Jan

The Shorts — How She Got There

How She Got There

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/104290359″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Christine McMahon read Ranger Rick, stole her brother’s Boy Scouts Manual to learn survival tricks and was driving by age 9. She grew up relatively carefree surrounded by friends and family who made sure she feared nothing. Until the day circled in red on her calendar arrived. The day when she would try to walk again. In the rare moments when the self we imagined collides with reality the intensity can be terrifying. Yet that moment can also propel us along a path that we’ve dreamed about for our entire lives. It was time for Christine to take the first steps to leaving the crutches and wheelchairs behind and embrace the possible on her own.

Music: Idealize by Shedding • Acquiring Satellites by David Arkenstone • Elephants and Little Girls by Loch Lomond

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Jan

Buckle Down

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/104289891″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]James Q Martin has an incredible, carefree life. For the last five years he’s traveled the world, often to warm locales to photograph beautiful athletes in stunning places. It would be hard to let go of that kind of job, but two years ago, James stumbled upon a blog post about the impending damming of the Rio Baker in Chile’s Asyen region. It set off a powerful reaction. A decade earlier, James had traveled through the Asyen region, and the great wilderness left a lasting impression. Now, with the massive hydro-electric project impending, James came up with an idea. What if you took a naturalist, a writer, a photographer, a filmmaker and a conservationist on a source to sea descent to document the last days of a wild river? Could that act even help save? In 2010, James launched Rios Libres and made his dream happen. Completing his dream, would mean giving up the perfect lifestyle. With that, we present our 2011 Year of Big Ideas show. Professional athletes, passionate weekend warriors and Dirtbag Diaries contributors come together to present what they are working on in the coming year. Get inspired and then buckle down.

When you are done listening check out Rios Libres website and learn how you can help.

Also, check out Caleb Simpson’s new energy bar company Adventure Naturals (now Bearded Brothers).

Music: Coma Summer by Weekend • Kinison, Part 1 by Danny Saul • Pyramid by Planes • Do by Do Make Say Think

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Dec

What We Had

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Music:

Becca and I are stoked to share the new release from We Are Augustines. We have been awaiting this debut from some of our favorite musicians. We Are Augustines is the continued collaboration between Billy McCarthy and Eric Sanderson, formerly of Pela who we loved rocking out to in Seattle. We love the powerful lyrics and fist-pumping beats. They are every bit as passionate about their music as we are about the outdoors. Check out their website for their incredible story of family, loss, and perseverance motivated by a love for music.

Other cuts include: Capsular by Moon Holiday • This is Not a Pipe by Franz Nicolay

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Dec

The Shorts — Cardboard Canadian

Cardboard Canadian

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Music: Cumberland Breeze by The Snakes • Ghost Bridge by Invisible Allies • Not in Love (Featuring Robert Smith) by Crystal Castles

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Nov

Unseen But Felt

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/104287961″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]This last fall, Becca and I embarked on a trip of a lifetime. We began on foot in Sequoia National Park and hiked north through Yosemite. Along the way, we would climb as many routes as our rations, our bodies and the weather would allow. It was a slightly inefficient approach to a climbing trip that begged an explanation. To those who asked, I offered a slew of reasons. My heroes, John Muir and David Brower, had taken the same route. I wanted to prove we are capable of world class adventure in our backyard ranges. Those closest to me knew better. I was trying to save myself. At its core, The Diaries has always been about the joy of wild places and our community’s profound optimism, but at times contributors have stepped forward to provide stories about personal struggle, sorrow and depression. The Diaries has embraced both the light and the dark, because ultimately The Diaries are a reflection of me. Today, I present my own story. It may be hard to believe, but it happened.

Music: You by Gold Panda • White on White by Fredrick • The Smoke by Home Video • Poor Animal by Zola Jesus • Our Hearts by Firehouse

Music provided by IODA Promonet.