Dirtbag State of Mind podcast, from The Climbing Zine

In Love with Climbing with Sonnie Trotter, Part 2

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of our conversation with Sonnie Trotter, author of the new book “Uplifted” and host of the podcast “Stronger Than You Think&r...

Creeksgiving by Luke Mehall (Dirtbag Classic)

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Luke Mehall reads his essay “Creeksgiving” originally published in The Alpinist, issue 48. Our sponsors for Season 7:  Kilter: http://setterclos...

Help On The Way at Cave Wall West

08 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the first route at Cave Wall, a story read by Luke Mehall Our sponsors for Season 7:  Kilter: http://sette...

In Love with Climbing with Sonnie Trotter, Part 1

25 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Part 1 of our conversation with Sonnie Trotter, author of the new book “Uplifted”. Our sponsors for Season 7:  Kilter: http://settercloset.com (...

Preview of our Sonnie Trotter Conversation (with Cliff Cash poetry)

18 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A preview of our upcoming two part episode with Sonnie Trotter. Plus a poem “Climbing Romeo and Juliet” by Cliff Cash. Photo of Sonnie on Cobra Cr...

The Low Key Legend with Jimmie Dunn (Dirtbag Classic)

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A rerun of our conversation with Jimmie Dunn from 2022. Our sponsors for Season 7:  Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for...

TC The OG with Tommy Caldwell (Dirtbag Classic)

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A rerun of our conversation with Tommy Caldwell from 2022, recorded in his van in Estes Park, Colorado. Big thanks to Shaun Matusewicz for joining on ...

From Tech to Tolstoy and Trad Climbing with Sam MacIlwaine

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Luke’s conversation with Sam MacIlwaine, who contributed the poem “Dirtbag” to Volume 25 of The Climbing Zine, and is also featured on the back ...

Don’t Be A Trad Princess with Mary Eden

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off Luke’s summer climbing road trip, he stopped in Moab, Utah for this conversation with Mary Eden, also known as the Trad Princess. Our sp...

Dirtbag Rich: Blake Boles and Luke Mehall

10 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Another conversation where Luke is the guest. This episode is from the “Dirtbag Rich” podcast, hosted by Blake Boles. Our sponsors for Season 7: ...

Life Is A Beautiful Struggle: Ryan Devlin and Luke Mehall

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The tables are turned on our host, Luke Mehall, as we share this episode of his appearance on The Struggle Climbing Show, hosted by Ryan Devlin. Our s...

The Art of The Belaytionship with Andy Vo

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our premiere for Season 7: a conversation with Andy Vo. Our sponsors for Season 7:  Kilter: http://settercloset.com (email [email protected] for...

A Letter And Poem for Kurt Blair

19 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A second preseason episode before we kick off Season 7. A letter and poem for our dear friend Kurt Blair, who passed away last year. Poem read by Marc...

Everybody Climbs in Indian Creek with Tim Foulkes

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A preseason episode before we launch Season 7. Originally aired in 2020 near the end of Season 1. Season 7 kicks off later this month.  

The Dirtbags Aren’t Dead, They’re Just In Mexico

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Luke Mehall reads “The Dirtbags Aren’t Dead, They’re Just In Mexico” published in the new issue of The Climbing Zine, Volume 25, now available...

Untroubled with Alex Honnold

17 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“I climb my best 4,000 feet off the ground” – Alex Honnold. Luke Mehall + Alex Honnold in a dirtbag state of mind.  

The Mom Crux with Mallory Logan (co-hosted by Shaun Matusewicz)

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We finally get to sit down with Mallory Logan, the Art Director for The Climbing Zine, to have a conversation about the history of The Zine and Dirtba...

Beats, Climbs, and Life: A Conversation with Kris Hampton

20 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The last in our series of conversations recorded in Lander, Wyoming this summer, with Kris Hampton of Power Company Climbing. Kris is our first repeat...

You Belong Here: A Conversation With Steve Bechtel

03 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The second conversation from our series of interviews in Lander, Wyoming. Steve Bechtel is a local legend in Lander, and runs two successful businesse...

