Author: Chris Kalous

Owner, operator, guru, yogi of enormocast.
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Enormocast 287: Mo Beck – A Certain Version of Fine

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On Episode 287 of the Enormocast, I connect with Paraclimbing champion, Mo Beck. Mo was born with one hand, and her parents were determined to make sure she was ready for challenges of life like any other kid. When Mo ran into a camp counselor that told her that she didn’t HAVE TO climb if she wanted to sit it out, her life’s course was set. Mo went on to several gold medals in paraclimbing, a starring role in Cedar Wright’s film, Stumped, a Nat Geo Adventurer of the Year award, and a life as a pro climber. Mo also founded the Adaptive Climbers Festival. Representation of disabled climbers is her game, and she dreams of big expeditions to the greater ranges, but whatever you do, don’t call her an inspiration.

Mo on Instagram

Adaptive Climbers Festival

Mo’s Website

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Enormocast 286: Didier Berthod – Facing the World (Part 1)

Photos: Fred Moix, Thomasina Pidgeon, Pim Shaitosa
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On Episode 287 of the Enormocast, I connect through to America’s hat with Swiss crack-master, Didier Berthod. You might have heard about Didier from his recent send of Cobra Crack. The media mentions Didier disappearing from climbing for 10 years, returning to slay the Cobra, yada, yada, but that Didier’s completion of the Cobra has a much deeper significance and symbolism than most can imagine. Didier and I go way back, but even I only knew a fraction of his story from the last 20 years. However, Didier comes clean in this episode about his religious journey, his poor decision to leave his partner and their unborn child, his redemption arc in Squamish, and finally sending the route the denied him so many years ago. This is one of the wildest stories ever told on the Enormocast. Part 2 in your feed soon.

My own prostrations to a route that Didier and I put up together: The Day I Sent Learning to Fly

Didier and Cobra from FIRST ASCENT

Crack of Destiny

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Enormocast Tweener: Didier Berthod – Facing the World (Part 2)

Photos: Fred Moix, Thomasina Pidgeon, Pim Shaitosa
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In the early 2000s, Didier Berthod was the best crack climber in the world, then he dropped out of climbing and essentially disappeared from the world.

When we left Didier Berthod in Facing the World Part 1, he had emerged from monastic life, contacted the daughter he had never seen, and returned to climbing. In this episode, Didier is back in Squamish climbing hard again. But he is also facing the music with his former partner (the mother of his child), the climbing community, and his abandoned daughter. Find out where Didier sits in his return to the world in this second part of his story.

Also, we get the story of Didier’s historic return to Cobra Crack, the FA of Crack of Destiny, and more on his return to form in climbing.

Jesus is a Friend of Mine by Sonseed

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