Enormocast 313: Dave Groth and Leo Hermacinski – Giving Devil’s Lake Its Due

Subscribe

On episode 313, I sit down in the Enormocast headquarters in Carbondale, CO with two OG Devil’s Lake climbers: Dave Groth and Leo Hermacinski. Groth is a veritable legend amongst the purple quartzite walls and blocs of DL, and Leo was there to witness many of his finest moments. As members of the infamous DLFA, they both dipped into to the merry debauchery that went along side the rough and tumble ascents of the late 70s and early 80s. More than that, they travelled the world as climbers and soaked up the traditions of Sheffield, Arapiles, Czechoslovakia, Boux, and beyond. Leo wrote the guidebook, and Dave etched in some of the boldest ascents. Though they both rambled out, Dave and Leo’s hearts and minds were always returning to Devil’s Lake.

Enormocast 312: Maya Madere – Opportunity Rocks

Photos: Jame Lucas, Bearcam
Subscribe

On Episode 312 of the Enormocast, I invite comp and rock climber Maya Madere for a face to face interview at the Arc’teryx Academy in Squamish. Maya considers herself an opportunist, but in the good way. She looks for open doors and opportunities, and when they come, she grabs hold tight, works her butt off, and makes the most of the chances she’s given. This attitude has gotten her to World Cups, on top of podiums, through Stanford University, and now landed her a spot on the Arc’teryx team. Now Maya has showed up in her mid-twenties still pursuing that unique high of comp climbing, but also starting to wonder at the rewards of hard outdoor climbing on the boulders, sport routes, and beyond. Maya Madere is at a perfect moment to reflect, take stock, and think about what’s gotten her here and what’s next.

Under Construction

Maya Instagram

Enormocast 311: Gisely Ferraz (Souza) – The Heart is a Puzzle

Photos: Kaya Lindsay, Irene Yee, Eva Cappozola, Adam McClatchie
Subscribe

On Episode 311 of the Enormocast, I catch up in Moab with Brazilian climber Gisely Ferraz AKA Gisely Souza AKA Brazilianclimbergirl AKA Gi. Though Gisely started climbing in Brazil, she has spent much of the last two decades in North America- first in the Northeast and then out West. Though she fell in and out of climbing during her early life, after she raised a boy and got him through college, Gisely felt free to pursue her climbing dirtbag dreams at 40. That path led her into the arms of Ken Anderson and a few dream years together on the wing with her perfect partner. But then tragedy struck and Ken perished from a long fall while he and Gisely were on the Chief in Squamish. The years following were brutal for Gisely, but she carried on and healed as best she could through climbing. Gisely has gone on to be a force in OW climbing, new routing in the desert, and climbing in Patagonia. And Ken Anderson’s inspiration has never left her.

Gisely on Insta

Crack Clinics with Gi

Gi’s Website

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver