The Careless Talk Climbing Podcast

The hosts tackle the evolving landscape of indoor and outdoor climbing. They discuss the unique challenges faced by independent gyms in London versus chain establishments. Sam shares his progress on a Yosemite project, while Aidan recounts his cramped trip to a unique climbing gym. The conversation includes the intriguing 9A+ grading debate and the community's complexities around grading standards. With a focus on tenacity and modern training methods, they explore how climbing accessibility and culture are shifting.

Niall Grimes, a longstanding figure in UK and Irish climbing, known for his JamCrack podcast and climbing guidebooks, shares his insights and humor. They discuss the evolution of climbing media and Niall's diverse climbing experiences, from the Utah desert to gritstone debates. He reflects on the intricacies of podcasting, emphasizing the art of interviewing and maintaining authenticity. Niall also talks about his creative projects and ghostwriting Jerry Moffatt's memoir, all while keeping the conversation lively and engaging.

The hosts dive into recent climbing news, from groundbreaking climbs to internet drama. They discuss the impact of a proposed 9A+ boulder and the community’s mixed reactions. Topics like grading politics and the evolution of climbing ratings spark heated debates. Personal stories add flavor, including a hilarious encounter with fruit-throwing London youths. Finally, they tackle the nuances of social media personas and online backlash in the climbing community. Expect lively banter and bold opinions throughout!

Dayan Akhtar, a British competition climber, shares his journey from balancing university to embracing full-time climbing. He dives into the intense mental and physical demands of the World Cup circuit, discussing his self-coaching approach and training methods. Dayan highlights the impact of route setters on competition outcomes and reflects on his remarkable consistency in competitions. He also touches on the challenges of training in the UK, the importance of resilience, and his goals for the Olympic pathway.

Aidan shares his journey tackling Mount Doom, exploring what motivates him and how his mindset evolves. Intriguing discussions about ancient Egypt and the Tutankhamun exhibition reveal their fascination with history. They delve into climbing training, debating wood versus resin holds, and the effects of skin issues on performance. Aidan reflects on the disparity between failure and success, emphasizing the lessons learned from setbacks. They also touch on intrinsic motivation versus external validation, and upcoming projects in Yosemite.

Ben Cossey, an Australian climber and coach known for his iconic first ascents, shares his experiences in the climbing world. He discusses access issues in Australian climbing, the emotional toll of losing iconic routes, and his legendary ascent of Lightweight Baby. Ben also recounts his attempts at Action Directe and his amusing finish on Groove Train, which became internet-famous. He provides insights into training philosophies and highlights unsung climbers pushing grades in Australia, making it a captivating conversation for climbing enthusiasts.

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.

Eliot Stephens, a Welsh bouldering specialist and prolific first-ascensionist, dives into the world of climbing development and guidebook writing. He shares insights on transforming local bouldering scenes, the appeal of South Wales crags, and the nuances of his training ethos. Eliot discusses the balance of podcasting with climbing, comparing home boards to commercial gyms, and the emotional journey of tackling hard climbs. The conversation reveals the intimate connection between climbing tactics and personal motivation, offering a fresh perspective on the community's evolving landscape.

In this entertaining game segment, Aidan faces whimsical choices presented by Sam, channeling Morpheus. He picks between unique advantages like flawless skin or guaranteed progression, teleportation versus endless stamina, and the allure of injury immunity. Aidan ultimately opts for infinite sponsorship money, even with the mantra catch. The duo also explores the humorous side of climbing culture, personal reflections on embarrassment, and Aidan's upcoming adventure plans. It’s a fun mix of fantasy and climbing banter!

Mina is back on the podcast after quite some time! Since last time Mina has written a book all about nutrition for climbing! So we have a pretty long ramble about parenthood, whether you can maximise fun and achievement simultaneous and y'know general fear of death... All the fun stuff! I think we finally got to talking about the book after about an hour if you want to skip to that! https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Eat-to-Climb-by-Mina-Leslie-Wujastyk/9781839812729If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us, please consider checking out our Patreon page! https://www.patreon.com/c/u70353823Support the show