Podcast Archives • Page 9 of 9 • Mountain & Prairie

Noel Durant is the new Executive Director of the Crested Butte Land Trust, a conservation organization that protects and stewards the ranches, trails, open space, and wildlife habit of Colorado’s Gunnison Valley. Noel took the helm of the land trust in early 2017, and he brings a wide variety of conservation experience with him into this new role. He’s worked as a member of the Interagency Hotshot Crew, fighting fires across the American West. He has also worked for regional and national conservation organizations, doing everything from managing large swaths of rural land to developing urban trail systems.

Noel’s resume speaks for itself, but what is even more impressive is his intense curiosity and deep knowledge around all things conservation. Whether discussing the history of the Gunnison Valley or the ideas of Wendell Berry, it’s clear that Noel has a true passion for his work and a vision for the future of conservation in Colorado and beyond. His practical experience combined with abundant enthusiasm is what will allow him to continue and expand the work of Crested Butte Land Trust into the future.

As listeners of the podcast know, Crested Butte in one of my favorite places in the American West. Its ranching heritage, world-class recreation, and genuine community make it a unique and rare place in today’s American West. In our conversation, Noel explains what makes Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley so special, and how the Land Trust must balance the goals of such a wide range of various stakeholders. He talks about the history of conservation in the Valley and where he sees conservation going in the future. We also discuss his time fighting fires throughout the West, how his early life and parents shaped his love of the outdoors, and lessons learned from his various roles in conservation.

This is an excellent episode with lots of interesting information, so be sure the check the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. I’m sure you’ll agree that Crested Butte Land Trust is in great hands under the leadership of Noel. Enjoy!

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:35 – How Noel describes his work
2:55 – Crested Butte and the Crested Butte Land Trust
5:00 – Crested Butte compared to other mountain towns
7:00 – History of conservation in Crested Butte
11:00 – Variety of stakeholders and methods of conservation
16:30 – Overlap between ranchers and recreational users
19:00 – The community of the Gunnison Valley
20:15 – Early years in Tennessee
22:00 – Semester in western NC
23:50 – College at Clemson
27:00 – Time with the Interagency Hotshot Crew
29:00 – Details of a hotshot crew
33:00 – Community and purpose of the fighting fires
35:00 – Tragedies and challenges from the fire fighting world
39:45 – Moving on from fires to land conservation
43:00 – Time at Trust for Public Land
45:20 – Importance of open space in urban area
47:00 – Lessons learned from jobs in conservation
51:45 – Future of land conservation locally and nationally
56:45 – Favorite books
58:50 – Favorite documentaries
59:20 – Favorite location in the West
1:01:34 – Favorite hike in Crested Butte
1:03:00 – Best piece of advice he’s ever received
1:04:45 – Request of the listeners
1:05:45 – Connect with Noel and Crested Butte Land Trust

Information Referenced

Posted on August 25, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Leadership

Teal Blake – At work, outside the studio

If you love art and the American West, chances are you’re already a fan of Teal Blake. His paintings of bucking horses, working cowboys, and the Western ranching lifestyle are some of the most authentic and creative around. Teal’s art is authentically Western because he’s so authentically Western—he has worked on ranches for all of his life, has ridden rodeo on the professional level, and has been making art since before he can remember. These unique life experiences, combined with a deep-seated drive to create original and striking art, meld together to make him one of the most genuine and fresh faces in Western art today.

Teal grew up in Augusta, Montana, the son of two creative parents who allowed him to roam free—fishing, hunting, and exploring the wilderness out his backdoor. During high school, he discovered his talent for bull riding and rodeo, and he pursued that passion for years, eventually competing on the professional circuit. Throughout all of his various adventures and life stages, Teal was continuously sketching and painting, and after several impressive showings at western art shows, he decided to make a go of it as a professional artist. Since then he hasn’t looked back, and his stature in the Western art world continues to grow.

We had an in-depth conversation in which we discussed Teal’s upbringing in Montana and Idaho, and how his artistic parents influenced his life and work. We chatted about his experience at art school, which ended with him flunking out, yet being the only one from his class to actually make it as a professional artist. We discuss his background in ranching and rodeo, and his process of transitioning into life as a professional artist. We also talk about the important role that external validation can play in a solitary creative endeavor such as painting. As usual, we discuss favorite books, favorite films, and his favorite place in the American West. We cover a lot in this episode, so be sure to check out the episode notes for all the topics and links to everything we discuss.

Images courtesy of Teal Blake

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:45 – How Teal describes his work
3:33 – Process of becoming a professional artist
5:00 – Teal’s childhood in Montana
7:55 – Teal’s parents and their influence on him
9:35 – Early artistic influences
11:20 – Early artistic endeavors
12:00 – Move to Idaho and rodeo beginnings
14:55 – Decision to stop riding bulls
17:40 – Teal’s experience at college art school
21:30 – Transition from rodeo to full-time artist
24:00 – Teal’s first art show
28:00 – Teal’s daily routine and artistic phases
31:05 – Ranch work and its influence on Teal’s work
35:25 – Teal’s attraction to bucking animals — painting and riding them
38:20 – Biggest changes in Teal’s art over the past 10 years
40:33 – Challenge of creating new and original work
43:00 – Thoughts on the business of professional art
48:20 – Favorite books
52:10 – Importance of being humbled
53:10 – Raising kids in the internet age
56:50 – Favorite films
58:40 – Surprising hobbies
1:01:00 – Great advice Teal has received
1:02:15 – Favorite place in the West
1:05:50 – Teal’s advice to the listeners
1:07:45 – Connect with Teal online
1:08:10 – Chappin’!!

Information Referenced

Posted on August 10, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity, History, Ranchers

Justin Simoni (photo credit: Justin Simoni)

Justin Simoni is an ultra-endurance adventurer who is most well known for his self-powered, long-distance tours that combine cycling, mountain running, and climbing. He is currently preparing for the “Highest Hundred” in which he’ll climb Colorado’s 100 highest peaks, accessing them all by bike, in 60 days or less. If he pulls it off (and I’m betting that he will), it will be the first time anyone has linked all of these peaks by bike in a completely self-supported style.

Most people would assume that Justin has been a hardcore cyclist for his entire life, but he actually started riding relatively late. He studied painting in college and worked full time as a professional artist for years, living in an art gallery in downtown Denver. Frustrated with his car that kept breaking down, Justin purchased a bike and began to ride it as his primary mode of transportation. As his rides became longer and longer, he enjoyed it more and more, and pretty soon he was completely committed to long-distance cycling. What followed was a barrage of impressive solo ultra-distance adventures: cycling the Pacific Coast, racing the Tour Divide mountain bike race twice, and completing the Tour 14er, which involved cycling to all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains and climbing them… in just 34 days.

Thanks to his athletic accomplishments, artistic perspective, hilarious sense of humor, and infectious enthusiasm, Justin is truly one of a kind. We had a fun and funny conversation that covered a wide range of topics from his adventures to his time as an artist. We chatted about some of the techniques that he uses to stay upbeat during periods of extreme fatigue or fear, and we discussed how he balances his free-wheeling artist’s mentality with the monk-like discipline required to pull off such serious adventures. As usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and Justin shares the best piece of advice he’s ever received.

I appreciate Justin taking the time to chat during such a hectic period of planning and training. Also, thanks to the sponsors who are helping to make the Highest Hundred possible: Ultimate Direction, Surly Bikes, Colorado Mountain Club, OR, Sierra Designs, and La Sportiva.

This was a really fun conversation, so I hope you enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Justin Simoni

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:40 – How Justin describes his work

4:45 – “Highest Hundred” defined

5:10 – Significance of highest hundred

7:20 – Background of Justin’s self-powered adventures

9:20 – When Justin started seriously riding bikes

10:00 – Growing up in Connecticut

10:45 – His decision to move West

11:50 – Skateboarding and skateboarding advocacy

12:50 – Beginning cycling

14:15 – Pacific Coast bike tour

15:50 – Tour Divide

18:30 – Epic snowfall on the Tour Divide course

20:45 – Justin’s approach to hardcore adventure

21:45 – Positivity versus negativity in ultra-endurance

23:15 – Strategies for overcoming fatigue

24:45 – How he decides when he does need to stop

25:30 – Other techniques for keeping a positive mindset

26:00 – Justin’s ability to invent his own rules and challenges

27:00 – “Everesting” Green Mountain

29:30 – Enjoyment of truly knowing a place

31:30 – Justin’s approach to creating art

32:50 – The hard work involved in athletics and art

35:35 – How much art is a part of Justin’s life currently

36:35 – How adventures changes people

39:00 – Heroes and mentors

42:00 – Overarching goal of sharing these adventures with the public

43:45 – Favorite Books

45:00 – Favorite films

46:50 – Surprising activities

48:40 – Best advice he’s ever received

53:00 – Enlightenment through endurance

56:00 – Most powerful outdoor experience

58:50 – Favorite location in the West

1:01:00 – Justin’s request of the listeners

1:02:00 – Connect with Justin online and follow the adventure!

Information Referenced

Posted on June 14, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Athletes, Creativity

Bryan Martin and Elizabeth Williams work at Big City Mountaineers, a Colorado-based nonprofit that transforms the lives of underserved youth through wilderness mentoring expeditions. Through partnerships with community youth programs around the United States, Big City Mountaineers exposes close to 1,000 youth per year to outdoor adventures in some of our country’s most spectacular public lands. Not only do these young people learn outdoor skills, but more importantly, they learn critical life skills while also improving their self-confidence, communication skills, and leadership abilities.

Prior to assuming his role as executive director at BCM, Bryan enjoyed great success with a wide variety of conservation and outdoor-related organizations including the Nature Conservancy, Continental Divide Trail Alliance, Colorado Mountain Club, and the Land Trust Alliance. Elizabeth was a teacher in India and Nepal before joining BCM as a marketing intern—10 years and a lot of hard work later, she has risen through the ranks and is now the Director of Programs. Bryan and Elizabeth share a deep enthusiasm for the outdoors and a belief that outdoor experiences can be transformative. Their passion for the work and BCM’s mission is palpable, so I know you’ll enjoy getting to know them.

I met Bryan and Elizabeth at the BCM offices in the American Mountaineering Center in Golden, Colorado, where we discussed BCM’s mission, the details of their wilderness expeditions, and why outdoor adventures can be such life-changing experiences. We chat about Bryan and Elizabeth’s professional backgrounds and learn what drew them to careers centered around the outdoors and service. They also tell a heart-warming success story in which a student overcomes her initial fears to thrive on a weeklong wilderness trip.

Thanks to Bryan and Elizabeth for taking the time to chat. Hope you enjoy!

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

3:30 – Details of Elizabeth and Bryan’s roles at BCM

5:00 – Building teamwork through outdoor experiences

7:45 – Details of the wilderness expeditions

9:10 – Areas in which BCM operates

10:00 – Teaching students with no outdoor experience about wilderness travel

14:00 – BCM’s focus on personal development and critical life skills

15:50 – Ensuring the lessons stick when the students return home

17:00 – How BCM measures success

20:00 – Evolution of BCM’s measurements of success

22:45 – How BCM selects its mentors

25:00 – Areas where the expeditions take place

26:45 – Thoughts on public lands

29:00 – Elizabeth and Bryan’s personal backgrounds

34:30 – Bryan’s biggest surprise since becoming BCM’s E.D.

36:30 – Overarching lessons learned from their careers

40:40 – “Summit for Someone” program

44:45 – A recent BCM success story

49:00 – Favorite books

52:50 – Favorite documentaries

53:50 – Craziest/most powerful outdoor experiences

59:10 – Request of the listeners

1:00:40 – Connect with BCM online

Information Referenced

Posted on May 11, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Leadership, Mindfulness, Service

John Dunaway – Life and Times of a Merchant Mariner

John Dunaway is a Texas-based merchant mariner who spends six months each year traveling the world as the captain of large cargo ships. Whether cruising the calm, warm waters of Central America or avoiding Somali pirates off the coast of Africa, John’s goal is the same: deliver the cargo efficiently while ensuring the safety of his crew—quite the responsibility for a 32-year-old. When not at sea, John is an avid bird hunter, surfer, and all-around adventurer who uses his downtime to explore everywhere from Jackson Hole to Canyonlands to Antelope Island with his wife and young daughter. Thanks to a talent for photography and writing, John has gained a huge following on Instagram, where he documents his exploits on his account, AbstractConformity.

So you might be asking, what does a ship captain have to do with mountains and/or prairies? Although John may spend most of his time on the high seas, far away from the American West, you’ll notice that his optimistic perspective, focused sense of purpose, and thirst for adventure parallel the attitudes and outlooks of many of my previous podcast guests. Also like other guests, he is well read, a deep thinker, and has a genuine conservation ethic thanks to his close connection to the natural world. Although the objects of our affections may be different, our underlying values and priorities are surprisingly similar.

After almost a year of recording this podcast, I was excited to switch it up a little with this in-depth conversation with John about a subject that was fairly new to me. We start by covering the basics of his job—how one becomes a ship captain, particulars on the size of the ships, and details of day-to-day life on a 90-day ocean voyage. Then we dig deeper into some of his thoughts on leadership, his rituals and superstitions, how fatherhood has changed his outlook, and how he manages the pressure that comes along with being responsible for a massive ship, his crew, and the cargo. He also tells a few crazy stories from Africa and India, and he shares some insights from his recent trips around the American West. As usual, we discuss favorite books, films, and thoughts on conservation.

I found this to be a fascinating conversation, and I’d love to hear what you think. If you have a moment, please shoot me an email and let me know your thoughts. As always, thanks for taking the time to listen; hope you enjoy.

Photos courtesy of John Dunaway

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

3:00 – How John describes his work

4:20 – Details on the ships

5:40 – Length of the typical ocean voyage

8:35 – How John became a ship captain

10:25 – A typical day on an ocean voyage

12:40 – John’s morning routine

19:00 – Superstitions on the ship

21:00 – Details on the crew and boat

22:15 – How John leads his crew

25:20 – Comparing leadership methods of old-timers and younger captains

27:20 – Ernest Shackleton

28:40 – Common misconceptions

30:35 – Most dangerous areas John has visited

31:00 – Adventures with Somali pirates

33:50 – Robberies at port

36:15 – Getting a gun shoved in his chest in Mumbai

38:40 – John’s early years in Brazil and Texas

39:10 – Family ties to ships and the ocean

41:00 – John’s decision to pursue ships as a career

41:55 – John’s advice to young students at the Merchant Marine Academy

43:45 – How fatherhood has changed his perspective

49:30 – How John became a well-known photographer

54:45 – Background on John’s ability as a writer

58:00 – John’s recent adventures in the American West

1:03:30 – What was most striking about the American West

1:07:30 – Favorite books

1:10:15 – Favorite documentaries

1:11:00 – Best piece of advice he’s ever received

1:12:30 – Biggest challenge facing the oceans today

1:15:00 – John’s request to the listeners

1:15:40 – Connect with John online

Information Referenced

Posted on April 19, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Creativity, Leadership, Mindfulness, Service, Writers

Bernice Ende is a horsewoman and adventurer who has ridden over 28,000 miles on horseback throughout the United States. Back in 2005, without any significant experience in long riding, Bernice set out by herself from her home in Trego, Montana and headed south—2,000 miles south, all the way to the Albuquerque, New Mexico. In the following years, her rides became more and more ambitious, and her most recent trip stretched 8,000 miles from Montana to the coast of Maine and back, a journey that took over two and a half years to complete!

I was surprised to learn that Bernice is relatively new to long riding and never had life-long dreams of making long riding a full-time vocation. She grew up on a Minnesota dairy farm and spent the majority of her adult life teaching ballet in cities such as San Francisco, Minneapolis, and Seattle. In 1992 she moved to Trego, Montana and opened a ballet school in a historic community hall building. After a decade of teaching there in Trego, she made the decision to take her first long ride. Since then, her story has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, and even on the Today Show. More importantly, her rides have inspired people of all ages to follow their dreams and pursue lives of adventure.

Bernice is extremely gifted at telling her her life story, so we had a fun and in-depth conversation. We discussed her background and the decisions that led her to strike out on her own on her first long ride. We talked about the mental challenges of pursuing such ambitious adventures and how she manages the emotional ups and downs of years on the road. She breaks down the specifics of her long rides—how far she rides each day, what she eats, where she sleeps, and all the other details. She also shares some heartwarming stories of people she has met on her rides—stories that will restore your faith in humanity in the midst of our current volatile political climate.

Thank you again to Bernice for taking the time to chat. I hope you enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Bernice Ende

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:35 – How Bernice describes her work

3:45 – “Long ride” defined

4:15 – Quick summary of all the rides

4:40 – Bernice’s background and family

5:40 – Bernice’s mother and her influence

6:45 – Her attraction to horses

9:00 – Career in ballet

11:50 – Bernice’s family history in Montana

14:30 – The genesis of the idea for her first long ride

17:50 – How Bernice learned to Long Ride with no experience

19:40 – How to manage the highs and lows of long rides

22:20 – The transition from the life of a teacher to a long rider

25:00 – The technical details of long riding

28:30 – Heartwarming encounters with kind people

33:00 – Details of the most recent 8,000-mile journey

37:00 – Inspiring women of all ages through her journeys

39:15 – How Bernice has changed since becoming a long rider

42:30 – How Bernice defines conservation

44:45 – The importance of public lands

46:45 – Favorite books

48:30 – Unexpected hobbies

49:30 – A memorable event in the outdoors

50:50 – Biggest challenge and opportunity facing the West

54:00 – Words of wisdom

54:30 – Connect with Bernice online

55:10 – Bernice’s next adventure!

Information Referenced

Posted on March 29, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Mindfulness, Writers

Mike Reilly is the Veterans Program Coordinator at Heroes and Horses, a Montana-based nonprofit that uses expedition-style horse pack trips through wild landscapes to help veterans overcome the challenges of life after the military. Prior to his work with Heroes and Horses, Mike was a Navy SEAL and served as a member of SEAL Team 1 in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. As he was transitioning out of the military, he heard about Heroes and Horses and signed on as a student. The program offered a perfect blend of service, teaching, helping others, and adventure that spoke to Mike’s strengths and interests; after completing the program, he was hired as a full-time member of the team.

Heroes and Horses is not a vacation. It’s a rigorous and hardcore three-phase process that takes veterans with no prior horseback experience and, in the course of a summer, turns them into expert horsemen and wilderness travelers. Through the hard work and focus required to make it through the program, veterans are able to forge lasting bonds and discover a renewed sense of purpose—which gives them the skills and confidence to thrive in the civilian life as they begin their post-military lives. Amazingly, this program is offered at no cost to veterans.

Mike hard at work (Photo: Chris Douglas)

Mike was nice enough to take a break from a morning of training wild mustangs to chat with me about the program and his personal story. We discussed how he initially connected with Heroes and Horses and how it helped him through some of the challenges of post-deployment life. Mike explained the organization’s upcoming 500 Miles Project, in which they are training horses from the BLM’s Wild Mustang Program and planning to take them on a 500-mile ride later this summer. He also talks about his military career, and how a collegiate baseball injury was the catalyst that led him to pursue his dream of becoming a SEAL.

Mike is a humble guy with a deeply ingrained passion for serving and helping others, so I know you’ll enjoy this episode. I encourage you to check out the Heroes and Horses website, visit their GoFundMe page, and consider supporting their important work.

https://vimeo.com/200269386

Photos courtesy of Chris Douglas

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

3:20 – How Mike describes his work

4:00- Heroes and Horses explained

7:45 – Importance of the bond between the veterans and horses

9:10 – Why H&H so effective compared to “traditional” PTSD therapy

11:15 – The circumstances that led Mike to H&H

13:30 – Why Mike chose H&H over traditional channels of help

15:25 – Mike reaches out to H&H founder and E.D. Micah Fink

16:00 – Personal powerful moment during Mike’s student stint at H&H

18:30 – Mike’s attraction to the military

20:00 – From enlisting to trying out for the SEAL teams

22:40 – Why teaching suits Mike’s personality

24:00 – Personal mentors and heroes

25:00 – Importance of purpose and community

27:55 – Ensuring that H&H lessons stick when the students return to “real life”

31:00 – Success stories from H&H

32:35 – Val from Unbranded

33:55 – The 500 Miles Project

36:30 – The BLM’s Wild Mustang Program

39:35 – Training wild horses

42:25 – How Mike defines the word “conservation”

45:40 – Favorite books

46:55 – Favorite movies

49:10 – Favorite place in the West

50:50 – Mike’s request of the listeners

Information Referenced

Posted on March 17, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Entrepreneurs, Leadership, Mindfulness, Service

AD Maddox is an accomplished artist who creates some of the most spectacular and memorable paintings of trout that I’ve ever seen. Using bright colors and unique perspectives, AD depicts trout and the fly fishing lifestyle in a way that is completely original, yet so authentic you’d be hard-pressed to find an angler who doesn’t love her work. Her art has been featured widely throughout the fishing world, including on the cover of Gray’s Sporting Journal, Patagonia apparel, and even StealthCraft drift boats.

I first encountered AD’s work when I moved to Jackson Hole in the mid-2000s. I’m not an art connoisseur, but I was instantly taken away with how she managed to capture the beauty and realistic details of trout with a contemporary and unconventional style. And just like her work, AD is a one-of-a-kind original—she spent years as a super-competitive athlete, studied exercise physiology in college, taught herself to paint without any formal art education, and rips around backroads on a Ducati motorcycle. Despite a fun-loving and easygoing exterior, she approaches her work with discipline and rigor that seem more fitting for a professional soldier than a professional artist.

Thanks to AD’s outgoing and hilarious personality, we had a very fun and wide-ranging conversation. We chatted about her many years living in Jackson Hole and how the people, landscapes, and natural beauty of that valley influenced her art. We discussed her upbringing and her parents’ role in giving her the confidence to pursue art as a full-time career. She also talks in detail about the importance of facing challenges (both in work and life) head-on and proactively, with a positive attitude and relentless work ethic. Whether you’re an artist or not, there are many wise lessons in the conversation that anyone could apply to their work and life.

