Enormocast 223: John Long – Existential Horsepower

On Episode 223 of the Enormocast, I sit down with legend, John Long. I first met Long, AKA Largo, some 25 years ago in West Los Angeles at a climbing gym. As I got to know him in that gym community, I quickly realized that the John Long I knew from his books like Gorilla Monsoon and Rock Jocks, Wall Rats, and Hang Dogs did not line up too well with the man before me. Instead of just a bombastic rock jock himself, John was thoughtful and intellectual and at the time, trying to walk away from “Largo” as an image. In his new book, Icarus Syndrome, Long reveals more of his true self to the than ever before. Though he is still John fucking Long: rock jock and adventure seeker, the John Long of today has matured into a true statesmen of the sport and a better writer than he’s ever been.

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3 Replies to “Enormocast 223: John Long – Existential Horsepower”

  1. Largo was one of the regulars on supertopo helping to defend the legacy and ethics. Without these legends there would only be sport climbing.

    The Icarus problem applies to me. At some point I realized if I got any braver I would die. It’s not as hard as people may think and very easy to just accept the risk. All the best climbers do.

    Brooklyn Boulders is building a gym here in DC. No ropes only v17’s. If my old body can manage it I will try to keep up.

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