Holding Space and Leading The Way: A Conversation with Shara Zaia

20 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The first of our series of conversations recorded this summer in Lander, Wyoming. Shara Zaia wrote a beautiful piece is Volume 24, our current issue, ...

Introducing The Microdose Mixtape

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing our first ever mixtape from The Climbing Zine. The Microdose Mixtape pairs Luke Mehall’s spoken word poetry, with the music of Devin Dab...

From The Ice Rink To The Ice Climb with Taylor Luneau

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Taylor Luneau. Taylor discovered climbing after an injury derailed his ice hockey career. Taylor and Luke have a wide ranging conv...

Sharp Edges: Holding On By Letting Go by Shara Zaia

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Shara Zaia reads her essay published in Volume 24 of The Climbing Zine. Plus a bonus tune from James Parr, inspired by Greg Petliski’s essay, Scotch...

Climbs Fall Apart by Luke Mehall

13 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Luke Mehall reads his piece, “Climbs Fall Apart” which is published in Volume 24 of The Climbing Zine; the episode ends with his poem “A Climber...

Pursuing The Struggle with Felipe Garcia

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Felipe Garcia. Felipe and Luke have a conversation about climbing in Guatemala, first ascents, living, working, and training on a ...

Climbing Is Not About Climbing with Chad Reich

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A Love Letter To The Firebrand by Luke Mehall

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Luke reads his “Love Letter To The Firebrand” the final episode of Season 5. With a special guest surprise from Heidi Magnus. Subscribe + Keep The...

Slab is Sexy and Inclusivity is Hot with Anna Hazelnutt

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with filmmaker, climber, and lover of slab Anna Hazelnutt. Anna bridges the old school and new school with an honest, vulnerable voice ...

Evening Sends and Resistance Climbing with Andrew Bisharat

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with writer, climber, and podcaster Andrew Bisharat. Andrew is a major part of the award winning film Resistance Climbing, which was pa...

Exploring The Lines of Climbing and Writing with Greg Pettys

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with my brother from another, Greg Pettys. Greg is an original contributor to The Climbing Zine, and though he’s not an obsessive cli...

The Roots of The Zine with Bryant Aucoin of Sticker Art

12 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with my dear friend Bryant Aucoin, of Stickerart.com from his podcast, “So What Do You Like To Do”. Zine links: Support our podcast...

ASCA: Making a World of Difference with Nate Liles

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The American Safe Climbing Association (ASCA) is the leading bolt replacement group in the United States. This conversation with Nate Liles, highlight...

Keeping The Zine Alive with The Runout

09 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation about keeping our printed zine alive with our friends at The Runout. Big thanks to Andrew Bisharat and Chris Kalous for this interview....

To Live and Die in Yosemite

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Luke Mehall reads his essay, “To Live and Die in Yosemite” published in The Climbing Zine Volume 23. Zine links: Support our podcast on Patreon KE...

On Mole with Mark Grundon

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our second episode recorded in El Potrero Chico, Mexico, is with Mark Grundon. Mark and Luke have been friends for over twenty years, and have experie...

Sueños de Altura en Mexico with Becky Zunigar

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our first episode recorded in El Potrero Chico, Mexico is with Becky Zunigar, who is the producer of the film Sueños de Altura, a documentary about t...

10 – Season 4 – So You Got Your Knee Stuck by Kaya Lindsay

04 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our final episode for Season 4 is a story read by Kaya Lindsay. This story was published in Volume 22 of The Zine. We never publish “how-to” mater...

9 – Season 4 – Finding Nuggets in The Climbing World, A Conversation with Steven Dimmitt

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Two podcasts at once! I chat with Steven Dimmitt of the popular Nugget Climbing Podcast. We take turns interviewing each other, and really get into th...

8 – Season 4 – Creeksgiving

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mehall reads the essay “Creeksgiving”. A tale of the old school celebration in the Super Bowl campground. Check out some more stories/content: ww...

7 – Season 4 – Back To The Gravity Lab, A Conversation with Sebastiaan Zuidweg

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Sebastiaan Zuidweg about building a climbing gym from scratch. Gravity Lab opens up in Durango, Colorado this month! Gravity Lab C...

