Sep

The Shorts — Drifting to a Fork in the River

Drifting to a Fork in the River

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/104300039″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]”Each trip I return from is like a seed for the next one. I imagine finding solace through solitude and bliss in the backcountry,” writes Fred Sproat. “At the same time that I think about endless wilderness pursuits I think about retuning home…to her.” While in school, Fred successfully balanced his time between guiding and love. Guiding takes a commitment to dealing with Mother Nature’s spontaneous eruptions–rainstorms, mosquitos, relentless winds–and the tenacity to keep clients happy. But you are able to pursue you passion, even if it means leaving somethings–or someone–behind. With new opportunities on the horizon, could he maintain the status quo?

Music: Sucker Punch Town by Dodd Ferrelle • Namo by Dawda Jobarteh • Starting Over (Bad Habits) by Typhoon

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Aug

Dirtbag Playlist Vol. 6

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177864607″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Aaah, August. A time to get outside and forget about computer screens. We hope you’ve been out there enjoying the summer. We certainly have. But don’t worry, even though we took a break from publishing, we’re still working away to bring you more stories this fall. This has been an amazing year at The Diaries–we hit one million downloads and we’ve continued to expand our circle of collaborators. We’ve been busy with other projects as well–The Season 2, Fringe Elements and The Love Letter–but we remain committed to bringing you stories from the community told for the community. Until then, here are some of our favorite songs that we used on episodes in the last year. Pack the car, open the windows and crank the cuts.

Tracks:

1. You Never Know Who You’re Gonna Meet by Publish the Quest

2. New Dawn by Withered Hand

3. Model Son by The Heavenly States

4. You by Gold Panda

5. Felt So Real (Featuring Toni Hill) by IAME

6. Owl Stunts by Breathe Owl Breathe

7. All I Need’s a Little More by Chikita Violenta

8. Poor Animal by Zola Jesus

9. Chapel Song by We Are Augustines

Music provided by Publish the Quest, We Are Augustines and IODA Promonet.

Jul

You Are Not Alone

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/104299656″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]How do you start to see the complex relationships that make up a community? The first time I sat around a climber’s campfire at 19, I could sense that though our lives were superficially different with jobs and responsibilities, something greater connected those gathered around the fire. It was the first time I felt a sense of belonging. Since then, my community has grown, and encompasses just about anyone who understands dawn light and type three fun. But getting into the spider-webbing network can be difficult even if you know it’s there. Today, we present two stories from women–one a climber and one a creator–about the moment when the random became connected at a time when it mattered most. Gather round.

You can watch the trailer for “23 feet” and keep up with Allie at Red Reel Media.

Music: LA by Fake Babies • Woven Tears by This Will Destroy You • Lauralee by Seth Glier • 3311 by Circuit Des Yeux • It Comes Back by Bradley Carter

Music provided by IODA Promonet and Bradley Carter.

Jul

The Shorts — Conquering Sherman

Conquering Sherman

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/104299091″ 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 are a community that likes to push ourselves. Whether we set a goal of miles or grades or just getting out there, we prepare for our feats. When David King set out to ride his bike across the US, he had read the books, bought the right gear and trained tirelessly on hills back home. But biking day in and day out started to wear on him mentally, as well as physically. As he cranked up a steep pass early in the trip, David wondered whether he had the mental tenacity to complete the ride. A lot of road lay beyond Sherman Pass. Was he really cut out for this?

Music: The Honest Truth by Typhoon • Red Cells by Music for Animals • Laydown by Chikita Violenta

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Jun

The Shorts — Penance

Penance

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/104298744″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Do as I say, not as I’ve done. It’s the central paradox of many father-son relationships. We strive to learn from our mistakes and grow throughout our lives. We want to see our hard earned wisdom reflected to others. After road racing bicycles for seven years, and pushing his youthful limits of bravery and luck, Gary Visser settled into life in South Carolina. He discovered a new passion in the salt water marshes, raised a family, and taught his son, Garrett, to fly fish. As Garrett prepares to leave for college, Gary appreciates that letting go, much like his parents did more than 30 years ago, is harder than one might think. Happy Father’s Day.

Music: Reggae Ehad by Selva de Mar • Big Wave by Aphasia • Pendulum by Bradley Carter

Music provided by Bradley Carter and IODA Promonet.