John's Message:

For my Brandon: A mountain guide's job is many things. At its core, though, I think it is one who facilitates adventure. It has been a huge pleasure to have been on several with you and to have come to call you a friend.

- John Anders

Episode Description: Above the Clouds, Beneath the Weight – Part 2 with Mountain Guide Brandon

In Part 2 of our conversation with Brandon, we venture even deeper into the realities of life in the mountains — the ones most people never see on Instagram. Brandon reflects on moments that forever changed him: from being caught in brutal storms to standing witness to death on the mountain. These aren’t just stories of survival; they’re stories that leave a mark, long after the summit.

We also talk about the draw of epic routes and the magnetic pull of challenge, even when it comes with risk. It’s a raw, unfiltered look at the high cost of chasing elevation — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to guide in the mountains — to hold someone’s fear in one hand and your own in the other — this episode will stay with you long after the trail ends.