Enormocast 284: Emma Twyford – Getting on With It

Right Photo by Ray Wood

On Episode 284 of the Enormocast, we connect across the pond to North Wales in the U.K. and into the living room of Emma Twyford. Emma is a pioneering woman in that rarified air of hard, desperate trad that only the old country can serve up. She is the first British woman to climb 9a with her ascent of Big Bang (3rd ascent overall), has established 8b+ with Deux Mauvais Melons – the hardest FA ever by a British woman, and was the second woman to climb E9 with an ascent of Rare Lichen. We talk about the mentorship from her dad, moving through the hot bed of Sheffield but ending up in North Wales, and we even try to figure out the E grades to almost no avail. Emma also shares her struggles with fear and motivation after a close friend nearly loses her life in a car accident. Emma has made it to her late 30s despite some close calls and finds time to reflect on her current motivations including the daunting idea of starting a family.

More Emma

Big Bang Doc

Enormocast 283: Clint Helander – To Live in Hearts We Leave Behind

Left foreground subject: Jess Roskelly. Photos: Clint Helander, Charlie Renfro, Andres Marin

On Episode 283 of the Enormocast, I sit down in a hotel in Munising, Michigan at the Michigan Icefest with Alaska-based alpinist, Clint Helander. What with the Chris Kalous Dance Party and the last call nightcap(s) at a bar literally called Whisky Dick’s, it had been a long night and an early morning for both of us. The vibe is set and Clint opens with a remembrance of his lost buddy, Jess Roskelley, then tales from life as an Anchorage-based climber. From a fifteen years of climbing in the Revelation Mountains, to all parts of the Alaska Range, Clint has become one of the most experienced Alaska climbers in the biz. An ascent in 2022 of Golgotha with Andres Marin crowned, for now, a two decade career in the alpine. For mostly better, and sometimes worse, Clint Helander has seen it all in the Alaska arena.

Clint on Instagram (and the post-avalanche vid)

More about Golgotha and Hunter

Clint’s Photography

Enormocast 282: Natalia Grossman – The Tyranny of Expectations

Photos: Lena Drapella, Christian Adam, Christian Adam. All courtesy of Black Diamond

On Episode 282 of the Enormocast, I sit down with US Olympic qualifier, Natalia Grossman. That’s right, Natalia is headed to Paris to represent the US in Lead and Boulder combined (speed is separate this time around). But this moment was caught during a bit of down time for Natalia as she ramps up for Spring comp season to ready for the Olympics in July. Natalia explains her beginnings and the over-the-top support of her folks, how the pandemic fit into her rise, and why her success lead to overtraining and burnout. Finally, Natalia vows to keep the pressure of her Olympic debut in perfect perspective as she shuns expectations and just wants to have a great experience and enjoy herself…and…you know, maybe win the gold…if it works out…would be cool.

Natalia on Instagram

Smile and Fight