What are the things in your life that have infinite complexity upon closer inspection?
🧊 About the episode
What are the things in your life that have infinite complexity upon closer inspection?
I’m betting you didn’t expect that question on a podcast about ice climbing.
But that’s Jackson Yip for ya. An atmospheric researcher by training who specializes in cloud-microphysics, Jackson is also a deeply passionate climber and alpinist who has coupled his interests in a myriad of ways.
Whether scrabbling through murky datasets or slogging to break trail, Jackson finds beauty in the mundane and labyrinthine.
In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about:
- Cloud physics and the complexity of turbulence
- The importance of first-hand experience
- How to develop mental models
- Why we can and need to do better when evaluating ice conditions
- The mechanics of pillar collapse
- And more
Hope you enjoy this chat, I certainly did.
"We need these sorts of oases of perspective that allow us to re conceptualize how we fit into the grander scheme of things. Because I can tell you for absolute certain that when I'm scared shitless on a pitch, or I'm like, you know, neck deep and trying to figure out some new, like, modeling script or something like that, for representing some atmospheric process, I don't tend to just like think to myself, 'wow, how beautiful is the universe?'"
🧊 Resources and links
If you’re interested in collaborating on one of the ice climbing models that Jackson mentioned, you can reach him at jackson.yip@utah.edu. You can learn more about his research on his website: jpyip.com
You can connect with Jackson:
📸 @jp_yip
🧊 Credits
Episode cover photo provided by Jackson Yip
Intro music by Hannah Noelle Enomoto (thanks, sis!).
🧊 Sponsors:
Big thanks to Blue Ice for supporting this show!
Blue Ice: Blue Ice is the best kind of ice, and also my choice when it comes to fast and light ice climbing gear. Their Aero Lites go in like a hot knife through butter and their climbing packs hit the sweet spot between function and lightweight. Designed to get to the point in the alpine, their gear is tested by mountain professionals between the Alps and the Wasatch. If you’re looking to get to the point too — and with a little less weight on your kit, check out Blue Ice’s gear at blueice.com or your favorite local retailer.
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