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Written by Alex Close/Tahoe World
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Wednesday, 23 May 2007 |
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Action Hero: Sam Skrocke
Before he took off to summit Mt. Denali, ride his bike from Alaska to Argentina and then summit Mt. Acancagua – South America’s tallest peak – The Tahoe World caught up with adventurer and free thinker Sam Skrocke via e-mail to ask him about his adventures, his motivations and his thoughts on our environment.
Your Name: Sam Skrocke
Your Age: 31
Your hometown: Draper, Ut.
Your Current Residence: Truckee, Ca.
Your Profession: Bartender, Resort at Squaw Creek
So you recently skied around the Tahoe Basin. That was without rest right? Tell me a bit about that trip: Did you use the TRT? How long did it take? Who went with you? What was the most challenging thing about it?
 The ski trip was the brain child of Mike Tebbutt. He just finished reading Arron Ralstons book “Between a Rock and a Hard Place.” You know, the guy who had to cut his own arm off with a dull swiss army knife. Anyway, after finishing the book, Mike proclaims to me that he didn’t think we were pushing ourselves hard enough. This frightened me, but I was also instantly anxious to hear what he was scheeming.
His idea was simple — lets see how far we can go. Three years later I think we’ve figured it out. Mike Tebbutt and I left 64-achers at 4:20 a.m. on March 11 and finished 62 hours later at 6:45 p.m. on March 14. We first headed south into Desolation in a counter-clockwise direction around the lake. We covered 125 miles generally following the TRT, but as our mileage shows we were able to take a few short cuts on our liteweight skis. We climbed and decended over 30,000 vertical feet. The hardest part was the last thirteen miles. The plan was not to sleep. We didn’t bring any sleeping gear or even a warm jacket. Our thought was when it gets cold — more motivation to keep moving. By the end our bodies were exhausted and our minds tired, yet we went as lite and safe as possible.
You’re planning to climb Denali later this month, then bike from Alaska to Argentina, then climb South America’s tallest peak, Aconcagua unassisted. I know the bike ride is part of a fundraising effort with Biking for a Better World to help build a school in Nicaragua, but what is the inspiration behind summiting the two neighboring continents’ highest peaks as bookends to such an already amazing trip?
I have an adventurous spirit with a heart that belongs to climbing. Naturally with the ample time I was given to think about our trip, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander toward memories of the great ranges in Alaska and of climbing in the Andes. I immediately pictured climbing what happened to be the highest peak in North America and South America amoungst the ranges that we will begin and end the bike ride. This couldn’t have been more obvious. The challange was there just waiting for someone to attempt it.
What has been the toughest thing about putting such an epic journey together?
 The toughest thing was having experienced receiving so much support and help from freinds and the community and then having to leave everything behind with out any way to properly show my appreciation.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge for you on that epic journey?
Right now looking down the road I see Denali being my greatest challenge. On the road I think the mental strain of trying to comprehend the enormity of the project that still lies ahead will be tough at the begining followed by mental fatigue towards the end. Overall, I think traveling through all these cool places and not being able to stop and spend time to properly enjoy them will be the hardest.
What do you hope will be the biggest reward?
The memories.
What, in your mind, is the single most important thing you hope to accomplish with this endeavour? Besides simply living through it of course…
I want people to realize their own potential by showing that no matter how difficult your task may be, anything is possible, and at the same time demonstate that there are other options and still a lot of adventures that don’t require a combustable engine to provide a thrill.
Biking for a Better World was the 2007 recipient of the Goran Kropp Memorial Fund. Kropp is recognized for riding his bike from Sweden to Nepal and then solo summiting Everest before riding back home. Is he a personal hero of yours or was his journey an inspiration behind yours? Why?
 The idea actually came from the book by Tim Cahill, called “Road Fever.” Although, Goran has always been an inspiration at many other levels. One being his purist ethics, which is why I read Cahill’s book about driving the Pan-American Hwy. Instead of driving, I envisioned myself pedaling through those same countries on a bike. Goran has also left his impression on the rest of the team and has set remarkable standards, and he will be a constant inspiration to live up to.
I understand you’re a big advocate of green practices - less gas powered engines, protecting our wilderness areas - in your travels and adventures, what have you seen that has inspired this philosophy?
When I started travelling, some of the first things I noticed were the hydro-electric powered valleys in southern Chille that didn’t require damming or altering the landscape in any way. Also, I saw the windmill powered rufugios in Argentina working in communties that were discribed to me as underdeveloped. It wasn’t as conveniant or as abundant as we have in the states, but I learned to appreciate it more. I also saw the disheartening side of these contries’ poor waste management, and the air pollution in China. I don’t need to travel very far to witness this discrace to our environment. Smog now fills Yosemite Valley sometimes to the point were you must strain to see the opposite side, and it is even worse in Yellowstone. All I really need to do is wade around in the water near Commons Beach to see how fast we are changing “the lake.”
What can the average person do to get on board and live a more green lifestyle?
Become more aware, motivate yourself and think for yourself. Find out what the consequences are for riding a smowmobile, a motorcycle or driving a boat. Also, decide how happy these objects make you and if your moments of bliss are worth it. Motivate yourself to find better ways of doing things; ride your bike to work, refuse styrofoam and be creative about reusing. Find ways to simplify your life.
How will your upcoming trip help you spread the word about such a philosophy?
We will be pedaling through 14 contries, and we will cross paths with over a million people. I will have solar panels attached to my trailer that will raise insterest. We will talk about it with local media along the way. Most importantly, we will live a clean lifestyle and let our actions speak for themselves.
Skiing around Tahoe, a 16,000 mile bike ride book-ended by the tallest peaks in the hemisphere, are there any other epic adventures you’ve done in the past we should know about?
I recently went backpacking through China. While I was there, I soloed two 6,000 meter peaks in the Sigunian range of the Sichuan region. The first accent of Mt. Pumui, and the third out of the four peaks in the Sigunian, or Four Girl Mountains. Each peak had only taken me three days, much quicker than I had planned. While sitting at the summit of the Third Sigunian, I decided to circumnavigate the entire range. I descended the opposite side of the mountain, and I spent the next six days hiking through some amazing valleys and meadows, and climbing over three 13,000 ft. passes while being entertained by the wildlife, waterfalls, and a bit of exposed scrabbling.
What makes you push yourself to such extremes? Why does Sam Skrocke do the things he does?
I find motivation to push myself from others, and I enjoy pushing myself to the limits because I’ve proven to myself that I can. I guess, I use other peoples’ success to push myself and to build my own confidence.
Do you have any other adventures in the works after the Alaska Argentina stuff?
Yes, but you’ll never believe me if I told you and probably just think me crazy.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, I can’t name every one here but you know who you are. I couldn’t have made this trip possible if it were not for my family and my friends. The support I’ve received from you all has really gotten to me and I will be smiling for years to come because of it. I love you and miss everyone already.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 23 May 2007 )
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