PODCAST · sports
The Ground Up Podcast
by The Ground Up
Stories From the Steep | Climbing conversations with local legends and unsung crushers from hometown crags around the country.During the golden era of rock climbing, going ground up was as much a tactic as it was a lifestyle. A commitment to embracing the unknown and earning the next challenge, this mentality was the catalyst for a generation of bold climbers and route developers to establish now classic crags and expand climbing access into our own backyards. The Ground Up Podcast is a celebration of this mantra, the legends it left behind and the adventures it continues to inspire for local crushers and weekend warriors alike.
Episodes
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46 - Crazy 8's: The Legend of BJ Gruber
BJ Gruber didn’t grow up climbing—he stumbled into the sport by accident while working as an actor in New York. But in just a few years, he’s become a Gunks completionist, a multi‑pitch sufferfest enthusiast, and an endurance athlete with a taste for long days, big mileage, and type‑two fun. In...
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45 - Comp Climbing Chronicles with Joe Goodacre
Joe Goodacre grew up in North Boulder and started climbing at just 4 years old through Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou’s Team ABC—one of the strongest youth programs in the country. In this episode, Joe shares what it was like to come up through competitive climbing, from early top‑rope comps to…
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GIVEAWAY - Misty Mountain Harness
Here it is folks, the moment you've been waiting for! We're here live announcing the winners of the Misty Mountain Harness giveaway event that's been ongoing for the last couple of weeks. Big shoutout to Misty Mountain for providing the harnesses and supporting the show. We've got two winners…
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44 - Cataloging the Classics with Steph Abegg
Steph Abegg has spent the better part of two decades exploring, climbing, and meticulously documenting some of the biggest and most adventurous routes across western North America. From her early days scrambling and mountaineering in the North Cascades to long days on remote multi-pitch routes,...
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43 Preview - Gear Giveaway + Cirque of the Towers Traverse
In this episode, the Ground Up crew flips the script by announcing it's first ever GEAR GIVEAWAY before Robert interviews Ari about his recent exploits in the Winds tackling the Cirque of the Towers Traverse with Mike Palmer, who you may remember from Episode 1 of the podcast. Located in Wyoming,...
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42 - A Noob's Guide to Horseshoe Hell (Rebroadcast from The Struggle Climbing Show)
What happens when two Horseshoe Hell veterans sit down with the podcast legends Ryan Devlin & Chris Kalous and try to explain what they've gotten themselves into? For this special rebroadcast, we joined Ryan on the Struggle Climbing Show and his Hell partner Chris (host of The Enormocast) for a...
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41 - Heart Stopping Highballs with Eric Zschiesche
Eric Zschiesche is one of the true pioneers of American bouldering. From establishing some of the Piedmont's most iconic boulder problems and traditional routes to developing classics at Devil's Lake, Eric's influence stretches far beyond the guidebooks. Long before crash pads and social media…
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40 - The Great Snake Dike Debate
Snake Dike has become one of the most talked-about routes in climbing after a controversial retro-bolting effort—and the equally controversial decision to chop those bolts. So we brought friend of the pod, Trevor Jones, on to debate one of the biggest questions in climbing today: should classic...
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39 - The Diamond FKT with John Alcorn
John Alcorn has quietly become one of Colorado's strongest and speediest alpine climbers. Best known for his record-setting ascent of the Casual Route on Longs Peak's Diamond, John's journey wasn't built on chasing speed from the beginning—it started with a humbling 24-hour ascent that sparked an...
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38: Optimizing Training with Vasya Vorotnikov
Vasya Vorotnikov is a seasoned veteran of the climbing world, with over 30 years of climbing experience and a deep background as a movement coach and route setter. Known for demolishing massive personal goals—like ticking off over ten 5.14s, over a hundred 5.13s, and 365 5.12s or harder in a…
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37: The Good, The Bad, & David Sharratt
David Sharratt is one of the East Coast's great underground crushers. From bold headpoints at Moon Rocks, pushing the boundaries of free climbing at Looking Glass, to the legendary Good, Bad, and Ugly at Ghost Town, David has spent decades establishing and repeating some of North Carolina and the...
