Note: this piece was originally published in the Durango Telegraph newspaper. After a decade plus of writing for The Telegraph, Mehall is stepping away from writing his monthly column, to put his energy into other writing and creative projects. (Banner photo of the author by Greg Cairns.) When I was first asked by Missy Votel…
If there’s a hill I’m willing to die on, it’s in the land we call Indian Creek, a part of Bears Ears National Monument. With all the insanity in our country during the past five years, I’ve really focused on this single place. Like many outdoor athletes, I am an obsessive. I need something to…
“The same thing that makes you live, can kill you in the end” – Neil Young. Luke Mehall reads his essay Spring Cracks, published in Volume 21 of The Climbing Zine Keep The Zine Alive and subscribe (this link will get you 15% off) : https://shop.climbingzine.com/discount/DIRTBAGPODCAST15 Support our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theclimbingzine Our Sponsors Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email holds@kiltergrips.com for more…
Luke Mehall reads his essay, “The Art of The First Ascent”, first published in Volume 15 of The Climbing Zine. Keep The Zine Alive and subscribe (this link will get you 15% off) : https://shop.climbingzine.com/discount/DIRTBAGPODCAST15 Support our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theclimbingzine Our Sponsors Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email holds@kiltergrips.com for more information) Osprey Packs: www.osprey.com Edelrid: www.climbgreen.com
I’ve spent much of my adult life working towards a dream—a writing dream, infused with climbing—that has largely come true. Which means me of the Greg Brown line, “If your dream came true, would you want it then?” I had no idea what would come along with my dream coming true. My dream…
This winter I’ve had the fever. No, not the fever for more cowbell, or the fever from COVID (thankfully), but rather cabin fever. Before COVID, I used to love working from home. After decades of service industry jobs, I was finally living the dream, and running my own publishing business. It was a perfect balance…
Just A Climber (For Bears Ears) is the result of 20 years of thinking and recreating in Indian Creek. When the new protections are threatened by the Trump administration Luke Mehall sharpens his tools from his rucksack of poetry, and prepares for the battle to save Bears Ears.
Once upon a time, my crew was wild AF. And that wildness would often come to a climax on Thanksgiving, out in Indian Creek, which is now included in Bears Ears National Monument. We would call it “Creeksgiving,” one last extended stay out in The Creek, before old man winter came along. We’d have dance-offs,…