Posts

Posted on

Enormocast 267: Michael Gardner – Beyond the Legacy

Photos: Alex Schofield, Drew Smith, and Sam Hennessy 
Subscribe

On the Episode 267 of the Enormocast, I sit down with alpinist and Exum guide, Mike Gardner. Mike was born to the mountains and a life in guiding with early summers in the Tetons and tagging along on expeditions with his father, George Gardner. But when George was killed in a climbing accident when Mike was 16 years old, Mike’s view of climbing was decidedly shattered. He found therapy in free-skiing for some time and being a “lawless” teenager, but he finally returned to climbing and guiding with encouragement from the wise guides of Exum. In the last few years, Mike and a crew of like-minded and young Alaska climbers have been getting serious about fast and light approaches to big objectives. With a comradery based on joy and having “fun”, they have been blazing up routes like the Slovak Direct in Denali in record times and ideal style.

Mike on Instagram

Up Close: Mike Gardner

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

Posted on

Enormocast 266: Erik “Alleycat” Hingerty – Above the Lighted Stage

Subscribe

On Episode 266 of the Enormocast, I sit down with stagehand, rigger, former BMXer, and “every-person” climber, Erik “Alleycat” Hingerty. Erik grew up underground street-riding on his BMX bike: ducking any fame, and trying to keep it real. But the accidents and injuries started to mount as he pushed his limits on a bike and started to age out. Then he found climbing to replace his adventure-jones and hasn’t looked back since. Now Erik thinks he’s found a pretty ideal vocation for traveling climbers: rigging and being a stagehand. Erik travels around the country to festivals and shows getting paid, seeing music, and climbing on his time off. If you’re looking for something to make the road-life ends meet, Erik might just be the guy to contact.

Erik on Instagram

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

Posted on

Enormocast 265: Drew Hulsey – Just a Climber Like EveryBODY Else

Photos 1 and 2 Matt Cunningham
Subscribe

On Episode 265 of the Enormocast, I connect with climber and influencer, Drew Hulsey. Drew saw Free Solo and pretty much lost his mind for climbing. Despite the feats of Alex Honnold being at the most extreme end of the sport, Drew found himself wondering “Can fat people do this?” Not even sure that the ropes would hold, Drew hit up his local gym and after a few sessions “learning the ropes”, he was hooked. But he did look around and notice that he was different from the predominately lithe climbers around him. In the media, too, Drew didn’t see climbers of his size. So despite opening himself up to the vagaries of social media comments, Drew started an Instagram account with the idea of making his struggles and triumphs as a larger person public. Now a “sponsored” climber and influencer, Drew uses his social media and clinics to help larger people not just discover climbing, but feel welcomed into the pretty overtly body-conscious community.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS