This podcast first aired on 11/9/21.

Bjarne Salen - Filmer of "The Fifty" w/ Cody Townsend, Hardcore Ski Mountaineer, Adventurer, Philosopher

My guest is Bjarne Salen. Bjarne is best known for his talents behind the camera. He filmed The Fifty Project with Cody Townsend, in which Bjarne documents Cody climbing and skiing the 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America. This video series has been insanely popular, with somewhere around 15 million views on the 35 or so videos they've created thus far.

We already know a bit about that part of Bjarne. What was fascinating to me was learning about Bjarne's extensive ski mountaineering history worldwide, including Chamonix, Patagonia, New Zealand, Alaska, all over North America, and more. Bjarne's skill, resilience, and ability to stay calm in the mountains are remarkable.

Bjarne was filming his close friend Andreas Franson when Andreas passed away in an avalanche with legendary freestyle skier JP Auclair deep in Chilean Patagonia in 2015. Like many of us who dedicate our lives to the mountains, this was not the only close friend Bjarne lost. Learning Bjarne's perspective on life, willingness to confront drastic change head-on, and vicious passion for the mountains changed me, and I hope it changes you.

Please enjoy!

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