The Cowboy and the Maiden
The Cowboy and the Maiden
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99573482″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]In September 2008, Chad Kellogg and climbing partner Dylan Johnson stood atop 6250-meter Siguniang in Western China after completing the 10,000-foot-long SW Ridge. It was a mind-bending ascent through a massive big wall, a razor edge ridge and high altitude ice climbing. The two friends endured days without water and several sleepless nights. Dylan lost 30 pounds over the course of their ascent. If that sounds epic, it pales in comparison to what Kellogg went through to even return to the mountain that had filled his thoughts for years. During a prior trip, Chad was called home after his wife Lara died in Alaska’s Ruth Gorge. Four months later, he was diagnosed with cancer. Summits fade, routes disappear into alpinists’ memory, but occasionally mountains extend back into life on level ground. Sometimes we don’t just want to climb a mountain. We need to.
Music: Harm & Boon by Balmorhea • Malbicho by Los Fabulosos Cadillacs • Grim Advantage Pt. 1 by Egadz! • Comms by Suburban Dark • Sleep Sweet by Home Video
Music provided by IODA Promonet.
The Shorts — Beginner’s Mind
Beginner’s Mind
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99573033″ 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 beginners, the foreign language of awkward body movements communicates a commonality and leaves an ego naked. In this fragile moment, we are able to lay a foundation, a connection,” writes Becca. It’s hard to forget the first time you wedged fingers into a granite crack or careened wildly out of control down a ski slope. I bet you remember who was alongside of you. In the outdoor world, as we age, we can become picky. We are able to discern choss from splitter granite or hard packed moguls from Utah’s finest snow. Opportunities to return to that beginner’s wonder can be rare. Sometimes it is as simple as trading two planks for one.
Burton Chill Program:
The Chill Program is a non-profit, learn-to-ride program for under-served youth in urban areas across the U.S. In short, it’s a kick-ass program started by Jake and Donna Burton of Burton Snowboards fame that gets 2,200 youth who have never ridden before and probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to do so other wise out on the slopes. It’s not some photo-op program either. The Chill people do it right. This isn’t just a chance to try snowboarding; it’s a chance to learn. The program last six weeks. Participants receive lift tickets, rentals, transport to the mountain, lessons and most of all a pretty unforgettable time.
I’ve been involved as a volunteer for Chill for about three seasons now, and am always blown away by the impact it can have. (You might remember this Story). Snowboarding isn’t going to solve the world’s ills, but this program can have a pretty powerful influence on some (certainly not all) of its participants. Most of all…it’s a frickin blast to volunteer. Check out their site for locations. I’d highly recommend it for people looking to get involved in their communities.
Music: Yea Yeah by Matt & Kim • Two Times by The Blakes • Day in the Life (Featuring Steph) by Substantial
Music provided by IODA Promonet.
The Adventurer’s Parable
The Adventurer’s Parable
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99572641″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Today’s episode has it all. Steep descents. A battle to save South America’s pristine rivers. Backyard adventure. Eye candy. Photographers and activists Brian Mohr and Emily Johnson present stories and photos from wild ski terrain and their struggle to become a piece of the conservation puzzle rather than a cog in the problem. If adventure is the reflection of the human spirit, do we need to travel half a world away to find it in distant ranges, wild rivers and unpaved roads? And if the very act of traveling harms the places you hold dear, is going justifiable? The answers to those head jarring questions don’t always come easy.
Click here to watch with photos.
The Rio Baker:
The Rio Baker hangs in a delicate balance. I won’t get to into depth here as numerous groups have gathered together to fight the dams. Please click on the links. You too can contribute to the preservation of the Aysen Region. Numerous groups have taken up the cause. Conservacion Patagonica has already helped preserve a half million acres and established a National Park in Argentina.
Consider taking a few moments to draft a letter to Enel, the Italian power giant that is now spearheading the power project. Berkley-based International Rivers has a wealth of information and resources for getting involved without ever having to get up from your desk. We can make a difference.
Music: Struggle and Nothing by Ultre • Go On, Say It by Blind Pilor • We’re in a Thunderstorm by Gentleman Reg • When We’re Fishing by The Books • Don’t Go by Marching Band
Music provided by IODA Promonet.
The Shorts — Into the Dark
Into the Dark
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99570427″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]”Climbing–this one act saves me,” says Portland rock climber Bob Grunau. Throughout his life, Grunau has struggled with the lingering clouds of depression. Until he discovered climbing, the only way to weather the darker cycles was to retreat inward into his mind. That approach worked until he became a part of a family. Grunau had to be present. In those hard moments, he turned to climbing.
High, lonesome places can provide respite and joy. We can love them deeply, but ice and rock will not love us back. Ultimately, our tenuous connections with the vertical life are not nearly as delicate as our relationships with those we love.
Music: Benjamin Dewey is a Portland musician and friend of today’s contributor Bob Grunau. Dewey is also an artist and has some pretty cool comics over at Melee Comics.
Also appearing on today’s show: Bras d’Or Lakes by The Hylozoists • The Nation is on Fire by Red Room Cinema • Alida St. by Y La Bamba
Music provided by IODA Promonet and Benjamin Dewey.
Mister Smart Goes Big
Mister Smart Goes Big
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/99570076″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”300″ height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]Rangi Smart was riding a small spur of his favorite single-track trail when he stumbled upon a perfectly designed mountain bike jump. A platform of two by fours and plywood launched a rider outward and 20-feet down the steep hillside. It was the kind of thing Rangi had only seen pro riders stomp on mountain bike videos.
The 33-year-old math teacher thought to himself, “What kind of nut-job rides off something like that?”
Then Rangi imagined that he was that nut-job.
We can bide our time, wait patiently for our chance to shine, but more often than not, the moment chooses us. It’s our job to answer. Here’s to another year of big ideas, another year of slaying giants, bearing down, not giving up, chasing daylight, paddling in and fostering change. We bring you the hopes, dreams and goals of professional athletes, regular joes, parents, soldiers and students. Here’s to the dirtbags. Here’s to Mr. Smart.
Megan Sturdy is a climber and scientist working at the University of Illinois Chicago. She has figured out a way to incorporate here two seemingly incongruent passions–cancer research and climbing–into a singular project. Last year, Sturdy launched Climbing for Cancer Research. Her mission is two-fold. First, Sturdy is hoping to travel to Samoa where she can employ her climbing skills to reach lakes containing rare strains of cyanobacteria, which she uses in her research (I’d explain but it’s above my pay grade). Second, she wants to get climbers involved in the collection process. Check out what you can do to help. Sounds kind of fun.
Also Shane Robinson of Episode 15 fame is taking part in The Kamchatka Project. A team of ripping boaters who also happen to be scientists, photographers, filmmakers and marketing types hope to shed light on the world’s richest wild salmon spawning grounds deep inside Kamchatka Peninsula. Kayaks will be the vehicle. Conservation is the mission.
