Episodes 39
Avg. Duration 1h 33m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.9 (13)
Since Aug 2024
Latest Episode Jun 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
77%
Hosting
thegrounduppodcast.podbean.com

About This Podcast

Stories From the Steep | Climbing conversations with local legends and unsung crushers from hometown crags around the country.

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Recent Episodes

37: The Good, The Bad, & David Sharratt

Jun 02, 2026 1h 29m

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…

36: Mademoiselle Fissure - Laura Pineau

May 19, 2026 1h 37m

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…

35: You Asked, We Rambled

May 05, 2026 1h 33m

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…

34: Arno Ilgner - The Rock Warrior

Apr 21, 2026 1h 34m

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…

33: Big Wall Chronicles with Wilson Cutbirth

Apr 07, 2026 1h 37m

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…

32: Andrew Leich - Rattlesnake Redemption

Mar 24, 2026 1h 54m

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…

31: Resurrecting Ghost Town with Mike Reardon & the CCC

Mar 03, 2026 1h

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…

30: Kathy Karlo - No Man's Land

Feb 24, 2026 1h 25m

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…

29: Welcome to Wonderland - New Age Development with Tal Wanish

Feb 10, 2026 1h 41m

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…

The Ground Up Podcast State of the Union

Feb 09, 2026 8m

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…

Ground Up 28: Record-Setting Do's and Don'ts of Horseshoe Hell with Nadya Vorotnikova & Sean Vallefuoco

Sep 23, 2025 1h 26m Transcript

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…

Ground Up 27: 24HHH Veterans Leather & Lace

Sep 09, 2025 1h 30m Transcript

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…

Ground Up 26: Dream Destinations with the Climbing Backpackers

Aug 19, 2025 1h 36m Transcript

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…

Ground Up 25: 3,000 Feet of Psyche with Ethan Morf

Aug 05, 2025 1h 32m Transcript

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…

Ground Up 24: The Power of Partnerships with Eddie Begoon

Jul 22, 2025 1h 37m

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.…

Ground Up 23: Breaking Barriers in the Valley with Kate Kelleghan and Laura Pineau

Jul 08, 2025 1h 44m Transcript

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…

Ground Up 22: Five Decades of Climbing with Coach Eric Hörst

Jun 24, 2025 1h 36m Transcript

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…

Ground Up 21: High Country Highlights with Sam Dospoy

Jun 10, 2025 1h 25m Transcript

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…

Ground Up 20: Capturing Climbing with Photographer Drew Mercer

May 27, 2025 1h 13m

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…

Ground Up 19: Level Up Your Trad Climbing with Dana Taylor

May 13, 2025 1h 30m Transcript

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Ground Up Podcast have?

The Ground Up Podcast has published 39 episodes since August 2024, covering topics in Documentary, Society & Culture.

Is The Ground Up Podcast still active?

The Ground Up Podcast is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 1h 33m.

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