Alaska climbing

April 14, 2020April 28, 2020

Episode 196: Janelle and Mark Smiley – The Purpose Makes Strong the Vow.

On Episode 196 of the Enormocast, I sit down with couple, Janelle and Mark Smiley. Janelle and Mark spent much of the last decade in a van pursuing the 50 Classic Climbs of North America. In addition to that hair-brained addiction to climbing and alpinism, both are crack skiers and guides, with Mark and 18 year veteran mountain guide and Janelle a champion ski-mountaineering racer . On this episode, we learn of all the trials and tribulations of completing 48 of the 50 Classics (attempting all of them at least once), the ups and downs of love and vanlife, and more. Mark and Janelle also have launched climbing and skiing online learning courses at mtnsense.com with the simple mission of keeping you alive. These two have relentlessly pursued an exceptional life in the mountains together and it shows.

Online Courses at mtnsense.com

Marc on the Hummingbird Ridge

Janellesmiley.com

Janelle over at Totally Deep Podcast

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February 26, 2020April 14, 2020

Episode 193: George Lowe III – A Fortunate Man.

George high on North Twin. Photo: Chris Jones

On Episode 193, I sit down with American alpine legend, George Lowe. George grew up in Ogden, Utah, among an extended family of climbers, skiers, river runners that included his equally legendary cousin, Jeff. A self-described dork, George found a home among the small counter culture of climbing and began using his problem solving skills on the granite of the Wasatch and the Tetons at a fairly early age. Decades later at 75, Lowe’s resumé rivals any American mountaineer with winter ascents in the Tetons, first ascents of many “last great problem” type routes throughout the Canadian Rockies and Alaska and finally the Himalayas. Despite his maniacal effort to downplay his achievements, this episode solidifies what we already know: George Lowe is one of the best to ever climb – and also may or may not have helped with denuclearization.

Slideshow images courtesy of Michael Kennedy.

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March 26, 2019March 26, 2019

Episode 172: Mark Twight – Still Coming Down Part 2.

MFT on Nanga Parbat by Barry Blanchard, MFT by Nikki Smith, MFT on gravel by Dan Krauss

On Episode 172 of the Enormocast, we continue to part 2 of a conversation with Alpinist Mark Twight. The Royal We highly recommends that one has a listen to Part 1 first, but this second half does stand on its own especially if you’re already familiar with Mark’s exploits in Chamonix and on Nanga Parbat. On this installment, Mark switches to tales from Alaska, and then we go deep into what makes Mark tick, his thoughts on his legacy, and what its like to lose so many friends to the savage arena on the mountains.

Episode 171: Mark Twight – Still Coming Down Part 1.

Nonprophet.media and Mark’s New Book: REFUGE.

Kiss or Kill: Confessions of a Serial Climber.