Welcome to Part II of our conversation with Tyler Karow. If you missed Part I, I highly recommend checking it out before continuing here.

Tyler Karow has built a highly engaged following on YouTube and Instagram, to the point where many might label him as an influencer. While his impact on the climbing community is undeniable, Tyler is quick to distance himself from the typical “influencer” role. Constantly promoting products or leaning into that stereotype is the furthest thing from his goals. He believes that his ability to capture the raw adventure and authentic connections he experiences during his climbs is what ultimately draws people to his content . Tyler takes pride in sharing these stories and feels grateful that they resonate deeply with so many.

For Tyler, adventure is the core of his content, but that doesn’t always mean taking more risks. He emphasizes that adventure can be found anywhere—whether its a beginner tackling their first 5.7 or a group questing out to rarely accessed boulder fields. It's about pushing beyond your comfort zone into the unknown. For Tyler, these moments are critical to living a fulfilled life—fueling self-improvement, self-discovery, and happiness.

We wrap up our conversation with Tyler’s future plans to return to Patagonia. With bold objectives like Cerro Torre on his list, he's gearing up for another chapter of wild adventure and plans to bring us all along for the ride.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

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Resources

Tyler's Website

Tyler's Youtube Channel

Tyler's Instagram

Gastronomic Big Wall Climbing in Patagonia

I'm sure we've all been there—the dream of living a life solely dedicated to climbing: sponsorships, life on the road, making a living through our passion for the sport. For many, this represents the ultimate freedom. Often, this grand vision captures us in our early climbing years, yet it seldom holds much reality. Attracting sponsors and dedicating your life entirely to climbing requires something truly special. For most of us, this dream starts to feel one-dimensional, perhaps even a little unrealistic. Climbing, as fulfilling as it is, can sometimes no longer be the clear answer to all of life’s questions—because in reality, we have other ambitions, other passions to fulfill, other goals to achieve.

But what if you had sponsors and created a thriving climbing YouTube channel? Would you still feel there was something more out there for you, or would you seize the opportunity and dive fully into a life dedicated to climbing?

Today, we're sitting down with Tyler Karow, a climber who finds himself at these very crossroads. Despite his success on Youtube and his recently acquired sponsorships, Tyler has chosen to step back from the singular pursuit of climbing to focus on something bigger—a life that balances his passion for climbing with broader ambitions, a life that is truly meaningful and fulfilling for him.

For Tyler, climbing has always been about more than just the performance. It's about the adventure, the connection, and the shared experiences that enrich our lives both on and off the rock. From tackling serious alpine routes in Patagonia to bivvying with good food and wine, climbing has fostered deep friendships and unforgettable moments for him. But even with this strong connection to the sport and opportunities most of us could only dream of, he has found himself questioning whether climbing alone is enough. His journey speaks to a broader question that many of us face: How do we balance our love for climbing with our other ambitions, responsibilities, and long-term goals?

Tyler’s story is a compelling reminder that climbing doesn’t have to be the only path. He’s finding a way to integrate his passion for the sport with a vision for the future that goes beyond the rock, allowing him to pursue both adventure and purpose in his life.

His story also reminds us not to take life or climbing too seriously…because in the end life is short. We might not live tomorrow….so let’s be sure to make the most out of today.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

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Resources

Tyler's Website

Tyler's Youtube Channel

Tyler's Instagram

Gastronomic Big Wall Climbing in Patagonia

Welcome back to part two of our chat with James Barrow! In our last episode, we heard about James' journey as a climber and what events ultimately lead to his most recent achievement: The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse. A link up that covers 20 distinct peaks, and 18.5k of elevation gain over 28 miles. The terrain involves runouts upon runouts, canyoneering, bushwacking, steep snow travel, soloing, and an abundance of massive full 70m rappels using a fiddle stick. At 5.9+R/M2R. Nothing of this length or technical difficulty has been done in Zion in over 20 years. 

Today, we're diving into a step-by-step trip report. We'll cover the major milestones, close calls, and all the intricate details of this massive desert alpine link up.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend doing a bit of homework on The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse. Check out the resources in the show notes to get a sense of the massive scale and seriousness of this objective.

I'll keep this intro brief since we've got a lot to cover. So, without further ado, let's jump back into our conversation with James Barrow.

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Don’t forget to check our our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d really appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out, just like James did. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

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Resources

James Barrow's IG

The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse

When you hear "Zion National Park," what comes to mind? The Narrows, Moonlight Buttress, and some of the most stunning sandstone cliffs and peaks you’ll ever see, all packed into a canyon visited by over five million people each year. But what about the possibilities beyond the main canyon, beyond the classic hikes and climbs?

Today, we’re chatting with James Barrow. He's a father, climber, and electrician by trade. James quickly developed a knack for climbing, finding himself leading sport climbs in the 5.12+ range in under six months. But, after rushing his progression, he seriously injured his tendons, which pushed him to find a new kind of challenge. That's when he turned to adventure climbing.

James fell in love with exploring the uncharted, runout, loose, and complicated sandstone peaks and plateaus surrounding the main area of Zion National Park. His latest achievement? The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse—a feat that covers 20 distinct peaks, with 18,500 feet of elevation gain over 28 miles. The terrain involves runouts, canyoneering, bushwhacking, steep snow travel, soloing, and massive 70-meter rappels using a fiddlestick. The climb, rated 5.9+R/M2R, is one of the most challenging and technical routes done in Zion in the last 20 years.

I can't emphasize enough the magnitude of what James and his partner accomplished. After our conversation, he walked me through his route on Google Earth. The complexity of route-finding, the massive scale, and the varied conditions of rock, snow, and thick bushes left me amazed.

We’ve split this conversation into two parts. Today, we'll hear about the events that led James to set his sights on this massive sandstone alpine linkup, and essentially shape him as a climber. This will help us understand him better when he tells the full story of "The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse" in part two. We'll talk about his rapid progression to 5.12+, how he found adventure climbing, his view on risk, and what he did to prepare for this big linkup.

Resources

James' Instagram

Local News

What’s up everyone thanks for being here and for being a part of The Climbing Majority. Today we sit down with Martin Mora, co-founder and developer of Red- Point. Red-Point is a new app where you can use interactive 3d maps to explore and get detailed route information on boulders and crags. If you haven't already seen their social posts of their app in action…definitely go check them out. 

Martin is a unique individual who like many in the majority, found climbing later in his life. He found himself spending way too much time wondering where a specific route is at a new crag, and thought “There must be a better way”...Because of this h e and his business partner spent the last few years developing a process to scan and render 3 dimensional images of crags that can be explored virtually on your phone. Now they are traveling the globe to ultimately begin the overwhelming task of scanning the world's most prominent and popular rock walls.

