Episode 11: What has two arms, one leg, and climbs like a mofo? Craig Demartino.

Episode 11 is EPIC! Craig Demartino takes us blow by blow through his climbing accident which culminates (spoiler alert!) in losing his leg. He fights to survive, then he fights to regain his life, then fights to climb better than he ever did. The real deal doesn’t even come close to describing this guy. Guts, determination, and unconditional love all bring him through. Be inspired. In fact, if this doesn’t inspire you, you may be a soulless android. Stab yourself in the hand, does it hurt? Okay, you’re human after all.

More Craig: http://www.demartinophoto.blogspot.com/

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Episode 10: On our movie date, Kelly Cordes explains the coward’s guide to alpinism.

NERDS!

On the first double-digit episode of the Enormocast, co-host Kelly Cordes and I discuss the the films we saw at the 5Point Film Fest and outdoor film making in general. We end up deciding that climbers are the nerds of extreme sports. Turns out that big wave surfers and big falls kayakers are way, way cooler than climbers and ultra-runners are far tougher. Kelly also repeats the word “porn” enough times to make me uncomfortable.

Links to some of the films we rant about:

Aquadettes, Racing the End, Code Red, Cold, Obe and Ashima, Dark Side of the Lens, Kadoma

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Episode 9: Sam Lightner fights for your right to party (climb).

In Episode 9, we start with a lengthy, then a short, then again lengthy discussion of author and climbing-crusader Sam Lightner’s special daisy chain. If you are still awake, then keep listening for stories of the infamous FOICers, Thailand, and why the Access Fund has your back. Not unlike his daisy chain, Sam can be both rigid and flaccid as the situation demands when standing up for your rights with megalomaniacal land managers.

Build your own Sam Lightner Ultra-Daisy!

Sam’s Oeuvre (that’s his collected works, you cretin)

 

 

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Ascent by Rock and Ice

The new Ascent from Rock and Ice has an article by yours truly and a bunch of more better writing. I even managed to get CLIMB! in there. Click on the link below to order one. Come on, don’t just read your buddy’s copy. Throw down some cash!

http://www.rockandice.com/books

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Episode 8: Steph Davis needs a lawyer and some ginkgo biloba.

Steph and her beloved Cajun

Episode 8 finds me in climber and flyer Steph Davis’ double-wide contending with her cat, Mao, her dog, Cajun, and her husband, Mario all futzing around in the background. Man, I can’t wait for PBR to build me a studio. Anyway, Steph and I mostly just reminisce about our shared past, but we do talk about her origins, inspirations, and transition to falling as much as climbing. And I manage not to swear for the first time, so gather the kids around. By the way, this podcast is in no way an admission of any guilt on the part of Ms. Davis.

Need more Steph?

Her website: highinfatuation.com

Her Book: High Infatuation: A Climber’s Guide To Love and Gravity

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Episode 7: Hayden Kennedy: Alpine Taliban or Patagonian Custodian™? (Part 2)

Imagine the possibilities?

In Part 2 of my epic interview with Hayden Kennedy, we get to the bottom of the arguments against Jason Kruk and Hayden’s decision to chop the Compressor Route on Cerro Torre. Hayden withers under my pillorying verbal attack, let me tell you. Begging for mercy. I also beg PBR for a sponsorship. Do you hear me? I will do anything for you, my overlords.

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The Cleanest Line: Texas Tower Soul Crush

Descending into the abyss

My old friend Jonathan Thesenga writes a “scream-of-consciousness” account of our ascent of Texas Tower in Southeast Utah. Good pics, too. I wish I had audio of me rubbing my feet and whining on that ledge after digging through the “snow mushroom”!

The Cleanest Line: Texas Tower Soul Crush

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Splitterchoss gets it right

Friend of the show, BJ Sbarra, has a pretty spot-on break down of the Cerro Torre kerfuffle over at Splitterchoss.com.

Cerro Torre for Dummies (and non-alpinists)

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Episode 6: Hayden Kennedy: Alpine Taliban or Patagonian Custodian™? (Part 1)

Maestri and his Compressor (a dramatization).

Oh, man. On Episode 6 of the Enormocast, I sit down in a remote secret bunker deep in the Rockies with the man of the hour and my friend: Hayden Kennedy. HK comes clean about his season in Patagonia with Jason Kruk and their now infamous decision to remove the headwall bolt ladders on Cesare Maestri’s 1970 Compressor Route. Quite a ride its been. This is Part 1.

More fun reading on the Compressor Controversy:
Kelly Cordes’ Cleanest Line Blog
Rolo Garibotti’s site
Italian Stefano Lovison’s view
Arnaud Petit’s view
Everyone else’s view: Supertopo
Everyone else’s view: Mountain Project

 

 

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Episode 5: Andrew Bisharat prepares to die.

This is NOT Andrew Bisharat (but he wishes it was).

On Episode 5, I sit down in Studio A with author and climber Andrew Bisharat. Andrew warms up to the idea of using his voice instead of his pen to communicate with the outside world and explains his philosophy behind writing, climbing, why Rock and Ice is like his family, and the best and worst ways to die. Hint: one has to do with drinking just a little too much urine. He also puts the kybosh on my pending Carhart sponsorship. Thanks, jerk!

More Mandrew on the web:

AB’s site: eveningsends.com

Andrew’s Book: SCFTRTRTFCS

 

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Episode 4: BJ Sbarra (and Thunderpup) is here to inspire you.

Thunderpup with bloodlust in her eyes (yes, that's a bearded lady).

On Episode 4, I hang out in BJ Sbarra’s kitchen fending off his vicious dog, Thunderpup, while he goes on and on and on about his big deal website, splitterchoss.com. Ooh, Outside Magazine’s Top Ten Climbing Blog list, ooh, seven years old, ooh launched my internet career. Blah, blah, blah, BARK. Anyway, we talk about the future of internet media and why we are both selfless princes among men. Check it.

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Episode 3: Kelly Cordes is livin’ life disaster style.

In episode 3, I park the Enormocast headquarters outside the Alpinist headquarters to talk with alpinist and internet sensation Kelly Cordes. Kelly reports on the old daze and new days in Estes Park, Colorado, the Ouray Icefest, and the world’s most inappropriate Halloween costume. Always a pleasure to talk with this simple, yet complicated, dark, yet illuminated, man (and his haircut).

Too much is never enough- more Kelly:

Patagonia’s the Cleanest Line

Kelly’s Personal Blog

Kelly’s Mullet

 

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Episode 2: Take Your Secret and Shove It

Chris and guest host Lisa Hathaway retire once again to the Oasis in Moab to explore the deep psychological underpinnings behind secret cliffs.  Necessary evil or just the realm of egotistical dickheads? Turns out it can all be explained by lewd metaphors involving blossoming sexuality.

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Episode 1: Welcome to the Enormocast

Cold weather and no bouldering forces Lisa Hathaway and Chris into the shelter of the Oasis trailer on the inaugural episode of the Enormocast. They try to decide who would last longer in a Zombie Apocalypse (ZA), and Chris dishes on why Italians are sorta like deer.

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