SIBERIAN_RIVER_BOW — “Siberian River Bow” by AD Maddox

hopper-snack — “Hopper Snack” by AD Maddox

Photo and images courtesy of AD Maddox

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:45 – How AD describes her work

4:30 – Why AD focused on fly fishing as a primary subject

5:50 – Selling her first piece of art

7:20 – Using photos to learn to paint trout

8:45 – How her art has changed over the years

10:30 – Knowing when a painting is truly finished

12:15 – How AD learned the technical aspects of art

14:00 – AD’s artistic influences and mentors

16:00 – Lessons learned from painting mistakes

17:15 – Advantages of not waiting for permission

19:00 – AD’s optimistic attitude

21:00 – The constant quest to reinvent her art

24:00 – Writers/Artist’s block?

26:40 – AD’s early years in athletics

29:00 – Parent’s influence on her confidence

31:20 – Haters: the sign of success

34:00 – How living Jackson Hole shaped her art

35:50 – Importance of schedule, routine, and discipline

41:00 – Discipline versus inspiration

42:20 – Riding motorcycles

43:40 – How motorcycles helped her overcome personal challenges

46:00 – How personal challenges affected her art

50:00 – Favorite books

52:31 – Craziest outdoor experience

54:54 – Favorite place in the West

1:02:13 – Connect with AD online

Information Referenced

Posted on March 9, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, Hunting & Fishing, Mindfulness

Jeff Lee is the co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Land Library, a residential library located on a historic ranch in one of Colorado’s most beautiful and dramatic high country grassland basins. The Buffalo Peaks Ranch, as it is known, will eventually house a collection of over 35,000 books related to natural history, conservation, and the American West. These books will be dispersed throughout ranch in houses and agricultural structures that have been preserved and restored by a growing team of enthusiastic volunteers. The ranch will become a place where individuals can immerse themselves in a natural setting, surrounded by books, for days at a time to read, write, and work on projects related to the West’s unique landscapes.

The idea for the Land Library came to Jeff and his wife Ann (the library’s other co-founder) when they visited a residential library in Europe during the mid-1990s. Given their deep love of books and land, Jeff and Ann immediately saw the potential for a similar concept in Colorado that centered around the history and landscapes of the American West. More than 20 years and tens of thousands of books later, their vision has become a reality—the Rocky Mountain Land Library is open for business and continuing to grow and evolve.

For anyone who has listened to this podcast, you know that the Land Library is my dream come true—it combines ranches, conservation, nature, and books—so I was obviously extremely excited to chat with Jeff. In a little over an hour, we covered a ton of interesting information, including the project’s backstory, the history of the ranch, and Jeff and Ann’s long term vision for the Land Library. Of course, we discuss books, and Jeff has many excellent recommendations that were brand new to me. It’s worth noting that the Land Library is in the midst of the a fundraising campaign, so I encourage you to visit their KickStarter page, watch the video, and donate to the cause… I just did, so you definitely should too! Links to everything are in the episode notes.

If you love the West, love books, and love the land, I can guarantee you will love the Land Library and this episode. Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Land Library

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:40 – How Jeff describes his work

3:45 – Back story on the Land Library

4:40 – Jeff’s introduction to the West

7:00 – Lake Powell, water, and differences between the East and West

7:55 – The early beginnings of Jeff’s book collection

10:55 – The initial idea for the Land Library

13:50 – Challenges of storing tens of thousands of books

17:00 – South Park, Colorado described

19:30 – Early search for a Land Library site

23:45 – Unique experience on a ranch versus pristine wilderness

25:45 – Current state of the Land Library

28:10 – Cook’s House restoration – Kickstarter Campaign

29:40 – History of Buffalo Peaks Ranch

34:10 – How Jeff defines “conservation”

35:30 – Interesting people and groups who have visited and volunteered at the ranch

40:00 – How Jeff and Ann were able to take the Land Library from an idea to reality

42:20 – Jeff’s recommended books about the West

44:45 – Recommended biographies

51:00 – The interconnectedness of historical figures

52:25 – Purchase these books at your LOCAL bookstore!!!

53:20 – Books that Jeff has gifted or recommended

57:40 – Jeff’s most powerful outdoor experience

1:00:10 – Favorite location in the West

1:03:30 – Jeff’s request of the listeners

1:04:40 – Connect with the Land Library online

Information Referenced

* Please buy these books at your local bookseller!!!

Posted on March 3, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Books, Conservation, Creativity, History, Leadership, Writers

CREDIT: David J Swift — Christian Beckwith (photo credit: David J Swift)

Christian Beckwith is the director of SHIFT, a Jackson Hole-based non-profit that is building a powerful coalition to protect our nation’s public lands. By bringing together climbers, skiers, hunters, anglers, land managers, and countless other stakeholders, SHIFT is finding common ground and harnessing these groups’ collective power to ensure that public lands—our birthright as Americans—remain safe during this tenuous time in political history.

After a distinguished career in the publishing world which included editing the American Alpine Journal and co-founding Alpinist Magazine, Christian experienced a profound change in priorities when one of his close friends was killed in an avalanche in the Teton backcountry. At that point, Christian decided to focus his resources and energy exclusively on work that makes a “substantive difference in the world.” From there he founded the Center for Jackson Hole, SHIFT, and, most recently, the Emerging Leaders Program which brings together a diverse group of early career leaders in conservation.

Christian’s career is inspiring in many ways, but I especially admire his willingness to set audacious goals, put himself on the line, and not wait around for permission to make things happen. We dig into all of these topics in our hour-long conversation, and he shares some interesting insights into his career and the future of conservation. We also discuss Christian’s early childhood experiences that led him to a career focused on adventure and the outdoors, and he talks about his relationship with Yvon Chiounard and how Chiounard has influenced him both personally and professionally. We chat about Christian’s favorite books, documentaries, and how fatherhood has focused his thinking on the importance of conservation. There’s a full list of the topics we discuss in the episode notes.

Given the current fights surrounding our public lands, this is a timely and powerful episode. I hope this conversation spurs you to continue educating yourself on threats to our public lands and to take appropriate action to protect them.

Photos courtesy of Christian Beckwith

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:40 – How Christian describes his work

5:10 – Changing demographics in conservation

8:30 – Genesis of the idea for SHIFT

13:00 – Avalanche in Apocalypse Couloir

15:20 – Christian’s decision to shift from publishing to conservation

18:00 – Evolution of SHIFT

20:30 – Importance of encouraging people to fall in love with wild places

21:40 – Overview of the current public land debate

25:40 – How becoming a father changed Christian’s mindset

28:20 – Collaborating with non-traditional partners of recreation

31:20 – Defining the word “conservation”

31:50 – Conservation heroes and Yvon Chouinard

35:50 – The importance of Chouinard’s internal compass

40:45 – Childhood experiences that led to a career centered around the outdoors

43:10 – First experiences climbing

45:40 – Advice to his younger self

49:30 – Favorite books

51:30 – Favorite documentaries

52:30 – Unexpected activities

54:00 – Christian’s most powerful outdoor experience

58:00 – Christian’s request of the listeners

59:00 – Connect with Christian and SHIFT online

Information Referenced

Posted on February 14, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Athletes, Conservation, Entrepreneurs, Leadership, Service, Writers

Tyler Sharp is an adventurer, sportsman, conservationist, and world traveler with a gift for telling stories through images and the written word. While he may be best known for his photography focusing on Americana and Western lifestyle, travel, and adventure, Tyler has built an impressive resume that includes filmmaking, directing, writing, and creative strategy. His work has taken him to some of the most spectacular and far-flung regions of the globe, with an emphasis on East Africa, Montana, and his home state of Texas.

As a devoted hunter and fisherman, Tyler has chased game in some of the world’s wildest regions, giving him a global perspective on the importance of natural resources, game management, and sustainable hunting practices. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Tyler has thought deeply about the practical and ethical implications of hunting and fishing both abroad and here in the American West. His sincere devotion to conservation and adventure shines through in his work and has made him the go-to photographer for iconic brands such as Filson, Cabelas, and Stetson, to name a few.

MT_August_2016_2116 — Photo by Tyler Sharp

Tyler and I met up in Estes Park, Colorado, just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, for a fun conversation that could have gone on for hours. We discussed his beginnings as a professional photographer, which started in earnest when he moved to East Africa just out of college—he’s got some intense stories from his travels that include run-ins with lions and leopards. We covered his thoughts on conservation, and how his time traveling abroad has given him a clearer understanding of conservation issues facing the American West. Then the conversation took an unexpected but interesting turn when we chatted about his commitment to Kung Fu (yes, Kung Fu!), meditation, and eastern philosophy.

Be sure to check out the episode notes for the full list of topics covered, because we touch on a lot. This is a wide-ranging conversation that takes many surprising twists and turns. Hope you enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Tyler Sharp

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:40 – How Tyler describes his work

3:40 – Tyler’s niche in the creative world

4:25 – Tyler’s background

5:35 – Heading to Los Angeles from Texas for college

7:00 – Post college adventures in Africa

8:10 – The shock of moving to Tanzania from LA

10:30 – Learning how to “grease the wheels” in Africa

11:25 – How time in Africa changed Tyler

13:20 – Threat of people versus wildlife

14:10 – Craziest experience in Africa (spoiler alert – it involves a lion!)

20:40 – Showdown with a leopard

22:20 – Transition from Africa to American West

24:15 – His choice to focus in on his passion

26:30 – Specific actions that have allowed Tyler to separate himself from the competition

31:10 – Tyler’s personal brand

32:00 – Tyler’s conservation ethic

35:00 – Discussion about conservation and hunting

39:00 – Hunters and others coming together to save public lands

40:00 – Details on The Modern Huntsman

41:55 – Blowback from posting hunting photos online

44:35 – Importance of having conversations versus fighting

46:30 – Tyler’s definition of “conservation”

50:00 – Kung Fu and other martial arts

52:50 – Physical and mental benefits of Kung Fu

56:00 – Favorite books

1:00:50 – Advice to take better landscape photos

1:03:50 – Favorite place in the West

1:05:30 – Tyler’s request of the listeners

1:09:50 – Connect with Tyler online

Information Referenced

Posted on February 7, 2017 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Conservation, Creativity, Ecology, Hunting & Fishing, Mindfulness, Writers

speaking-to-colorado-rocky-mountain-school-high-school-students-about-river-restoration — Connor Coleman

Connor Coleman is the founder of Resiliency Lands, a progressive, conservation-minded land management and advisory group committed to promoting ecological and resource resiliency. Prior to starting Resiliency Lands, he held a variety of positions closely connected to the land, jobs that would be on the wish-list of anyone who loves adventure and the American West—wildland firefighter, cowboy, bison manager, and conservationist, just to name a few. Connor is currently based in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, and he resides on a spectacular ranch just outside of Carbondale.

You may be surprised to learn that Connor was not born and raised in the West or on ranches. On the contrary, he grew up in Ohio, went to college in North Carolina, and after paying his dues in east coast conservation and earning two master’s degrees from Duke University, he headed West to focus his energy on western landscapes. Thanks to an insatiable curiosity, a rock-solid work ethic, a service mindset, and a willingness to insert himself into new and uncomfortable situations, Connor has carved out a professional niche for himself in Colorado doing rewarding, exciting, and important work.

lighting-a-prescribed-fire-in-nc-on-right — Connor during his firefighter days.

