First Ascent Podcast

Today, Jay and Lee welcome Jesse Han onto the pod to talk about his fall which was caused by a freak broken bolt at Sundown Ledge over Memorial Day weekend. Jesse shares more about the accident, his injury, and his recovery. 

Plus, hear everyone’s thoughts on how the culture needs to change in order to better educate climbers about the dangers that await them on routes. 

Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

You know what you want to do? You want to join our Patreon! Support the First Ascent Podcast for just $5/month and get access to great bonus content like our live talks, route info, and exclusive beta. Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

Roadtripping is a quintessential experience in the life of a climber. This week, Jay and Lee conclude their trip to Wyoming by reflecting on the many amazing experiences they’ve had roadtripping to climb. Tune in for a chat about dirtbag culture, the role that privilege plays in roadtripping, and the challenge that every long term roadtripper experiences when it comes time to decide between the dirtbag life and the ‘stable’ life. 

Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

You know what you want to do? You want to join our Patreon! Support the First Ascent Podcast for just $5/month and get access to great bonus content like our live talks, route info, and exclusive beta. Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

This week, Jay and Lee discuss headpointing in all of its sketchy and risky glory. Hear Jay and Lee’s best headpointing tales as they talk about their love for the approach. 

Want to see the intense headpointing that inspired this episode? Check out Fall Theory: https://watch.reelrocktour.com/videos/fall-theory

Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

You know what you want to do? You want to join our Patreon! Support the First Ascent Podcast for just $5/month and get access to great bonus content like our live talks, route info, and exclusive beta. Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Jay and Lee are patching in from Wyoming this week, and they’ve come chock full of topics  to chat about! First, Jay asks if the community would accept retrobolting on a route from a classic era. Then, the guys discuss their ideas for managing crowding at Rumney. 

This week we have a question for you! If you could stack pitches at Rumney to make a fun 5-pitch route, which pitches would you stack? 

Chime in with your answers on our Instagram @firstascentpod. Our favorite answer will get some First Ascent stickers. 

You know what you want to do? You want to join our Patreon! Support the First Ascent Podcast for just $5/month and get access to great bonus content like our live talks, route info, and exclusive beta. Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

This week, Greg Pouliot joins Jay and Lee on the pod to chat about how his newfound sobriety has positively impacted his climbing experience.

If you are questioning if it’s time to get sober, here are a few resources to help you get started: 

https://www.aa.org/

https://al-anon.org/

https://al-anon.org/newcomers/teen-corner-alateen/

Links: 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/asceticism

You know what you want to do? You want to join our Patreon! Support the First Ascent Podcast for just $5/month and get access to great bonus content like our live talks, route info, and exclusive beta. Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

By popular demand, Jay and Lee finally share their thoughts on the art of bouldering. Hear why bouldering will make you a better climber, and learn how bouldering has changed over the years. 

You know what you want to do? You want to join our Patreon! Support the First Ascent Podcast for just $5/month and get access to great bonus content like our live talks, route info, and exclusive beta. Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

It’s a full house on the pod this week! Jay and Lee are joined by the members of their development group, Team Scruff. Tune in for a fun chat about development with Greg Pouliot, Sam Johansson, Torie Kidd, Kayte Knower, Mike Gagnon, Jeff Cegan and Mike Zarnowski.

We have a Patreon! We would be so grateful for your support of the First Ascent Podcast. Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

Today, Jay and Lee are joined by a legend of Cannon Cliff - Jon Sykes. A prolific developer with many first ascents under his belt, Jon brings a wealth of wisdom, advice, and wild tales to today’s pod. 

Check out Jon’s excellent climbing guides: 

The Notches: A Rock Climber’s Guide to the Western White Mountains of New Hampshire

https://www.amazon.com/Notches-Climbers-Western-Mountains-Hampshire/dp/069281762X

Secrets of the Notch: A Guide to Rock & Ice Climbing on Cannon Cliff and the Crags of Franconia Notch

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Notch-Climbing-Cannon-Franconia/dp/188606413X

We have a Patreon! We would be so grateful for your support of the First Ascent Podcast. Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

Today, Jay and Lee face off in the toughest debate they’ve ever had on the pod: gates in or gates out on a harness. Hear each of their takes, why they are certain that the other is wrong, and learn where many of today’s best climbers land in this contentious debate. 

Plus - drinking unfiltered water, the unexpectedly ephemeral nature of rock and what it means for grades, and the best routes for young kids. 

We have a Patreon! We would be so grateful for your support of First Ascent Podcast. Learn more here: https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.

Few people in the world know more about bolting than Dave Quinn of Team Tough. We’re so lucky to have him join us this week to nerd out on all things bolts! Learn about how Dave came to realize that glue-ins were the way to go, his community-focused bolting philosophy, why bolts are such a hot commodity right now, and much more. Plus - stick around until the end to get an exclusive scoop on an incredible new product that will hit Team Tough’s shelves soon! 

Check out Team Tough Bolt Products here: www.team-tough.com 

Do you have a question that you’d like answered on the pod? DM us at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay and Lee can be found at @jayknower and @xxleeweexx 

Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.