Martin believes that the heavily detailed and  comprehensive nature of these 3D scans will soon make traditional apps like Mountain Project feel archaic. You will no longer need to stitch together subjective beta in the comments sections…. Martin even believes Red-Point is on track to become the Strava of climbing.

But Martin isn’t doing this alone; he's created a way for the entire climbing community to get involved. Through what he calls the 'Dirtbag Program,' climbers like you can contribute scans and even get paid up to $20 for each area or boulder you map. All you need is your phone.

So, whether you're a tech enthusiast, an avid climber, or just love a good story about passion fueled  innovation, you won't want to miss what Martin has to say. Let’s get started.

Resources

Red-Point

Instagram

In today's ever increasingly polarized world it can be difficult to have challenging conversations. Kyle and I are well aware that the issue of representation in sport is one that does not affect us personally.

However we were lucky enough to sit down with all around rad dude, climber extraordinaire and recent new father Eddie Taylor to learn about his ascents and what his thoughts were on the topic of representation. As a black climber in a predominantly white climbing climate Eddie gives us his perspective.

For those who don't know Eddie is a very accomplished climber. He has summited Denali, he summited Everest as a part of the first all black Everest expedition under Phill Henderson he climbed the Nose in a day and sent Moonlight Buttress to name a few of his accomplishments.

Talking with Eddie it was clear though that climbing was only part of the importance in his life. Eddie is a chemistry teacher, track coach and he expressed the importance of family and giving back to his community.

In this conversation we discuss some of Eddie's notable ascents, what to look for in climbing partners, representation in the climbing community and much more.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Today, we're diving into something that most of us are all familiar with - Mountain Project. It's the guidebook that's always at our fingertips, supported and enriched by our very own community. Yet, as revolutionary as it has been for sharing and discovering climbs, it brings up a few questions that we might easily overlook. Questions like, who actually owns the data we input? What happens to our contributions if we decide to bow out and delete our profile? And what do these practices mean for the future of climbing information? Honestly, these questions can really make you pause and think.

That's exactly why today, we're sitting down with Viet, a climber who's spotted the signs and decided to carve out a new path. He's one of the pioneering brains behind Open Beta IO, an initiative that’s rethinking our approach to how we share climbing data.

Viet’s vision? It's all about creating a space where information is not just shared but is open-sourced and accessible to all. As things stand, the data we openly donate to Mountain Project can't be repurposed or reused by others. To Viet, this lockdown of publicly sourced information is not just ethically gray; it's a blockade to the myriad of possibilities this data could unlock. But challenging the status quo and attempting to alter two-decade-old climber behaviors come with its own set of hurdles, questions to be answered, and ethical dilemmas to navigate.

So, get comfy and join us as we dive deep with Viet into the essence of Open Beta, the motivations driving it, and its potential to redefine how we, as climbers, connect with each other and the crags we cherish. At the very least, it's a chance for us to reflect on our complacency with surrendering our data, contributions, and creative outputs without much thought on how the way this data is being managed might actually be holding our community back.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

Openbeta.io

The mountains will try to kill us and yet they have no malice.
. 
They freeze us and yet warm our souls. 
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They fill our lives with joy and yet have nothing tangible to give. 
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The mountains deserve our respect. 
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They require meticulous preparation, mentally, spiritually and physically.

Today we are sitting down with a master of preparation. Scott Johnston is a world renown Endurance coach. Some of the athletes he has worked with over the years include Killian Jornet, Steve House, Alex Honold and Tom Evans to name a few. But Scotts true legacy and contribution to the climbing community lies with the everyday climber who he has equipped with the knowledge necessary to improve their health and wellbeing and to live a life full of adventure. In our conversation we discuss the allure of endurance sports, the nuance of endurance coaching, the future of ultra running, the importance of life beyond sport, the fragility of life and finally we discuss an accident that left Scott stranded and alone on the vast glaciers of Denali 

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

Evoke Endurance

Training For The New Alpinism (Book)

Have you ever imagined what kinda person you have to be mentally and physically to climb some of the hardest routes in the world? Maybe how that person views themselves and their own accomplishment? Or even how they might view the everyday climber? 

In this conversation we wanted to move beyond what it's like to climb hard. What are the lessons of a 5.15 climber and how can we apply Jonathan's viewpoint and experiences to improve our own lives?

Jonathan helps us remember life is about private little victories. He suggests that it's important    be gentle on ourselves and to remember why we started climbing in the first place, the love of life and the outdoors.

In our chat, we talk about how Jonathan supports the community and what recreational climbers look like through pros’ eyes. We discuss how top climbers use their influence, what key traits make them successful, and finally how Jonathan plans to use his talents once he outlives his physical peak.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Today we are sitting down with my good friend Bryce. Funny enough, I met Bryce before either of us were climbers. We each found climbing separately, but inevitably we roped up and quickly became a great team. Recently, Bryce and I spent a weekend trad climbing in Red Rock Canyon. Despite not climbing together for several years, getting out on the rock in red-rocks felt just as fun, and natural as before. We may change and the environment changes but our friendships endure.

In our conversation, we talk about fatherhood and how it changed Bryce’s relationship with climbing, how he chooses his objectives, and the kind of partners he climbs with. We talk about the fine line between safety and total catastrophe, and how trust, mindfulness, and communication keep us alive. And finally we discuss the ethics involved in sharing classic climbs in super popular areas.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Warning: this episode contains graphic descriptions of violence that might not be suitable for all audiences, especially children. If you're not in a space to listen to this content, please consider saving this episode for another time.

On May 28th of 2018, Chad O’Melia was brutally stabbed to death in his own home by his girlfriend Bryn Spejcher after they had smoked marijuana together. The state-appointed forensic psychologist on the case, Kris Mohandie, wrote in a 37-page report that Spejcher appeared “possessed” and proceeded to repeatedly stab herself and her own dog despite being tasered multiple times. It wasn’t until the ninth blow from a police officer’s steel baton that the police were able to stop her.. She was arrested on scene and released on bail shortly afterward.

Now I am sure you all have seen the social media posts, and news articles that have recently come out…but if you haven’t… last Tuesday after almost 6 years …. the court finally sentenced Spejcher… to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service ... .for stabbing a man to 108 times... The court's argument here was that after smoking marijuana, Spejcher entered a state of acute marijuana induced psychosis, and therefore had no control over her actions that night. 

Today we revisit this tragic incident through the eyes of our previous guest Mike Tagg, rock climber and O’Melia’s roommate.. Mike was in the house that night, and we are resharing his personal account of what happened.

As you listen to this episode, we invite you to reflect…Do you feel that a person in a state of psychosis should be held accountable for their actions? 

