classifieds.” Though much went wrong on Wendy’s first backpacking trip, the tendrils of nature’s beauty wound themselves into her mind and around her heart. And years later, when she met a teenager hiking the John Muir trail carrying two backpacks, she knew to smile and wish him luck. Because if you love it, you’ll figure it out.

Music: Swimming by Manuel Da Costa • Angeline The Baker/Leather Britches by Bradley Carter • High Country by The Maybe Sometimes

Some music provided by Mevio’s Music Alley.

May

Live from 5Point Vol. 6

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96453451″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Our second installment from the third annual Live from 5Point in April at the 5Point Film Festival. If you missed the last episode, we talked with snowboarder Kevin Pearce and skier Chris Davenport. Today, we present stories from James Walsh and Kyle Dempster. James has focused his camera lens on the biking culture within African. But the creative process can be a frustrating journey where you have to be doggedly determined to succeed. Today, James talks about the odyssey of being a filmmaker.

Kyle’s path as an alpinist is firmly rooted in first ascents around the world and a good humor. He’s won the Piolet d’Or twice. And in 2012, he traded in a climbing partner for a bike as he journeyed through Krygystan in search of more first ascents. Today, Kyle talks about the origins for his trip, how it evolved, and how his dad helped an alpinist take a bike trip.

Music: Stargazing by Ken Christianson • Turn Out The Lights by The New Amsterdams provided by Mevio’s Music Alley

May

Live from 5Point Vol. 5

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96452855″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]We’re back for our third annual Live from 5Point event. The sun was shining, but Steve’s Guitars was at capacity. Today we present the first two stories from Kevin Pearce and Chris Davenport. In 2009, Kevin was one of the best snowboarders in the world. On a training run, he had a major accident (his story is chronicled in the film “The Crash Reel“). Today, he talks about finding happiness after suffering a traumatic brain injury.

Chris’ career as a big mountain skier is impressive–numerous first ski descents of peaks, traveled around the world to ski, a two-time world champion. But I’ve always been impressed by Chris’ creativity in the mission he chooses. Today, he talks about the aesthetics of the lines he chooses and what he loves about mountains, especially those close to home.

Come join the fun next year!

Music: Stargazing by Ken Christianson • 100 by Cy Tru

Music from Cy Tru provided by Mevio’s Music Alley

Photos: Left to Right: Fitz and Kevin Pearce, Fitz and Chris Davenport, Fitz and Kyle Dempster

Apr

The Shorts — Ode to an Ice Chest

Ode to an Ice Chest

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96454007″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]As the days grow longer and warmer, the road beckons us. And while we can pile gear into the car until we can’t cram anything else in, packing some items take a bit more thought. Like, how will I keep the cheese cold? “The ice chest is the vagrant’s culinary miracle. It allows you to transport cold, somewhat-fresh food to almost anywhere your beater car can haul it,” writes Dean Fleming. But it can still break the bank. Fortunately, he has extensive experience living on the road and scraping by on a budget. Today, Dean presents another Lifestyle Tip for the Committed– his secrets for eating well, but cheaply, while you’re out on the road.