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36: Mademoiselle Fissure - Laura Pineau
Fresh off the world premiere of Queen Swing, return guest Laura Pineau is back on the podcast—this time stepping away from the Yosemite speed climbing stories to dive deeper into the experiences and climbing that shaped her. We talk about Laura’s unconventional introduction to climbing through…
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35: You Asked, We Rambled
We're switching things up a bit this week with our first ever listener questions driven episode! Instead of our usual format interviewing guests, it’s just us this time—riffing on climbing films, hot topics, and however many listener submitted questions we can get through. We start by getting…
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34: Arno Ilgner - The Rock Warrior
Today’s guest is none other than mental‑training expert and longtime first‑ascensionist Arno Ilgner. While most climbers know Arno for The Rock Warrior’s Way—his influential book and program on focus, risk, and commitment—his 50‑year climbing career is just as compelling, and ultimately what led...
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33: Big Wall Chronicles with Wilson Cutbirth
Wilson Cutbirth is an expedition climber at heart—driven by ground-up style, remote objectives, and first ascents on some of the wildest big walls out there. With a deep background in rigging and rope systems, his approach blends technical precision with a willingness to embrace uncertainty in...
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32: Andrew Leich - Rattlesnake Redemption
In this episode, we sit down with West Virginia climber and prolific developer Andrew Leich to trace a climbing journey shaped by obsession, grit, and an almost unthinkable comeback. From his early days at the New River Gorge to developing out of necessity in the Cheat Canyon, Andrew built his...
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31: Resurrecting Ghost Town with Mike Reardon & the CCC
For decades, Ghost Town stood as one of North Carolina’s most legendary—and inaccessible—cliffs. First climbed in the 1970s and closed for nearly 20 years, its towering crack systems and dramatic position above Hickory Nut Gorge became the stuff of local lore. In this episode, we sit down with…
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30: Kathy Karlo - No Man's Land
In this episode, we sit down with Kathy Karlo to trace an unconventional climbing trajectory—one that started on ice in Ouray and the steep quartzite horizontals of the Gunks, but has led to a life filled with endless single-pitch perfection on the Sandstone of the Southeast. Kathy reflects on…
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29: Welcome to Wonderland - New Age Development with Tal Wanish
In this episode, we sit down with Tal Wanish to talk about what it really means to build a climbing area from the ground up. Tal walks us through his evolution from a college climbing class at Clemson to becoming one of the most active route developers in Colorado’s South Platte, and eventually...
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The Ground Up Podcast State of the Union
We’re back! After a short hiatus, we're kicking things off with a State of the Union for The Ground Up Podcast. In this episode, we catch up on what’s been happening behind the scenes—from moves and life changes to why it felt like the right time to pause, reset, and level up the show. We also…
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Ground Up 28: Record-Setting Do's and Don'ts of Horseshoe Hell with Nadya Vorotnikova & Sean Vallefuoco
Fresh off a record-breaking run at 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell, Nadya and Sean sit down with Ari and Rob to share how they approached the legendary 24-hour climbing marathon. From Sean’s disastrous first year of Oreos, Gatorade, and brand-new shoes to the meticulous (and sometimes improvised)...
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Ground Up 27: 24HHH Veterans Leather & Lace
Most would call climbing for 24 hours straight crazy — doing it 20 years in a row is downright ludicrous. In the nearly two-decade history of 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell, only one team has competed every single year: Dick and Natalie Dower, better known as Leather and Lace. Over time, they’ve…
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Ground Up 26: Dream Destinations with the Climbing Backpackers
What happens when an arborist and a dog walker swipe right and end up traveling the world on a shoestring budget? In this episode, Nettie and Dave, better known as the Climbing Backpackers, share their incredible journey climbing and dirtbagging across the globe. Hear how a ruptured Achilles and…
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Ground Up 25: 3,000 Feet of Psyche with Ethan Morf
Making history in Yosemite Valley is no easy feat these days, especially if you can count the number of years you've been climbing on one hand. But on May 15th, at just 20 years old, Ethan Morf became the youngest person to free climb El Capitan in a day with an 18 hour ascent of Freerider. In…
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Ground Up 24: The Power of Partnerships with Eddie Begoon
In this episode, we sit down with Southeast legend Eddie Begoon—lifelong climber, route developer, and storyteller with deep roots in the Shenandoah Valley and the golden age of Southeast climbing. From barnyard bouldering on a Virginia dairy farm to bold first ascents at Seneca Rocks, Looking...
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Ground Up 23: Breaking Barriers in the Valley with Kate Kelleghan and Laura Pineau
Few endurance challenges rival the infamous Yosemite Triple Crown — a mega link-up of three iconic big walls in Yosemite National Park: the Nose on El Capitan, the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome, and the South Face of Mount Watkins. Since its first completion in 2001, no women had managed to...
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Ground Up 22: Five Decades of Climbing with Coach Eric Hörst
In today's episode, we sit down with legendary climber, author, and coach Eric Hörst—an East Coast pioneer whose nearly five decades of climbing and route development have left an indelible mark on American climbing culture. Eric takes us back to the 1970s Gunks scene, where he cut his teeth on...
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Ground Up 21: High Country Highlights with Sam Dospoy
In this episode, we sit down with Boone local Sam Dospoy—woodworker, van builder, and climber deeply rooted in North Carolina’s High Country. Sam shares how a two year stint dirtbagging in a minivan sparked both his love of climbing and his custom van build business, Stand Up Vans. We dig into…
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Ground Up 20: Capturing Climbing with Photographer Drew Mercer
Boone, North Carolina is where photographer Drew Mercer first discovered his passion for rock climbing, so it’s no surprise that his new coffee table book, In Season, is a love letter to the High Country. A modern champion of Southeastern climbing, Drew uses his lens to share the story of days...
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Ground Up 19: Level Up Your Trad Climbing with Dana Taylor
Training for trad climbing isn’t something most climbers think about—but Project Direct coach Dana Taylor is here to change that. Originally from Chicago, Dana spent years sport climbing at the Red River Gorge before catching the trad bug on a trip to Wadi Rum. In this episode, she takes us…
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Ground Up 18: The Sandstone School of Rock with Professor Joel Brady
Whether you know him as the Vampire Professor, the Banjo Man, or the founding president of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Climbers Coalition (SWPACC), you know that Joel Brady has the undeniable ability to crush nails hard rock climbs. Coming to us live from the Keystone State, Joel recalls his...
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Ground Up 17: The Need for Speed with Joe Kennedy
Speed climbing is the ultimate culmination of dozens, if not hundreds, of hours spent dialing in beta, trimming the rack, and pushing the body to move as quickly up the wall as possible. Few do it better than today's guest, Joe Kennedy, a speed climbing phenom who holds the record for the fastest...
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Ground Up 16: Becoming a Quadfather - Tanner Wanish
Finding first ascents and new potential link-ups in Yosemite Valley is a rare opportunity these days, especially when they're as monumental as the QUAD! In a mind-blowingly short one year between his first NIAD (Nose in a Day), Tanner Wanish and his partner Michael Vail not only broke the speed...
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Ground Up 15: Raging in El Salto with Karly Rager
While most climbers gravitate to El Potrero Chico when visiting Nuevo León, Karly Rager has spent the past five winter seasons learning the dark arts of kneebars in El Salto's tufa filled playgrounds. Fresh off her all female team's First Free Ascent of Guerreras on La Gloria, Karly reflects on...
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Ground Up 14: Legends From the Steep with Doug Reed
If you've pulled onto the perfect Nuttall Sandstone of the New River Gorge, odds are you've climbed a Doug Reed route. Boasting one of the most impressive list's of first ascents in Southeastern, and perhaps national climbing history, Doug was a true pioneer of pushing the standards for both...
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Ground Up 13: The Granite Guru Zack Mintz
The Western North Carolina climbing scene has been experiencing a recent flurry of hard ascents and Zack Mintz is certainly someone who's been at the heart of it all. A true guru of granite, Zack joins the Ground Up to cover everything from his rapid progression as a climbing guide, how "learning...
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Ground Up 12: Zero to 5.13 in 18 Months with Armand La Douceur
Hailing from the great state of Georgia, our guest for this episode is the Southeast's latest climbing phenom, Armand La Douceur. It was only 18 months ago that Armand first tied into a rope, but he's since taken the climbing scene by storm, putting down many of the areas hardest test-pieces,...
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Ground Up 11: Global Climbing Impact with Mario Stanley
If you tuned into the HBO reality series, The Climb, with Chris Sharma, Megan Martin and Jason Momoa, you probably recognize our next guest, Mario Stanley. A Texas based climber, Mario's impact on the local scene as a coach, guide, route developer and fellow podcast host can't be overstated. A…
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Ground Up 10: Erica Lineberry aka Cragmama
You may have heard of Dad Strength before, but Erica Lineberry is making sure that you know all about Mom Strength. Better known as Cragmama, Erica is one of the Southeast's elite weekend warriors and has sent well over 100 routes of 5.12 or higher, all after having her first child! Whether she's...
