The Careless Talk Climbing Podcast E172: Round Table with Benn Wheeler and Katie Lamb, pub chat and Frankenclimber auctioning
Oct 29, 2025
This week’s round table features Benn Wheeler, an experienced boulderer known for his insights on climbing culture and travel tales, alongside Katie Lamb, a high-level competitor with a knack for technical climbing perspectives. They dive into the complexities of flashing friend's projects, the ethics of training on 3D replicas, and whether climbing culture is fixated on iconic ascents like Burden of Dreams. They also engage in a humorous auction game to build the ultimate climber, adding power-ups and vices that spark lively debates on identity and success in the climbing world.
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Fontainebleau Trip Confusion
- Benn flew from Budapest to Fontainebleau and discovered the town isn't the boulders' location.
- He found the boulders were farther away than expected and joked about being uncultured.
Aidan's Boogalizing Flash Boost
- Aidan flashed Boogalizing from the stand while nursing an LCL concern and celebrated with friends afterward.
- He says flashing improved his confidence during a rough conditioning phase.
Talk Before You Try A Partner's Project
- If you might flash a partner's dream boulder, be explicit: ask them if they'd prefer you to try or wait.
- Communicate expectations early to avoid awkwardness and preserve relationships on trips.