Episode 206: Andres Marin – El Afortunado.

On Episode 206, we get down to climbing talk and climbing stories with Andres Marin. Andres was born and grew up in the mountains of Colombia, but immigrated to the US as a young man. Ending up in Grand Junction, Colorado, Andres was quickly drawn to the climbing opportunities in his back yard. Soon, he found himself guiding Mt. Rainier over and over and over (and over) again. Finally, he wound up as a consummate guide in Ouray, Colorado and then on the North Face team. Andres has been drawn to all forms of climbing, with alpinism and ice climbing being his bread and butter. First ascents world wide dot his resume amid years of desert climbing and technical Rocky Mountain ice. Good for a laugh and a crazy story, Andres Marin is the kind of climber you want at your campfire.

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.

Episode 188: Jason Kruk – When There’s Nothing Left to Prove.

On Episode 188 of the Enormocast, I sit down in Squamish, BC with Canadian alpinist, Jason Kruk. Jason and I have been threatening to do a show for almost 8 years now and finally got it on tape. Jason delves into his beginnings, his storied partnership with Will Stanhope, his love of alpinism, and his friendship with the late Hayden Kennedy. Jason is that rare professional that walked away from the spotlight on his own terms. Now, Jason is striving to redefine his climbing in the mountains away from risk and toward something more creative, sublime, and secret.

The Alberta North Face Story