Dirt Magic - Orogenesis Collective

On this episode of Dirt Magic we join the Orogenesis Collective and their mission to boldly go where no mountain bike trail has gone before. We will explore the vision of “a new way on old ground,” born from Bike Packing Roots and dreamed about over pints in small mountain towns. A vibrant community of people growing their relationship with backcountry landscapes, each other, and themselves along an uninterrupted ribbon of singletrack trails that bridge borders throughout the western ranges of the North American continent. Our guests today have adventured through these landscapes on hands, feet and wheels and certainly aren’t afraid to raise a glass and say “cheers” to a moon shot idea. From completing the epic Oregon Timber Trail to spending 3% of his life on the face of El Capitan and living the dream of a 20 plus year trail stewardship and founder of the World Famous Downieville Classic, these gentlemen’s resume speaks for itself. Introducing Orogenesis Collective Executive Director Gabriel Tiller, Editor-In-Chief and co-founder of the Gear Lab websites Chris McNamara, and SBTS executive director, Greg Williams. 

Guest Bios:

Gabriel Tiller is finding a new way on old ground as the executive director of the Orogenesis Collective. He is the founder and former executive director of the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance, as well as helping co-found the Oregon Mountain Biking Coalition and served as a board member for Bikepacking Roots. He’s passionate about backcountry trails and long-distance connectivity, and is a staunch believer that outdoor experiences have the power to transform people’s lives. Joyful experiences make us the best people we can be. 

Chris McNamara is the Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of the GearLab websites. Chris is the author of 10 books, a big-wall climbing expert, and a recovering ex-Wingsuit BASE jumper. Climbing Magazine once computed that three percent of Chris's life on earth had been spent on the face of El Capitan—an accomplishment that has left friends and family pondering Chris’ sanity. He’s climbed Yosemite's daunting 3,000+ foot El Capitan over 80 times and holds nine big wall speed climbing records. In 1998, Chris did the first Girdle Traverse of El Capitan, an epic 75-pitch route that begs the question, “Why?” Outside Magazine has called Chris one of “the world’s finest aid climbers.” He’s the winner of the American Alpine Club's prestigious Bates Award and the founder of the American Safe Climbing Association. This nonprofit group has replaced over 120,000 dangerous rock climbing anchor bolts. Chris is also the founder and lead author of the rock climbing guidebook publisher SuperTopo. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley. You can follow him on Instagram and ChrisMcNamara.com.

Greg Williams leads the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and is a descendant of the Deer Creek Band of Northern Sierra Miwok. Greg has spent his life in the Sierra Nevada Mountains living by the examples of his elders — developing a passion for community, clean streams, big mountains, and long trails. Greg is a trailblazer and pioneer of backcountry mountain biking in Downieville, establishing Yuba Expeditions guide service in 1991 and the Downieville Classic mountain bike festival in 1995. In 2003 Greg founded the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship in order to maintain and enhance the trail system, create local jobs, and grow the recreation economy in the Lost Sierra region.

Dirt Magic-The Podcast, Hosted by Martin Scheel