The Gear Episode: Kolin Powick Interview and Gear Guide Preview

Mark Synnott is a legendary climber, a phenomenal writer, and actually a former Climbing Magazine intern and contributing editor. Mark recounts his early days learning to climb in New Hampshire using a clothesline, his time dirtbagging in Yosemite, moving onto expedition climbing, and his life as a writer. Mark's latest book is The Impossible Climb: Alex Honnold, El Capitan, and the Climbing Life. It recounts Honnold's iconic El Cap free solo while weaving in stories from Mark's own life. The Impossible Climb is available now. This episode is presented by Mystery Ranch. Music by Small Houses.

Unaweep Canyon is a climbing destination just south of Grand Junction, Colorado, with sweeping granite walls for miles. Yet, it doesn't get much traffic. Rob Pizem wrote a feature about Unaweep for the October/November issue of Climbing Magazine. We caught up with Rob to talk about Unaweep, the first ascent potential in the area, what it's like to be a climber in Grand Junction, his training, and what he's been up to lately. Presented by Mystery Ranch. Music by Small Houses.

Interview: Kyle Vassilopoulos is a climber and restauranteur in Lander, Wyoming. We sat down with Kyle during the International Climbers Festival to talk about the Ten Sleep controversy, how he became the co-owner of the legendary Cowfish restaurant in Lander, and why Lander is such a great place to call home for climbers. Plus, climbing editors Matt Samet and James Lucas talk home walls and training boards, doing a deep dive on the MoonBoard, Tension Board, and Kilter Board. Presented by Mystery Ranch. Music by Small Houses: http://smallhouses.band/

Climbing editor Matt Samet and host Kevin Riley talk about the 2019 Photo Annual issue of Climbing Magazine, on newsstands now, and discuss Matt's recent Crusty Corner column about red tagging. Then we interview Levi Harrell about the highs and lows of being a pro photographer in such a crowded marketplace. We also discuss photo editing, equipment, social media, and provide some tips for the budding photographers out there. Levi also shares a story about a trad climbing ground fall he took while on assignment in China. Presented by Evolv. Music by Small Houses: http://smallhouses.band/

Anton Krupicka came across an injured Kyle Walker during one of his runs in the Flatirons. Walker had fallen while free soloing the Second Flatiron and captured the ordeal on video, which went viral. We spoke to Krupicka about the accident. Also, a conversation with Chris Schulte about alpine bouldering, what inspires him to put up FAs, and how he got into climbing in the first place. Presented by Evolv. Music by Small Houses: http://smallhouses.band/

Three stories from the June/July 2019 Epic Survival Tales issue of Climbing Magazine. Editor Matt Samet shares the story of his biggest epic. James Lucas explains why he believes you should never bring your pet to the crag. And Kevin Riley talks to Elaina Arenz about the challenges of being a female mountain guide. Presented by Evolv. Music by Small Houses: http://smallhouses.band/

Travis Graves is the co-owner of Desert Rock Sports in Las Vegas, Nevada. As the buyer for the shop, he's a wealth of gear information. We speak to Travis about what gear trends he's seeing this season, and the safety and conservation issues related to climbing on wet rock at Red Rock. Presented by Black Diamond. Music by Small Houses: http://smallhouses.band/

Bonus episode: An interview with Gary Neptune, the original owner and founder of Neptune Mountaineering, an iconic climbing and ski shop in Boulder, Colorado. If you're a climber and you've been to Boulder, chances are you've been to Neptune Mountaineering and know what a special shop it is. Presented by Black Diamond. Music by Small Houses: http://smallhouses.band/

You may know Kolin Powick as the man behind Black Diamond's QC Lab articles, testing gear and confirming or dispelling myths. He's also the climbing category director for the brand. Kevin Corrigan sits down with Powick to talk gear and life behind-the-scenes at BD. Also, Kevin Riley and James Lucas discuss their favorite climbing gear, and preview the April/May 2019 gear issue of Climbing Magazine. Presented by Black Diamond. Music by Small Houses: http://smallhouses.band/

Will Anglin is the co-owner of Tension Climbing, and a dedicated climber with over a decade of coaching, training, and routesetting experience. He's climbed 5.14 sport routes and V13 boulder problems. James Lucas sits down with Anglin to talk about training. Also, Kevin Riley and Matt Samet discuss the February/March training issue of Climbing Magazine, which hits newsstands on January 15, and recent staff trip to Cayman Brac. Music by Small Houses: http://smallhouses.band/