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.
The French vs. The British | A Battle of Route Names
We’re diving into the rivalry of the British versus the French during the 90s.
Alan Watts on Jibe Tribout and Just Do It
In this episode, Alan and Kris discuss Jibe Tribout and whether he was the villain he seemed to be, as well as the true story of America’s first 14c, Just Do It.
Adam Ondra on Just Do It and the Importance of Climbing History
In this episode, Kris and Adam discuss the importance of history, how Just Do It checks all of the boxes for a classic, the value of competition, and the impeccable vision of Alan Watts in bringing Smith Rock into the new age.
Bonus: Mike Call on Filming and Shaping 90’s Era Climbing
In this episode, we talk about the shaping of The Boss and the early days of Pusher, what it was like filming and editing back then, and MANY of the best stories about filming with Boone Speed, Chris Sharma and more superstars from that era, including the landmark first ascent that Mike recorded over.
Dorothea Karalus on Fred Nicole and La Danse des Balrogs
Dorothea Karalus drove over 400 miles, repeatedly, over several years to repeat Fred Nicole’s classic V13 La Danse des Balrogs in Branson, Switzerland.
Bjorn Pohl on Fred Nicole and What Makes a Legend
Bjorn Pohl is a climbing journalist and podcaster who has covered climbing since the late 90’s, and has seen the impact of Fred Nicole on bouldering for the past 20+ years.
Will Anglin on Fred Nicole and New Ways of Seeing
Will Anglin spends a lot of time thinking hard about hard bouldering. And good bouldering. And of course, doing as much of both as possible.
Fred Nicole Dances with the Demons
Fred Nicole was never simply an athlete. He was an artist.