Kurt Albert and the Birth of Sport Climbing
Changing equipment, ethics, and most important, rules.
Eva Lopez on Women in Sports, Rivalries, and What Josune Means to Climbing History
In this episode, Eva and Kris discuss the state of Spanish climbing in the 1990’s and what it was like watching Josune Bereziartu come into her own during those years.
Josune Bereziartu Goes Honky Tonkin'
Josune Bereziartu changed the game by becoming the first woman to climb 8c or 5.14b.
Chris Schulte on the Magic of Fontainebleau, Climbing Duel and Catherine Miquel
In this episode, Kris asks Chris to describe the forest in his poetic way, and to tell stories of his best memories of Bleau and the special connection he has to some of the boulders, specifically Karma and Duel.
Catherine Miquel Wins the Duel
Climbing in Fontainebleau, she entered the decade as the only woman to climb V8, and then it was off to the races. Again and again, she pushed the limits, culminating in an ascent of one of the most famous slabs in the world. Duel.
Josie McKee on Curiosity and the Mindset of Climbing Freerider
In this episode, Josie walks Kris through each pitch of Freerider and what it takes to climb the route - most importantly the changing mindsets required throughout, shifting from dread to curiosity, and finding joy where most think only of fear.
Chris Kalous on Freerider, Big Wall Climbing Rules, and How the Hubers Shifted History
In this episode, Kris and Chris go deep into the history of pitch 19, the ethical rules of big wall aid and freeclimbing, and discuss how one pitch of Freerider changed the course of big wall freeclimbing history.
Alex Huber Rides Free
Put simply, Freerider is a linkup. A brilliant linkup, but a linkup nonetheless. And we just can’t talk about it without going back. Way back. Back into time.
How to Climb Cowboy Direct: Jordan Cannon on The Struggle Climbing Show
In this bonus episode, Jordan takes us on the unbelievable adventure of tackling one of the toughest high-altitude big wall ascents in the world, the Cowboy Direct route of Trango (Nameless) Tower.
Mike Lilygren on Todd Skinner, Leadership, and Climbing Trango Tower
In this episode, Kris and Mike sit down at Mike’s company, Maven Optics, to discuss Todd Skinner, leadership, being the voice of reason, and that expedition to Pakistan.
Jordan Cannon on Cowboy Direct, Climbing History and the Importance of Storytelling
In this episode, Kris and Jordan discuss the allure of big walls and taking his skills from Yosemite to the Karakoram, making repeats on an expedition, the importance of climbing history and storytelling, and the value of relationships in climbing.
Todd Skinner and Team Cowboy Up
After 59 days on the wall, the weather had cleared and the team could see the summit, but one hard pitch still stood in their way, and their best chance at freeing it had just ripped his finger open. Maybe it wasn’t possible after all.
Jonathan Siegrist on the Difficulty of Grading and Climbing for the Challenge
In this episode Kris and Jonathan discuss one of the most controversial topics in climbing, grades.
Seb Bouin on Akira, Grading DNA and French Climbing History
In this episode, Seb and Kris discuss collaboration versus competition, taking grades personally, DNA, and where Akira and Fred Rouhling fit into French climbing history.
Fred Rouhling, Akira and the Biggest Climbing Controversy of the 1990s
Rumors about Akira were rampant. Some said he never climbed it. Some said he filled in the holds after he did it. Some said he chipped it specifically to fit his freakish proportions. The media turned Fred Rouhling into a pariah.
BONUS: Nina Caprez on Attempting to Climb The Nose with Lynn Hill
In this episode, Kris and Nina discuss her history with The Nose, the big lesson learned from it and the friendship that came out of the experience.
Lauren Delaunay Miller on Lynn Hill and The History of Women Climbing in Yosemite.
There aren’t many people as qualified as Lauren to discuss the history of women climbing in Yosemite.
Chelsea Griffie on Leading the Way and Being the First Black Woman to Climb El Cap
In this episode, Kris and Chelsea discuss the path of her climbing that led to El Cap, what being the first feels like, and the importance of representation in the outdoors.
Bobbi Bensman on Lynn Hill and 1990s Competition Climbing
In this episode, Kris and Bobbi discuss her years as a competition climber, her greatest rivalry, when she realized that Lynn Hill, who she’s known since 16, was on another level, and how their friendship has grown over the years.
Lynn Hill Proves It Goes
Lynn Hill was looking for a different kind of progression. By the mid-1990’s climbing grades had skyrocketed, and Lynn was climbing harder and harder. But difficulty wasn’t what drove her. She wanted adventure.