Nate George: Ground Up

From a very young age, Nate George learned that if he wanted anything in this world, it was easier to just build it from scratch. In 2016, Nate opened a climbing gym in an old potato shed, financing it with revenue from his computer export business. Nate's return on investment was fostering a stoked climbing community in the flattest area of the United Kingdom.  Support comes from Darn Tough Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG ⁠Oboz⁠  Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order.  Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

On a flyfishing adventure to explore the High Sierra’s most remote valley, Rebecca Ramirez is the first to admit that, fifteen years ago, she’d have easily been voted “least likely to be here.” When she decides to cut the hooks off her flies and explore a new way to connect with trout, her dedication to conservation and commitment to mastery come full circle. Much of the music in today’s episode is from Rebecca’s band Par Avion Support comes from Oboz  Darn Tough Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Kuat Racks  Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order.  Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries. You can join today.

What does it take to create something that lasts? Kathy Karlo is the executive director of No Man’s Land Film Festival, the first film festival by and for women and genderqueer adventurers. Kathy talks to Diaries producer Lauren DeLaunay Miller about staying scrappy, finding hope through community, and securing a vibrator sponsorship.  No Man’s Land Film Festival is in Denver Saturday, March 7th. Support comes from Oboz Love Hiking Darn Tough Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order.  Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries. You can join today.

Biting cold, freshly fallen snow, frozen lakes– what could be better? Brooke Maushund and Carrick Gambell take us through the joys of winter from the mountains of Patagonia to the forests of New England.  Support comes from ⁠Darn Tough⁠ Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Kuat Racks  Oboz  Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order. Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Saying yes to out of the box ideas can lead to incredible places. Alex Honnold’s live solo of the Taipei 101 tower seemed to spring out of nowhere, but it was the culmination of more than a decade of effort to make the moment happen. Today, we sit down for a debrief. Support comes from Oboz  Darn Tough (through early July) Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order.  Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Gazing out at the magnificent coastline of Big Sur, Justin Krompier realized his day job wasn't going to cut it.  Following a decades long battle with drug addiction, Justin decided to take a leap of faith, leaving the stability of a 9-5 for a life of adventure on the road with his camera.  Support comes from ⁠Darn Tough⁠ Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Kuat Racks  Oboz  Ka’Chava New customers get $20 off an order of 2 bags or more at https://kachava.com  Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

In August of 2025, professional adventure cyclist Sarah Swallow spent over a month bikepacking from the Pacific Ocean to the Eastern slopes of the Rockies. Her goal? To scout a new formal bikepacking route developed by the Adventure Cycling Association which stretches from the Mississippi River to Oregon: The Golden Gravel Trail. Sarah breaks down the highs and lows of her mostly solo bikepacking trip. Support comes from Oboz  Darn Tough Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Ka’Chava New customers get $20 off an order of 2 bags or more at https://kachava.com  Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

Andy Cochrane hails from a Park Service cabin in Minnesota and has lived the life many dirtbags dream of. He spent years on the road, funding his travel through skillful storytelling and photography. While out on a long trail run, he realized something was missing, and decided to create it. As he brought friends and community members on board, he discovered someone else had the same idea. It quickly starts to look like Andy, Ian MacLellan and Rickey Gates are in a race to complete the 50 Classic Trails of America, and the result will undoubtedly shape the future of trail running.  Support comes from Oboz  Darn Tough Free shipping on any order with code DIRTBAG Kuat Racks  Ka’Chava New customers get $20 off an order of 2 bags or more at https://kachava.com Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today.

As a high school teacher in Santa Maria, CA, Taylor Mihelic understands the power of a field trip. Whether it’s plant identification hikes through the forests, or habitat restoration projects on the coast, Taylor gets the best out of her students when there’s adventure in the air. During her summer break this year, Taylor took her own field trip on the tour divide bike race, exploring the edge of her limits and teaching herself a lesson in optimism along the way. Support comes from Kuat Racks  Oboz Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order. Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today. Our book, States of Adventure, 30 stories adapted from The Diaries, is out in the wild. See if it's available on your local shelves or order it here: geni.us/StatesofAdventure

Time spent outside as kids can extend into our adult lives in incredible ways. Jay Inslee’s passion for being outside shaped his path from his three terms as governor of Washington all the way to the national level. His pioneering policy work is having an impact in Washington state and proving that change is possible if we bring our determination to the world’s biggest problems.  Support comes from Oboz Through Dec 19th, nominate your favorite trail org⁠ for a chance to win $1000 donation from Oboz Ka’Chava Go to https://kachava.com and use code DIARIES for 15% off your next order.  Kuat Racks Diaries+ ⁠ You can join today⁠ and we'll send you the Diaries theme song to use as your ringtone. ⁠Gift memberships⁠ available too. Looking for a gift that will inspire? Our book,⁠ States of Adventure⁠, 30 stories adapted from The Diaries, is out in the wild. See if it's available on your⁠ local shelves⁠ or order it here:⁠ geni.us/StatesofAdventure And Then What Actions Learn More about Oak Flat (Access Fund | Apache Stronghold) Adelita Grijalva’s Save Oak Flat From Foreign Mining Act