Episode 7 - the High and Holy: Jake Norton

This is episode 7 with Jake Norton of MountainWorld Productions. As a climber and guide, Jake has set foot on many of the highest points on earth as and a filmmaker he has made some insightful films about mountain culture and environment, recently culminating his in Banff award-winning film Holy (un) Holy river, a collaboration with National Geographic ’s Pete McBride about the unique culture and predicament of India’s sacred Ganges.

Holy (un)Holy River trailer from Jake Norton on Vimeo.

In the hour ahead we talk about his path, from finding a life of adventure climbing in the mountains to then using his expeditions as a means to get back to the people places and cultures he loved and wanted to interact with. In our conversation, we visit Uganda, Nepal, Rwanda, Kenya, and India and touch on the inspiration for stories he would tell in photo and film. We find time to talk culture and have an engaging discussion of what it is to live a meaningful life from a south Asian perspective and how that can inform our own life choices. In the end, Jake offers some advice for the next generation of adventure storytellers out there. enjoy!!

 WHAT YOU WILL HEAR:

•  (5:20) We talk about his early influence in going to the mountains and the history of his uncle, Duke Watson
• (10:20) The impact of his first trip to the Himalaya
• (17:10) We expand on the fundamental difference in the concept of time from a western and eastern perspective and the impact on local culture and behavior
• (26:10) Jake’s major inflection point when he began to reconsider a traditional career in guiding and what his future career may hold in store
• (30:30) How Jake decided and developed the confidence to become a storyteller
• (43:40) Meeting Pete Mcbride and how the concept for Holy (Un) Holy River took shape.
• (52:30) We expand on the importance of storytelling as a translator of science
• (54:30) thoughts for a future generation of storytellers