Field Notes
Podcast Ep. 31
Beauty In The Grotesque
Proud Sponsors
|
|
|
That photo in the header? That's Robert conquering the world after a severe traumatic brain injury.
Adventure is more than just something we do for fun. It helps us cope and manage the difficult moments we experience as this week’s storytellers explain. This week we share stories from a mountain biker who took years to recover from a traumatic brain injury who is now doing some extreme hiking and running and a scuba diver who witnessed the beautiful in the disgusting and carries that experience forward to cope with a more recent trauma.
Storytellers: Robert Curzon, Brit Barnhouse
Listen to Episode 31 Now
Adventure is more than just something we do for fun. It helps us cope and manage the difficult moments we experience as this week’s storytellers explain. This week we share stories from a mountain biker who took years to recover from a traumatic brain injury who is now doing some extreme hiking and running and a scuba diver who witnessed the beautiful in the disgusting and carries that experience forward to cope with a more recent trauma.
Storytellers: Robert Curzon, Brit Barnhouse
Listen to Episode 31 Now
Robert Curzon: "From Fastest to Slowest" |
Backstory: Robert's wife, Jill, had hiked the PCT section from Elk Lake to Shelter cove in 2015. He got plantar fasciitis on day one, leading him to abandon the hike. In 2016 he wanted to complete that section to “catch up” with her so he set out.
Jill dropped him off at Elk Lake trailhead on August 24, 2016 at 7 p.m. By 11:15 p.m. he had covered 12 miles with a 16 pound pack. He has planned to be gone for at least two nights and three days. Then he felt so strong and happy, he went to sleep wondering if he could hit Willamette Pass the next day, 36 miles away.
He got up at 6:30 a.m. and did 10 miles by 10 a.m., 20 miles by 2 p.m., and better than 30 miles by 6 p.m. He called Jill to tell her and she asked him to wait for her at the Willamette Pass trailhead where she would drive and meet him. Then they would hike the last few miles together. Robert says, "That changed the pace and arrival time, but it was fun to do the last few miles with her" finishing by the light of their headlamps.
Total time walking/running: 15 hours, 20 minutes. Stats below to prove it!
Robert says, "I should’ve just done it in a day and been happy with it. Thinking of doing that one this year if I have a spare day - and a couple more to recover from it!"
This is a big accomplishment for anyone, but especially for a person recovering from a severe traumatic brain injury who, not very long ago, when he returned to hiking had episodes of blacking out and walking into trees. Thanks for this inspiring story, Robert!
Jill dropped him off at Elk Lake trailhead on August 24, 2016 at 7 p.m. By 11:15 p.m. he had covered 12 miles with a 16 pound pack. He has planned to be gone for at least two nights and three days. Then he felt so strong and happy, he went to sleep wondering if he could hit Willamette Pass the next day, 36 miles away.
He got up at 6:30 a.m. and did 10 miles by 10 a.m., 20 miles by 2 p.m., and better than 30 miles by 6 p.m. He called Jill to tell her and she asked him to wait for her at the Willamette Pass trailhead where she would drive and meet him. Then they would hike the last few miles together. Robert says, "That changed the pace and arrival time, but it was fun to do the last few miles with her" finishing by the light of their headlamps.
Total time walking/running: 15 hours, 20 minutes. Stats below to prove it!
Robert says, "I should’ve just done it in a day and been happy with it. Thinking of doing that one this year if I have a spare day - and a couple more to recover from it!"
This is a big accomplishment for anyone, but especially for a person recovering from a severe traumatic brain injury who, not very long ago, when he returned to hiking had episodes of blacking out and walking into trees. Thanks for this inspiring story, Robert!
Brit Barnhouse: "Slimy and gross and absolutely beautiful."
Brit Barnhouse, scuba diver, SUP boarder, editor "In Layman's Terms."
|
Brit Barnhouse's SUPing Dog.
|
|
Literary Journal: In Layman's TermsIn Layman's Terms is a literary journal (poetry, nonfiction, visual art) dedicated to encouraging a new appreciation of science, technology, and the natural world for the average person. The first issue came out on August 31, 2017, and can be read at https://iltreview.com/read. Blog posts for the next few months leading up to the second issue will each be dedicated to a particular issue brought up by the pieces in Volume 1-- delving into more of the science, reasons for things happening, and what the average person can do in response.
I created the journal because I noticed a disconnect between scientists and "everyone else" and an alarming pushback of science/data. We don't change minds and hearts by shoving information at people, but by calling back to our roots as human beings, and connecting through storytelling and emotion. I hope In Layman's Terms reaches some people and encourages further exploration about the world in which we live. Boldly Went's take: It's beautiful. You should read it.
|
Like this? Like us! |
Episode and Event Sponsors
|
Sorry, bandana offer expired years ago. ;) You can still visit their website though: territoryrun.co/boldlywent
|
|
You can sign up for the Everest small group fast packing trip to Everest with our Nepali partner, Himalayan Adventure Labs through August 2017.
They have other trips throughout the year to Langtang and Annapurna. Seth and Sudeep, the trip leaders, take you off the beaten track to show you the best, local, non-touristy trails for a unique experience in the Himalayas. Go to their website to apply www.himalayanadventurelabs.com . Be sure to mention Boldly Went for a discount. |
|
Make your adventures more meaningful. Join #TeamWOV and adventure for a cause by supporting the educational and health needs of disadvantaged children in Nepal.
|
|
Our Bend event sponsor who is known for helping people along their journey to reach their full potential by delivering accessible, affordable, and professional athletic recovery & performance.
|
Additional thanks goes to Bend Magazine for handing out their beautiful coffee table quality magazines with excellent journalism featuring the best stories, events, and happenings around Bend, OR. Thank you!
Music: Free Music Archive
c4. Star Float (flutter mix).
Blue Dot Sessions. Coronea.
Cullah. Western Firefight 2.
Pictures of the Floating World. A Thousand Stars. Nebraska Fireworks. (The perfect song to accompany Brit's story, don't you think?)
Pictures of the Floating World. Sometimes it Shines.
Blue Dot Sessions. Coronea.
Cullah. Western Firefight 2.
Pictures of the Floating World. A Thousand Stars. Nebraska Fireworks. (The perfect song to accompany Brit's story, don't you think?)
Pictures of the Floating World. Sometimes it Shines.