Enormocast 217: Michaela Kiersch – Life’s Greater Needs

Photos: Simon Carter, Kiersch Collection, Brennan Robinson

On Episode 217 of the Enormocast, I connect after some internet trouble with the indomitable Michaela Kiersch. Michaela grew up a Chicago girl – loving baseball and the White Sox- but when she found the climbing gym, her baseball goals were supplanted. The climbing community embraced Michaela at just the right time as her mother’s long battle with cancer ended in her death when Michaela was just a girl. Michaela cites the embrace of her climbing community in Chicago as a major help in her grief. Michaela’s mother lived long enough to instill Michaela with ambition and drive that brought her to the top of competition and sport climbing with national championships and multiple 5.14c ascents. Those same traits are seeing her through a PhD program in occupational therapy. Truly someone who sees more to life than climbing, Michaela may just have the energy to have it all.

Episode 157: Katie Lambert – Face Yourself.

On Episode 157, I sit down in Bishop California with adventure climber and long lost friend, Katie Lambert, for a raucous, story-filled interview. Katie recounts her journey from the distinctly climbingless State of Louisiana to Toulumne and Yosemite Valley.  Katie tells of her travails trying to get into America’s Hat, climbing in the Northwest Territories and more. She has been running clinics at the Women’s Climbing Festival and explains why its important that women find each other in climbing. Finally, Katie show’s us the essence of life and death at #katiesgrosspicsofinstagram

Catherine Destivelle Solos Old Man of Hoy

Bird’s Perspective

Katie’s Blog

Masters of Stone 1

Episode 119: Brette Harrington – Go Your Own Way

On Episode 119 of the Enormocast, I sit down in Grand Junction, in the landing pad of Mayan Smith-Gobat, to interview young alpinist and free climber, Brette Harrington. Oft mistaken for a Canadian because of her ties to Squamish, this young American climber has been lighting up in climbing media with tales of audacious solos and big wall climbs. Brette explains that she has always gone her own way and found climbing after a path toward freeride skiing took her to New Hampshire. Now only 24, and already an experienced expedition and wall climber, the whole world is at her command. Oh, and she is not related to climber Emily Harrington, though she wouldn’t mind it if she was.

Evening Sends Profile of Brette