Do you feel…as stated by Chad’s father that “the court just gave everyone in the state of California who smokes marijuana a license to kill”.

Lastly, Mike shares how his relationship with the sport of climbing allowed him to process the trauma and rebuild a sense of control over his own safety.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

I would argue that our climbing community is mostly open, kind, and understanding. But I am sure we all have our own experiences with people who are not. The silent judgy squad that think they own the crag. The keyboard warrior that spreads hate, judgment, and negativity behind the protection of a screen. 

Today we sit down with Landon McDowell, a self proclaimed “Reformed Elitist”. Having started climbing at the age of 14 he quickly noticed a natural proclivity towards the sport.  Climbing soon became the source for Landon's identity, ego, and happiness. He noticed this and its effect on the people around him and quit rock climbing to work on himself and pursue his new passion of flight sports. Landon now has a calm, collected and positive outlook on life and is aiming to push the boundaries of alpine flight sports.

In our conversation, we chat about Landons rapid progression from a gym sport climber to projecting Desert Reality, an iconic and imposing roof crack in Red Rock Canyon. We get to hear what it might be like to be on the other side of the keyboard to the “yer gonna die” comment we all see online. And finally, we chat about Landons new passion of base jumping and speed flying and how he envisions mixing these disciplines with climbing and taking them into the mountains…

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back to Part II of our conversation with Brant Hysell. Climber, olive mafia boss, and man behind The Gravity Lab YouTube channel. If you missed Part I, I highly recommend checking it out before continuing here.

Today, it’s story time with Brant as we dive into three of his most memorable climbs: Freestone, Lurking Fear, and his recent solo ascent of the Salathé. Most of us would spend months, if not years, meticulously planning and training for objectives like these. But for Brant, these climbs were more about stepping into the unknown and leaving room for the unexpected.

To me, this reveals two important things about Brant. First, he’s an incredibly strong climber with a solid foundation to fall back on. Second, Brant climbs for the adventure. For him, too much planning, research, and preparation take away from the magic that climbing offers. He’d rather pack the essentials, sans headlamps,  and figure the rest out in the moment. Brant’s approach to climbing is raw and real—creating the chaotic, often messy adventures that truly shape a climber.

His mindset challenges the belief that every climb needs to be meticulously planned and perfectly executed. This way of thinking doesn’t just apply to climbing—it’s a lesson in life.

Embrace the chaos, trust in your abilities, and honor the legacies that inspire you. In doing so, you’ll find that the most meaningful experiences are often the ones you least expect.

Finally we close the conversation with the details surrounding Brants recent solo speed record of the Salathe Wall, a record that stood undefeated for 10 years! While Brant was only able to hold the title briefly…. before Alex Honnold came to the valley and stole the record a few weeks later, he reflects on the experience with humility and pride. . As he puts it; he is proud to have his name up next to one of the greatest climbers in the world…to have your record taken from someone like Alex…honestly feels pretty good”.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

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Resources

The Gravity Lab Youtube Channel

Brant's Instagram

Brant Hysell's Mt. Project Profile

Climbing Alone on El Cap - A Short Film

We are celebrating two years of podcasting and taking a look back at the growth and development of the show. We've covered a wide range of topics in the past year including recreational climbers and professional athletes involved in tragic accidents, huge accomplishments,  and much more. We are excited to continue exploring new conversations in the coming year and are also excited to announce some updates to the show, including a new website, sponsorship opportunities, and live events. We are grateful to all our guests who have shared their stories and experiences on the show, and to all of our listeners you are the foundation of this show. Thank you for your support! Finally, we end this conversation with a montage of soundbites from each of the twenty-five episodes of 2023

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the last episode of 2023. Thank you so much for being a part of our growing community…It means a lot to Kyle and I that you are here.  As climbers we've all seen videos and media depicting near impossible feats of physicality. You've probably seen these videos and thought “I could never accomplish something so hard”. But are these limitations we put on ourselves real? While our guest today is not a part of the Majority….. she once was. As a young spirited climber she never believed she could accomplish climbing 5.12. Fast forward to the present day, Mary Eden is one of the most accomplished crack climbers in the word. She recently just sent Necronomicon 5.14a and Black Mamba 5.14b on gear… These kinds of feats leave me simply speechless and in awe.  But what stood out most in our conversation was not how amazingly accomplished of a climber Mary is. It was her empowering message that we all can break through the arbitrary limitations we put on ourselves to achieve great things we once thought impossible. I'll leave you with a quote from Mary.

"I know that Necronomicon is not the peak of my physical or mental potential even though it was a beautiful dream. My advice for others is to pour energy into the people and activities that bring you joy as much as you can. Build yourself a genuine community and support system. Set your goals, and work towards them with intention, while enjoying the scenery along the way. And remember that at the end of the day it is just rock climbing, and you should be having fun." -Mary Eden

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

Mary's IG

Mary's Youtube

This podcast is no stranger to traumatic life altering accidents. It is easy to let these events cripple us, and hard to allow them to transform us. Jason Hardrath, PE teacher from Klamath Fall, OR and competitive endurance athlete who’d just qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships. Found himself ejected from a moving vehicle. He suffered a broken shoulder, collapsed lung, torn ACL and multiple internal injuries. Its fair to say the Jason is lucky to be alive. Just Three years later, Jason became the first person ever to establish 100 FKTs and currently sits with 121 under his belt. Now he is chasing a new objective: the Seven Volcanic Summits done in a style dreamed up by renowned climber Chad Kellogg called “The Infinity Loop”, which involves two summits and circumventing the entire base of each of the world's tallest volcanoes.

In our conversation we also discuss Jason’s predisposition for H.A.P.E and how it affects his safety in high altitude environments, his goals, and the partners who choose to join him on his dream of establishing the Seven Volcanic Summit Infinity Loops. 

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

Jason's Personal Website

Jason's IG

Journey to 100 Film

Journey to Infinity Film

Teamwork…Communication…and Trust…are all paramount characteristics of a successful climbing partnership. And our safety is based around our own humility, proficiency, and confidence in the mountains…. The perfect balance of all these attributes is a complicated equilibrium to achieve. Today’s story is about what can happen when these pillars start to fall apart. When the ego takes over confidence….and when communication fails to keep everyone on the same page. That is when you find yourself in over your head, unable to retreat, and unable to move forward…at 14000 ft. 

Today we sit down with Ethan Morris and Evan Geller. Two climbers from San Diego that found themselves rescuing the very people they were trying to distance themselves from on the East Buttress of Mt. Whitney. A 1000ft route up the tallest mountain in the lower 48. They had no idea they were about to embark on a 48 hr epic involving runouts, loose rocks, panic, and risk of hypothermia……all with no previous alpine experience.   

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

The Mountains test us, and shape us. We cannot lower the mountains. So we must elevate ourselves to their level. We should strive to choose goals in life that will challenge us, test us and that we think are impossible. Only through aiming at the highest peaks we can possibly envision will we truly transcend the suffering of the world to find meaning and purpose. For some this may be being a good life partner, having kids and enjoying the outdoors. For others it may mean climbing the wildest and gnarliest lines possible.

Our guest today at the age of 23 has managed to complete a lifetime of climbing accomplishments and he's just getting started. Nathan Longhurst is an endurance athlete and climber. In our conversation we discuss how he climbed the infamous Bulger's List at the age of 21. This consists of climbing Washington’s 100 highest peaks. As crazy as that is, it pales in comparison to his journey climbing the Sierra Peak Section (SPS) which involved climbing 247 peaks in 138 days. This accomplishment is mind blowing and a true feat of grit, endurance and logistics.

Finally we chat about Nathan’s solo ascent of Denali’s infamous Cassin Ridge. Nathan climbed this with skis and ski boots. A mind blowing accomplishment. Nathan is clearly a master in the mountains.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

As climbers we are aware of the finality of our actions. The possibility of death is always looming. Paradoxically, knowing this, is what can make us feel so alive. We know our actions have consequences, and only through the mastery of body and emotions can those consequences be mitigated to avoid the finality of death. Our guest today is no stranger to death. Austin McCall completed 13 tours of duty in the military. Operating in both Iraq and Afghanistan with the army's 75th Ranger Regiment. In this conversation we discuss how Austin began to work with the Veteran Adventure Group where he plans and leads climbing expeditions around the world. We discuss his military service, a rescue on Denali, a whipper at 17,000 feet, the bonds formed through climbing and much more. 

A word of caution, This episode discusses combat, death, and an incident where Austin took grenade shrapnel to his face, it is graphic and heavy by nature. 

Become a supporting member of The Climbing Majority to unlock the exclusive full length video of this episode

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

Veteran's Adventure Group

Welcome back everyone! We are about 1.5 years into this podcast and you are currently listening to our 50th episode and are rapidly approaching 30k all time downloads and just wanted to say thank you for being a part of this growing community, Max and I are beyond pumped that your here, and are excited to keep sharing stories of climbers around the world. 

Today’s conversation is about my recent successful summit of Mt Russell via the Fishhook Arete in the Eastern Sierra in California. While, thankfully, nothing dramatic occurred, we talk about the new permit logistics found for the Whitney Portal area, the complications of professionally documenting a high alpine ascent, the benefits of radios in the alpine, and finally the play by play of our climb…which included a single nut rappel made after a route finding error.

Become a supporting member of The Climbing Majority to unlock the exclusive full length video of this episode

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Climbing can be risky, and it's easy to overlook those risks when you've never experienced them first hand. You might hear stories of injuries or even fatalities, but until you experience something first hand you are missing a true understanding of the risks you are taking. Enter Colin Jokisch, a seasoned climber whose world changed after a near-fatal fall on an Arkansas roof crack. Colin's accident gave him PTSD, especially when using trad gear—a sentiment Max and I deeply understand. Like most of us his love for climbing didn't go away. Instead of choosing to quit the sport altogether or to never push his abilities again he pivoted to the art of rope soloing, finding it a safer way to tackle challenging trad lines. Today, we dive into Colin's harrowing experience, the mental, physical, and emotional toll of climbing accidents, and finally we cover the ins and outs of the elusive practice of rope soloing. 

Become a supporting member of The Climbing Majority to unlock the exclusive full length video of this episode

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Our guest today is not a part of the majority; he is the very definition of a small minority of athletes doing unfathomable feats. Today Kyle and I are sitting down with Jack Kuenzle, a former Navy Seal who grew up in Dallas Texas. Jack attended Yale receiving his B.A before he joined the Navy Seals and completed Basic Underwater Demolition Seals Training (BUDS). He is best known for his pursuit of FKT,s. Some of his accolades include Beating Killian Jornet’s fastest known times on the 66 mile Bob Graham Round, a mountainous traverse around England's lake district. Moreover he beat Killiants FKT on Denali this past year, this is where Jack and I met. Heis also credited with numerous fastest known times such as Mt Whitney CA, Mt Shasta CA, Mt Hood and Mt Rainier to name a few. Additionally Jack is a coach for Evoke Endurance where he is under the tutelage of legendary Coach Scott Johston. In today's conversation we discuss Jack's history, what led him to be the athlete he is today, his training and nutrition and finally we discuss some of his major ascents, FKT’s and what he plans to do in the future.

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Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Climbing larger mountains, especially ones that are far away from home… takes a lot of planning, training, logistics, and a little bit of luck. We spend months preparing for what sometimes comes down to a single day on a mountain. So what happens when you're 700 ft from the summit, and you realize touching the top might mean you won’t come back? While that seems like an easy choice…. The weight of seemingly wasting months of planning, training, and traveling can be almost too much to bear…This is a decision we are all faced with at some point in our lives as mountain climbers… do we risk everything and continue on? Or do we swallow pride and choose to climb the mountain another day? 

This is the exact situation our guest Joshua Kasumovic found himself in high up on what is possibly the most iconic mountains in the world. This is Josh’s story of the Matterhorn.

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IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

In the age of social media and digital platforms like YouTube, creators often develop a "digital persona" that’s shaped by the content they produce. As viewers, it’s easy to make assumptions about who they are and how they live their lives. Today, we have the chance to peel back the layers and break down the digital persona behind The Gravity Lab YouTube channel.

At first glance, this channel seems to be run by a pair of climbers living out of a van with endless time to send some of the most epic routes around the world. It’s easy to watch with envy and wonder how it’s all possible. But as it turns out, Gravity Lab is the passion project of a single crusher named Brant Hysell. Brant is just like most of us—he juggles a full-time job, a relationship, and home responsibilities. Where he differs is in his deep passion for climbing and his dedication to making the most of every moment.

In part one of our conversation with Brant, we dive into how he supports his climbing lifestyle and the secrets behind balancing a full-time job, running The Gravity Lab YouTube channel, training, and, as he puts it, squeezing fun into every available moment. Brant’s main lesson? Time is precious. It’s easy to waste it by watching TV or endlessly scrolling on social media. Brant encourages us to be intentional with our time and to plan our lives around what makes us happiest—from sunup to sundown.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

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Resources

The Gravity Lab Youtube Channel

Brant's Instagram

Brant Hysell's Mt. Project Profile

As mountain athletes it's easy to get consumed by our objectives and our drive to continuously improve and get stronger can be draining. It can make us forget that one of the most meaningful parts of the mountains is the people we meet on the way, the bonds we form and the experiences shared.