Connor’s education and unconventional career path can serve as a great blueprint for anyone who loves the American West and wants a life centered around land, conservation, and natural resources. When I was in my early twenties, I would’ve loved to meet a guy like Connor who could point me in the right direction. So in this episode, we talk in depth about his career and his ability to “put himself out there” to create exciting professional opportunities. We dig deep into his thoughts on conservation in the West, as well as issues related to forest fires throughout the country. Connor loves to read and learn, so he also has tons of great book and film recommendations.

connor-fly-fishing-grand-mesa — Connor enjoying evening fly fishing

We cover a ridiculous amount of information, so be sure to check out the episode notes below for the full list of topics we discuss. Enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Connor Coleman

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:32 – How Connor describes his work

3:55 – Importance of conserving working ranches

7:55 – Grazing as an vital part of conservation

13:40 – Examples of some of Resiliency Land’s projects

16:35 – Where did Connor grow up?

18:50 – Connor’s decision to make conservation a career

22:45 – Brief history of NC barbecue

25:00 – Early career in conservation

29:10 – Grad school at Duke

30:30 – Difference between conservation in NC versus CO

32:20 – How easterners misunderstand public lands in the west

33:30 – Time as a wildland firefighter

36:30 – Fire policy in the east versus west

40:00 – Longleaf pine book recommendations

41:15 – Adventures at Camp Lejeune

42:20 – Moving out west to work on ranches

45:40 – Challenges of adjusting to the demands of ranch work

48:30 – Working with bison on the Zapata Ranch

49:50 – Bison and bison book recommendations

55:20 – Transition to the Aspen Valley Land Trust

59:20 – Lesson learned working in conservation in different parts of country

1:01:20 – Thoughts on service and giving back to the community

1:06:15 – Favorite books about the American West

1:10:15 – Favorite films

1:12:50 – Surprising activities

1:14:35 – Craziest experience in the outdoors

1:18:45 – Favorite place in the West

1:20:20 – Biggest challenge facing the West

1:23:00 – Connor’s request of the listeners

1:25:15 – Connect with Connor online

1:25:55 – Bonus book recommendations!

Information Referenced

Connor Coleman – LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram
Catawba College
Duke University
Aspen Valley Land Trust
Nature Conservancy
Chico Basin Ranch
Zapata Ranch
Land Trust for Central North Carolina
Jim Howell podcast interview
For the Love of Land by Jim Howell
Allen Savory ’s TED talk
5 Point Film Festival
Longleaf Pine

Connor’s Book Recommendations

Connor’s Film Recommendations

Posted on December 21, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Entrepreneurs, History, Regenerative Ag

Taylor Keen, just before an Omaha tribal war dance

Taylor Keen is a teacher, community builder, and Native American thought leader based out of Omaha, Nebraska. His back story is as diverse as it is impressive—he’s a member of both the Omaha Tribe and the Cherokee Nation, attended Dartmouth College (BA) and Harvard University (Masters of Public Policy, MBA), and enjoyed a successful stint in corporate America before returning to Nebraska to teach entrepreneurship and management at Creighton University. His most recent undertaking is Sacred Seed, a project with the goal of preserving Native American heritage and history through collecting, growing, and spreading the seeds of corn and other traditional Native American foods.

The writer Wallace Stegner theorized that people generally fit into one of two categories—“Boomers” or “Stickers.” Boomers are “those who pillage and run” and want “to make a killing and end up on Easy Street.” Stickers are just the opposite—they are “motivated by affection, by such a love for place and its life that they want to preserve it and remain in it.”¹ Taylor is the walking embodiment of a Sticker. Given his drive, intelligence, and education, he could’ve followed the path of the Boomer and pursued any number of careers. But a deep love of his Native American heritage and his community called him back home to teach, lead, and live a life devoted to service of others. It’s an inspiring story.

I could’ve talked to Taylor for hours and I only asked about a third of the questions I had prepared, but we still managed to dig into a wide variety of fascinating topics. We discussed the history and mission of Sacred Seed and where he sees the project going in the future. We talked about his path from the West to the Ivy League, the decisions that led him to transition from corporate America to higher education, and some very interesting Native American history. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was Taylor’s recounting the advice he received from his grandfather soon after graduating from Harvard Business School.

This was a very enlightening conversation for me, and I greatly appreciate Taylor taking the time to chat. I encourage you to visit the Sacred Seed website and watch the video—you can find links to everything we discuss in the episode notes on the webpage. Enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Taylor Keen

¹ Wendell Berry, It All Turns on Affection (2012)

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:55 – How Taylor describes his work

4:00 – Sacred Seed Project

5:35 – Early beginnings of Sacred Seed

9:00 – Discovering the importance of seed banking

10:00 – Threats to native seeds from large corporations

11:45 – Difference between Omahas and Cherokees

13:50 – How Taylor found his first ancient seeds

15:55 – How the plants compliment each other, Four Sisters

20:45 – How Sacred Seed has changed Taylor

22:40 – The link between elders and the ancient ways of planting

25:30 – Fall festival

26:45 – Future plans for Sacred Seed

29:20 – Taylor’s changing approach to the project—MBA to Holistic thinking

33:45 – Similarities between Sacred Seed and the reintroduction of bison

36:45 – The fight for sustainable agriculture

37:10 – Meaning of Omaha

38:10 – Where Taylor grew up

39:00 – Taylor’s journey to the Ivy League

41:15 – Biggest surprise when moving east

43:55 – Harvard graduate school and corporate America

45:35 – Taylor’s grandfather’s wise advice

49:25 – Discussing Sebastian Junger’s Tribe

51:00 – Taylor’s thoughts on the importance of tribes

53:50 – Best books for learning about Native American culture

56:45 – Taylor’s advice to his younger self

58:00 – Other favorite books

1:02:50 – Taylor’s request of the audience

1:06:00 – Connect with Taylor online

Information Referenced

Posted on December 16, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Conservation, Ecology, Entrepreneurs, History, Leadership, Native American History, Service

Camrin Dengel – Slow Living in the American West

Camrin Dengel is a professional lifestyle photographer who lives and works on the quiet side of the Teton Mountain Range in Teton Valley, Idaho. Her work focuses on a broad range of subjects, with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture, hunting, fishing, and life in and around her mountain community. In her work and leisure, Camrin is a devoted proponent of slow living, and she strives to approach her profession and life in a manner that is intentional, simple, meaningful, and positive.

Growing up in Valdez, Alaska gave Camrin a unique perspective and toughness (she calls it “stubbornness”) that have allowed her to pursue her passion for art full time, while staying true to her ideals and enjoying a slow-living lifestyle. She attended college on a running scholarship with the intention of becoming an engineer, but decided midway through that art and photography were her true calling. After graduation, she moved straight to Teton Valley where she has built a life and business centered around documenting the people and places that make the American West such a special place to live.

20161014-_dsc7316 — Photo: Camrin Dengel

I’ve spent a lot of time in Teton Valley and can honestly say that Camrin’s work captures the landscapes and lifestyle more authentically than any artist I’ve ever seen. She is obviously a talented photographer, but she is also a super-interesting person who has managed to sidestep a good deal of the “busyness” and distractions that dominate many of our lives. In our conversation, we discuss her career trajectory, and also her love for the community of Teton Valley. We dig deep into the idea of slow living, and she offers some thoughts on ways for people to adopt a slower, more intentional lifestyle. As usual, we discuss favorite books, documentaries, and challenges and opportunities facing the American West.

20160920-_dsc3709 — Photo: Camrin Dengel

This is a really fun episode full of lots of great info. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discuss. Hope you enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Camrin Dengel

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:30 – How Camrin describes her work

3:50 – Good example of Camrin’s work

5:30 – Teton Valley explained

7:25 – How she ended up in Teton Valley

8:30 – Transition from adventure photography to lifestyle

9:50 – Thoughts on slow living

10:45 – Ways to live slowly as effortlessly as possible

13:25 – Being intentional with social media

14:20 – Advice for adopting a slower lifestyle

15:30 – Growing up in Alaska

16:35 – Unique aspects of growing up in Alaska

18:50 – How Alaska shaped Camrin’s perspective

20:05 – College years in California

21:15 – From engineer student to artist

23:15 – Time with the Alaska Marine Conservation Council

24:35 – Similarities between fisherman, ranchers, and farmers

27:10 – Camrin’s definition of conservation

28:00 – Thoughts on fishing and hunting

31:45 – How Camrin developed the confidence to follow her passion

33:15 – Role models and mentors

35:10 – Other possible career paths

36:45 – Advice to aspiring photographers

39:00 – Photography advice

40:30 – Book recomendations

41:20 – Slow living resources

42:45 – Favorite documentaries

44:20 – Surprising activities

48:00 – Favorite place

49:20 – Ideas for off the beaten path experiences in Alaska

51:00 – The insanity of the Mt. Marathon

55:15 – Biggest challenge facing the American West

57:30 – Request of the listeners

58:50 – Connect with Camrin online

Information Referenced

Posted on November 23, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Craftsmanship, Creativity

Jason Schlarb is a champion ultrarunner whose notable achievements include winning the Hardrock 100 (2016) and Run Rabbit Run 100 (2013 & 2015), as well as finishing as the top American in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (4th place, 2014). He is also an accomplished adventurer who, among other things, has skied the entire Hardrock 100 course in winter and explored remote regions of Patagonia and New Zealand, all while filming his exploits and then creating engaging, authentic films though his company Schlarb-Wolf Productions. Most impressively, Jason is a veteran who served for 10 years as an officer in the United States Air Force, which included a five-month deployment to Iraq and his earning the rank of Major.

A competitive soccer player for most of his youth, Jason made the switch to running relatively late in the game when he joined the cross country team as a high school senior. But his natural talent for endurance combined with a relentless competitive streak allowed him to walk on to a Division I cross country team, where he excelled throughout his college career. After years of focusing exclusively on road races ranging from 10Ks to marathons, he made the switch to trail running and has never looked back. Jason, his wife Maggie, and son Felix have shaped their lives around the pursuit of a purpose-driven, rewarding, and adventurous lifestyle, and they currently reside on the southern end of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, just outside of Durango.

Jason is a fascinating guy with an infectiously positive attitude, which made for a fun and in-depth conversation. We cover a broad range of topics, including his athletic background, his journey to ultrarunning, and some of his adventures around the world. We discuss his time in the military and how those 10 years of service affect his outlook and approach to sports and life. We chat about his thoughts on competition, mental toughness, and the benefits of positive thinking. Whether you’re an athlete or not, there are huge amounts of wisdom to be gleaned from Jason’s experiences and perspective.

This was a fun conversation and I really appreciate Jason taking the time to chat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Photo courtesy of Jason Schlarb – Top photo by Eduardo Castro

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:48 – How Jason describes his work

4:05 – The Hardrock 100

6:30 – Hardrock 100 course and the San Juan Mountains

10:00 – Jason’s early life, growing up as an athlete

12:30 – Transition from soccer to running

13:45 – Balancing competition against others with competition against himself

15:24 – College running career

18:00 – Benefits of a tough college coach

18:35 – Transition from college to the US Air Force

20:00 – Motivations for joining the military

21:10 – Experiences in the military

21:50 – Deployment in Iraq

22:40 – Life post-military

23:30 – Transition to trail running

25:45 – Biggest surprise during Jason’s first ultra

27:00 – Military lessons applied to running

30:20 – Mental aspects of running 100 milers

34:35 – Jason’s transition to a positive, smiling mental approach

38:20 – Maggie Schlarb’s influence on Jason’s training

39:50 – Coaching a positive mindset

41:40 – The appeal of endurance sports

42:45 – Jason’s annual adventures and films—Skiing the Hardrock, New Zealand, etc.

