E124: Where is Aidan? Is climbing a sport? Can we liberate ourselves from our ego?

Ho Ho Who's up for some quizzing? We've got a Christmas special which is mostly a quiz. Hopefully it's a good laugh... Not much more to say really! Listen to it!If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=70353823Support the show

This week we have a bit of a font of knowledge joining us on the pod! Stian is a coach, a physio, a lecturer, a writer and a hard climber from Norway! He's climbed to a high level and he has been heavily involved in climbing injuries since becoming a physio. He's written a book that will hopefully help climbers be able to diagnose their own injuries and learn how to rehab them appropriately. As a psyched climber himself he understands that climbers are pretty desperate to be able to keep climbing and this really shines through with his recommendations. Really interesting chat, hope you enjoy. If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us, please do consider checking out our Patreon page : https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=70353823Support the show

Hello there, we yoyoed to the other end of the spectrum this week as we got all lathered up in reductive energy and tried to rank the standard bits of equipment by how useful we think they are for rock climbing. If you want to see the visuals then the video (replete with shoddy tier list) is on the Patreon!If you're enjoying this shoddy affair then do check out our Patreon page! https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=70353823Support the show

Joining us this week is the Canadian strong man Ethan Salvo. Ethan doesn't just send hard climbs he also thinks a lot about his process and has been working to ensure he enjoys the whole experience rather than just the sends. He's also joined Aidan with the attempt to bring back the blog with his articles on substack. https://ethansalvo.substack.com/If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us, please check out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=70353823Support the show

Hello! It's just the home team again this week discussing Aidan's whereabouts, a quick catchup with what we've both been up to, and then after about 30 mins we get into some beer garden philosophy. Is climbing a sport? Is it more creative or physical? How much of an ego do we have? Can we get rid of it?The sort of stuff we wanted to talk about when we started a podcast in the first place so a bit of a return to form!If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support us: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=70353823Support the show

We've scoured the country from top to bottom, searched underneath limestone caves, poured over bones with our fossil brushes, checked under the limestone caves a couple more times and then eventually checked the coastline of the south west and I think we've finally found it. The missing link British rock climbing needed!Solly is back to chat about his big sends and his mischievous shenanigans as well as listen as we debate the merits of a rock type he doesn't like. If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=70353823Support the show

Ahoy there landlubbers! A little chat and a catch up from our intrepid sailors this week from a marina in Panama. This adventure is turning into a Where's Wally (inexplicably Waldo for Americans) picture book. We do hope we'll be able to resume our normal service sooner or later, but until then, thanks for tuning in! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=70353823Support the show

It was a pleasure to have Xian on the pod. We used to climb together when I lived in London years ago, she's a great climber and an all-round good egg. She's a climbing coach and she has her own unique way of looking at climbing where she focusses almost completely on technique and how to climb and doesn't focus on the much covered (and much loved) strength side of the sport. Her book 'Smooth' has recently come out and I try to clumsily go over some of the key concepts from it. Thanks for bearing with us whilst Aidan is sailing in the great blue yonder! If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us please consider checking out our Patreon page! https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=70353823Support the show

We managed to squeeze in an episode with Aidan after his Atlantic voyage but before his mega central American traversal. Just a big catch up really as we haven't spoken in a few weeks. If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us please consider checking out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=70353823Support the show

Aidan is back this week (it was recorded before he left) and we're joined by Nathan Hoette. Nathan works for Scarpa making climbing shoes. He knows everything there is to know about the process that goes in to making climbing shoes, and as it turns out, we didn't know all that much. So we mostly just sat and listened to him. I enjoy talking to people like Nathan, someone who has a real passion and are excited to talk all about it. If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help us keep it ad free, please consider checking out our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823Support the show