Episode 55: A Price Too Big
On October 29, 2019, Michelle Xue and her climbing partner set off to climb Red Slate Mountain in the Sierra Nevada when they were struck by rockfall and killed. The cold paradox of alpine climbing leaves loved ones behind, pondering the timeworn question: Why do we climb?
Episode 49: Good Grief
On September 2nd, 2021, Tara lost her dad to Covid. But…it's complicated.
Episode 30: The Prince
Phillip Schaal, “The Prince P”, died in 2016 after a severe reaction to a suspicious drug overdose. His story is told through Eloise’s lens and experience.
Episode 27: A Splash in the Pan
On April 16th, 2019, elite climbers Jess Roskelley, David Lama, and Hansjörg Auer lost their lives in an avalanche climbing Howse Peak in Alberta’s BANFF National Park. The margin of error for alpinism is unnervingly thin, and the truth of it all is that you are not in control—the mountain is.
Episode 24: The Process
Austin’s story is complicated, but life is complicated. Austin understood a lot of that, but as the pendulum in life swings both ways, he embraced both its highs and lows and especially reveled in the joy that free soloing brought him.
Episode 22: The ‘59 Sound
This is just one part of Eric’s story, who played a huge part in Hayley’s life. This is also a story about the stereotypes of gender and emotional expression, the importance of self-love, and the trajectory of grief.
Episode 16: A Hunger For Joy
On May 12, 1986, students and teachers from the Oregon Episcopal School Basecamp Program set off to climb Mt. Hood. Three days later, nine climbers would die in the second deadliest alpine accident in North American history.
Episode 14: Donuts for Savvy (Part 2)
In their love and grief, Nina and Court turned everything that Savannah was into purpose. This is part two of a two-part story. Introduction by the lovely Chelsea Rude. #donutsforsavvy
Episode 13: Donuts for Savvy (Part 1)
Nina and Court saw both sides of the pendulum: how the stronger and deeper we love, the harder it is to overcome the pain on the other side. This is part one of a two-part story. #donutsforsavvy
Episode 6: #NWS
Angela has loved to the end of the earth, which is exactly how far she would travel in order to say goodbye to Scott. Adventurous souls leave broken hearts behind, but what about the aftermath?
Episode 4: All This Death
Do you have a best friend? Like, a best best friend, as in “BFF” in all capital letters. And I’m not talking about your husband or your wife—I mean, your BEST FRIEND. This episode is about best friends and healing, and it’s a reminder that grief happens, but so does joy.
Episode 2: A Unique Relationship
Bryce’s brother Tyler died in a climbing accident. He now has a unique relationship with climbing, and he doesn’t believe that the grieving process is this big scary monster we all think it is.
Mini-Episode 4: Dying Slowly
When you’re alive and vibrant and healthy enough to choose to go climbing, but your dying mother doesn’t have that choice.