48:45 – Thoughts on conservation

53:00 – Favorite books

55:00 – Favorite films

57:20 – Fight Club and thoughts on the origins of Jason’s lifestyle

1:01:20 – Most powerful outdoor experiences

1:05:30 – Jason’s request of the listeners

1:07:50 – Connect with Jason online

Information Referenced

Posted on November 17, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Athletes, Mindfulness, Service

Larry Yaw is a renowned architect based in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley whose work connects people with nature using contemporary, sustainable, conservation-focused designs. Growing up in rural Montana gave Larry a deep appreciation for the utilitarian character of ranch homes and their thoughtful integration into the landscape, aspects that form the foundation of much of his work today. Through his design, Larry has demonstrated a unique ability to pay homage to the past while boldly pushing beyond preconceived notions of architecture in the American West.

If I had to use one word to describe Larry it would probably be “adventurous”—a quest for adventure seems to guide all aspects of his professional and personal lives. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Larry has traveled the world many times over, sometimes with his full family in tow, seeking out enriching experiences everywhere from the South Pacific to the Swiss Alps. He is also intellectually adventurous, as evidenced by his deep knowledge of history, conservation, Native Americans, and many other subjects related to the West and beyond. Physical adventures are a daily occurrence for Larry, whether it’s pedaling single track, stalking trout with his fly rod, hiking in the high mountains around Aspen, or shooting birds on the Montana prairies. All of these experiences provide the fuel that keeps Larry’s professional creative engine firing at turbo speed, decade after decade.

This was a super-fun conversation, and I came away from it inspired and enlightened. We discussed a broad range of topics including Larry’s architecture, his creative process, and how he has managed to stay consistently creative for so long. We chatted about his early years in Montana, some of his adventures around the world, and his thoughts on conservation in the American West. Larry is a true student of the West, so he had plenty of book recommendations. There is a lot of great information in this interview, so don’t forget to check the episode notes for links to everything we discuss.

Photo courtesy of Larry Yaw

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:45 – How Larry describes his work

3:40 – Larry describes his architecture

5:00 – Montana’s influence on Larry’s work

7:20 – Early years in Montana and Florida

9:00 – College years and path to graduate school

13:25 – Post-grad school early career

15:15 – Decision to move back West

16:30 – Origins of Larry’s adventurous outlook

22:00 – International travel’s influence on his work

23:55 – Around the world family trip

25:05 – Adventures on Aconcagua

26:22 – Cultural influences of travel

27:10 – Rugged individualism versus community

29:00 – Design for an active, mountain-inspired lifestyle

30:20 – Process versus goals

32:45 – His creative process

34:40 – Evolution of Larry’s work

36:30 – Thoughts on conservation

38:30 – Interactions with Native Americans

41:00 – Sustainability and design

42:30 – Interactions with the Blackfeet Tribe

46:30 – “Once Proud” painting series

48:30 – Recommended books on Native Americans

51:15 – Larry’s favorite books

55:20 – Favorite documentaries

56:50 – Favorite outdoor and artistic activities

1:01:25 – Craziest outdoor experience

1:04:00 – Favorite location in the West

1:06:45 – Biggest challenge/opportunity facing the West

1:08:55 – Advice to his younger self

1:12:10 – Larry’s request to the listeners

1:13:50 – Connect with Larry online

Information Referenced

Posted on November 2, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Conservation, Craftsmanship, Creativity, Entrepreneurs, History

Pat O’Toole is a rancher who, along with his family, owns and operates the Ladder Ranch, a large-scale cattle and sheep operation that straddles the Colorado-Wyoming border. Pat’s wife Sharon’s family established the ranch in the Little Snake River Valley back in 1881, and now, six generations later, the family’s hard work, thoughtful vision, and a deep respect for the land have made the Ladder Ranch a shining example of the combined effect of productive agriculture and land conservation.

Pat’s background is far outside of the norm for many multi-generational ranchers—he grew up in south Florida, majored in philosophy in college, and just before he and his wife enrolled in law school, they decided to return to her family’s land to continue in the family business of ranching. Since then, the O’Tooles have not only run a financially successful operation, but they have simultaneously improved wildlife, bird, and fish habitat throughout the ranch. By thinking outside the box and partnering with both non-profit and governmental organizations, the Ladder Ranch has set a new standard for conservation, creative problem solving, and sustainable land stewardship.

We had a fun, in-depth conversation that covered a wide variety of topics that will be of interest to anyone who loves the West, whether you’re involved in ranching or not. We discuss Pat’s thoughts on cooperation between ranchers and environmentalists, and how the relationship between the two groups is getting stronger and more positive every year. We chat about water in the West, and why it is important to keep water on ranches rather than being sold off to municipalities. We also dig into Pat’s unconventional background, his thoughts on the future of land conservation, and of course, favorite books, history, and his favorite location in the West.

Pat is an interesting guy who has thought very deeply on issues related to the American West, including conservation, water, and agriculture. There’s a lot of great information in this interview, so I hope you enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Pat O’Toole

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

2:59 – How Pat describes his work

3:41 – History of the Ladder Ranch

4:45 – Discussion of the Homestead Act’s effect on settlement

9:07 – Cooperation between ranchers and environmentalists

9:55 – Benefits of grazing cattle and sheep

11:00 – Rotational grazing on the Ladder Ranch

11:55 – Importance of not breaking up ranches

13:00 – “Hopefuls” and “Hatefuls”

14:28 – The “Era of Limits”

19:00 – Pat’s personal background

21:55 – TR’s creation of Forest Service

23:28 – Amazing feats of past generations

26:00 – Ingraining the conservation ethic in children

28:10 – Pat’s role models

30:36 – The Ladder Ranch’s community of conservationists

33:00 – Importance of keeping water on ranches

37:00 – Flood irrigation explained

41:25 – Importance of keeping water our current water law in tact

42:30 – Leopold Conservation Award

44:00 – Endangered Species Act

46:50 – Favorite books

49:42 – Ferry Carpenter’s ranch library

50:15 – Favorite movies

53:40 – Craziest experience in the outdoors

54:50 – Favorite location in the West

55:22 – History of Battle Creek

57:40 – Pat’s request of the listeners

58:50 – Connect with the Ladder Ranch online

Information Referenced

Posted on October 26, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, History, Ranchers, Regenerative Ag

Joe Grant is a highly accomplished professional ultra-runner and all-around endurance athlete who has completed some of the endurace world’s most challenging events—several Hardrock 100s, UTMB 100, Western States 100, and Bighorn 100, as well as the Arizona Trail Race (750 miles on mountain bike), Iditarod Trail Invitational 350, and many, many more. He most recently completed the “Tour de 14ers,” a solo, self-supported and self-powered link-up of all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains, by bicycle and on foot. For those of you counting, that’s climbing 57 fourteeners, accessed all by bike, in 31 days.

But Joe’s career as a professional athlete makes up only a small portion of his personal identity. He is a talented writer and photographer, as well as a voracious reader. He was born in England and grew up in France, so he has a global perspective that gives him a unique point of view. He is obviously driven to pursue challenging goals, yet he has always been focused more on the process than the end result. Joe’s athletic achievements seem to combine his desire for continued personal growth with a genuine love of wild places and a strong conservation ethic.

Because he has such a depth of knowledge on so many interesting subjects, talking with Joe solely about running would only begin to scratch the surface. So after a rundown of his recent 14er adventure, we went deep into his thoughts on adventure, endurance, and pushing one’s personal boundaries. He talked about his upbringing and how family and friends have helped shape his outlook on life, giving him the confidence to pursue an unconvential, yet extremely fulfilling lifestyle. We of course talked a lot about books, as well as goal setting, daily practices, and his thoughts on conservation.

joe-bike — Joe during the Arizona Trail Race

I’m obviously biased, but I loved this conversation and really appreciate Joe taking the time to chat. I encourage you to check him out on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), and read some of his columns. If you like people who are passionate, humble, deep-thinking, and all-around interesting, you’ll enjoy getting to know Joe. Enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Joe Grant

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Episode Notes

Topics Discussed

3:00 – How Joe describes his work

5:00 – Tour de 14ers

7:30 – Thoughts on choosing to travel by bike

8:20 – Self supported bike-packing ethic explained

10:00 – High points of the trip

11:08 – Thoughts on expedition preparation

12:45 – First days of the Tour de 14ers

15:45 – Various challenges during the trip

17:33 – Low point of the trip

20:30 – Techniques for digging out of fatigue-enduced “dark places”

21:25 – Arizona Trail Race

22:45 – More on pushing through fatigue

24:25 – Parallels between mediation and endurance sports

26:41 – Benefits of observing your mind and body from an outside perspective

28:25 – Personal growth through endurance sports

30:20 – Goal oriented versus process/moment oriented

32:40 – Comfort versus happiness

36:30 – Joe’s early years in Europe

37:15 – How living internationally shaped Joe’s perspective

39:10 – Benefits of gap year travel

43:10 – Lessons learned from international living

44:10 – Story behind Joe’s mother running a 100-miler

46:40 – Mentors and role models

48:40 – Joe’s reading recommendations

52:15 – Joe’s definition of conservation

55:00 – Favorite books about the American West

56:55 – A personal interest that would surprise listeners

57:37 – Craziest outdoor experience

59:50 – Joe’s favorite piece of gear

1:01:10 – Favorite spot(s) in the American West

1:02:00 – Biggest challenge facing the American West

1:03:45 – Joe’s request of listeners

1:04:40 – Connect with Joe online

Information Referenced

Posted on September 21, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Athletes, Creativity, Mindfulness, Writers

Ben Masters is a filmmaker and conservationist whose work explores some of the most important conservation challenges facing the American West today. He was the mastermind behind the award-winning documentary Unbranded, which tells the story of Ben and his three buddies who ride wild mustangs from Mexico to Canada as part of an epic five month-adventure. The film also examines the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse Program, a well-intentioned, but now controversial, government program created to protect the wild horses that roam the western U.S. For those who love the American West, Unbranded is one of the best documentaries in recent memory—it combines hardcore adventure with important conservation issues, all while accurately capturing the true beauty of the American West.

Conservation is the common theme running through all of Ben’s work, and his passion is fortified with a deep knowledge of natural history, public lands, and policy issues related to the American West. His expertise recently earned him a spot on the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board, the group tasked with solving the challenging issues surrounding the program he profiled in Unbranded. His most recent film, Pronghorn Revival, is the story of Texas wildlife biologists capturing and relocating a struggling herd of pronghorns (i.e. antelopes). Not one to rest on his laurels, Ben is working hard on more conservation projects to be revealed in the coming months.

When we recorded this episode, Ben was less than a day away from leaving on a multi-week guiding trip to the area around Yellowstone National Park, so I really appreciated him making the time to chat. In just under an hour, we managed to cover a wide range of conservation-related topics: the BLM’s Wild Horse Program, invasive species in the American West, thoughts on hunting, as well as Ben’s personal background, favorite books, favorite documentaries, and a crazy horse stampede story… with plenty of other intesting subjects thrown in.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Unbranded. You’ll love it. In the meantime, enjoy my conversation with Ben Masters.

