On this episode of Short Ropes, we revisit my conversation with legendary Alaskan alpinist Carl Tobin (See episode 11).  Tobin's climbs in Alaska’s remote Hayes Range raised the bar for hard alpine climbing in North America in the late 70’s and early 80’s.  His climb up the Valdez test piece “Wowie Zowie” is an honest grade 6 ice climb, and was way ahead of it’s time when he made the first ascent in 1981 with the late Andy Embick.  In this episode, Carl and I talk about the early days in Fairbanks, his relationship with the enigmatic alpinist Johnny Waterman as well as surviving a deadly avalanche in the Hayes Range in 1984.

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Episode Music

1) Space Song / E. Phillips / Evan & Molly (2012)

2) Augusta / E. Phillips / Unreleased (2017)

3) Fairbanks 75' / E. Phillips / Unreleased (2017)

4) Waterman / E. Phillips / Unreleased (2017)

5) Avalanche / E. Phillips / Unreleased (2017)

6) Ode To Easton / E. Phillips / Unreleased (2017)

Ep 12_Short Ropes_Tobin's Tales_Mix 01