First Ascent Podcast

If you’ve ever wondered what we mean by ‘bonus content’ when we talk about all of the great perks you get inside the First Ascent Patreon, today’s your chance to find out! Last week, Eric Zschiesche joined us on the podcast for a great talk, and we continued on for some insider-only Patreon chat. That conversation is what you’ll hear today! 

Eric goes deeper on his thoughts about the importance of ego and attitude for climbers, weighs in on popular First Ascent topics like retrobolting, safety, and Devil’s Lake, and tells more of his classic climbing tales. 

By joining the First Ascent Patreon for only $5 a month, you’ll get access to wide ranging bonus content like this from greats like Mark Hudon, Scott Stevenson and many more. Plus you’ll get a Discord chat, exclusive beta, route info, and more. Check it out here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

In addition to climbing, Eric is a fantastic landscape painter. Check out his painting and climbing here: https://www.instagram.com/ericzschiesche00/?hl=en

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.

Eric Zschiesche joins the pod today to share tales and wisdom from five decades of climbing. 

A longtime idol of Jay’s, Eric’s name has been scrawled across climbing history from his feats at Devil’s Lake to Zschiesche’s Corridor in North Carolina and beyond. You might even remember Mark Hudon mentioning Zschieshe’s presence a couple episodes back when he was telling the tale about his free climb of the Salathe’ Wall in 1977! Today, Eric will tell his side of that story. 

Eric shares a deep and refreshing perspective on the ways that the sport has grown up alongside him since he began climbing in the 70s. Plus, he’ll make his compelling case for why he believes that ego needs to be kept in check in order to truly enjoy life as a climber. 

The conversation doesn’t stop here! If you want to hear more stories from Eric, join our Patreon for the exclusive continued conversation! For just $5/month you’ll get access to great bonus content like this, plus route info, exclusive beta, and a Discord chat. Join us here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

In addition to climbing, Eric is a fantastic landscape painter. Check out his painting and climbing here: https://www.instagram.com/ericzschiesche00/?hl=en

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, Mike Gagnon joins Jay and Lee for some off the cuff chatter about all things climbing. Hear about their latest sends (and whippers), get updated on what’s going on at Miriam Woods, and get the guys’ takes on listener questions. 

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.

Today we’re honored to welcome climbing legend Mark Hudon to the pod! You’ll definitely recognize Mark’s name as one of the top climbers of the 70s, both in New Hampshire and in The West, along with his climbing partner Max Jones. Tune in to hear Mark’s fascinating stories, which include how he and Max Jones originally linked up and began climbing together, their exploits throughout the country, and a play by play of their game changing free climb of the Salathe’ Wall in 1977. 

In 2019, Mark’s climbing experienced a Renaissance as he began to climb with Jordan Cannon, who took Mark on a journey back to Yosemite to free climb Freerider forty years later. Their journey was documented in the fantastic film ‘Free as Can Be’. Check it out here:  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/freeascanbe

The conversation doesn’t stop here! If you want to hear more stories from Mark, join our Patreon for the exclusive continued conversation! For just $5/month you’ll get access to great bonus content like this, plus route info, exclusive beta, and a Discord chat. Join us here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast

Learn more about Mark here: The Hudon Academy - www.Markhudonclimbing.com

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 Scott Stevenson, the man responsible for some of the most beloved routes at Rumney,  joins Jay and Lee on the pod!  Hear about his first ascent of the iconic route Technosurfing, and more incredible tales about developing Rumney in the 80s when it was just a little known crag off the beaten path. 

The conversation doesn’t stop here! If you want to hear more stories from Scott, join our Patreon for the exclusive continued conversation! For just $5/month you’ll get access to great bonus content like this, plus route info, exclusive beta, and a Discord chat. Join us 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 

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.

Is #vanlife everything it’s cracked up to be on social media? Nick Nelson, the owner of Exploration Vans, says yes! Tune in for a chat about van buildout opportunities across a spectrum of price points, reasons why custom vans are a great option for climbers, what to expect when hiring someone to create a custom buildout for you, and more. 

Plus, Nick gives his thoughts on his past profession of guiding and shares why it soured his experience as a climber. 

If you’re interested in a van buildout, hit up Nick at https://explorationvans.co/ or @exploration.vans

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.

Today, Jay and Lee are joined by Val Shao, an absolute crusher at the crag who is also the organizer of the 30th annual International Climber’s Festival in Lander, WY. Learn all about this year’s International Climber’s Festival and what makes Lander an excellent climbing destination. Plus, hear Val’s take on the hot button debates that continue to rage on the podcast. 

Learn more about the International Climber’s Festival here: https://www.climbersfestival.org/

Connect with Val on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/val_shao/?hl=en

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.

Today, Jay and Lee tackle one of the sacred cows of the climbing world: the irony inherent in some trad climbing ethics. 

Hear their thoughts about when trad purity can go too far and starts contradicting itself. Then, the guys debate how to approach ethics for both trad and sport climbing areas. 

How do you approach climbing ethics? 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.

Today avid climber Lindsey Mathewson joins Jay and Lee to talk about a wonderful underappreciated crag - and Jay’s home turf - Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin. If you’ve ever thought about making the trip out to this awesome quartzite crag, this episode is for you! Learn about the unique features of the rock, the abundant opportunities for trad climbing, and why Lindsey thinks that Devil’s Lake is one of the best places to learn to climb. 

Learn more about Lindsey’s climbing and art at her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsey.mathewson/

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 celebrate the 50th episode of First Ascent with a whole episode dedicated to listener questions. Hear the guys debate the ins and outs of route grading, sandbagging, the criteria for being considered a local, and more! 

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.