Miscellaneous
For climbers, hikers and nature lovers alike, Yosemite Valley has a vastness that is hard to match. For those like Josie, who are compelled to push the limits of vertical adventure, it’s the center of the universe. Josie pushes her vertical life even further (a hallmark of her character) as a climbing coach, mentor and for many years prior to our meeting; serving on the Valley SAR team of YOSAR (Yosemite Valley Search and Rescue). During a visit to the YOSAR camp (details in the episode) I learned just how much respect and admiration her follow SAR crew members have for her and the time she spent with them. Later, when I mentioned this to Josie, she smiled, nervously looked down toward the ground and with a “well, thanks but…” she quickly deflected the compliments back to all the YOSAR crews past and present. I had met Josie earlier in the year, at the She Moves Mountains event in March. I knew her by reputation and had hoped to have a chance to discuss chatting on the pod. However, the hectic schedule didn’t allow for such a conversation to take place, and I figured I’d reach out later on. As luck would have it, we crossed paths at Outdoor Retailer in Boulder and, a couple few months later, were posted up in Savannah the Van for a chat. As I prepped the recording gear we chatted about the topics we wanted to cover and, in so doing, realized that we were meeting in an interesting place and time. Many milestones of life occurred in this very place, in the same month, over the years. I suppose life has a way of happening like that. These wild spaces we visit to find pieces of ourselves, to reconnect with them, to build them, to find inspiration; are the same places we continue to visit as we fill the pages of our stories. To your wildest self, be true.