In this Story Pop episode, Philip shares the unfiltered truth of his failed attempt at the Death Valley Pop — the brutal ascent from Shorty’s Well to Telescope Peak. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a story about heat, navigation mistakes, fitness mismatch, and the moment a big dream meets a bigger mountain.

You’ll hear how the day began below sea level in the dark, how the route unraveled in the braided washes of Hanaupah Canyon, and how every wrong decision compounded the grade, the heat, and the effort. Philip breaks down the exact moment he realized he wasn’t going to make the summit — and what it felt like to turn around, descend in silence, and sit with the truth of the day.

This episode explores the deeper psychology of failure: how small errors cascade into big consequences, how confidence erodes when the terrain stops making sense, and how ambition sometimes outpaces preparation. .

If you’ve ever had a day go sideways in the mountains, or if you’re preparing for your own US21 journey, this episode is a reminder that failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s part of the path.

Learn more about the US21 and the Death Valley Pop at:
www.blisterpopadventures.com

Story Pop: How I Failed Shorty’s Well to Telescope Peak.
Off you pop.

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