In this conversation we explore what drives a 25 year old who was born and raised in the flat state of Long Island New York to pursue a challenging solo ascent of Denali. Our Guest today is Alex Mitchko, an apprentice ski and alpine guide. I met Alex this past spring while climbing Denali in Alaska. During his expedition he had a 45 mph skiing accident…. and two harrowing crevasse falls. Amazingly he walked away injury free.

Spending time with Alex, you could see his passion for the mountains radiating from him. But what stood out even more was his ability to connect with people. Alex brought out the best in everyone around him and is a great reminder that the people we are with are just as important as the objectives we covet.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
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Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

The cool thing about climbing is that it means something different to everyone. From the weekend warrior trad dad to the dedicated dirtbag, each of us has our own reasons for interacting with the vertical plane. For Brenden, he has always wanted climbing to mean something to him, and for his efforts in the climbing community to mean something to others. With a natural proclivity to bouldering, Brenden, on his first outdoor bouldering trip during his first year of climbing, sent a v9. At first, it seemed like his direction was going to be focused towards becoming a professional climber. That was, until he found the art of route development and a brand new area that houses hundreds of undeveloped classic bouldering routes... This conversation with Brenden Baars, is about how he found what will be the next big destination for climbers to get a taste of what being ‘disconnected’ and climbing in nature feels like Plus, he says the climbing is GOOD—really good.

Welcome to the Nooks….

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IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources

Brendan's IG

The Nooks

Mountain Project

Buy The Guidebook

Support the OAC

As climbers we all have our own goals and ambitions. In 2019 I had the goal of climbing the tallest mountain in North America. I had just recently completed an ironman and was looking for my next challenge. Life had other plans for me though. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic and a fall that nearly took my life all happened in 2021. Fast forward from 2019 to present day my girlfriend Rae and I have just returned from Climbing the West Buttress of Denali. Four years have passed and I've learnt a lot of things since initially wanting to climb Denali. But the thing that stands out to me most in the last 4 years is that life can be really hard, but you can do really hard things if you commit and put your mind to it. So whether “your summit” is raising a family and having a successful career or climbing mountains, maybe both? We all have peaks to summit and lows to experience. It's how we deal with our lowest moments that define us. Climbing Denali was the culmination of 5 years of endurance training and climbing. This experience changed me for the better. I hope it inspires you to try hard and get out and climb. In this episode Kyle and I will be sitting down and sharing everything I learnt while climbing the tallest mountain in North America.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

As a budding trad climber, climbing hard and improving my grades is something I've struggled with the last several years. Time, energy, and life commitments can make it hard to focus on certain goals. As someone who is always looking to improve, sometimes I need help organizing and focusing on the correct things with my limited time.

You've probably found yourself in a similar situation? Maybe you want to just learn a little more or maybe you want to take your climbing to the next level. One thing is for sure is that a coach can help you ... .push you…. and mentor you ... not only to be a better climber but also to be the best version of yourself. In today's episode we’re sitting down with Charlie Schreiber, a professional boulderer, climber and coach.

Charlie has been coaching adults and climbing at a high level since the age of 16. On a fast track to sitting alongside the most elite climbers in the world, his career came to a sudden shift when he seriously injured his elbow. Now…while still projecting V14, his major focus is creating the next generation of climbers. Charlie now spends most of his time coaching young climbers that are headed to world cups and the olympics.

In this episode we get to hear about Charlie's experiences as a young competition climber, the difficulties of making it as a pro, and the nuances of route setting and training physiology. Finally we get to ask Charlie some tips and tricks that can help you improve your climbing.
 
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Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com


Resources:

Charlie's Instagram

Book Virtual Coaching w/ Charlie (Now Accepting New Clients)

As we’ve seen on this podcast, there can be some serious consequences to playing in the mountains. But one thing that seems to stay consistent, is that no matter how traumatic the injury, how devastating the loss, we are always finding our way back to the mountains. Why is that? What calls us back to the activity and environment that caused the pain in the first place?

Our guest today is Steph Abegg. Climber—Photographer—Adventurer— and Math&Data Nerd. For as long as she can remember, she has been triply afflicted with an insatiable thirst for adventure, a persistent awe of the natural world, and a need to document the world around her. During her years of adventure and alpine climbing Steph witnessed a major accident and  sustained two major injuries herself that would have completely sidelined most athletes. But for her, not climbing, not being in the mountains just simply wasn’t an option. As she puts it, The Mountains are in my Blood…

In our conversation we dive deep into Steph’s past, chat about three major accidents, discuss her recent move to Estes Park, and finally we cover her website where she has meticulously documented over 750 routes with trip reports, photos, and route overlays. 

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Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com


Resources:

Steph's Website

Have you ever walked up to a route saying “I can’t do this' ' or “I am going to fall, I just know it”. What happens? Chances are your prediction of the future comes true. Our own internal dialogue, whether negative or positive, shapes our reality. But how do we change our perception of ourselves, become aware of our internal dialogue, and learn to climb psychologically unencumbered?

Our guest today is Kevin Roet; climber, coach, founder of Rise & Summit outdoor education,  and the author of “Climbing Psychology”. Kevin has been climbing since he was 18 and over the years noticed how many other climbers, including himself, have dealt or currently deal with an array of detrimental psychological habits that keep them from climbing their best. It is his goal to help educate the community on how we can address, accept, and move past these habits holding us back.

Using his book as a foundation we talk about fear and its role in our lives and in climbing. How the “just push through it” or “override fear” mentality is not the most healthy approach for a long injury free climbing career. And cover the steps Kevin suggests to effectively and safely get our minds out of our own way.

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Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com


Resources:

Rise & Summit

Kevin's IG

Kevin's Book | Climbing Psychology

In today’s episode we sit down with Jacob Urban. Mountain athlete and Founder of The Jackson Hole Outdoor Leadership Institute. Climbing put Jacob on a path and in his words climbing is what “led him to himself”. Now with over 30 years in the industry of Outdoor Education he is here to teach us not only how to survive in the mountains, but how we view ourselves and our relationship with the world around us. We hear about Jacob’s story…. cover topics such as Risk and Ethics….and finally discuss what our subconscious’ role is in how we interact with the world.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com


Resources:

Jackson Hole Outdoor Leadership Institute

Jacob's Blog

As an amateur alpinist I love climbing ice, it is such a foreboding medium to climb on. Here one day and gone the next, it is ephemeral in nature. But for anyone who has swung an ice axe into a beautiful line of frozen water, you know the satisfaction that the sport of ice climbing can provide.

