Wild Ideas Worth Living

Kimber Cross is an adaptive ice climber and mountaineer who has spent the last decade tackling some of the most demanding ice routes in North America. Born without one hand, she climbs with a custom prosthetic featuring an ice axe that extends from her right forearm. In 2026, Kimber made the first adaptive female ascent of Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride, Colorado, one of the country's most challenging ice climbs.
Connect with Kimber:
Website
Instagram
If you enjoyed this conversation listen to, Becoming a Professional Adaptive Rock Climber with Mo Beck
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Mohamed Lahna is a Paralympic medalist, endurance athlete, and one of the world's most accomplished para-triathletes. Born without a femur in his right leg, he didn't begin running or cycling until his twenties. On July 29, 2026, he completed a self-designed triathlon across America: a 28 mile swim around Manhattan, a 3,000 mile bike ride from New York to Las Vegas, and a 350 mile run to Venice Beach. He completed the journey in 47 days while raising more than $150,000 for Save the Children and the Challenged Athletes Foundation.
Connect with Mohamed:
Website
Instagram
Donate to Save the Children and The Challenged Athletes Foundation
Listen to REI’s Camp Monsters podcast!
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Benchmade
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Kelsey Pfendler made history on July 3, 2026, when she became the first American woman to row solo from California to Hawaii, completing the crossing in just 43 days and setting a new speed record. An open ocean rower and longtime Grand Canyon river guide, Kelsey spent two years preparing and funding the expedition herself. Her journey culminated in a record that shattered the previous men's mark by nearly nine days and established one of the fastest solo ocean rows ever completed across the Pacific.
Connect with Kelsey:
Website
Instagram
If you enjoyed this conversation, listen to episodes with Taryn Smith, Tez Steinberg and the LAT 35 team.
Listen to REI’s Camp Monsters podcast!
Thank you to our sponsors:
Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
Smartwool
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Sunny Stroeer spent years working as a business consultant before burnout pushed her to rethink what success looked like. She left the corporate world in search of adventure and went on to become one of the most accomplished endurance athletes in the outdoors, setting more than 20 Fastest Known Times across the globe. In 2024, she became the first woman to ski the full Iditarod Trail, a feat that cemented her reputation for taking on ambitious challenges in some of the world's harshest environments.
Connect with Sunny:
Website
Instagram
Listen to REI's Camp Monsters podcast!
Thank you to our sponsors:
Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
Smartwool
Salomon

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Tyler Mitic is an endurance cyclist and mental health advocate who spent 27 days riding a tandem bike the length of California. Along the way, he convinced more than 40 strangers to hop on the back of his bike, creating opportunities for connection, conversation, and shared adventure. What began as a cycling challenge became an exploration of rejection, friendship, and the power of showing up for people. The project ultimately raised more than $20,000 for Bring Change to Mind, a nonprofit focused on mental health awareness and support.
Connect with Tyler:
Instagram
Thank you to our sponsors:
Capital One and the REI Co-op® Mastercard®
Smartwool
Salomon

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