Episode 130- Jacopo Larcher – So Many Routes, So Many Dreams

All Photos: François Lebeau

On Episode 130, I sit down with Italian rock climber, Jacopo Larcher. We caught up while both in Spain and climbing at Siurana. Jacopo was on a mission to climb La Rambla (9a), which he did, and I was on a mission to pull off the first international trip with the Enormobaby, which we did. Jacopo, along with his special-lady-friend Babsi Zangerl, has been blazing the world in the last couple years free climbing big routes, big walls, hard trad, and hard sport. If its rock, he will climb it, and climb it well.

Cool Video about Jacopo’s crack apprenticeship.

Jacopo’s Website (remarkably updated!)

 

Episode 129: Steve Swenson – Almost an Astronaut.

On Episode 129 of the Enormocast, I sit down with consummate alpinist, Steve Swensen. Steve’s career in the big mountains has spanned decades. As a kid, Steve dreamed of flying to the stars as an Apollo astronaut, but he chose to climb as close to space as possible instead. While he has climbed worldwide, his most memorable and mesmerizing locale is the Karakorum on the borders of Pakistan, China, and India. In his new book Karakorum: Climbing through the Kashmir ConflictSteve recounts his years exploring the mountains of this formerly closed region and falling in love with its people but also watching the waves of conflict ebb and flow in the surrounding lands. Steve spent 40 years balancing on the three pillars of his radical life: climbing, career, and family, and somehow he is as stoked as ever to be in the mountains and pushing his mind and body to the highest reaches of the Earth.

Karakorum: Climbing through the Kashmir Conflict

 

 

Episode 128: Live from Devils Lake Craggin’ Classic

On Episode 128, I dig back in the archives for a live show recorded last year at the American Alpine Club’s Craggin’ Classic in Devils Lake, WI. One rainy, soggy, muddy night, three guest joined me for a panel discussion on the colorful history of the upper Midwest’s most storied cliff. Guidebook author Jay Knower, guide James Schroeder, and boulderer and Boulders Climbing Gym manager Katie Schultz talk history, grades, the infamous DLFA and more. Good times under a tent and a cloudy sky in the North Woods. As the climbing season in Wisco gets rolling, let deez guys get youz guys psyched for the Lake!

Jay’s New Devils Lake Guide

Devils Lake Climbing Guides

Boulders Climbing Gym, Madison, WI

More Legends of the DLFA

Get Involved with the Wisconsin Climber’s Association

2017 Craggin Classics including DL Oct 13-15.