Our guest today is Philip Setter, Philip is an avid ice climber who has had the opportunity to climb with one of the best Ice climbers on the planet, Stas Baskin. Phil is the owner and operator of the Canadian boys Youtube Channel where he shares his stories and experiences in POV.

In our conversation we find out how Phil progressed from hiking and scrambling, to leading WI6+ ice on some of the most sought after objectives in the Canadian Rockies, a mecca of big committing and dangerous ice lines. Phil shares stories of his epic adventures as well as some of his darkest moments. 

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com


Resources:

The Canadian Boys Youtube Channel

Affinity Life Insurance

Sea of Vapors WI7+R

Not Alone

In our last conversation we sat down with a gentleman by the name of Mike Tagg where talked about the ethics behind climbing on wet rocks and provided a way for us, The Majority, to make better, well informed decisions on when we can climb after a a rain. But, we did not have the chance to do what we normally do on this show, hear Mike’s story, because I don’t know about you but we are always interested in hearing all the vastly different ways people find this magical sport, and how it impacts each individual's life so differently. Mike’s story is a bit different than most, rather than having climbing be the source of a traumatic injury, like Max and I, Mike found climbing after a life changing injury he sustained while sky diving. This shocking injury and the ultimate path towards climbing  it put Mike on was all for a reason it seems. Because only a year or two after he found climbing, he woke up one night to find himself standing in a stairwell, with a gun in his face, while his good friend and roommate was being horrifically murdered only 20ft away. Mike says without the sport of climbing to give his life purpose, and a way to deal with the PTSD caused by the event.. he is not so sure he would be sitting in his chair telling this story today. 

I must warn you that later in this episode, around an hour in, Mike will be sharing his detailed account of that tragic night. It contains graphic details that may not be suitable for younger audiences, so we suggest listening to this episode later if you have children around.

 
Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com


Resources:

News Article About The Thousand Oaks Killer

I don’t know about you, but this winter has been insane for us on the west coast. Record snowfall, rainfall, and constant cold weather. While it does seem like we are finally coming to a close of this long winter as temps are warming up, one thing in my mind that has stuck out the most, and that is the debate of climbing on wet rocks.

Wet rocks are a part of nature…but certain kinds of rock become brittle and fragile after considerable saturation. With a season as wet as 2023, this topic sits at the forefront of many climbers minds. I have personally become very interested in the topic and feel that we all, at the very least, need to be aware that it is a real issue. People are getting injured, classic climbing routes are being changed forever, and public land owners are potentially getting more ground to ban us climbers from the areas we love the most.

Todays conversation is with a fellow recreational climber named Mike Tagg. I met Mike via Facebook after finding his post about an app he had developed, that consolidates the information we need to better make a decision on whether or not to climb on wet rocks. 

We talk about the ethics behind climbing on wet rocks, dive deep into both sides of the coin, and ultimately realize that we, the Majority, are in control of when we climb….and hope this conversation makes us more aware of the impact that we have on the world around us….and provide a tool for us to use to better make critical decisions… like when to climb……when it might be better to either stay home….or simply climb somewhere else. 

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Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

Mike's Weather App

The Wet Rock Police

Today, we continue our conversation with Bryce and Evan about their recent successful completion of The Nose on El Cap. If you missed episode 71, I recommend checking it out before continuing here.

After listening to their account of what transpired on the wall during those 72 hours, I came to a realization. When we look up at a piece of rock like El Cap, we imagine what it would be like to physically climb it. What moves we would make, what gear we would place, and how we would manage the risks. But after we complete the objective, these aren't the things that stand out in our minds. What we do remember and talk about around the campfire or on the microphone in this case, are the conversations with our partners, the mistakes we make, and how we recovered from them. It's the unforeseeable events that occur during the climb that we remember. Today, we'll focus on these meaningful moments that Bryce and Evan will probably talk about for the rest of their lives.

We'll conclude with a reflection on what completing this monumental climb means to each of them, how it has shaped their perspective as climbers, and its impact on how they choose future objectives. Finally, we end with the simple message. Climbing objectives like The Nose is obtainable for the majority of climbers. We hope that this conversation encourages you to believe in yourself and to chase your climbing dreams with passion and dedication.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

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Resources

Bryce's Instagram

Evan's Instagram

 Most of the time we come across successful climbers after their massive accomplishments…the climbs, first ascents, and daring projects that put their name on the map. But rarely do we get to meet or hear about these people before their time. Before their groundbreaking achievements that cast them into the limelight. 

Today is one of those days. We get to sit down with a young crusher by the name of Joey Latina who is a local here in Las Vegas, NV. At the remarkably young age of 16 Joey is already making quick work of his path towards becoming a nationally recognized climber. With only a few years of climbing under his belt, he has already climbed routes that most of us would spend a lifetime to accomplish. The Original Route on the infamous Rainbow Wall and Buffalo Soldiers on Buffalo Wall just to name a few. These are serious, committing trad routes with some pitches tagged with the R rating. While Joey understands the severity and impressiveness of his achievements. He remains calm, humble, and focused on his goals. 

We sit down and talk about how Joey found climbing and his remarkable progression from scrambling 5.5 to projecting 5.12R trad routes in under two years. We talk about his perception of risk and dive into whether or not he really understands the risk that he is undertaking on these routes. Finally, we talk about the future and start to realize that we very well might be sitting next to one of the most up and coming trad climbers of his generation. 

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Everyone in their lives experiences suffering, trauma, depressed states and difficult times. Some people experience these events early in life and some later on. But ultimately, suffering and loss are both tragic and a natural part of the human experience. Our guest today reached out to Kyle and I. He is Ben Levoie. Ben had a traumatic car accident which left him badly injured and severely concussed. This incident resulted in Ben losing 10 years of memory and living with PTSD. Ben wants to share his story in the hopes that it will help others deal with their own trauma and difficult experiences. In today's episode Ben opens up about his life, his accident and how he used climbing to help him with his PTSD. Finally, we talk about the flow state, metal health, and how climbing has helped Ben to create new memories with his son.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

As we are sure most of you know accidents happen to the best of us and when you spend enough time in places with severe hazards it's not a question of if, but when. Nevertheless, it is easy to get complacent, and comfortable and that's when things go wrong.  Today, we sit down with IFMGA certified mountain guide Dale Remsberg. We connected with Dale after hearing about an accident he had while leading ice that almost took his life.

With some luck and a badass mentality he was back top-roping ice only 10 days later, which is pretty ridiculous our my opinion. Dale doesn't ruminate on his mistakes; he learns from them and shares them with the community so others can learn too. He spends 100 days a year guiding and also enjoys training new mountain guides. In our conversation, we get to hear Dale’s story about his childhood, how he found climbing, and what events led up to his accident.  Dale also shares with us the importance of mentorship and what he's doing in the community to provide this critical piece of climbing to others. 

