Mt Slesse, Fraser Valley, BC

In this story, Peder covers the 1979 ascent of the North East Buttress, the 1980 Heart of Darkness, and the 1982 first ascent of the Fraser Ribber. The story touches on the history of logging, the technical aspects of the climbs, and avalanching snow (story written by Peder Ourom; audio created with help from Google NotebookLM).

Saving Canada!

Back in the summer of 1980, Canada was in danger of falling apart. A constitutional crisis had arisen, and an agreement was needed to be reached by all of the provinces and territories. If 50% plus 1 voted to separate from any province, the existence of Canada as an independent country was over. Pierre Trudeau then went into full crisis mode, as a vote for separation that would meet this low threshold would land directly on his shoulders. This was definitely not the legacy that he wanted from his term in office (story written by Peder Ourom; audio created with help from Google NotebookLM).

The Big Rescue

Peder Ourom’s account of the 1980 rescue of Scottish base jumper Billy Glasgow.

How a Scottish base jumper needed all his strength and skills to survive both a failed base jump in Yosemite, and the rescue and desperate retreat that followed. His name was Billy Glasgow, and he climbed the hardest pitch ever accomplished on El Capitan.  Here is the real story of what happened over the next two days and nights, and what our rogue Canadian rescue team pulled off. I know, because I was part of the team (story written by Peder Ourom; audio created with help from Google NotebookLM).

Mescalito

Peder Ourom’s account of his July 1980 ascent with Walt Shipley. The 20th ascent of Mescalito, Yosemite, California

I hit the angle piton for the final time, and just as I was easing onto it, El Capitan shook violently. Horrified, I watched a new crack shoot out sideways from the piton to the left, travelling sideways 15 feet.  A huge thousand-pound flake of rock was falling off, and I was attached to it (story written by Peder Ourom; audio created with help from Google NotebookLM).

The Ascent of the Shield

Listen to the summary of Peder Ourom’s account of his 1979 climb with Ward Robinson and Paul Berntsen. To get to the start of the Shield, they need to climb the first 10 pitches of the Salathe Wall, then the next 10 pitches on the Muir Wall, before ascending the steep roof pitch that commits one to the 1000’ high granite shield. From this point on the climb, retreating would be close to impossible (story written by Peder Ourom; audio created with help from Google NotebookLM).

Scaling the Zodiac

A cool audio summarizing the exciting 1979 Zodiac climb by Perry Beckham, Peder Ourom, and Matt Taylor (story written by Peder Ourom; audio created with help from Google NotebookLM).