Dr. Len Necefer didn’t grow up skiing steep slopes or topping out on summits like he does today. Instead, his connection to the outdoors began with golf—a fact he shares rather sheepishly. Necefer was an avid golfer from age five until he was eighteen, when he moved to the desert southwest and realized how water-intensive that sport is.
Necefer is a member of the Navajo Nation, and is working to bring more Native voices and talents into the outdoor industry through his organization Natives Outdoors.
He believes in the importance of engaging with the environment in a thoughtful, meaningful and respectful way. As a backcountry skier and climber, he cultivates connection with the mountains he visits and the people he visits them with. He is a regular Alpinist contributor.
In this episode, Necefer reflects on why having a sense of humor is essential when trying to communicate about heavy subjects like climate change; what it was like teaching himself to ski; and why it’s important for all of us to vote.
Support for this episode of the Alpinist Podcast comes from the American Alpine Club.
Alpinist Magazine: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Host: Abbey Collins
Guest: Len Necefer
Producer + Engineer: Mike Horn
Graham Zimmerman's Balancing Act
Climbing and Journalism with Lauren DeLaunay Miller
Training for the New Anything with Steve House
Unpacking Packing with Sarah Pickman
Writing and Routes with David Smart
Racing Fear with Justin Bowen
Aiming for the Bushes with Alan Rousseau
Climbing for Change: Caroline Gleich
Talking Schist with Andrea Charest
Connected to Place: Sarah Audsley
Beyond Success and Failure: Young Hoon Oh
The Art of Playing: Babsi Vigl
Heart of the Sierra: Doug Robinson
Creativity and Climbing: Nikki Smith
Of Peaks and Parenting: Majka Burhardt
Braving New Worlds: Steph Davis
Honoring Mountains and Mentors: Clint Helander
Dreaming of Imaginary Peaks: Katie Ives
A Life of Adventure and Positive Impact: Timmy O’Neill
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The MeatEater Podcast
Bear Grease
Live Wild with Remi Warren
Outside Podcast
Cal’s Week in Review