All photos courtesy of Ben Masters

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Episode Notes

Topics Covered

3:05 – How Ben describes his work

3:35 – Ben’s upcoming adventures

5:40 – Overview of Unbranded documentary

7:45 – Genesis for the idea for Unbranded

9:45 – Overview of the BLM Wild Horse Program

10:15 – Natural history of horses in North America

14:20 – Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act

17:16 – Ben’s thoughts solving the wild horse challenge

21:10 – Political challenges surrounding wild horses

23:45 – More North American natural history

24:55 – What “conservation” means to Ben

26:00 – Ben’s personal connection to conservation

27:40 – Resources for understanding the history of conservation

29:00 – Conservation challenges facing the West in the next 20 years

32:10 – Ben’s thoughts on hunting and conservation

33:45 – Cautionary tale of Texas Screwworms

36:30 – Overview of Pronghorn Revival

38:35 – Favorite books

40:20 – Favorite documentary

41:30 – Ben’s work with veterans

42:23 – Hobbies that Ben enjoys

43:48 – How Ben learned the art of filmmaking

45:00 – Craziest outdoor experience

47:50 – Ben’s favorite place in the West

48:40 – Ben’s request of the listeners

51:30 – Connect with Ben online

Information Referenced

Posted on August 26, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Artists, Conservation, Conservationists, Creativity, Ecology

Stephen Smith – Adventures in Photography, Motorcycles, and Ranches

Stephen Smith is an agrarian, adventure, and lifestyle photographer who has successfully combined his love of ranches, farms, motorcycles, and travel into a full-time career in professional photography. Thanks to his artistic eye, hard work, persistence, and willingness to take risks, Stephen has successfully created a niche for himself in the crowded arena of professional photography. (Check him out on Instagram.)

He is obviously a naturally talented artist, but it seems that a great deal of Stephen’s success can be traced back to the fact that he is committed to putting himself in unique—often difficult, uncomfortable, or scary—situations that allow him to capture one-of-a-kind experiences and perspectives. Among other things, he has worked on a 90,000-acre Colorado cattle ranch, taken a five-month solo motorcycle trip through South America, and put in time at several California and Colorado vineyards, all while constantly shooting photos and refining his craft.

Stephen’s solid understanding of agriculture and years of adventure are evident in his work. His images are as authentic as they are artistic, and he knows how to capture the true spirit of a person, place, animal, or experience in a fresh style that creates a genuine connection with the audience. I came across Stephen’s agricultural photography several years ago and was immediately drawn in. (And keep in mind, I can be a bit jaded when it comes to ranch photos—I look at them all day as part of my job.) I have been a fan of his work ever since.

I was super-excited to finally meet Stephen and learn more about his work and personal story. We had a fun (and funny) conversation and covered a wide range of interesting topics. We dug into his connection to agriculture and talked in depth about how ranches and farms play an important role in land conservation. We talked about motorcycles and some of his adventures. We discussed the importance of international travel and his lessons learned from immersion in foreign cultures. We obviously chatted in detail about photography, as well as an insane bear story that you definitely need to hear.

Cool guy. Thoughtful conversation. Crazy stories. Great episode!

All photos courtesy of Stephen Smith

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Episode Notes

Topics Covered

3:55 – How Stephen describes his work

4:55 – How he decided to focus on agriculture as a photography subject

7:45 – How long he’s been shooting photographs

10:00 – Lesson learned from starting with film photography

12:00 – Stephen’s time working on a Colorado Ranch

16:00 – Overview of holistic range management

19:15 – What “conservation” means to Stephen

22:30 – How his deep understanding of agriculture is reflected in his work

26:00 – Some examples of extraordinary agricultural operations

31:00 – Economic benefits of holistic management

32:30 – Stephen’s love of motorcycles

36:00 – Connection between motorcycles and agriculture

37:00 – Five-month solo motorcycle adventure

42:30 – Lesson learned from traveling and living abroad

47:10 – Books on motorcycle adventures

48:30 – Recommended motorcycle trips through the West

50:00 – Upcoming Mexico motorcycle adventure

54:30 – Big breaks versus a slow grind

58:00 – Advice to young photographers

1:03:30 – Favorite books

1:05:20 – Favorite documentary

1:06:40 – Thoughts on surfing

1:08:45 – Simple advice to be a better landscape photographer

1:13:00 – Insane story about being chased by a bear

1:20:20 – Favorite place in the West

1:21:10 – Biggest threat facing the West

1:24:10 – Stephen’s request of the listeners

1:26:00 – Connect with Stephen online

Information Referenced

Posted on August 10, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Agriculture, Artists, Conservation, Creativity, Ranchers, Regenerative Ag

Nicholas Coleman – Painting the Heritage and History of the American West

“An Old Meeting Place” by Nicholas Coleman

Nicholas Coleman is an ultra-talented, hard-working artist based out of Provo, Utah, and he paints some of the most interesting and beautiful works I’ve ever seen. His primary subject matter is the American West, with a focus on landscapes, natural history, wildlife, Native American culture, and exploration. I came across Nick’s work on Instagram of all places—in the midst of the app’s thousands of images, noise, and distractions, one of Nick’s images boldly stood out from all the rest. It stood out so much that I wanted more, so I went to his website and was blown away by his work. The more I learned about Nick, the more impressed I became—he is a multifaceted individual with a fascinating back story.

Nick is not your stereotypical artist. He is a devoted hunter, fisherman, and trapper, and he’s also a voracious reader who probably knows more about western history than many college professors. He has a focused and disciplined approach to his art, working six days a week and never sitting around waiting to “get in the mood” to paint. With his deep love of art and the West, combined with his rock solid work ethic, it’s no surprise that he has been able to build a stellar reputation in the super-competitive and challenging world of professional art.

I could’ve talked to Nick for hours, because so many of his interests overlap with mine. We did manage to dig into the details of his art and artistic process. We chatted about his international travels to South America, Africa, and New Zealand, as well as his thoughts on how those adventures have influenced his life and work. We discussed his education as an artist, as well as his advice for those aspiring to make art a full-time career. We also talked a lot about Teddy Roosevelt, which is always fun. See below for the full list of topics covered.

Thanks to Nicholas Coleman for joining me on the podcast. I hope you enjoy!

All photos courtesy of Nicholas Coleman

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Episode Notes

Topics Covered

3:11 – How Nicholas describes his work

4:40 – His family’s history in the West

5:55 – Hunting, fishing, trapping, and their influence on his work

8:50 – Childhood experiences that led to a career in art

10:35 – Theodore Roosevelt and Carl Akeley

13:00 – Thoughts on hunters as conservationists

17:03 – How international travel influenced his art and outlook

19:55 – Thoughts on being self taught versus academically trained in art

23:00 – Nicholas’s artistic process

27:30 – A typical day

29:10 – The backstory on Nicholas’s studio

30:30 – The role that history plays in his work

32:10 – Where he gets his ideas for painting

34:15 – How he ensure that his paintings are historically accurate

36:40 – Recommended books about Native Americans

38:25 – The evolution of his art over the last 10 years

40:10 – How it feels to create art

42:00 – Thoughts on embracing technology

45:40 – What “conservation” means to Nicholas

48:55 – Favorite Theodore Roosevelt books

50:10 – Lessons he’s teaching his children about conservation

51:00 – Advice for aspiring artists

53:45 – Favorite books

55:50 – Favorite documentaries

56:00 – Other hobbies, including motorcycles

59:40 – Nicholas’s insane Alaskan hunting adventure

1:05:40 – Favorite location in the American West

1:07:30 – Biggest challenge facing the American West

1:11:00 – Nicholas’s request of the listeners

1:11:40 – Connect with Nicholas online

Information Referenced

Posted on August 5, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Artists, Conservation, Craftsmanship, Creativity, History, Native American History

Ann Johnston is Executive Director of the Crested Butte Land Trust (CBLT), a conservation organization that protects land in Crested Butte and Gunnison County, Colorado. Given the focused geographic area in which CBLT operates, Ann and her team must be creative and nimble, and they use a variety methods to protect a diverse array of landscapes, from large-acreage rural ranches to small in-town parcels. CBLT must also balance the competing priorities of Gunnison County’s various stakeholders—ranchers, hikers, bikers, skiers, businesses, and tourists, just to name a few. In an area of the West that is becoming more and more popular, CBLT’s work has never been more important.

I’ve long admired Ann’s ability to think outside the box and effectively execute her plans, so I was excited to get a chance to sit down with her in CBLT’s Crested Butte office. We had a fun conversation in which we discussed her personal connection to conservation, the challenges and opportunities of operating in such a tight-knit community, conservation success stories, specific methods for saving land, advice for aspiring conservationists, and much more– see below for a full list of the topics we discussed. Enjoy!

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Episode Notes

Topics Covered

4:15 – How Ann describes her work

5:20 – What makes Crested Butte Land Trust unique

7:25 – CBLT’s approach to conservation on a local level

9:20 – Challenges/Opportunities of working in such a tight-knit community

11:35 – Example of win-win conservation projects

13:30 – Snodgrass Trailhead project

18:35 – How Ann prioritizes projects

20:55 – What does “conservation” mean to Ann and CBLT

22:55 – The specific definition of “saving” land

24:30 – Why Colorado is the leader in land conservation

25:55 – Colorado conservation tax credit explained

28:20 – Ann’s personal background and connection to conservation

31:50 – Experiences that attracted Ann to conservation

33:30 – Ann’s love of surfing

36:15 – Advice to future conservationists

39:10 – Biggest opportunities in conservation

41:15 – Where conservation is going in the next 20 years

43:30 – One thing Ann would change about conservation

45:10 – Advice for future conservationists, part 2

47:25 – Book recommendations

48:50 – Documentaries

50:00 – Favorite locations in the West

50:35 – Favorite trails in Crested Butte

52:00 – Ann’s craziest outdoor experience

54:00 – Biggest challenge facing Colorado in the future

55:10 – Ann’s request of the listeners

55:50 – Connect with Ann and CBLT online

Information Referenced

Crested Butte Land Trust

Posted on July 20, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Andrew Skurka is a highly accomplished adventure athlete who is most well known for his long-distance solo backpacking trips, including the 4,700-mile Alaska-Yukon Expedition, the 6,875-mile Great Western Loop, and the 7,775-mile Sea-to-Sea Route. He has also completed countless fast and light trips throughout the Sierras, Wind River Range, Zion National Park, and Appalachian Trail, just to name a few. Andrew has been named “Adventurer of the Year” by both Outside Magazine and National Geographic Adventure, as well as “Person of the Year” by Backpacker Magazine.

Andrew is also a published author, having written The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Tools & Tips to Hit the Trail, and he is close to finishing the manuscript for the book’s second edition. He also writes extensively on his personal blog, which is full of detailed, information-rich articles about backpacking, gear reviews, and other endurance-related content. On top of everything else, Andrew is a guide, speaker, and accomplished ultra-runner, having placed second in the Leadville 100 and third in the Run Rabbit Run 100. Just this past weekend (6/25/16), he placed fourth at the San Juan Solstice 50-Mile Trail Run, one of the most difficult 50-milers in the country.

chugach — Andrew deep in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Brooks Range, AK

Andrew is a great guy, and we had a very fun conversation. We obviously talk a lot about many of his long-distance backpacking adventures, but we also dig into some of the mental and emotional aspects of traveling through such remote areas for long periods of time completely alone. We talk about his personal background and how he became interested in adventure sports, and also about his decision to forgo a traditional career in finance or consulting to carve out a career centered around the outdoors and adventure. As usual, I ask about his favorite books, favorite documentaries, and favorite locations in the West.

