Jason Kehl is a hold shaper, iconclast, and highball bouldering legend, perhaps best known for his first ascent of Evilution in the Buttermilks. Today, he lives in El Paso, Texas, where he continues to establish first ascents all over Hueco Tanks. He is also continue to work with So Ill to create climbing holds. Our conversation traces the evolution of bouldering as a sport for misfits and outcasts to the conformist scene of today.

But first, we respond to the tragic news of an ice-climbing death by asking some tough and perhaps irreconcilable questions about being a new climber, in which ambition can exceed experience, and how social media dynamics can make all of this worse.

Last, a little amuse bouche of one of our favorite climbing songwriters, Chris Parker, who’ll be joining us on stage in Boulder for our upcoming LIVE event on February 20.

Follow Jason Kehl on Instagram

Jason Kehl’s World of Illusions – Episode 8 – Hueco’s Web

Hueco Rehab – “Real Climbing Episode 5″

Check out the Connect Board from So Ill

Check out the latest holds from So Ill 

Ice Climber Dies in the Canadian Rockies — Gripped

Chris Parker on Instagram and Spotify