Stoke Talk with Adriel

Skyler isn’t a pro adventurer. He doesn’t have sponsors or followers chasing him.

 He’s just an engineer with a full-time job who refuses to live a life that’s too safe, too small, too disconnected.

In this episode, we rappel 200 feet into the canyons of Capitol Reef while recording mid-adventure with a group of friends. Skyler opens up about how he got into climbing, flying planes, diving caves, and even building an airplane in his garage.

 We also hear a gripping story of a river trip that nearly turned deadly and how doing hard things helps him show up better in everyday life.

This is an episode for the everyday adventurer. For anyone asking: “What if I just said yes?”

What started as a spontaneous invite to a Moab trip changed the entire course of my life and eventually grew into an annual tradition for a tight-knit community of adventurers.

In this episode of Stoke Talk, I take you inside the 10th annual Moab and Beyond trip, an 80-person camping adventure I do every year. 

🎙 In this episode, you'll hear:

• How a non-adventurous, overbooked kid became an organizer of 190+ trips
• What really goes into planning (and surviving) a group trip this size
• Why we chose to make pizza for 80 people in the desert
• What I’ve learned about building community through side-by-side suffering
• How we design big trips to spark small moments despite the chaos
• Why connection is the true fruit of adventure

This episode was recorded in three parts:
 🎧 On the road to Moab
 🔥 Around the fire while slinging pizzas
 🌄 Alone in the desert after everyone left

Stoke Talk isn’t about pro athletes or influencers. It’s about regular people who make space for something wild despite the 9-5, relationships, and real life.
When you unplug, say yes to adventures, and suffer a little with strangers, something real happens.

If you’ve ever wanted to start your own group, plan your first trip, or just remember why adventure matters, this one’s for you. 

We talk about:

• Growing up in a mountaineering family and how it shaped his mindset
• Why the “stoke” isn’t always about the activity—it’s about the people
• A deep dive (literally) into climbing El Cap: gear, prep, training, logistics, and sleeping on the wall
• What it feels like to fall, black out, and become a Search & Rescue legend in Zion 🤕
• How to get into climbing—from total beginner to multi-pitch dreamer
• The value of mentorship, planning, and doing hard things with friends
• Why some of the best trips are the ones that go a little wrong

This one is packed with honest stories, good laughs, and a lot of practical (and emotional) insight on what it means to live adventurously for the long haul. Whether you’re a climber, a canyoneer, a scuba diver, or just someone who wants to live with more stoke—you’re gonna love this.

🎧 Stick around for:

• Our near-death Neon Canyon trip
• Diving with bull sharks in Mexico
• The truth about how you go to the bathroom on a cliff face

In this episode, I’m hanging out with one of my oldest adventure friends, Alex Temus—aka “Alex Kayak” in my phone, because that’s how we met 8 years ago at a random BYU kayak club night.

We recorded this on the road heading to a canyoneering trip (during an eclipse, no less), and covered everything from how Alex got into climbing to what it was like sleeping on the side of El Capitan for 4 days straight. We also talk about:

• Growing up in an outdoorsy family and getting the “adventure bug”
• What it really takes to climb the Nose of El Cap
• That one time Alex fell in Zion and became low-key famous with search & rescue
• How having a stoked friend group changes everything

Advice for anyone looking to get started in climbing or any new adventure

Episode is just the intro. So if you are ready to jump into the El Cap climb experience head over to episode 2 and come back for the intro when you are ready!