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.
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Host: Abbey Collins
Guest: Len Necefer
Producer + Engineer: Mike Horn
The Self Motivator: Chantel Astorga
Balancing Risk and Reward: Mike Gardner
From Pebbles to the Himalaya: Pete Takeda
The Novelty Seeker: Madaleine Sorkin
Not in Ohio Anymore: Anna Pfaff
Alpinist Aloud: “To Look the Bear in the Eye”
Alpinist Aloud: "Less Rich Without You"
Alpinist Aloud: “Melting Giants”
Fire and Ice: Scott Coldiron
A Visit with Mark Twight
Alpinist Aloud: “Life Compass” by Brette Harrington
"All that Glitters": Margo Talbot
Alpinist Aloud: “The Raven at the Door” by David Stevenson
Alpinist Aloud: “The Force of the Soul,” by James Edward Mills
The Lifestyler: Chris Weidner
Climber, Transcending: Kai Lightner
Rethinking Mountaineering Histories: Amrita Dhar
From the Gunks to Desert Towers: Jeff Achey
Perspective: Robbi Mecus
Inner Ranges: Geoff Powter
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