6 – Season 4 – Adventures With Two Tent Timmy (Zine Classic)

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Adventures With Two Tent Timmy is a zine classic, that will be republished in The Climbing Zine Book 2, now available to preorder. Read and written by...

5 – Season 4 – Women’s Stories at the Heart of Yosemite Climbing, A Conversation with Lauren DeLaunay Miller

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our second episode from the El Cap Meadow with Lauren DeLaunay Miller. Lauren was a contributor to Volume 12 of The Zine, and she’s the author of Va...

4 – Season 4 – The GOAT: A Conversation with Beth Rodden

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Luke sits down with Beth Rodden in the El Cap Meadow, during the Yosemite Facelift. Beth contributed an essay called Meltdown that’s published in Th...

Dirtbag State of Mind Trailer

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A trailer for Dirtbag State of Mind. Score Zines: https://shop.climbingzine.com/

3 – Season 4 – How To Cry on a Mountain with Jennaye Derge and Marcus Garcia

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jennaye Derge is our special guest host for this conversation with Marcus Garcia. In this episode they discuss Marcus’s passion in climbing, and his...

2 – Season 4 – The Vulnerable Warrior: A Conversation with Stacy Bare

21 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stacy Bare is author of two popular Zine stories, including Climbing Past War, published in The Climbing Zine Book. Luke and Stacy met and bonded over...

1 – Season 4 – A Dirtbag with a Dream: A Conversation with Brittany Goris

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brittany Goris has contributed to the last two issues of The Climbing Zine, and her spirit matches our mission. We discuss Yosemite, The Creek, and ho...

10 – Season 3 – Dancing With The Queen, PART 2

02 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of Dancing With The Queen read and written by Luke Mehall, published in Volume 22 of The Climbing Zine. Discount link for 15% off anything in o...

9 – Season 3 – Dancing With The Queen, PART 1

25 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Volume 22 of The Climbing Zine is off the printer, and into the mail. This story, Dancing With The Queen by Luke Mehall, will be read in two parts. Th...

8 – Season 3 – The Low Key Legend: A Conversation with Jimmie Dunn

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jimmie Dunn is a climbing legend. On El Capitan he succeeded with Cosmos where Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, and Jim Bridwell failed. Solo. He was al...

7 – Season 3 – American Climber (Zine Classic)

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For this episode, we look back at a classic chapter from American Climber, Luke Mehall’s 2016 memoir, and the subject of Season 1 of the DSOM podcas...

6 – Season 3 – From Dirtbag to Director of an MBA: A Conversation with Scott Borden

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Luke sits down with Scott Borden, a friend and climbing partner of 20 years. Scott is a prolific contributor to The Climbing Zine, and his writing fir...

5 – Season 3 – Spring Cracks by Luke Mehall

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

“The same thing that makes you live, can kill you in the end” – Neil Young. Luke Mehall reads his essay Spring Cracks, published in Volume 21 of...

4 – Season 3 – The Art of The First Ascent by Luke Mehall

06 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Luke Mehall reads his essay, “The Art of The First Ascent”, first published in Volume 15 of The Climbing Zine. Keep The Zine Alive and subscribe (...

3 – Season 3 – Working Hard for Bears Ears National Monument, A Conversation with Erik Murdock

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Erik Murdock is the Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at the Access Fund and a key player in the establishment of Bears Ears National Mo...

2 – Season 3 – Who Came First The Dirtbag or The Van Lifer? A Conversation with Kaya Lindsay

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The second episode of Season 3 is a conversation with Kaya Lindsay, from One Chick Travels. Kaya is a contributor to The Climbing Zine, and the creato...

1 – Season 3 – TC the OG, A Conversation with Tommy Caldwell

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Season 3 is here and we’re kicking it off with our conversation with Tommy Caldwell. Big thanks to Shaun Matusewicz as well for joining in on the co...

Bonus Episode – The Art of Being Crusty

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another bonus episode, Luke Mehall reads a story from Volume 21 of The Climbing Zine. (Photo of Hobo Greg by Emmie Snead) Support The Zine + the DSOM ...

