Roger Strong is that: strong. The Pacific Northwest Based dad, skier-climber, is summed up in the title of an older Rock & Ice piece titled “The Suffer King”.
His past life, a mix of long days king crabbing in big cold seas and adventuring, Strong is of the ilk where suffering falls into the fun spectrum. That suffering includes lucky-to-be-alive avalanches and the nauseating finger-thaw of ice climbing — the entire range.
Roger Strong skiing the Black Lake Chute on O’Malley Peak, Chugach Front Mountains, Alaska. Photo: Joe Stock.
What is clear in episode 94 of the Totally Deep Podcast is that Strong has reflected on his experiences, and exudes an inner strength that is both calming and empowering. This quote from a PBS series on Buddhism helps illuminate Strong’s perspective: “suffering exists; it has a cause; it has an end; and it has a cause to bring about its end. The notion of suffering is not intended to convey a negative world view, but rather, a pragmatic perspective that deals with the world as it is, and attempts to rectify it.”
Roger Strong backcountry ski mountaineering near Eagle River, Western Chugach Mountains, Southcentral Alaska, winter. Photo: Joe Stock.
In editing the podcast, the task can become clinical. There’s the audio quality to monitor, the occasional “um” and “ah” to cut. However, this is one of those episodes where life perspective sings loud. It’s a worthy listen.
Strong shares stories of his carefree younger days and his more grounded headspace as a parent. The once mixed climbing master allows us to gain some perspective and be more thankful this week.
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