Chapter 06: When Climbing Takes Flight
By the mid 2000’s climbing was growing, but the ephemeral first ascents were harder to find. Enter BASE jumping. The leaders of our sport stepped to the edge and jumped into the golden age of human flight. With it, a whole new element of risk arrived in climbing. We talk with Randy Leavitt, Chris McNamara and Steph Davis, who helped pioneer the movement.
Image: Ian Mitchard
Chapter 05: A Magician Needs A Stage
El Cap. Free. In a day. Putting those words on your resume puts you in the league of legends. When Lynn Hill freed the nose, she redefined what’s athletically possible in climbing. Emily Harrington and Beth Rodden add their perspective on the momentous achievement.
Image: Heinz Zak
Bit Of Gold Bonus: He Doesn’t Know Beans
Tired of trudging up the steep mountain peaks and without a partner, John Gill hitched a ride with a milkman to solo the east face of Longs Peak.
Chapter 04: The Invisible Cord
A physical and intellectual anomaly, John Gill’s vision for climbing would ultimately drive the sport’s athletic progression and help bring it to a larger audience. Also in this chapter, Alex and Nina Williams break down their shared respect for Bishop’s world class highballs.
Bit Of Gold Bonus: Crack Wars
In the 1980’s, a Wells Fargo parking garage in the San Fernando Valley became a clandestine climbing laboratory and pre-runner to climbing gyms. And here, the legendary Randy Leavitt and Tony Yaniro invented a climbing move that’s withstood the test of time.
Chapter 03: This Is How You Spell Climbing
Climbing’s first bonafide phenom, Chris Sharma ushered in a new chapter of athleticism.
Image: Boone Speed
Chapter 02: Tap-Tap-Twist
Behind each of the 200,000-plus climbing routes in the US, there is a person. Joanne Urioste, a prolific first ascensionist, pioneered some of the most popular routes and helped bring climbing into the future.
Image: Joanne Urioste collection
Chapter 01: More Bird Than Larry Bird
Peter Croft and Alex talk about their climbing heroes and pushing the mentality of possible. And how 1940’s bebop jazz relates to Yosemite’s famed Astroman.
Image: Phil Bard
Introducing Climbing Gold
Athletes. Risk takers. Dirtbags. Pioneers. Community builders. Outsiders. Leaders. Join us to hear the voices and stories of climbing’s past and future.