Bonus Episode – A Climber In The Winter of His Content

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Luke Mehall reads a piece of his, about some winter climbing adventures and first ascents in Indian Creek. This piece was originally published in Volu...

22 – Season 2 – One More Creeksgiving

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A bonus episode to wrap up 2021, about Mehall’s experience at this year’s Creeksgiving, in Indian Creek, Bears Ears National Monument. Support The...

21 – Season 2 – Get Sends and Keep Writing with Devin Dabney

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For our final conversation in 2021, Luke chats with Devin Dabney, who is a Senior Contributor to The Climbing Zine. Devin is a poet, rapper, essayist,...

20 – Season 2 – The Climbing Advocate Podcast with Peter Horgan

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This fall I sat down with Peter Horgan, from The Climbing Advocate Podcast, in a camper in Indian Creek. We have a conversation ranging from poetic in...

19 – Season 2 – The Climber’s Writer: Lucas Roman

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lucas Roman has emerged as one of the best climbing writers in the last couple years. Luke met up with Lucas in Moab, Utah and then the two headed out...

18 – Season 2 – From The Creek to The Capitol with Chris Schulte

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Schulte is one of the more prolific contributors to The Zine, and we sat down in Durango for a wide ranging conversation, from The Creek to The ...

17 – Season 2 – Live From Durango

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The pandemic shut down live events for a long time, and it was terrible timing as we wanted to celebrate 10 years of The Zine in 2020. We also had lim...

16 – Season 2 – An Interview with Mike “The Mayor” Shaw

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation from Indian Creek with my friend Mike “The Mayor” Shaw. Mike is a longtime contributor to The Zine, and a lifelong outdoor educator...

15 – Season 2 – The Dirtbag Dream Is Not Enough with Clipping Chains

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Chad Andrews of Clipping Chains. Luke Mehall reflects on the origin story of his writing and The Climbing Zine. Support The Zine +...

14 – Season 2 – An Interview with Chris Kalous

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Seven years after Luke Mehall appeared on The Enormocast he turns the tables on Chris Kalous for an interview. The Climbing Zine and The Enormocast fi...

13 – Season 2 – An Interview with Kris Hampton

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are back, with our first in the interview series of Season 2. Luke sits down with Kris Hampton of Power Company Climbing at the International Climb...

…and now for a poem: The Last Dance

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A little something while you wait on the rest of Season 2. A poem: The Last Dance Support The Zine + our podcast by picking up a book, zine, sub, merc...

Epilogue – Season 2

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An epilogue for Season 2. Producer Chad Reich brightens our spirits. Plus some words for our dear friend Dan Escalante that we lost last year. Support...

12 – Season 2 – The Big Block and The Big Fall

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode wrapping up The Desert, a big block, and a big fall. Plus the beauty of leaving. Support The Zine + our podcast by picking up a b...

11 – Season 2 – Traces of Blood and a Whack President

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Contemplating Bears Ears National Monument, and the whack president that tried to shrink it. Plus, traces of blood in Castle Valley. Support The Zine ...

10 – Season 2 – The True Self and Bears Ears

13 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue on with The Desert, Mehall matches up with his project, The King, and he proclaims his love for Bears Ears National Monument. Support T...

9 – Season 2 – King Lines and Love Letters

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As Mehall continues on with reading The Desert he explores first ascents of king lines and onsight love letters. Support The Zine + our podcast by pic...

8 – Season 2 – Once In A While You Get Shown The Light

30 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mehall and his friends navigate new routes such as The ODB and Purple Haze and end up finding the light; in a purplish sort of Prince-ish hue. Support...

7 – Season 2 – Superette Crack and The Last Dirtbag

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mehall continues to work on new routes, finds some dead ends, and meets a new friend who becomes part of the film: Last Thoughts on The Dirtbag. Suppo...

6 – Season 2 – Bad Bolts and New Lines

16 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The craft of replacing bad bolts leads to the adventure of opening new lines. Support The Zine + our podcast by picking up a book, zine, sub, merch. T...

5 – Season 2 – The Sound of Silence

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mehall begins going down the rabbit hole of finding new routes with his best of friends. Support The Zine + our podcast by picking up a book, zine, su...

