E140: Moral conundrums and hot takes special featuring Katie Lamb
Mar 19, 2025
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Katie Lamb, a fan favorite known for her thought-provoking insights, joins the hosts in their snowed-in Yosemite apartment for a lively discussion. They dive into quirky topics like the surprising uses of Bag Balm and the humorous side of using antihydro for climbing. Ethical dilemmas in climbing practices spark a heated debate about the responsibilities of climbers, while they also explore Yosemite's bouldering scene and its media paradox. With a blend of humor and philosophical musings, they tackle the complexities of climbing culture and personal responsibility.
The conversation highlights the ongoing debate in the climbing community regarding the ethics of professional stone setting on natural rock faces.
The hosts discuss the subjective nature of climbing experiences, emphasizing how intention impacts the legitimacy of ascents and personal accomplishments.
Gatekeeping in climbing is examined for its effects on accessibility and the tension between protecting sensitive areas and fostering community growth.
Deep dives
Introduction to Bag Balm
Bag Balm is introduced as a multipurpose moisturizer, originally formulated for the soothing of cow udders. Its effective moisturizing quality has been recognized since 1899, and the hosts discuss its application and ingredients. The conversation includes humorous references to their personal experiences with the product. They highlight how commonly it has been used and its perceived efficacy by the climbing community, showcasing its popularity beyond its farming roots.
Controversial Opinions on Climbing
The podcast features a segment where the hosts discuss their controversial opinions about climbing practices. One opinion proposed is the idea of professional stone setters who could create new climbing routes on blank rock faces, which sparks a lively discussion. The hosts weigh the benefits of stone setting against concerns about preserving the natural integrity of climbing areas. They highlight the philosophical debate surrounding whether creating new holds or modifying routes could enhance the climbing experience or detract from the sport.
Impact of Climbers' Intention
The hosts delve into the significance of intention when climbing and completing boulders. They explore scenarios where climbers might perform a drop-off rather than a full top-out and discuss if this affects the legitimacy of their ascent. The conversation emphasizes that intention can often define a climber's experience and sense of accomplishment, raising questions about what it means to 'do' a route. They acknowledge the subjective nature of these experiences in the climbing community.
Role of Gatekeeping in Climbing
Gatekeeping within the climbing community is examined as the hosts discuss its implications on accessibility and the sharing of information about climbing areas. They highlight how certain climbing destinations maintain their appeal by being less publicized, leading to quieter experiences for climbers. This leads to a broader conversation about the responsibilities of climbers to manage access and protect sensitive areas. Ultimately, the hosts debate whether the practice of gatekeeping serves a protective purpose or if it hinders growth and exploration in the climbing community.
Climbing on Private Land
The discussion transitions to the nuances of climbing on private land, where the hosts share their thoughts on ethics and access. They consider whether climbing should be permitted on private properties, emphasizing the importance of respecting landowners while also advocating for climber access. The conversation touches on the complex nature of ownership and the historic challenges climbers face in accessing climbing sites. Throughout this talk, they reflect on the broader implications of private land ownership on outdoor recreation.
Climbing Culture and Media Influence
The hosts comment on the impact of media portrayal on climbing culture, particularly how certain climbs or locations become 'trendier' due to exposure. They express concerns about the pressure this puts on climbers to pursue specific routes or styles, potentially overshadowing more authentic experiences. The dialogue underscores how influential media can shape perceptions of what constitutes a 'worthy' climb, leading to both positive and negative effects on the community. As the discussion unfolds, the hosts contemplate the balance between media engagement and preserving the love for climbing.
A special episode this week as we huddle around a microphone in our snowed in apartment in the Yosemite. The audio quality is a little worse than usual but we have fan favourite guest Katie Lamb back to talk about a few hot takes and moral conundrums with the home team (away team this week). It's a good bit of fun.
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