Outside Podcast Why Adventure is a Form of Art, With Ski Touring Legend John King
Oct 29, 2025
Join John King, a kinetic artist and veteran backcountry skier, as he recounts his epic 1978 ski traverse across Colorado. His adventure, spanning 490 miles and 65,000 vertical feet, was a remarkable mix of endurance and artistry, inspiring the documentary *Moving Line*. John discusses how outdoor experiences fuel his creativity, and he shares poignant moments from the journey that shaped his belief: exploration is art. Discover the joy of uphill travel, the meditative power of wilderness, and how these insights translate into daily life.
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Invisible Rock Sculpture
- John showed friends a kinetic artwork: a rock moving upstream, pulled by his grandson with a hidden cable.
- The piece focused attention and created a sense of intentionality in the river's motion.
The 1978 Colorado Ski Traverse
- In 1978 John and two friends skied 490 miles across Colorado over six weeks, climbing 65,000 vertical feet.
- They finished gaunt, sunburned, with boots taped, and their route influenced the Colorado Trail.
New Year River Ritual
- John keeps a ritual of plunging into his river on January 1st and speaks to the river while submerged.
- Once the river 'said' don't use the shower, so he humbly returned indoors slowly.