Finally, we talk about the myth of safety in climbing, because as controversial as it might sound….climbing simply isn't safe. Maybe that's why we like it so much?

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Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Recently I've been seeking mentorship and guidance to help improve my climbing. This can be a tricky endeavor, finding someone you trust and respect can be challenging. With this in mind, I reached out to a local Ice climbing group in search of such a person. With some amazing luck, I connected with Callum Nelson. Through our conversation, I quickly realized that Callum was an accomplished climber and UK Certified Rock Guide who has climbed all over the world. Callum and I climbed a beautiful Water Ice 5 Called Shriek of the Sheep on the West Coast of BC this was a phenomenal experience that I'll remember for the rest of my life. What stood out most was how aligned Callum and I are as people something just clicked. I am honored that Callum is the first guest to record in my home and I consider myself lucky to call him a friend. Callum and his partner Anya currently live in a converted fire engine called big red. He embodies the spirit of climbing and shares how climbing is much more than an experience. it can be life-transforming as so many of us know and have discovered ourselves

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

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Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

One thing I’ve learned about climbing over the years is that you never really know when something might go wrong, that human error and the randomness of nature are something we as climbers can’t really avoid. So instead we prepare ourselves to deal with the unknown, to come equipped with the tools necessary both physical and mental to rescue either ourselves or others when things go wrong. Remember that story that was all over the news a few months ago, about a climber who had rescued a base jumper who crashed, hanging precariously on a cliff? Today we get to sit down with the climber herself, River Barry. We dive deep into the details of her heroic rescue on that fateful day and find out what we are all capable of when preparedness, training, and experience all come together. 

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:
Climbing.com Article
Video of the Crash

KSL News Report

I don't know about you but when I first started climbing..creating a first ascent and developing a route was something my regular climbing partner and I would fantasize about—looking out the car window on long road trips for any rock formation that might have been untouched, a prize yet to be claimed. However, like most of you, I am sure, I was too enthralled in actually climbing to take the time, money, and focus to become a route developer. 

With climbing being so accessible, and there being over fifty thousand published routes on Mountain Project between California and Canada alone, it is easy to just enjoy climbs and forget all the work it took to establish them. Today, our topic is route development and we get to sit down with a local climber and route developer here in Reno, his name is Colby Wangler. In our conversation, we talk about how Colby found climbing and what lead him to become a route developer, the ins and out of the route developing process, and how Colby both developed and climbed his first own 5.13. We cover how we, the majority, the people who get enjoy the work of others, can support, maintain, and give back to the areas we love so much. And finally, we talk about a potential dark side to this amazing sport we call climbing. 

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources: Please help support the development and maintenance of your local climbing area. Here are some places that will be a good start and could use our support.

Alpine Club of Canada

American Alpine Club

Squamish Access Society

Sea to Sky Climbing Hardware Fund

British Mountaineering Crag Care Fund

Access Fund USA (Register and Adopt a Crag)

We are celebrating one year of our podcast and taking a look back at the growth and development of the show. From discussing how to cope with traumatic injuries to interviewing climbing legends like Alan Burgess, we've covered a wide range of topics in the past year. These have included belaying, mental health and addiction, physical therapy, adaptive athletes, fear and risk, and much more. We are excited to continue exploring these topics in the coming year and are also excited to announce some updates to the show, including a new brand presence, improved equipment, and enhanced sound quality. In addition, we will be offering ways for listeners to support the show. We are grateful to all our guests who have shared their stories and experiences on the show, and to our listeners who have been with us from the beginning, you are the foundation of this show. Thank you for your support! Finally, we end this conversation with a montage of soundbites from each of the twenty-nine episodes of 2022.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

As I am sure all of you are aware. Max and I simultaneously injured ourselves in climbing accidents. After my injury, I started to look at climbing in a completely different way. And one of the main things that struck me was that we never really know whether a piece of trad protection is truly going to hold a fall…. until you fall on it. That didn’t seem very safe to me, how are we supposed to learn the limits of our gear and understand what happens to them under load without risking our lives? Today we get to sit down with the man who has dedicated his life to exploring and fully understanding the limits, capabilities, and applications of climbing gear. Ryan Jenks started his Youtube channel "How Not 2 Highline" almost six years ago. Back then he simply wanted to create 10 videos that covered the ins and outs of how to set up a highline safely.  Fast forward to today, with over 400 videos posted and a community of over 125K, Ryan Jenks is blazing the trail when it comes to testing the limits and fully understanding the capabilities of climbing gear. In our conversation, we dive into the beginnings of his story and the creation of How Not 2. We ask him hot-topic questions about Totems, ropes, and V-threads. And finally, we discuss the future of his channel and the details of his new machine The Slack Snap 5.0

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

Visit Ryan's Website

Donate to HowNot2

Watch This Episode on Youtube

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Campell. Adam is a man in motion who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of athletics and movement in the mountains. During his years as an athlete, Adam has been a member of five Canadian national teams in the sports of mountain running, ski mountaineering, and the duathlon/triathlon. His deep athletic base and hard work ethic have allowed him to become one of the best ultra runners on the planet. Arguably one of Adam’s most notable achievements was at the Hard Rock 100, a notorious race at high-elevation in the San Juan Mountains, where he placed 3rd not once but twice. When it didn't seem like anything could go wrong, Adam’s life came to a crashing halt after a 300ft fall while climbing the Horseshoe Traverse in BC. Thanks to luck, a helmet, and a full pack Adam survived, but with devastating injuries. Nonetheless, Adam defied logic and ended up running the Hard Rock 100 again only ten months after his injuries, a feat that is hard to believe even possible. Then Adams' story sadly took another turn for the worse in 2020 when he had to unbury his wife from a fatal avalanche. Needless to say, Adam has lived through a full spectrum of experiences in the mountains…, experiences that have tested his understanding of life, love, and what it means to be a mountain athlete. Adam has always spoken genuinely about his experiences in the mountains and he does so in our conversation. This episode provides a deep dive into the realities of the power that mountains carry. They give us life, energy, purpose, and meaning..but sometimes they take everything from us…

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

This episode really represents the foundational purpose of this podcast. That being, to hear climbing stories and chat about climbing topics with fellow recreational climbers. Climbers with full-time jobs, relationships, kids, and lives outside of their world of climbing. Climbing is such an amazing sport and one of the reasons is that you don’t need to climb extremely hard grades or dedicate your life to it in order to have life-changing, empowering, and inspiring experiences. In today’s conversation, we sit down with Chris Stephens Sr., a father, soldier, traveler, and of course a climber. Chris reached out to me via Instagram after hearing my episode on the Sharp End Podcast where I briefly mentioned my climbing trip in Albania. He too had just come back from a climbing trip to eastern Europe and wanted to swap stories. We decided to turn what would be a quick chat into an episode. We talk about how Chris was so inspired by the landscape around him that he chose to pursue the sport of climbing, how a close call turned him off the sport for 4 years, how fathership affects his mental game while climbing, and finally we swap stories about our experience climbing in the Balkans. A land where food limitations, access issues, and limited information make outdoor climbing a whole lot more adventurous.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources

Top 20 Climbing Podcasts FeedSpot Article

Rock Tirana | Climbing Gym in Albania

I think you would agree that there is arguably no rock formation more infamous than El Cap . With its massive presence in the development of North American climbing, iconic size, and technical challenges, it stands as a beacon for climbers worldwide to test their abilities on a sea of stone. When we start climbing, El Cap is often at the forefront of our minds—a dream expressed as “Man, I would love to climb that one day.” But how many of us actually take the steps to make that dream a reality? Sometimes it feels like El Cap is reserved for the pros.

Today, we sit down with previous guests Bryce Ungersma and Evan Geller, two recreational climbers who turned their dream of climbing El Cap into a reality. On May 22nd, they joined the ranks of climbers who have summited El Cap after successfully completing “The Nose” in 3.5 days. We are here to tell their story.

This conversation is split into two one-hour segments. First, we dive into what it was like for Bryce and Evan to make the mental switch from “I want to climb that one day” to “This is real and this is happening.” We’ll explore their training, planning, and preparation, and then discuss the food, water, gear, permits, and logistics needed to get established on the wall.

Their story is a reminder to continue chasing our dreams and pushing the boundaries of what we think is possible for ourselves.

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Don’t forget to check our our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d really appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

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Resources

Bryce's Instagram

Evan's Instagram

In our last episode, we sat down with legendary high-altitude climber Alan Burgess and discussed his upbringing and his most notable alpine & super alpine ascents. In this episode, we continue our conversation and dive into his most notable high-altitude climbs including the west ridge of Everest in winter, Dhaulagiri in winter, Annapurna IV in winter, and K2. We talk about the complicated logistics of large-scale expeditions, the dangers of climbing above 8000m, and what Al Burgess is doing now.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources

Documentary on the Attempt on the West Ridge of Everest in Winter - 1980

Purchase Alan's Book (The Burgess Book of Lies)

All right, people, today is a special day because we are sitting down with one of the most legendary high alpine climbers of the 20th century. His name is Alan Burgess. Alan first reached out to me after seeing a climbing majority poster at our local climbing gym here in Reno. We met at a coffee shop and I did not know what to expect, having not known who he was or about his stories up to this point. He handed a book to me. It was called The Burgess Book of Lies, and his vision was to turn it into an audiobook. To be honest, at this point, I had no idea who Alan was. And now, after hearing his stories, I'm a bit ashamed as a climber not to have known who he was. But after sitting down with him for probably an hour, I knew that he was special and his life needed to be shared. So I agreed. Unfortunately, after much effort, the project of turning his book into an audiobook just did not make any sense. And we had to call it quits. So instead, we are sitting here today to do the second best thing to get him on to the podcast, to hear his story. Alan lived a life that most of us couldn't even dream of. His vast experience in the mountains and the multitude of a sense worldwide that he is accomplished in his life would just be impossible to capture in a podcast episode. So we decided to break up his story into two parts. In this episode, we are going to talk about his childhood and what climbing was like in the 1950s. And then we're going to talk about his most notable super Alpine ascents. The first climb we're going to be talking about is his third ascent of the American route on Fitzroy in Patagonia. Next is the first alpine-style ascent of the French route on the north face of Huascaran Norte in Peru. And third, we're going to be talking about the first ascent of the southwest buttress of Mount Logan in Canada, a route that has never been repeated. And finally, we're going to close this episode out by talking about how he was able to fund and create a life of climbing around the world and how he was able to survive through countless situations where most fail.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

Buy Alan's Book HERE

As a relatively larger climber, sitting around 200lbs and having gone through recent traumatic injuries… my weight… and my positivity around my own body image have fluctuated a lot. As fellow climbers, I am sure you know the struggle of trying to juggle performance, health, weight gain…or weight loss. In today’s conversation, we discuss a topic that so many of us struggle with. It's the foundation of our energy, our happiness. Basically our entire lives…..I'm talking about nutrition. 

In this episode, we sit down with Caitlin Holmes. Caitlin is a board-certified Nutrition Specialist who received her Masters of Science in Human Nutrition & Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. After her graduation, she started her nutrition coaching business, Caitlin Holmes Nutrition, where she primarily works with climbers and outdoor enthusiasts to develop effective nutrition plans for long-term health and performance. Her passion and knowledge of nutrition are palpable.

Caitlin, like so many of us, has had her struggles and successes in the sport of climbing. She’s experienced injuries, body issues, and performance plateaus. Caitlin is a great boulderer and sport climber and she’s even climbed some v9s… which is an amazing accomplishment. In our conversation, we talk about the failure of the modern medical system, micro and macronutrients, how to fuel for climbing, our bodie’s energy systems, and much more. This episode is an awesome deep dive into what fuels our bodies and minds to do the activities that we love. Eat well, climb hard, and have fun. Enjoy the show.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

• Book a free 15-min call to learn what virtual nutrition coaching can do for you
• Empowered Nutrition, 8-week self-study (20% off to listeners when they use the code 'CLIMBINGMAJORITY')
• Caitlin's Website

As I am sure most of you are aware this podcast’s creation stemmed from Max and I’s traumatic climbing injuries that occurred just over a year ago. Within a week of each other and in different countries Max and I both took trad falls and sustained ankle injuries that required surgery.  If you haven’t heard those stories cruise back to episodes 2&3. As a patient of surgery, I was curious as to what the procedure was like. What was going through the surgeon's head? What was actually happening while I was under with a tourniquet wrapped around my leg?  In today’s episode, we get answers to those questions as we have the rare privilege of sitting down with Dr. Scott Whitlow THE orthopedic surgeon that performed my bilateral ankle surgery. Scott received his medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine and completed his residency at UC Davis. He then went on to receive specialty training in foot and ankle surgery in Vail, CO. Over the years he has performed countless surgeries and is considered an expert in his field. In our conversation, we dive into the surgeon's perspective of handling a patient with lower extremity injuries, the future of joint replacements, post-procedure options like scoping and hardware removal, and we get to hear Scott's story about how HE became the patient for a serious of unfortunate orthopedic surgeries… that nearly claimed his life.

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.

Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

References

The Best Forearm Crutches
https://www.sidestix.com/

Pick Line Covers
https://mighty-well.com/