Thanks to Andrew for joining me, and thanks to you for listening to the podcast. Enjoy!

kenai_fjords — Andrew preparing his pack raft. Kenai Fjords National Park, AK

All photographs courtesy of Andrew Skurka

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Episode Notes

Topics Covered

3:20 – How Andrew describes his work

5:00 – Overview of Andrew’s notable trips

6:30 – “Short is the new long” trips

8:30 – Alaska-Yukon Expedition and other trips

10:35 – Details of the Great Western Loop trip

14:05 – Details of the Alaska-Yukon Expedition

16:30 – A scary grizzly bear encounter

17:45 – Methods for avoiding distractions, fear, uncertainty

19:35 – Adjusting from expedition life to “normal” life

22:10 – Andrew’s personal background

24:50 – Pursuing an “outside the norm” career after college

27:55 – Advice to folks pursing non-traditional careers

28:25 – Advice to his 22-year old self

30:10 – Specific mistakes that became long-term positives

33:00 – Advice to novice hikers

34:10 – Importance of first-hand experience

36:27 – Andrew’s current life and projects

38:45 – Approach to writing

40:45 – Thoughts on ultra-running

45:50 – Favorite books

48:55 – Favorite blogs and websites

50:25 – Favorite locations in the West

52:50 – Biggest threats facing the West

55:00 – Andrew’s request of listeners

56:10 – Connect with Andrew online

Information Referenced

Posted on June 29, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Athletes, Writers

Jim Howell is the CEO of Grasslands LLC, which is the land management arm of the Savory Institute, an organization that Jim co-founded. Both Grasslands and Savory focus on conserving and restoring the world’s grasslands through what they call “Holistic Management.” We discuss the details of Holistic Managment in the interview, but the basic idea is that the world’s grasses evolved to be grazed, and they need to be grazed in a natural manner to be healthy and resilient.

Jim and his team use livestock to mimic natural grazing patterns from hundreds of thousands of years ago, long before the world’s grasslands were covered with people, fences, houses, and cities. Savory and Grasslands’ results speak for themselves—after just a few years of holistic managment, their ranches are measurably healthier, more productive, more biodiverse, and more financially successful.

Even if you have absolutely no interest in grazing or ranches, you still need to listen to this interview, because the work Jim and his team are doing has a positive effect on land, people, plants, animals, and communities all around the world. Anyone who considers themselves to be conservation-minded and loves the outdoors needs to understand Jim’s work. I have no doubt that you’ll gain a new appreciation for the role that livestock needs to play in conserving grasslands around the world. Even if you’re a vegan living in New York City, you’ll gain some valuable insights from Jim’s point of view.

Jim is also an experienced world traveler, an avid reader, and an author, having written one of the best books I’ve read on land and conservation in the West and beyond: For the Love of Land: Global Case Studies of Grazing in Nature’s Image. And on top of all of that, he finds the time to run ultra-marathons and has completed some of the most challenging 50-mile trail races in Colorado.

Between Jim’s professional and personal interests, we had a lot to discuss. It was a fun conversation filled with valuable information, so I hope you enjoy.

Jim ranching — Jim and his team hard at work on the Cinch Buckle Ranch, near Broadus, MT

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Episode Notes

Topics Covered

4:05 – How Jim describes his work

5:45 – How Grasslands’ Holistic Management differs from other ranch management practices

8:00 – Why are grasslands important?

11:00 – The natural history of grass

14:30 – Importance of grazing animals’ grazing behavior

17:30 – History of grass and animal relationships in the U.S.

18:40 – How modern commercial grazing differs from natural grazing patterns

22:00 – Comparing the health of grazed land versus National Park land where grazing is prohibited

26:15 – How grazing leads to more healthy soil and grasslands

27:50 – Common mistakes that conservationists make when evaluating grassland health

29:15 – Methods and results of measuring grassland health

31:15 – Specific methods for holistic grazing

35:30 – Length of time to truly understand a ranch’s grazing potential and needs

37:00 – Challenges related to the human component of ranching

40:30 – What are common objections to holistic grazing?

41:40 – The intellectual challenges of holistic grazing

43:50 – The economic benefits of holistic grazing with specific examples

48:20 – Jim’s unconventional path to ranching

52:20 – Jim discovers Savory’s work

55:15 – Jim’s travels and work on ranches around the world

57:40 – Lessons learned from traveling and working abroad

1:00:10 – How Jim started running ultra-marathons

1:02:50 – How humans evolved to run long distances

1:04:55 – Advice for people who want to run ultras

1:09:15 – Jim’s favorite books

1:12:50 – Favorite documentary

1:13:45 – Jim’s favorite place in the West

1:14:55 – Jim’s request of the listeners

1:17:30 – Grasslands and Savory contact information

Information Referenced

Posted on May 27, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Athletes, Books, Conservation, Conservationists, Creativity, Ecology, Entrepreneurs, History, Ranchers, Regenerative Ag, Writers

(L-R) Brady Robinson, Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin after their 2001 K7 expedition

Brady Robinson is the Executive Director of the Access Fund, a conservation and advocacy organization that helps to protect climbing areas throughout the United States. Despite being a relatively small non-profit, the Access Fund’s work has a broad ripple effect far beyond the climbing community and extends into areas of conservation, public lands policy, and general outdoor recreation, just to name a few. Under Brady’s leadership, the Access Fund has been incredibly effective, and as climbing becomes more popular, the its work will only become more important.

CNV00-40 — The avalanche that almost took Brady’s life [33:50 in the podcast]

Brady also has a seriously impressive outdoor resume—he was an instructor for both Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and has done a number of large-scale expeditions throughout the Himalayas. He still finds time to push himself hard in climbing, mountain biking, and other adventures, while simultaneously leading the Access Fund and being a fully committed family man.

CNV00-56 — Just seconds after narrowly avoiding the avalanche [39:30 in the podcast]

We had a fun conversation that covered a wide range of topics. We dig into the details of the Access Fund’s mission and methods, including why non-climbers should care about its work. We talk about Brady’s diverse career experience, and he tells a few crazy stories from his big-mountain expeditions with climbing partners such as Jimmy Chin and Conrad Anker. Brady also offers advice to young people who would like to pursue a career centered around the outdoors, conservation, or advocacy. [A full list of topics covered is below.]

Even if you’re not a climber, you’ll gain some solid insights from this interview, so I hope you enjoy.

All photos courtesy of Brady Robinson

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Episode Notes

Topics Covered

4:10 – How Brady describes his work

5:00 – Specific methods that the Access Fund uses to protect climbing areas (public policy & acquisitions)

10:30 – How does the Access Fund prioritizes projects

10:45 – Correction from Brady: The Homestead is between Phoenix and Tucson, not Phoenix and Flagstaff.

13:15 – Access Fund’s nationwide partnerships

13:55 – Access Fund’s stewardship team

16:30 – Access Fund’s support for landowners and education initiatives

18:40 – Foundation of the Outdoor Alliance

21:20 – Why should non-climbers care about the Access Fund’s work?

26:00 – Early outdoor experiences

27:30 – First climbing experiences

31:44 – Brady and Jimmy Chin learn photography

33:50 – Brady’s near miss with a massive avalanche in Pakistan (see photos above)

41:10 – The closest Brady ever came to dying in the mountains

45:00 – Lessons learned from a life of adventure

46:15 – Memories of the late great Alex Lowe

47:45 – Brady’s decision to pursue a career in education/advocacy/conservation instead of full-time climbing

52:00 – Reflections on finding your passion

57:00 – Advice to young people – a career in the recreation/conservation

1:07:50 – The Access Fund’s biggest threat and opportunity in the next five years

1:11:15 – Favorite books

1:16:30 – Favorite documentary

1:18:30 – Favorite locations in the West and the world

1:21:00 – Brady’s request of the listeners

1:25:55 – Connect with the Access Fund

Information Referenced

This episode is brought to you by Mountain Khakis. Rugged. Authentic. Reliable. Timeless. What started as a casual conversation at the Shady Lady Saloon in Jackson Hole, WY has become a top-performing mountain-inspired lifestyle apparel brand. Established in 2003, Mountain Khakis quickly became a staple in the wardrobe of everyone from ranch hands to golf pros, those who travel by jet, as well as those who travel by thumb. The Mountain Khakis brand story continues to resonate as it connects to the enthusiast who believes that freedom and rugged adventure is a way of life. Join the conversation @MountainKhakis and www.mountainkhakis.com

Posted on May 21, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Athletes, Conservation, Conservationists, Leadership, Service

Lloyd Athearn is the Executive Director of the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI), a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the natural integrity of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks through active stewardship and public education. CFI’s work includes building and maintaining trails, educating hikers and climbers on best practices in the high country, conserving the native alpine tundra ecosystem, and generally helping to ensure that these popular mountains are not inadvertently “loved to death” through overuse.

Much of Lloyd’s career has centered around mountains, so we had a fun and wide-ranging conversation with topics including 14ers, climbing adventures, ecology, books, advice to first-time hikers, and plenty more. Lloyd is a super interesting guy who’s doing very important work, so I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Click Here to Download on Stitcher

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This episode is brought to you by Mountain Khakis. Rugged. Authentic. Reliable. Timeless. What started as a casual conversation at the Shady Lady Saloon in Jackson Hole, WY has become a top-performing mountain-inspired lifestyle apparel brand. Established in 2003, Mountain Khakis quickly became a staple in the wardrobe of everyone from ranch hands to golf pros, those who travel by jet, as well as those who travel by thumb. The Mountain Khakis brand story continues to resonate as it connects to the enthusiast who believes that freedom and rugged adventure is a way of life. Join the conversation @MountainKhakis and www.mountainkhakis.com

Episode Notes

Topics Covered

2:50 – How Lloyd describes his work

3:45 – What is a 14er?

4:30 – Officially, how many 14ers are there?

7:50 – Why do 14ers need protecting?

11:55 – How CFI prioritizes 14er projects

14:30 – CFI’s trail inventory project

20:50 – How many people climb 14ers annually?

24:00 – How is CFI funded?

26:40 – Youth crews

28:30 – How private land can impact access to 14ers

33:00 – Specific 14er success stories

35:20 – Explaining the class rating system

36:45 – CFI’s April Fools jokes

38:20 – Lloyd’s personal background and early outdoor experiences

40:30 – Lloyd’s career path

43:40 – Lloyd’s advice to young people who are interested in a career centered around the outdoors

47:50 – Advice for a first-time 14er hike

52:20 – Lloyd’s scary Ecuador lightening experience

54:10 – Lloyd’s favorite 14er

55:15 – One of Lloyd’s (and Ed’s!) favorite books

57:45 – Favorite documentary

58:55 – Favorite non-14er outdoor activities

1:00:15 – Craziest thing that’s ever happened to Lloyd in the outdoors

1:02:50 – Favorite place(s) in the West

1:04:00 – Biggest challenge and opportunity facing Colorado in the future

1:06:10 – Lloyd’s request of listeners

1:07:45 – How to connect with CFI

Information Referenced

Posted on May 6, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Conservation, Conservationists, Leadership

Connie Sciolino is the owner and head coach at The Alpine Training Center in Boulder, Colorado. The ATC is a no-frills gym on the outskirts of town that helps outdoor athletes become better skiers, climbers, runners, and bikers through strength training. Connie trains everyone from professional athletes to weekend warriors, including one of the climbers in the hit mountaineering documentary, Meru.

