Climbing Gold

Margo Hayes, a trailblazing climber and the first woman to conquer the 5.15 grade, shares her journey through the highs and lows of professional climbing. She candidly discusses battling Lyme disease and how it impacted her passion for climbing. Margo reflects on the pressures of societal expectations while striving to maintain balance between her athletic pursuits and creative interests. She also touches on the importance of community support, personal safety, and finding joy in individual achievements within the sport.

Babsi Zangerl, a leading figure in traditional climbing, joins Jacopo Larcher, known for tackling challenging routes, to discuss the passion behind their sport. They delve into the risks and thrills of traditional climbing, sharing tales from their ascent of the notorious Eternal Flame route in Pakistan. The conversation highlights overcoming fear, the importance of gear reliability, and how their perspectives have shifted from competition to tackling the wild. Their insights shed light on the future of climbing, balancing risk with growth.

Beth Rodden, a trailblazing climber and the first woman to conquer 5.14, shares her journey of vulnerability and resilience. She discusses her new book, shedding light on the emotional struggles within the climbing community. Topics include navigating trauma from personal experiences, the balance of love and risk in climbing relationships, and adapting to life changes like injury and divorce. Beth emphasizes finding joy in simplicity and shared experiences, encouraging climbers to embrace change while cherishing personal growth.

After a protracted battle over bolts and sport climbing, American climbers nearly lost the ability to climb on public lands in the early 1990s. It would have completely altered the course of our sport. Fortunately, lawyer and climber Armando Menocal rose to the challenge of protecting climbing for generations to come, despite the fact that many climbers hoped he would fail. We take a peek into the early days of the Access Fund and Leici Hendrix adds perspective on the importance of local climbing organizations. Armando Menocal Climbing Advocacy FundOriginally aired in 2021. Thanks to our sponsorsThe North Face LMNT Use link to get a free LMNT sample pack with any orderCOROS Use code CLIMBINGGOLD to get a free watch carabiner with the purchase of a VERTIX 2s watch when both items are in your cart. 

In 1986, a rag-tag group of dirtbags including Beth Wald, Russ Clune and Todd Skinner came up with a scheme to go behind the Iron Curtain with the goal of competing in the Soviet Union's speed climbing competition. It was audacious as any cutting edge climb. Originally aired in 2021. Thanks to our sponsorsThe North Face COROS Use code CLIMBINGGOLD to get a free watch carabiner with the purchase of a VERTIX 2s watch when both items are in your cart. LMNT Use link to get a free LMNT sample pack with any order Watch Climbing Gold on YouTube

In this captivating discussion, notable climber Alex shares his exhilarating experiences at the recent Olympic Games. He reflects on standout performances, including Janne Gartenbrecht's accolades and Vedrik Leonardo's historic gold. The emotional highs and lows faced by athletes are explored, highlighting the pressure of competition and the joy of cultural pride. Alex also dives into the complexities of climbing route setting and debates the future format of climbing events. The podcast concludes with a look at how climbing inspires future generations.

The Tomoa Skip. The Chinese Top. Records are falling and what is fast this year will be middle of the pack next year. For competitors Emma Hunt, Piper Kelly, and Sam Watson, they are in the midst of a golden moment for their chosen discipline. For the climbers leading the charge, what’s beyond personal bests and world records? And how will the climbers apply these incredible skills beyond the 15-meter route?Thanks to our sponsorsThe North Face: Join us in NYC for Climb Fest Aug 23-24COROS Use code CLIMBINGGOLD to get a free watch carabiner with the purchase of a VERTIX 2s watch when both items are in your cart. LMNT Use link to get a free LMNT sample pack with any order Watch Climbing Gold on YouTube

Records are falling. Beta is getting tweaked. We’ve entered the sub five second era of speed climbing. The athleticism is off the charts and the format is friendly to the viewing public. Despite that, what happens on the 15 meter speed wall seems to be a sideshow to the greater climbing community. How did speed climbing arrive at this moment? We are joined by legends Hans Florine, Jacky Godoffe, and Olympians Sam Watson, Piper Kelly and Emma Hunt. Thanks to our sponsorsThe North Face Join us in NYC at Climb Fest Aug 23-24COROS Use code CLIMBINGGOLD to get a free watch carabiner with the purchase of a VERTIX 2s watch when both items are in your cart. Dr. Squatch Use code CLIMBINGGOLD to get 20% any purchase (new customers only)LMNT Use link to get a free LMNT sample pack with any order Catch us on YouTube!

Exploring athlete stories, Olympic impact on climbing, Japan's dominance, boulder difficulty, betting odds, and Team Japan's success in climbing competitions

Natalia Grossman, a trailblazing competitive climber and 10-time World Cup gold medalist, joins Jesse Grupper, a professional climber and engineer, to share their insights on handling the immense pressure of expectations. They discuss the balance between personal growth and the competitive nature of their sport as they prepare for the Paris Olympics. Both guests reflect on their journeys from self-doubt to rediscovering the joy in climbing, emphasizing resilience and the importance of community support over mere competition results.