Tag: Himalayas

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Enormocast 328: Matt Cornell – The Right Reasons

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On Episode 328 of the Enormocast, we sit down with alpinist and Michigander, Matt Cornell. That’s right, one of the world’s best alpinists grew up in the mountain-less upper Midwest dreaming of vertical playgrounds beyond his home State’s borders. Despite the pressures of modern suburban expectations, Matt moved into his hatchback and become a climbing bum post high school. But it was a suggestion of a mentor that convinced Matt to move to Bozeman and become an ice climber. After a season or two of bumbling his way into the hard-nose and hard-knock scene in Hyalite Canyon, Matt’s fuse was lit and the greater ranges beckoned. An epic or two later, Matt’s burgeoning skills finally started to knab him first ascents and coalesced a crew of like minded climbers around Cornell. Epically, but not finally, Cornell, Jackson Marvell, and Alan Rousseau did what some would say is the finest alpine style ascent of all time on the North Face of Jannu in 2023.

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Episode 198: Tom Livingstone – Devotion’s Visage.

On Episode 198 of the Enormocast, I sit down in Ouray, Colorado on a too bright Sunday morning with British alpinist, Tom Livingstone. Tom was born in the climbing desert of southern England, but now bases out of the climbing Mecca of North Wales. A traditional rock climber at first, Tom has made a name for himself climbing adventurous peaks in the Karakorum including completing the long sought after first ascent of the North side of Latok 1. Tom’s hyper-motivated and fun-loving attitude belies the fact that he is also tough as nails and willing to pitch himself at audacious unclimbed faces with style. And, of course, this show is a true lesson in the Queen’s English.

Tom’s Website

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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.

  • Lowe and Michael Kennedy .
  • Foraker
  • Foraker
  • Foraker crux.
  • Foraker
  • George and Jeff Lowe.
  • George, Micheal Kennedy, Jeff Lowe.
  • George on Hunter.
  • Hunter
  • Below Latok 1.

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