4 – Season 2 – Write On, Climb On

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue on with The Desert, Mehall reflects on his writing heroes, and commits to the climbing and writing path, full on. Support The Zine + ou...

3 – Season 2 – Powders of Persuasion

25 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fight for your right! Powders of Persuasion and of course, the Shit Tent. Support The Zine + our podcast by picking up a book, zine, sub, merch. This ...

2 – Season 2 – Fear and Climbing in Grand Junction

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our second episode for Season 2. We are continuing on with The Desert, as the author explores the climbing around Grand Junction. Support The Zine + o...

1 – Season 2 – The Desert and The Dog, Season 2 Premier

15 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re back baby! Season 2 kicks off with “The Desert and The Dog” the beginning of The Desert. Support The Zine + our podcast by picking up a bo...

Walls (Season 2 Teaser)

01 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We are hard at work getting Season 2 ready for your ears. In the meantime here’s a poem: Walls, by Luke Mehall This link will get you 25% off anythi...

30 – Grateful Hussle, Season 1 Finale

20 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Our final episode for Season 1. Shout outs for the climbing podcasts that inspired us, plus Mehall reads his poem Grateful Hussle. We will be back wi...

29 – Silent Partners

10 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A remembrance of our fallen comrades, as well as the long gone friendships. Originally published in The Climbing Zine Book. Pick up a copy at our onli...

28 – Somewhere in Between Dreams and Smog is Love

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mehall gets a reminder of what life is like without climbing when he is suffering from some bad tendonitis. Stuck living in an unfurnished, basement w...

27 – Lost

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. How did this happen? Luke and his brother Clint, get lost in the Colorado wilderness. This story was originally published in The Gre...

26 – Twenty Four Hours of Vegas

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mehall and his friends come up with a way to enjoy a long multi-pitch adventure in Red Rocks, near Las Vegas with some partying thrown in, on The Stri...

25 – Adventures in (Dirtbag) House Sitting

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Three years of dirtbag house sitting adventures in Durango. All to keep the climbing and writing dreams alive. This story was originally published in ...

24 – Adventures with Two Tent Timmy

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Luke takes us on some adventures with Two Tent Timmy, his best friend since high school, and climbing inspiration. This piece was originally published...

23 – This Is Buildering

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A story about buildering. Originally published in Mehall’s first book: Climbing Out of Bed. Names changed to protect the guilty. This link will get ...

22 – Wide Eyes, High Times, and Hard Times, A Story of Climbing With Mark Grundon

08 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Adventures with Mark Grundon, a climber with an infinite amount of energy, who endures an avalanche and cancer all while going through his senior year...

21 – The Painted Wall

01 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Luke and Dave cruise The Cruise in The Black Canyon, and then on the Painted Wall, Colorado’s tallest wall, well, let’s just say they don’t crui...

20 – Everybody Poops in Indian Creek with Tim Foulkes

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody poops, including us in Indian Creek. Luke and Tim Foulkes discuss a variety of Indian Creek issues: first ascents, replacing anchors, good l...

19 – Climbing, All The Way To The Moon

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Season Finale. Mehall goes all in on new routes in Indian Creek, Bears Ears National Monument; following the adventure all the way “to the moon”…...

18 – Love, Passion, and New Routes in Indian Creek / Bears Ears

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Luke Mehall explores Indian Creek, Utah for new routes; the land now part of Bears Ears National Monument. In the midst of the search he finds his pas...

17 – Remembering Adam Lawton / Sending the Salathe Wall on El Capitan

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Remembering our friend Adam Lawton. Finally getting a job in Durango. Getting The Zine going, and eventually having success on the Salathe Wall on El ...

16 – Fighting to Write, The Creek in Winter, and The Big Wall Blues

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mehall moves to Durango, Colorado, and fights for his soul by writing and climbing. Big wall adventures take him back to Yosemite, where him, Two Tent...

15 – The Freedom Mobile Goes To Yosemite

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Luke and Gene take The Freedom Mobile to Yosemite, to get a taste of failure and success on big walls. Pooping in a poop tube, hauling, jumaring, lowe...