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

 

Episode 122: Hans Florine – A Need for Speed (Climbing).

On Episode 122 of the Enormocast, I sit down rather early in the morning with the “Ambassador to The Nose” Hans Florine. Hans holds the speed record for The Nose on El Capitan with Alex Honnold at 2:23:46- basically, less time than you spent on Facebook yesterday. But Hollywood Hans has been a freewheeling Cali climber for decades, and climbed a lot more than just the Nose. Hans was also one of the first Americans to compete widely, and was once the man to beat in competition speed climbing. Recently completing his book, On The Nose, commemorating his 100th ascent of the iconic Yosemite route, the story also chronicles the years of tit-for-tat on speed climbing on the route. Now this family-man continues to dream of the big stone while managing Touchstone’s Diablo Rock Gym, fired up for the day somebody smashes his record.

Tons of Hans:

On The Nose The Book, Website, The Gram, Twitter, Facebook, Speed Climbing Blog

 

 

 

Episode 121: Christopher Parker – Went Down To The Crossroads.

On Episode 121 of the Enormocast, I sit down with friend, musician, and former band-mate, Chris Parker. Chris and I discuss his ambitions with both music and climbing, and why its so tough to be addicted to both. His mission in life is to reconcile the all-consuming passion for climbing with the discipline and demands of musicianship. Right now, climbing is king, but if that slick agent showed up and dangled a contract and a tour? Who knows? We also debate whether climbing art exists as its own movement. Finally, most importantly, Chris plays us four of his own tunes.

Song 1: The Climbers. Song 2: Roll ‘Em While You Can. Song 3: Yosemite Gold. Song 4: Mothers and Fathers.

© 2017 CHRISTOPHER PARKER MUSIC

Download Chris’ New Album Here.

Christopherparkermusic.com