Oct

The New Conservationists

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99576018″ 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 sports, our passions provide a special opportunity to visit the natural world’s wildest places. This tradition began with climber, writer and godfather of conservation John Muir. He was a dirtbag before he was an icon. Now, there are members of our community–boaters, skiers and photographers–who are following in Muir’s footsteps. They don’t necessarily come from traditional activist roots, but have chosen to take stand for little places and big ideas. Today, we present three stories. A city girl sheds caution to start a farm. A kayaker becomes a journalist. An adventure photographer forgoes a career traveling the globe to run for office back at home. I am John Muir. You are John Muir. We all have a Yosemite.

I think I accidentally called St. George…St. Gross in a section of the episode. Total mistake. Freudian slip.

Music: Heavens to Purgatory by The Most Serene Republic • Don’t Lie About Me by Herman Dune • The Winter by Balmorhea • Have Some Guys Kid by Egadz! • Do by Do Make Say Think

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Sep

The Shorts — Underwriting Adventure

Underwriting Adventure

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99575787″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Can you insure adventure? Last summer, climber and writer Majka Burhardt embarked on an adventure two years in the making. In the last moments before leaving, Burhardt decided to purchase travel insurance. Her trip to Namibia was an insurance underwriter’s nightmare. It turns out that climbing is blacklisted. On top of that, while abroad Burhardt couldn’t partake in sleigh rides, play American Football or Zorb. She didn’t even know what Zorbing was, but suddenly she wanted to try it. After all the work to make her trip happen, she wanted more than insurance. Burhardt wanted assurance that her adventure would be a success. The thing is–you can’t plan adventure.

Music: Imidiwan Afrik Temdam by Tinariwen • What? (Featuring Justis) by Mantis • Reggae Ehad by Selva de Mar

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Sep

Seeds

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99575533″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]It was a tough summer in the climbing community. We lost heroes, friends, mentors, legends, sons and parents. We celebrate their lives with stories and memorials, but after the glasses are raised and the happy times recounted, those closest to the deceased are left in the vacuum their lives once inhabited. The living confront hard questions and dark emotions. This year, 22-year-old Evan Piche’s world turned upside down. He discovered, that even in the worst moments there are seeds of growth.

Music: The Path to Recovery by Peter Broderick • Ships With Holes Will Sink by We Were Promised Jetpacks • Sooner or Later by ZAZA

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Aug

Dirtbag Playlist Vol. 4

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177576232″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]I hope everyone is out on vacation. At the moment, I’m running around gathering stories and trying to keep up with my tomato plants. This fall we will have some familiar voices and some new ones. There will be some laughter and one very serious story. There will be tales from afar and ones a little closer to home. I’m excited. I’ve also been working on a new project–one that will compliment what I’ve been trying to do with the Diaries. It will go live in January. In the meantime, here are some cuts to close the summer with. Tracks are listed below.

Bands:

Publish the Quest–The new project from long time collaborator Jacob Bain.

The Secret Life of Sophia (now Milagres)–This Brooklyn-based band created a concept album centered around the hopes and stories of alpinists.

Tracks:

1. Don’t Leave When Winter Comes (Featuring Slug) by CunninLynguists

2. Go On, Say It by Blind Pilot

3. Yea Yeah by Matt & Kim

4. Heads Roll Off by Frightened Rabbit

5. Easy by Deer Tick

6. Play On (Featuring The Jungle Brothers) by Rae & Christian

7. Feel.Love.Thinking.Of by Faunts

Music provided by IODA Promonet.

Jul

The Shorts — Knees and Weather Permitting

Knees and Weather Permitting

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99575314″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Some of us were lucky enough to hoist a bulging pack onto our shoulders, stumble into the mountains and return changed at a young age. Some of us heard the mountains’ calling later in life. That doesn’t mean the passion burns any less bright. When writer Sarah Wroot took her first hike through Scottland’s craggy hills, she was overwhelmed with a surprising notion. “If I had a pack and a tent, I could keep going. I could be free to go wherever I want,” she thought. The idea took hold. Today, Sarah takes us all the way the Scottish Highlands and a journey that changed her life.