When people think of the life of a climber, they often think of the dirtbag lifestyle. For those who don’t know any dirtbags, they tend to live an unconventional life. Loosely defined, they give up the traditional middle-class dream and live paycheck-to-paycheck in order to pursue their passions and live life more in harmony with nature. It is a lifestyle choice you can find in abundance in Durango, Gunnison and other small mountain towns.
The question often arises, “Why would anyone choose such an unstable life?”
Luke Mehall answers this question in his memoir, “American Climber,” as well as why many dirtbag values are important in today’s society.
Mehall grew up in the middle class suburban Midwest. He found that, while he had enough to be content, something was missing. After two disastrous attempts at college, struggles with drugs and alcohol and a deep descent into depression, Mehall discovered the sport that would save his life: climbing.
He then moved west to Gunnison. He found in his new community a home and a sense of belonging that would help him on the road to recovery.
Mehall’s memoir is fantastic. He mixes powerful stories from his past with beautifully simple yet thematically profound prose. His type of climbing is much different than what we see in mainstream media, where climbers such as Steph Davis and Alex Honnold push the sport to its limits. He exists in the realm of climbing that most climbers exist in: one that is not paid for by sponsors, and work must be balanced with play so bills can get paid.
His is a powerful story of someone trying to find a way to make ends meet without sacrificing passions and convictions. It is a story many young people trying to find their way in the world need to hear.
He also speaks often on the freedom that climbing and the dirtbag lifestyle provides. One doesn’t need to work 40 hours per week if they don’t need to make rent, and it is easy to live in a tent in the warm Colorado summers. The spare time can be used chasing passions. This lifestyle is often frowned upon, especially in National Parks where tent camping is often limited to 14 days.
While there are reasons for these prohibitions, Mehall shows there are different methods of protecting the land while still providing outdoor users the means to pursue their passions.
This is Mehall’s third book. He is self publishing “American Climber,” with financial help from a Kickstarter campaign to pay for printing, promotion and distribution.
There will be a release party at Maria’s Bookshop at 6:30 p.m. April 11th. All are welcome, dirtbag or not, to come and celebrate.