The Careless Talk Climbing Podcast E147: Katie Lamb, the first woman to climb V16...again.
May 7, 2025
Katie Lamb, the trailblazing climber known for her historic ascent of V16, returns to share her latest achievement. She dives into the complex interplay of personal motivations and societal perceptions in climbing, especially as a female athlete. The conversation touches on the mental hurdles climbers face, the challenges of seeking recognition, and the importance of staying true to one’s journey. With a sprinkle of humor, they even share whimsical tales about a childhood pet hedgehog, Sid, making for a delightful mix of serious and light-hearted discussion.
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Delayed Public Announcement
- Katie Lamb delayed announcing her recent ascent due to scheduling and awaiting a journalist's interview publication.
- She explained concerns about exclusivity rights but expected to post on Instagram afterward.
Complexities of Vindication
- Public perception frames Katie's ascent of Dark Side mainly as vindication, which she finds a hard feeling to sustain.
- She believes genuine climbing motivation lies more in the love of the climb than external validation.
Women Closing Climbing Gap
- The gap between men and women in bouldering is now just about one grade at the elite level.
- Katie and hosts note women could be professional climbers if gender were not a factor, unusually close compared to other sports.