Gear Love

Mild-mannered, elementary school teacher Jason Hardrath may be a superhero. After competing in college as a cross country athlete, he turned to triathlons and then Iron Mans to push the limits of his endurance. Simultaneously, he developed his skills in the mountains and soon sought to combine the two, setting an audacious goal-- the first person to complete 100 Fastest Known Time (FKT). Jason's endurance and commitment seemed unending. That is, until he got COVID. Cascade Trifecta FKT Long COVID resources Support comes from Kuat Racks  Oboz  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

Over the last few years, students at Utah State University built a weekly ritual at their school gym to grow the climbing community on campus. When Utah’s legislature passed a contentious bill last year, that routine was stripped away after. Students rallied to raise awareness, fighting to keep their weekly meet-up alive.      Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first order Oboz Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today. Fitz will be in Colorado for two States of Adventure book presentations in May.  May 1st at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder (RSVP here) May 2nd at Feral in Denver (RSVP here)

Shifting paradigms is hard work, but sometimes it can be a whole heap of Type II Fun as well. In 2019, Stratton Matteson sought to find out if he could get away with only human powered mountain access for a whole year. Five years into his quest, he shares what he’s learned. Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first order Oboz Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today. Fitz will be in Colorado for two States of Adventure book presentations in May. Join us! May 1st at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder (RSVP here) May 2nd at Feral in Denver (RSVP here)

What does it take to run an ultramarathon? Or top out a boulder that makes you stretch what you think you're capable of? Tenacity. From our seat, we see it happen all the time in our community. Today, Coleman Wood and Brian Laidlaw bring us two stories about rising up and meeting the challenge that they laid out for themselves.  Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first order Oboz Diaries+ Members-- Their support is powering the Diaries- thank you! You can join today. Fitz will be in Colorado for two States of Adventure book presentations in May. Join us! May 1st at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder (RSVP here) May 2nd at Feral in Denver (RSVP here)

Just 10 years ago, the director of the Barkley Marathons declared that the race was too tough for any woman to complete it. Meanwhile, Jasmin Paris, a mild-mannered veterinarian from Scotland was smashing records in the ultramarathon world. It wasn’t too long before Jasmin set her sights on the Barkley.  It’s not everyday you make history. For Jasmin, breaking barriers comes naturally.  Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first order  Oboz Register for Trails For Trees by March 31, 2025 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

Erik Grams has been taking trips to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota for over 30 years. It's his favorite place in the world. But last year, a fatal accident on a fishing trip that Erik was leading changed his life. On this episode from our friends at Points North, we hear Erik's harrowing story and how he has wrestled with his feelings about a place he’s loved for decades. Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first order Oboz Register for Trails for Trees by March 31st 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

After his personal life takes a surprise turn, Luis Alonzo dares to reinvent himself by trying something far outside his comfort zone– climbing Mt. Rainier. With a crew of other novice climbers, Luis spends six months prepping for summit day. Will the climb move him closer to being the person he wants to be? Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first order  Oboz  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

Loss. Grief. Healing. It’s part of being human. The emotions that almost tear us apart have the power to bring us together. Today, we bring you two powerful stories from Alison Kaplan and Monica Nigon.  Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first 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

It started so harmlessly. Four years ago, professional skier Brody Leven embarked on a simple challenge – exercise outdoors everyday. In a complicated moment in time and life, it was a way to exert some control over his day to day. It was never supposed to last forever.  Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first 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

Matt Martin and his fiancé, Hannah, were just starting out on their shared life, when a breast cancer diagnosis rewrote the script they’d imagined for life. Matt stepped into a new role – caregiver. Life became a blur of treatment, worry and existing with unknown outcomes. After a year of caring for Hannah, Matt received the chance to attend one of First Descent's week-long trips down the famed Rogue River. Under the guidance of legendary kayaker and cancer survivor Willie Kern, Matt’s week on the river left him with a lasting understanding of the difference between reacting and responding to the difficult stretches.  Support comes from Kuat Racks  Terns Use code DIRTBAG to save 25% off your first 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