The Enormocast

October 10, 2013April 12, 2015

Episode 44: Joshua Brandon alive and well in the mountains.

Veterans Dan Wiwczar, Derek Quintanilla, and Joshua Brandon on the summit of Mt. Olympus in Washington State. Click to see trip report.

On Episode 44 of the Enormocast, a chance meeting leads to an enlightening interview with Iraq war vet Joshua Brandon. Josh explains how struggles with PTSD led him to finding solace in the mountains and climbing (turns out that mountaineering has many of the thrills of combat but without the guys shooting at you). He explains his mission with the Sierra Club to help his brothers and sisters in the military find an outlet in the mountains, and what its like to try to get the Department of Defense to hug a few trees.

Sierra Club: Mission Outdoors

Sierra Club: Military Families and Veterans Intitiative

Josh’s buddy Stacy Bare on the Dirtbag Diaries

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September 26, 2013April 12, 2015

Episode 43: Asa Firestone – Beyond Climbing.

Me, Asa, and yes, that's Lynn Hill, at the Psicobloc comp in Park City. — Me, Asa, and yes, that’s Lynn Hill, at the Psicobloc comp in Park City.

On Episode 43 of the Enormocast, the Royal We sits down in the immobile studio with Asa Firestone. Asa recently started a company called Beyond Gear to help his mission to get underprivileged Brazilian kids out climbing on their neighborhood rocks. Asa talks about his mission, his lost partner, and why we all need to think about giving back.

Beyond Gear (and a great video about Asa’s mission)

First Ascenders

Climb for Life

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September 10, 2013April 12, 2015

Episode 42: Luke Mehall- Keeping the Dirtbag Faith.

paintedwall1 — Luke and the Freedom Mobile

On Episode 42 of the Enormocast, I sit down with Midwestern refugee, Luke Mehall. Luke is an author, publisher, poet, and climber who is not afraid to bear and bare his soul on the written page. In Episode 42, we remember Zines, learn about when it is and isn’t appropriate to inundate a women with poetry, and why a small part of me hopes Luke fails miserably. Like so many authors, Luke is a purveyor of truth through mythology, and a creator of real stories that may not have happened, and a damn good story-teller.