Tag: Alpine Climbing

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Episode 127: Erik Weihenmayer – Learning by Letting Go.

On Episode 27 of the Enormocast, I sit down with blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer. Erik found climbing just in time to save him from a miserable existence in the dark safe place where taking chances and adventure are out of the question. Instead, Erik learned to push against his boundaries and seek fearful situations to help him grow. Giving in to his blindness instead of fighting it was the ironic catalyst to a life of adventure that has taken Erik to the top of Denali, Everest, and countless other ice, rock, and snow climbs. Not satisfied with just climbing, Erik also learned to kayak and descended the entire Grand Canyon. Erik has learned to let go of the forces he can’t control and achieve a certain flow in the river of life. And did I mention that he can’t see a damn thing? And climbs 5.11 and kayaks class 5? WTF?

No Barriers organization

Erik’s Website

 

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Episode 123: Kitty Calhoun – The Mountains are Calling.

On Episode 123 of the Enormocast, I it down in Cody, Wyoming at the Cody Ice Fest with alpinist Kitty Calhoun. Kitty grew up in “society” in South Carolina, but quickly learned to live simply and love the mountains. The late 70s found her bumbling up ice climbs in Vermont and dreaming of big peaks. By the 80s and 90s, Kitty was guiding worldwide and mounting small expeditions to climb gnarly peaks like Makalu in Nepal. After raising a boy and a stint away from big mountains, Kitty is back in the saddle for expedition climbing. She’s also thrown her hat in the ring as part owner of Chicks With Picks, where she tries to teach women climbers to be just as determined and capable as herself.

Kitty’s Ted Talk

 

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Episode 118: Conrad Anker – You’ve Come Far, Pilgrim.

2016-10-25-portrait-conrad-anker17026-1On Episode 118, I sit down with consummate mountain man, Conrad Anker. Recorded before his recent brush with the reaper (see below), Conrad was already all too familiar with tragedy in the mountains.  A protégé of the late Mugs Stump, and goto partner of the fallen Alex Lowe, Conrad has been through the dark valley more than once in his climbing career. He has managed to emerge not just alive, but with a storied career as a climber, climbing mentor, and climbing professional. Somewhat reluctantly moving into middle age, Conrad will never stop pushing his limits in the mountains, even when they push back.

Conrad’s recent brush with death.

Conrad’s Website.

Conrad’s Early Inspiration: The SW Face of Everest 1975- Dougal Haston, Doug Scott.

 

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