The Dirtbag Diaries

Our baptism in wild places is different for each of us.  For some, it's ingrained so early in life that it hardly registers as a memory.  For most, it was probably a little awkward, a bit daunting, yet so compelling that we wanted to do it again.  For Wendy Irwin, it began with, "a soft-shell cooler, a MacGyver like trust in the magical properties of duct tape, and a 'Tent for Sale' ad in the classifieds."  Though much went wrong on Wendy's first backpacking trip, the tendrils of nature's beauty wound themselves into her mind and around her heart. And years later, when she met a teenager hiking the John Muir trail carrying two backpacks, she knew to smile and wish him luck. Because if you love it, you'll figure it out. 

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Here are the links to the bands whose songs we used. 

Swimming by Manuel Da Costa

Angeline The Baker/Leather Britches by Bradley Carter

High Country by The Maybe Sometimes

Some music provided by Mevio's Music Alley. 

Our second installment from the third annual Live from 5Point in April at the 5Point Film Festival. If you missed the last episode, we talked with snowboarder Kevin Pearce and skier Chris Davenport. Today, we present stories from James Walsh and Kyle Dempster. James has focused his camera lens on the biking culture within African. But the creative process can be a frustrating journey where you have to be doggedly determined to succeed. Today, James talks about the odyssey of being a filmmaker. 

Kyle's path as an alpinist is firmly rooted in first ascents around the world and a good humor. He's won the Piolet d'Or twice. And in 2012, he traded in a climbing partner for a bike as he journeyed through Krygystan in search of more first ascents. Today, Kyle talks about the origins for his trip, how it evolved, and how his dad helped an alpinist take a bike trip.  

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Music today from

Stargazing by Ken Christianson

Turn Out The Lights by The New Amsterdams  provided by Mevio's Music Alley

We're back for our third annual Live from 5Point event. The sun was shining, but Steve's Guitars was  at capacity. Today we present the first two stories from Kevin Pearce and Chris Davenport. In 2009,  Kevin was one of the best snowboarders in the world. On a training run, he had a major accident (his story is chronicled in the film "The Crash Reel"). Today, he talks about finding happiness after suffering a traumatic brain injury. 

Chris' career as a big mountain skier is impressive- numerous first ski descents of peaks, traveled around the world to ski, a two-time world champion. But I've always been impressed by Chris' creativity in the mission he chooses. Today, he talks about the aesthetics of the lines he chooses and what he loves about mountains, especially those close to home. 

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Come join the fun next year!

Fitz and Kevin Pearce

Fitz and Chris Davenport

Fitz and Kyle Dempster

Music today 

Stargazing by Ken Christianson

100 by Cy Tru

Music from Cy Tru provided by Mevio's Music Alley

As the days grow longer and warmer, the road beckons us . And while we can pile gear into the car until we can't cram anything else in, packing some items take a bit more thought. Like, how will I keep the cheese cold? "The ice chest is the vagrant’s culinary miracle. It allows you to transport cold, somewhat-fresh food to almost anywhere your beater car can haul it," writes Dean Fleming. But it can still break the bank. Fortunately, he has extensive experience living on the road and scraping by on a budget. Today, Dean presents another Lifestyle Tip for the Committed-- his secrets for eating well, but cheaply, while you're out on the road. 

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"We traveled in an ode to that particular brand of privileged American adventure, the cross-country drive, funded in equal parts by savings from crappy after-school jobs at a camping store and graduation money from loving parents," writes Graham T. Beck. Fresh out of high school, Graham and his friend, Tim, headed to Yellowstone National Park for a backpacking trip. They knew they were in bear country. But only after they'd hiked 40 miles in could they begin to understand the horribilis of the grizzly bear. 

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An earlier version of this story appeared on The Morning News. 

Here are links to the bands whose songs we used in Hey Bear!

Fall in Line by Aluminum Forest

Spiraling Journey  by Chimpy, featuring Duncan Beattie

Proceed With Caution by The New Amsterdams

Music provided by Mevio's Music Alley.

Great stories often have these 5 words, “and then it got dark.” But how can carefully executed alpine starts and planned summits turn into watching stars dot the sky? Well, getting benighted can happen for a few reasons. One- unforeseen circumstances. Two- complete denial of reality. Or three- getting too comfortable in the dark. Kelly Cordes, Ryan Peterson, and Jay Puckhaber share their tales of being out, long after the sun has set. 

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Here are the links to the artists whose songs we used in Benighted. 

"The Sounds They Make" by Maps and Atlases

"Kiss Kiss Is Getting Old" by Les Savy Fav

"F--ked Up Kid" by Broken Social Scene

"Empire" by The Black Angels

"The World is Our _____" by This Will Destroy You

"My, My" by Menomena

Music provided by Mevio's Music Alley. 

Through the years, many of you have asked to give to the Diaries. To donate a few bucks. And we have said, "No," to this generosity. We said no because we believed the Diaries should be free. That there should be fewer barriers for inspiration to find its way into people's lives. That these stories that come from you, belong to you; we are merely the curators. 

We also realize, that if we are to survive, we need to evolve and mature. And we need to make sure that the Diaries belongs to its true owners- the community. We'll need help to do it-- the help you've offered in the past. You are all part of our family, but if the Diaries means something to you, if it spurred your courage to try something new, to quit a bunk job, or say yes to a deep seeded belief while others told you to play it safe, then please pledge your support. Make sure the Diaries are there for the next person who needs that nudge. The gift is yours to give.

We pledge to continue fostering creativity in our office and in our collective community. We are going to do our damndest to keep this incredible project we're created together going for as long as possible. What can you pledge?

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While climbing Castleton Tower, Brendan Leonard watched a climber cruise past him, take on a piece of gear, and then fall onto a ledge right at his feet. The immediate moment had Brendan dealing with the logistics of how to help someone when you're a pitch off the ground and initiating a rescue for the climber.  But the image of what he saw lingered long after the ambulance left the parking lot, and had him questioning his own climbing motivations.

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Love- It's life's great surprise. You can try to pin its origins in brain chemistry and hormones. Or the right timing. But those don't explain why tough guys make slow rock mixes or why a timid person suddenly introduces themselves to the person of their dreams. Why it works for one couple and not another is beyond me, so I've stopped trying to guess. Your mate could be across the ocean or right next door. But if you find him or her, it feels as though every moment lead to the perfect culmination, even the awkward middle bits. And even if you need the help of a voodoo doctor. Today, we present two stories about finding love. 

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Ever managed to talk yourself into an adventure or a job only to realize you have gotten yourself in way over your head? Sometimes these scenarios lead to embarrassment. Sometimes they begin horror stories. But, sometimes, they provide unexpected opportunities for growth. In 2007, Jen Altschul talked her way into a job as a ski patroller. And then the snow began to fall. Today, we present her story of learning how to be one.

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