Enormocast 304: Sam Stroh – Naturally Decent

On Episode 304 of the Enormocast, climber Sam Stroh drops by my suite at the Arcteryx Academy in Squamish to talk climbing and get to the bottom of a misunderstanding. Sam cut his teeth in New Mexico and soon after high school was on the road as a classic itinerant dirtbag. After falling in with his climbing-life-partner, Adrian Vanoni, the duo started audaciously skipping through the grades and finding themselves on bigger and bigger missions. El Cap sends ensued. Professional offers appeared. Deals were made. And now Sam is out on a limb farther than he ever dreamed. But somewhere in there, Sam and Adrian heard something from one of their thought leaders, yours truly, that didn’t sit well with the boys. In this interview, we get to the bottom of my apparent diss that’s been stuck in their mutual craw for years. But we hug it out in the end.

Wet Lycra Nightmare with Sam and Jordan Cannon

Get ‘Em While They’re Hot: Sam Stroh Arcteryx Academy Clinic Spots

Enormocast 285: Nico Favresse – Mad to Live

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On Episode 285 of the Enormocast, after long last, I connect with Belgian rock-climber and alpinist, Nico Favresse. Nico is certainly a contender for the most experienced expedition rock-climber of all time. Perhaps only rivalled by his ubiquitous partner, Sean Villanueva-O’Driscoll? Nevertheless, Nico is an all-arounder who has tackled the biggest and most remote bigwalls on the planet. In addition, Favresse is a hot-shot single pitch trad climber, sport-climber, and (was) comp-climber. But maybe, just maybe, he is best known for pulling off acoustic jam sessions in the harshest conditions and faraway places. He brings his enthusiasm to the Enormocast with tails of his beginnings, stories from his biggest climbs, tributes to his partners, and finally, and original guitar tune to take us home.

Enormocast 272: Connor Herson – Deeds of Youth

All Photos Christian Adam
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On Episode 272 of the Enormocast, I connect with young trad-phenom, Connor Herson. Connor first burst into climbing’s collective consciousness with the 6th free ascent of the Nose at the tender age of 15. Connor had already climbed 14 5.14s by the age of 14 (say that ten times fast), and he went on to collect 50 by the age of 18. His resume includes two youth national lead titles and a few 5.14 first ascents. Most recently, Connor swept into Squamish and nabbed repeats of some of the hardest routes in the area. Connor credits his family’s connection to climbing with much of his success – his dad Jim was a hot Yosemite climber in his day, his mom is a tireless supporter and belayer, and his sister Kara was a successful youth climber. Mix that pedigree with a boatload of talent and you get a singular climber: Connor Herson.