Today I sit down with Maximilian Barlerin. You might have first heard his name back in October when Corey Buhay wrote what Max humbly calls “a fluff piece” about his staggering 14-pitch, 5.13 big wall first ascent in the Wind River Range—Children of the Sun. The article described an "everyman" 5.14 climber balancing family, two jobs, a fledgling business, and an impressive list of first ascents. This is the first time Maximilian has spoken publicly about his life.

Max isn’t just a climber…He works as a climbing ranger and search-and-rescue responder in Rocky Mountain National Park. His career put him face-to-face with some of the harshest realities of the mountains, forcing him to reconcile the risks we take as climbers with the consequences he’s witnessed firsthand. Through years of SAR work, close calls, and deep self-reflection, he’s developed a rare perspective on climbing, risk, and the ever-evolving relationship we have with danger.

Just days before this episode launch, I learned that Max and his entire team of rangers had been laid off due to recent federal budget cuts—a devastating blow, especially for those who relied on the job not just for income, but for housing. The outdoor community is certainly hurting right now, and my heart goes out to everyone affected. Max reminds us that this is not a good year to get injured in the mountains—there just might not be anyone there to rescue you.

After we unpack the highs and lows of his time as a climbing ranger..we dive into four of his most notable first ascents in Patagonia, Zion, and the Wind River Range—covering the vision, the process, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Maximilian is a soft-spoken, humble climber with an astonishing depth of experience and achievement, and I’m psyched to share his story.

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Resources

Maximilian's IG

First Ascent in Patagonia "Colorado Route" (5.11c 45 Degrees, 500m)

Climbing Magazine Article about "Children of The Sun" (IV 5.13-; 1500ft)