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Mark Postle

@markpostle

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Coach @evokeendurance
🏔 guide at The Mountain Guides @jhmtnguides and @climbingthesevensummits
Husband, camera operator, and bonzai pincher

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How do you become brave?

Since I was a little girl, I wanted to know.

I grew up in the ’80s obsessed with movies like Rocky, The Karate Kid, Top Gun, The Goonies, Footloose, and Dirty Dancing.

Underdogs. Comebacks. Big chances. Ride-or-die friendships.

They made me feel like I could do anything. Be anybody.

Like I, too, could become brave.

Fast-forward to this past May.

I was lying alone in my tent at Camp 2 on Lhotse (4th highest in the world)—angry, frustrated and trying to cry after an aborted summit attempt.

For the last four years, I’ve said:

“If I have to go all the way up, to come all the way back down, to go all the way back up again, I’m not leaving until I hit the top.”

Apparently this year, the universe wanted to make sure I meant what I said.

So when my teammates finally arrived back at camp 2, I walked into the dining tent arms open and shouted:

“Who’s coming back with me?” And @rajalexandre_ shouted back, “I am coming with you.”

And suddenly, I wasn’t watching a movie anymore.

I was the main character in my own show.

There was only one problem:

I had no idea if I could do it again.

I told myself:

You just need to try.

The next morning, @rajghisingtamang and I went back up.

And somehow, we were 45 minutes faster to Camp 3 and the next day 20 minutes faster to Camp 4.

There was my answer.

I had it in me all along.

There would be another plot twist, but we would make the summit on the 27th.

As I sat at the top, I choked up more than once. I thought about the turnback moments.

And then I realized.

This is how you become brave.

Not because I suddenly felt fearless.

But because I broke things down into manageable sections.

I let myself feel all the emotions.

I recommitted because I had to find out how this movie might end.

The proof became undeniable. And that’s why I cried.

It’s called self-efficacy—the belief that you can handle what comes next because you’ve built evidence that you can do the thing.

Bravery isn’t found. It’s built over moments, years, and decades. Backed by the right people.

That eight-year-old girl would never believe what this 46-year-old woman can do.
Xoxo, Megan
@markpostle @lukasfurtenbach taken in Lhotse by @markpostle

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2 months ago

New Evokecast Episode 🔥

#100 Climbing Denali: Tactics And Best Practices With Sam Hennessey

Join Evoke coach Mark Postle for a discussion with Sam Hennessey about all things Denali. Sam is a professional guide with extensive experience guiding and climbing on Denali, and in the Alaska Range.

Learn more about Sam Hennessey here:
www.sunwolfadventures.com

0:00:00 Introduction
0:02:20 Sam’s experience in the Alaska Range
0:04:41 The remoteness of the Alaska Range and existing there
0:08:44 Factors that create uncertainty during an expedition
0:10:49 Alaska Range has unreliable weather forecasting
0:15:39 Being flexible with day-to-day planning
0:20:24 Summit attempts from 14k ft vs. 17k ft
0:22:58 Underestimating cold and altitude
0:24:36 Greater levels of energy expenditure unique to climbing in the Alaska Range
0:26:11 Common scenarios resulting in failure to summit
0:36:23 The necessity of training and practice on technical terrain
0:41:03 A multi-year approach for success on Denali
0:42:07 Limited bandwidth for skill instruction while on the mountain
0:50:45 Logistical challenges on Denali
0:52:45 Ways to reduce weight on Denali
0:59:41 Heat exposure on Denali
1:02:13 Best practices for descending after summiting
1:04:17 Observations of unguided parties on Denali
1:09:07 Efficient strategies for meal prep
1:14:01 Thoughts on decision-making high on Denali
1:23:48 Sam’s final thoughts about climbing Denali by @markpostle

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2 years ago

Summer 2024 travels coming to a close. Some short but amazing trips this summer to get off the screens and in the hills. Thanks to everyone who came out, tied in to the other end of the rope, and pushed their limits. @evokeendurance by @markpostle

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2 years ago

Husband and wife team Ana Mills & Chris Close , coached by Leif Whittaker @leifwhittaker and Mark Postle @markpostle respectively, recently climbed Mt Khuiten and Malchin in Mongolia’s Altai Tavan Bogd National Park. Unexpected weather presented challenges but fortunately Chris and Ana put in the muscular endurance work because breaking trail in deep snow both directions is no easy task! Great work Chris and Ana 💪💪 by @markpostle

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3 years ago

New Evokecast Podcast 🔥

In this episode join Evoke coach @markpostle for a chat with rock climber and alpinist, @mattsegal . Matt has had a great year of climbing in 2023 including a free ascent of Cowboy Direct (Grade VII, 5.13a) on the Trango Tower in Pakistan, and an ascent of Kryptonite (5.14d) near his home in Colorado. Join Mark and Matt as they discuss the arc of Matt’s development as a climber, and how he structured his training to attain these two huge goals. by @markpostle

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3 years ago

Maybe more turbulent at the Tablelands today than at the White House! by @markpostle

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9 years ago

Ask the hard questions. Be there. Help someone hold tight. #haydenkennedyforever taken in Castle Valley, Utah by @markpostle

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9 years ago

Snowy on both ends and smokey on the middle. Another one in the books. Thanks to everyone for the good times. See you next summer Jackson. taken in Calico Restaurant and Bar by @markpostle

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9 years ago

Trying to make some hay while the sun shines here in the Tetons. Epic stretch of guiding finally easing a bit. Brent showing me what real work looks like at the #huidekoperranch taken in Huidekoper Ranch by @markpostle

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9 years ago

Up before the dawn and ready for another 15 hour day in the saddle on the Grand Traverse. Internationally certified choss wrangler @tetonalpinist ready to deliver the goods. It was a pleasure. #myjhmgstory @jhmtnguides #chossaneering taken in Calico Restaurant and Bar by @markpostle

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9 years ago

Oh Zorro, I have been seeing you around. You're looking pretty hungry, you seemed a little down. I wanted to share my Turkey Jerky but knew it wasn't right. Psyched to see you're having lots of marmot sushi tonight. #marmotkidsdontgetribbonsfor2ndplace taken in Garnet Canyon by @markpostle

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9 years ago

I generally try and avoid the water sports but that is proving challenging this summer in the Tetons. #myjhmgstory @jhmtnguides @robgowler #enricosuave @mountainhardwear taken in Calico Restaurant and Bar by @markpostle

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9 years ago