Early Adventures. Photo: Eric Parson Collection
Photo: William Finley
Chugach Vibes. Photo: William Finley
Bellicose Peak looms above. Photo: William Finley
Photo: William Finley
Eric with son, Finn. Photo: Eric Parson Collection
Biking in Nulato Hills, Alaska. Photo: Luc Mehl
Eric Parsons at the Revelate Designs Shop. Photo: Dan Bailey

The Revelator: Eric Parsons

Evan Phillips on June 7, 2018

 

Every mountaineer has a favorite mountain range, a place that for whatever reason centers them, gives them a piece of mind, creates a sense of belonging.  For some, it might be a well-known place like the Sierras: an area of impeccably clean granite towers, speckled with pristine, aqua-colored alpine lakes and a constant supply of near perfect weather.  For others, it might be the Swiss Alps, a range steeped in mountain history and culture, with a list of bold and ultra-classic lines too innumerable to count. And for others, like Alaskan climber and mountain adventurer Eric Parsons, it’s the more obscure areas, like the western ramparts of Alaska’s Chugach Mountains, that define their lives.

Growing up in New York, Eric spent summers camping and taking cross-country road trips with his family to places like the Canadian Rockies, and the desert southwest.  These early experiences created an adventurous mindset that would follow him to college at Colorado State University, and ultimately, the vast expanses of Alaska.

Since that time, Eric has created a unique lifestyle for himself that centers around his family and close-knit group of friends, his bike-packing gear company Revelate Designs, and of course, a constant effusion of adventures in the western Chugach Mountains.

Last summer, I was fortunate to sit down with Eric to talk about his love for the mountains, the passion and creative drive that led him to start Revelate Designs, as well as the meaningful partnerships and friendships he’s developed through climbing and other outdoor pursuits.

Music

• Augusta / Evan Phillips / Unreleased (2018)
• Something To Believe In / Evan Phillips / Unreleased (2018)
• I Come Alive / Evan Phillips / Camp Vibes, Vol. 01 (2018)
• Guess I Was Just Young / Evan Phillips / Silhouettes (2015)
• Begin / Easton Stagger Phillips / Resolution Road (2014)
• Ode To Easton / Evan Phillips / Unreleased (2017)
• Traveller / Evan Phillips / Lonely Mountain (2017)

Links

Eric Parsons
Revelate Designs
Little A Triathalon
Bellicose Peak
Baleful Peak
Evan Phillips
Support The Firn Line

Sponsors

Alaska Rock Gym
Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria
The Hoarding Marmot
Behind The Sun Therapeutics

Roman Dial and Evan Phillips chat at The Firn Line “Live” at the Alaska Rock Gym. Photo: Kevin Goodman
Family trip, popping land leaches over a candle. Borneo 95/ 96
Roman in the Copper Canyon. 2007.
Roman Dial. Photo: Luc Mehl
Roman and his son Cody ‘Roman’ Dial. Bhutan 2012.
1998 with Cody Roman in his own boat and Roman and daughter Jazz, watching the Caribou calve in area just opened for oil drilling. Jago River, Alaska
Roman tree climbing in Australia in 2002. Photo: Bill Hatcher
sailing with Brad across Kontrashibuna Lake in Lake Clark National Park. Photo: Mike Curiak

Episode 21 // The Firn Line “Live”: Roman Dial

Evan Phillips on January 11, 2018

 

Narrative

On December 2, 2017, I had the great privilege to sit down in front of a live audience at the Alaska Rock Gym, and talk with renowned Alaskan alpinist and explorer, Roman Dial.  We had a candid and highly-entertaining conversation that spanned topics including his early years in Fairbanks, his ambitious climbs in The Hayes Range in the 80’s, as well as his forays into hell-biking, tree climbing, and packrafting in the 90’s and beyond.  

In some ways, Roman is a larger than life character, with a list of jaw-dropping outdoor achievements to his credit.  But as you’ll soon hear, it’s the characters, friends and partners that have helped shape Roman’s life, and ultimately meant the most to him.  

Music

• Space Song / Evan & Molly / Evan & Molly (2012)
• Augusta / Evan Phillips / Unreleased (2017)
• Lonely Mountain / Evan Phillips / Silhouettes (2015)
• Space Walker / Evan Phillips / Silhouettes (2015)

Links

Support The Firn Line
Evan Phillips
The Alaska Rock Gym
The Roaming Dials
Shwak Magazine

Nizina River, Wrangells St. Elias National Park, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)
Nizina River, Wrangells St. Elias National Park, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)
Burr takes a swim (Photo: Scott Adamson)
Nizina River, Wrangells St. Elias National Park, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)
Chitistone River, Wrangells St. Elias National Park, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)
Dustin Eroh, Broken Dreams WI5, Chitistone River, Wrangells St. Elias National Park, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)
Dustin Eroh, Broken Dreams WI5, Chitistone River, Wrangells St. Elias National Park, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)
Dustin Eroh, Broken Dreams WI5, Chitistone River, Wrangells St. Elias National Park, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)
Todd Tumolo, Full Bore WI4, Chitistone River, Wrangells St. Elias National Park, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)
Scott Adamson, Unnamed WI 5+/6 (Photo: Dirty D)
Blackbird Falls WI5, Chitina River, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)
Dustin Eroh, Blackbird Falls WI5, Chitina River, AK (Photo: Andrew Burr)

Episode 04 // Short Ropes: Chitistone Chuckles

Evan Phillips on April 20, 2017

In February, 2016 Dusty Eroh, Andrew Burr, Scott Adamson and Todd Tumolo rode, pushed and postholed their fatbikes up the Nizina River to the mythical frozen waterfalls of the Chitistone valley. Equal parts climbing and comedy, the trip was an authentic and memorable Alaskan adventure.

In Episode 04, Dusty tells the story first-hand, reflects on his time with Scott and discusses how he got his nickname, “Dirty D.”

Music

• Space Song / Evan & Molly / Evan & Molly (2012)
• Augusta / Evan Phillips / Unreleased (2017)
• Ambien / Andy Tholberg / Unreleased (2017)
• Beta Fish / Andy Tholberg / Unreleased (2017)
• Silky Smooth / Andy Tholberg / Unreleased (2017)
• Corn Flakes / Andy Tholberg / Unreleased (2017)
• Fleeting Fleets / Andy Tholberg / Unreleased (2017)
• Pumper / Andy Tholberg / Unreleased (2017)

Links

Patreon
Evan Phillips
Scott Adamson
Kyle Dempster
Andrew Burr Photography