Mountain Motivation: Kory Maillet
Photo credit: Joey Hill - Kory Maillet with Carlos Buhler
Michelle LeBlanc - Valdez Adventure Alliance
Vulnerability might be tough for most people, but for me it’s a hard thing to admit to. It’s been two and a half weeks since the Valdez Ice Climbing Festival ended and I am just now starting to feel myself again. It was a challenge, a big challenge in a lot of ways. Because of how I was raised and the world that shaped me I have a tendency to care deeply about things and that, one might say, makes me vulnerable.
I was so relieved when Brene Brown revealed that vulnerability is a strength. It isn’t always easy to work on self awareness and strive for good intentions and positive outcomes. That is not to say I don’t have my own baggage or walls and sometimes I am met with other people’s baggage and walls too. This is human. This challenge taught me to feel every bit of it. Recovery after meant solitude, heat, reading, and laughter with friends as well.
The truth is, the Valdez Ice Climbing Festival would not have gone off or survived as long as it has without friends. Personally, I am so glad to have been able to work with and learn from all that were here doing this before me: Brian Teale, Eric Christensen and Kory Maillet. People like August Franzen and Ryan Sims are the new generation - and I was grateful to learn and work with them also. I turned 50 during this fest - and so the elder person in me wants to say, “They are nice young men!” in a little old lady voice. And so it is.
As I move forward from here in time and space, I just hope to continue to learn and grow with a kind, firm yet gentle step. In solitude and also with friends.
With that, I’d like to introduce Kory Maillet who was good enough to talk to me about what motivates him every day to get up and out there in the world - as well as his rest and recovery. Kory was nice enough to take a city friend and me out to the canyon after the ice fest. (We have to get those city people out in nature too so they will be able to bring that respect home with them!) That sharing, that kindness - to me, this is what it’s all about!
What is your name and what do you do?
My name is Kory Maillet. And I’m a climber and a bit of an artist. I do leather tooling - a bit of a maker.
What keeps you motivated every day?
I don’t know. I’ve never actually given that any thought. It might have a big part to do with where I live. I mean right now I’m looking outside my window and looking over the top of the snow - which covers most of my window at the moment - but I can still see the mountains and blue sky. I think that’s a big part of it. Living in a beautiful area.
What is your morning routine?
It varies a little bit but it always starts with get up and make some coffee. Kind of depends on what the weather is doing and what I’ve got lined up for the day. I’m still doing construction and remodeling so sometimes I’m up and out of the house pretty quick. Most mornings regardless of what I’m doing I take my dog for a walk. But if it’s more of a beautiful day we go on an adventure.
What is your favorite sport?
I’ve never been into a traditional sport or watched sports so I’d have to say ice climbing.
What is your recovery process?
Depends on what I do, but if I climbed hard for a few days in a row - or played hard outside for a few days in a row - I’ll make sure I take a day off. Scotch is usually involved. But to come home after a long day of doing something it’s nice to sit in front of a wood stove with a nice scotch.
What are your recovery foods?
I don’t have too many specific recovery foods. But I tend to eat a lot of salmon because we have an abundance of it around here and I get to fish for it in the summertime. So I do have a lot of stuff that is like a veggie stir fry with rice and salmon mixed in. Actually for a recovery food it’s sort of my take on fried rice but with salmon mixed in.
Are you a book person or movie person?
I’m a little bit of both, but I would lean more toward books.
What are you reading/ watching right now - or - your favorite?
“Treasure Island”. That answers both. It’s my favorite book and I’m rereading it right now.
Do you prefer human power modes of transport or engine power?
Depends on what I’m trying to go do. If I’m trying to get to Anchorage, I want something with power. Most other things, I prefer human. Either ski out somewhere or bike to get to areas where I’m going to go play.
How do you splurge?
Scotch and climbing gear! Those are the two things I spend money on.
