White Hot Hate Introduces: Dirtbag Climber from Uncover

Podcast: White Hot Hate: Agent Pale Horse (CBC)
Featured Episode: Dirtbag Climber - The Story of the Murder and Many Lives of Jesse James
Episode Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Stephen Chua (CBC Uncover)

Overview:

This episode is a cross-promotion featuring the first episode of CBC’s new Uncover season, "Dirtbag Climber." Journalist and climber Stephen Chua explores the mysterious murder of Jesse James—a charismatic, elusive figure in the British Columbia climbing scene who was later revealed to have lived under multiple aliases, hiding a dark and complex past. The episode opens with Chua retracing Jesse’s final days and introduces listeners to the enigma surrounding his identity, the circumstances of his death, and the waves it sent through Squamish’s climbing community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesse James: The Climbing Enigma (03:30–14:00)

• Introduction to Jesse James:
  • Free solo climber living a “dirtbag” lifestyle in Squamish, BC.
  • Known for his risk-taking, philosophical streak, veganism, and nomadic behavior.
  • Kept his past secret; even close friends doubted “Jesse James” was his real name.
• Climbing as Escape:
  • Jackie (climbing friend): “The reason a lot of people climb is so that they can forget about things... everything goes away. You’re just trying not to die.” (05:10)
  • A shared understanding in the climbing community about not probing too much into personal histories.

2. The Discovery: Burnt-out SUV and a Shocking Crime Scene (14:01–20:45)

• June 14, 2017 Incident:
  • Former site manager Rob Carricko finds Jesse’s charred SUV at Cat Lake.
  • “They toasted the shit out of it...” (Rob Carricko, 16:15)
  • Human remains discovered inside, soon identified as Jesse James.
• Initial Police Response:
  • Sgt. Frank Jang (IHIT): “Now when they examined the vehicle, they found human remains inside…” (18:30)
  • Community reaction: Outpouring of grief and questions about the nature of the crime—murder quickly confirmed by autopsy (gunshot wound).

3. Layers of Mystery: Identity and Reputation (20:46–37:00)

• Jesse’s Public and Private Personas:
  • Minimally-employed, claims of secret wealth, yet lived modestly.
  • Online as both an advocate (diversity in climbing) and notorious troll.
  • Authored a book on seduction, claimed credentials (AI developer, ex-IDF officer) many doubted.
• Stories from Friends:
  • Joe Wong: “He’s an advocate for minority… He’ll call out the companies saying oh, their hypocrisy.” (33:20)
  • Jackie: “He tried to pretend he was some kind of philosopher king... if I break my legs, I’ll break my legs.” (09:40)
• Questionable Wealth:
  • Rumors of cryptocurrency millions; supported by tales of large cash wads, but friends skeptical.
  • Eva (partner) told journalists: “He was a crypto billionaire… people were after it.” (41:50)
  • Rob Carricko: “The next day, came in with two shopping bags full of cash wads of American… hundred dollar bills.” (44:05)

4. Tensions in the Climbing Community (37:01–52:00)

• Jesse as Internet Troll:
  • Forum posts often combative and polarizing.
  • “If I disagree with beliefs you hold, I will ridicule the shit out of you.” (forum post, 51:20)
  • Stirred up significant animosity, especially with experienced climbers or “authority figures.”
  • Receipt of threatening messages and confrontations documented.
• Real Danger?
  • Jackie: “My first thought is that somebody who didn’t like him really got to him... I think somebody would kill him over some stuff like that.” (52:40)
  • Just days before the murder, Jesse’s truck vandalized with “douche king”.

5. Unraveling the Truth: Multiple Aliases and a Sinister Past (52:01–End)

• True Identity Revealed—Three Years Later:
  • Jesse James identified as Davis Wolfgang Hawke—himself a pseudonym; birth name: Andrew Britt Greenbaum.
  • Other aliases: Commander Bo Decker, Walter Cross, Johnny Durango, Dave Bridger.
  • Each persona had its own backstory—many led back to fraud, lawsuits, or dangerous relationships.
• No Simple Motive, Only More Questions:
  • Potential motives range from online feuds and local grudges, to bigger secrets about finances and past criminal activity.
  • “The mere fact that he could get into Canada and spend years living there avoiding this multi-million dollar lawsuit…it was sickening to learn of his past.” (Yvette Brend, 59:00)
• Police Still Seeking Answers:
  • Corporal Frank Jang: “This case truly is a mystery, and we’re hoping that somebody out there has information.” (1:01:43)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “He’s a puzzle, he really is. It would take three years to figure that one out. And that would be just the beginning…” (Host Stephen Chua, 19:20)
• “He kind of almost looked a bit anemic… but Jesse was the embodiment of a dirtbag climber—someone who lives to climb, sleeps anywhere, nomadic.” (Jackie, 07:44)
• “If he was IDF special force soldier, he’d be a lot bulkier than what he was.” (Jackie, 36:27)
• “He had a lot of secrets. He’s a puzzle, he really is.” (Jackie, 19:10)
• “He has two personas on social media... He jokes around and trolls people and causes controversies, getting some people very mad.” (Joe Wong, 49:40)
• “You know, he was fundamentally a Nazi.” (teaser for next episode, 1:08:25)

Important Timestamps

• 05:10 - Jackie explains why climbers avoid asking about personal pasts.
• 13:30 - Rob Carricko finds Jesse’s burned-out truck.
• 16:15 - Rob describes the scene: “They toasted the shit out of it.”
• 18:30 - Sgt. Frank Jang announces police findings to the press.
• 33:20 - Joe Wong notes Jesse’s diversity advocacy and online presence.
• 41:50 - Eva’s statement to the press about Jesse’s crypto wealth.
• 44:05 - Cafe owner story: Jesse's bags of cash.
• 51:20 - Jesse’s own combative words from online forums.
• 52:40 - Jackie’s immediate suspicion on Jesse’s death.
• 1:01:43 - Corporal Frank Jang: “This case truly is a mystery...”
• 1:08:25 - Teaser for next episode: A darker revelation emerges.

Tone & Style

The episode is investigative, deeply atmospheric, and tinged with a sense of unease and fascination. The speakers maintain a journalistic, conversational, and sometimes wry tone—balancing respect for the mystery with clear-eyed skepticism about Jesse’s many stories. Chua’s narration weaves personal reflection with reporting, letting sources from the climbing community drive much of the color.

Closing Thoughts

This episode kicks off a wild, true-crime journey blending outdoor adventure, internet intrigue, and a cautionary tale of reinvention gone awry. With every revelation about “Jesse James,” new questions arise—about both the enigmatic man and about the dark corners of the mountain town where he died.

For listeners and true crime fans, this is just the start of untangling one of the strangest modern Canadian mysteries.

[End of Summary]