The Careless Talk Climbing Podcast E161: Ethan Salvo - Having an incredible trip without sending anything followed by one of the best ever weeks in Canadian climbing
Aug 13, 2025
Ethan Salvo, a Canadian climber known for conquering Dreamcatcher and Event Horizon, shares his unique perspectives on climbing. He reflects on a recent trip to Bishop, where he found greater value in the experience over hard sends. The conversation dives into emotional challenges faced in climbing, the humor of cultural quirks, and the tension between personal storytelling and social media pressures. With a focus on authenticity and community, Ethan emphasizes the importance of meaningful connections in the climbing world.
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Unplanned Bishop Trip Became Deep Immersion
- Ethan extended a loosely planned Bishop trip from one month to over three months by living cheaply and following small financial wins.
- He spent most days focused on one big project (Lucid) while enjoying place, people, and routine more than sends.
Being In A Place Deeply Beats Fast Chasing
- Ethan found deep connection in staying longer and learning a place rather than chasing grades across locations.
- Familiarity, routine and social ties made Bishop more meaningful than quick trophy sends.
Value Storytelling Over Just Numbers
- Two truths can coexist: deep personal experiences and public climbing achievements need not be mutually exclusive.
- Ethan hopes climbing will value storytelling, style and personhood as much as raw grade headlines.