The workouts are grueling, both physically and mentally. But her clients’ results speak for themselves—committed athletes leave the gym stronger, tougher, more resistant to injury, and better equipped to tackle the challenges of the high mountains. Thanks to her diverse collection of educational, professional, athletic, and outdoor experiences, Connie is setting a new standard for training for mountain-focused sports.

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Click Here to Download on Stitcher

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This episode is brought to you by Mountain Khakis. Rugged. Authentic. Reliable. Timeless. What started as a casual conversation at the Shady Lady Saloon in Jackson Hole, WY has become a top-performing mountain-inspired lifestyle apparel brand. Established in 2003, Mountain Khakis quickly became a staple in the wardrobe of everyone from ranch hands to golf pros, those who travel by jet, as well as those who travel by thumb. The Mountain Khakis brand story continues to resonate as it connects to the enthusiast who believes that freedom and rugged adventure is a way of life. Join the conversation @MountainKhakis and www.mountainkhakis.com

Episode Notes

Topics Covered

6:25 – Connie explains her work

7:00 – History of the Alpine Training Center

9:55 – How is ATC different than Crossfit

11:25 – “Special” ATC exercises (i.e. “sandbag getups” and “Curtis Ps”)

14:15 – Connie’s athletic, educational, and professional background

18:15 – Early days of experimenting with ski-focused weight training

23:10 – Connie’s athletic experiences in Jackson Hole and the West

26:00 – How Connie built ATC’s unique culture

30:20 – How Connie builds programs for such a wide range of abilities

33:15 – How Connie trains mental toughness

36:55 – The coaching team at ATC

49:25 – Gym Jones

53:00 – Meru and training Renan Ozturk

1:02:30 – Advice for ATC-like training if you don’t live in Boulder

1:05:40 – Connie’s 1-hour body weight challenge: As many push-ups, air squats, and sit-ups. Equal reps across. [Ed’s note: You may want to start with 100-100-100 before trying the hour. You will be destroyed.]

1:08:20 – One of Connie’s favorite success stories

1:12:50 – Favorite books

1:15:15 – Connie’s favorite place in the West

1:18:30 – Connie’s request of listeners

1:21:50 – Find the ATC online

Information Referenced

The Alpine Training Center
ATC – Facebook
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Mountain Athlete
Sandbag Getups
Curtis Ps
Exum Guides
The Grand Traverse
Gym Jones
Meru
Training for the New Alpinism: A Manual for the Climber as Athlete by Steve House
Beyond the Mountain by Steve House
Excellent Yosemite Videos
Valley Uprising – Yosemite’s Rock Climbing Revolution
The Access Fund

Posted on April 29, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Adventurers, Athletes, Entrepreneurs

Spencer Williams spent his summers as a river guide in Colorado’s Upper Arkansas River Valley, and those experiences on the water led him to law school and into a career as a water rights attorney. He now works for Ponderosa Advisors, advising clients on water rights and water markets across the American West. Spencer also works with Ponderosa’s new software platform Water Sage, an innovative software program that is redefining water research across the West.

In this episode, we dig into the details of water in the West—What exactly a what right is, how water rights can be severed from the land, and the history of water as a property right. We talk about water as an investment, and how big money is currently rushing into the West’s water markets. We discuss Spencer’s work at Ponderosa and Water Sage, and we also tell some stories from his days as a river guide. It was a fun and informative conversavation about an important topic. I hope you enjoy!

Click Here to Download on iTunes

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Click Here to Download on Stitcher

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This episode is brought to you by Mountain Khakis. Rugged. Authentic. Reliable. Timeless. What started as a casual conversation at the Shady Lady Saloon in Jackson Hole, WY has become a top-performing mountain-inspired lifestyle apparel brand. Established in 2003, Mountain Khakis quickly became a staple in the wardrobe of everyone from ranch hands to golf pros, those who travel by jet, as well as those who travel by thumb. The Mountain Khakis brand story continues to resonate as it connects to the enthusiast who believes that freedom and rugged adventure is a way of life. Join the conversation @MountainKhakis and www.mountainkhakis.com

Episode Notes

Topics Covered

4:30 – How Spencer describes his work

7:00 – Water Rights 101

9:00 – History of water in Colorado

10:10 – Water as a property right

12:00 – Ability to severe water from the land

16:15 – Wells versus water rights

18:33 – “First in time, first in right” explained

21:50 – Ranch buyer “rules of thumb” for evaluating water rights

25:30 – Non-use and water rights abandonment explained

28:55 – Water rights as an investment

35:30 – Spencer’s experience as a river guide

37:00 – Describing Colorado’s Upper Arkansas River Valley

40:00 – Arkansas River flow management explained

42:45 – More river guiding stories

45:00 – Water Sage explained and discussed

54:00 – Future plans for Water Sage

55:35 – Spencer’s thoughts on the future of water in the West

57:35 – Favorite books

59:17 – Favorite documentaries

59:45 – Favorite location in the West

1:00:15 – Recommended location and activities

1:01:40 – Biggest challenge facing Colorado

1:03:05 – Spencer’s request of the listeners

1:05:00 – Spencer’s contact info

Information Referenced

Ponderosa Advisors
Water Sage
Upper Arkansas River Valley
Mount Princeton
The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko
Colorado Water Law for Non-Lawyers by P. Andrew Jones
Cadillac Desert: The American West and its Disappearing Water by Marc Reisner
The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden by John Steinbeck
30 for 30

Posted on April 25, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Conservation, Ecology, Entrepreneurs, History

Erik Glenn is the Executive Director of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, a land conservation organization that has protected over 465,000 acres of working ranches throughout the state of Colorado. In this episode, Ed and Erik discuss a wide array of topics including the importance of keeping ranches in agricultural production, the basics of land conservation in the West, Colorado’s role as a leader in national land conservation, Erik’s family history as ranchers, and much more.

Erik Glenn (far right) with two Colorado ranchers.

Erik was the perfect first guest for the podcast, so I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!

Click Here to Download on iTunes

—

Click Here to Download on Stitcher

—

This episode is brought to you by Mountain Khakis. Rugged. Authentic. Reliable. Timeless. What started as a casual conversation at the Shady Lady Saloon in Jackson Hole, WY has become a top-performing mountain-inspired lifestyle apparel brand. Established in 2003, Mountain Khakis quickly became a staple in the wardrobe of everyone from ranch hands to golf pros, those who travel by jet, as well as those who travel by thumb. The Mountain Khakis brand story continues to resonate as it connects to the enthusiast who believes that freedom and rugged adventure is a way of life. Join the conversation @MountainKhakis and www.mountainkhakis.com

Episode Notes

Topics Covered

5:06 – How Erik describes his work

6:11 – History of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT)

8:45 – What “land conservation” means to Erik

11:20 – Details on how CCALT conserves ranches, basics of conservation easements

14:40 – The effects of ranch subdivision

17:15 – Why a vegan living in LoDo should care about working ranches

22:30 – The importance of grazing for a healthy ecosystem

26:40 – Colorado’s role as a leader in conservation

29:45 – Erik’s family history in agriculture

33:00 – Why Erik chose conservation as a career

36:15 – Advice to young people who want to work in conservation

43:20 – Importance of financial sustainability for land trusts

49:30 – One thing that Erik would change about conservation

53:30 – Erik’s favorite books

55:20 – Erik’s favorite documentaries

57:30 – Erik’s favorite place in the West

59:10 – Erik’s recommendations for people visiting the West

1:00:30 – Erik’s request of the listeners

Information Referenced

Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust
Colorado Cattlemen’s Association
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan
For the Love of Land: Global Case Studies of Grazing in Nature’s Image by Jim Howell
Responsible Grazing – The Foundation of A Healthy Ranch Ecosystem by Ed Roberson
Great Outdoors Colorado (“GOCO”)
Lessons from an Anti-Boomer by Ed Roberson
Video on the Greater Sage Grouse conservation effort
River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Unbranded
Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West by Dorothy Wickenden
Forever Colorado

Posted on April 25, 2016 by ELR

Blog, Podcast

Agriculture, Conservation, Conservationists, Ecology, Leadership, Ranchers, Service

Category: Podcast

Noel Durant – Conservation & Community in the Gunnison Valley

Episode Notes

Teal Blake – On Being Authentic & Original

Episode Notes

Justin Simoni – The Ultra-Endurance Artist

Episode Notes

Bryan Martin & Elizabeth Williams – Life Skills Through Wilderness Adventure

Episode Notes

John Dunaway – The Life and Times of a Merchant Mariner

John Dunaway – Life and Times of a Merchant Mariner

Episode Notes

Bernice Ende – Equestrian Explorer

Episode Notes

Mike Reilly – Helping Combat Veterans Rediscover Purpose

Episode Notes

AD Maddox – The Art of Trout and Fly Fishing

Episode Notes

Jeff Lee – Creating a Literary Home on the Range

Episode Notes

Christian Beckwith – Building a Conservation Coalition

Episode Notes

Tyler Sharp – The Sportsman Storyteller

Episode Notes

Connor Coleman – How to Build a Meaningful Life in the West

Episode Notes

Taylor Keen – Tribal Truth Seeker

Episode Notes

Camrin Dengel – Slow Living in the American West

Camrin Dengel – Slow Living in the American West

Episode Notes

Jason Schlarb – Service, Adventure, and Ultra-Endurance

Episode Notes

Larry Yaw – Creating a Sense of Place in the New West

Episode Notes

Pat O’Toole – Six Generations of Balanced Ranch Stewardship

Episode Notes

Joe Grant – Self-Powered Alpine Adventurer

Episode Notes

Ben Masters – Conservation Through Innovative Filmmaking

Episode Notes

Stephen Smith – Adventures in Photography, Motorcycles, and Ranches

Stephen Smith – Adventures in Photography, Motorcycles, and Ranches

Episode Notes

Nicholas Coleman – Painting the Heritage and History of the American West

Nicholas Coleman – Painting the Heritage and History of the American West

Episode Notes

Ann Johnston – Protecting Crested Butte’s Spectacular Landscapes

Episode Notes

Andrew Skurka – Blazing a New Trail Across the West

Episode Notes

Jim Howell – Conserving and Restoring the World’s Grasslands

Episode Notes

Brady Robinson – Climber, Educator, Outdoor Advocate

Episode Notes

Lloyd Athearn – Protecting and Preserving Colorado’s Highest Peaks

Episode Notes

Connie Sciolino – Building Stronger & Tougher Outdoor Athletes

Episode Notes

Spencer Williams – From River Guide to Water Innovator

Episode Notes

Erik Glenn – Saving Colorado, One Ranch at a Time

Episode Notes

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