🏔️ Season 13 Bonus Episode — Stephen’s Road to Denali: Blue-Collar Mountaineering, West Coast Peaks & The Power of the Journey ❄️🥾
In this special Season 13 bonus episode, returning guest Stephen takes us inside his relentless, months-long push to prepare for Denali — the highest peak in North America — by launching a full-scale mountaineering campaign across the U.S. West Coast. From expedition-style living on Mount Shasta, steep technical routes on Mount Hood, and a humbling, windswept retreat on Mount Whitney, to a confidence-building summit of Mount Rainier and a powerful solo push on Mount Adams, Stephen shares how each mountain became a training ground for systems, pacing, cold-weather efficiency, and mental resilience.
He reflects on the harsh realities of what climbers call “blue-collar mountaineering” on Denali — heavy sled pulls, back-to-back cache carries, fixed-line ascents, brutal weather windows, and the quiet psychological battles that unfold high on the mountain. Through it all, Stephen opens up about how the experience reshaped his understanding of grit, humility, success, and why the journey often matters more than the summit itself.
We also dive into his training philosophy, non-negotiable gear planning, and the discipline of the 1,000-feet-per-hour rule, along with the lessons he continues to carry from iconic climbs like Rainier, Hood, Adams, Shasta, Whitney, and Kilimanjaro as he moves forward on his pursuit of the Seven Summits.
🎧 Whether you’re a day hiker, backpacker, or aspiring mountaineer, this episode is a powerful look at endurance, vulnerability, and what it truly takes to chase big mountains.
Episode Links:
Stephen on Instagram
Stephen on Facebook
This episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeys
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