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Ground Up 09: The Mayor of Moore's, Tim Fisher
This one is for all the local North Carolina hardmen, the lovers of steep & spicy trad climbing, and anyone looking for a classic ground up adventure. The Mayor of Moore's himself, Tim Fisher, takes us through his 40+ year climbing career developing some of the region's best and boldest test...
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Ground Up 08 - Breaking Into the 300 Club with Genevive Walker
One of only three participants to ever climb 300+ pitches during the 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell, Genevive Walker is a true legend of the competition. Her commitment to performance is rivaled only by her involvement in the community and she's always the first one to bring the energy to the...
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Ground Up 07 - The GOATs of Horseshoe Hell: Vasya Vorotnikov & Rob D'Anastasio
They may not have the speed record on El Capitan, but Rob D'Anastasio and Vasya Vorotnikov have the arguably more coveted achievement of holding almost every team and individual record at 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell. For Episode 7 of The Ground Up, The Goatbusters dive deep into their record...
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Ground Up 06 - The Greatest Climbing Event in the County: 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell
Every year as the temps begin to drop and the leaves begin to change color, the Ground Up crew heads down to Jasper, Arkansas for the greatest climbing competition on the planet, 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell. An annual affair that injects stoke into the veins of those that have participated, and...
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Ground Up 05: Prolific First Ascents with Nathan Brown
One of North Carolina's most prolific route developers, Nathan Brown, sits down with The Ground Up crew to share stories from developing crags all across the country and the inevitable shenanigans he's encountered bolting new lines on the sharp end. Nathan's interview takes us through his early...
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Episode 0 - Welcome to the Ground Up Podcast
Ari and Robert take a few minutes to introduce themselves and set the stage for what to expect from the Ground Up podcast and its guests in the episodes to come.
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Ground Up 04: Lessons from Eric Marx's Headpoint Handbook
On Episode 4 the team welcomes notorious Gunks headpointer Eric Marx to the podcast. A regular in the New York climbing scene, Eric offers insight into his process of headpointing dangerous and difficult trad routes, what drew him to this unique climbing style and how he uses the Moon Board,...
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Ground Up 03: Appalachian Classics With Bennett Harris
In Episode 3 of the Ground Up Podcast, the crew sits down with a true veteran and living legend of the North Carolina climbing scene, Bennett Harris. The closest thing you might find to a walking guidebook, Bennett has spent decades climbing at crags up and down the East Coast and shares endless...
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Ground Up 02: Jacob Ward & The New Kids On The Rock
Western North Carolina's Jacob Ward joins the show for Episode 2 of the podcast to chat about his recent efforts to repeat some of the state's king lines. The boys dive deep to cover some of Jacob's favorite routes at Looking Glass and the Red River Gorge, how his crew has helped revitalize the...
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Ground Up 01: Coast to Coast Climbing with Mike Palmer
In the their inaugural episode, the Ground Up crew sits down to speak with Mike Palmer, long time friend and climbing partner of Ari, about his climbing exploits across the continent. From cutting his teeth out in California, to exploring North Carolina's finest crags in his new backyard, the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Stories From the Steep | Climbing conversations with local legends and unsung crushers from hometown crags around the country.During the golden era of rock climbing, going ground up was as much a tactic as it was a lifestyle. A commitment to embracing the unknown and earning the next challenge, this mentality was the catalyst for a generation of bold climbers and route developers to establish now classic crags and expand climbing access into our own backyards. The Ground Up Podcast is a celebration of this mantra, the legends it left behind and the adventures it continues to inspire for local crushers and weekend warriors alike.
HOSTED BY
The Ground Up
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Ground Up Podcast have?
The Ground Up Podcast currently has 49 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Ground Up Podcast about?
Stories From the Steep | Climbing conversations with local legends and unsung crushers from hometown crags around the country.During the golden era of rock climbing, going ground up was as much a tactic as it was a lifestyle. A commitment to embracing the unknown and earning the next challenge,...
How often does The Ground Up Podcast release new episodes?
The Ground Up Podcast has 49 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Ground Up Podcast?
You can listen to The Ground Up Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Ground Up Podcast?
The Ground Up Podcast is created and hosted by The Ground Up.
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