The Climbing Majority

In a world flooded with climbing content, tech tips, and loud online opinions, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re educating yourself on safety systems. The truth? Learning how to climb safely and efficiently can be confusing—and quite honestly pretty dangerous. So what is the best way to learn? Books, YouTube, mentors, guides? Honestly, it’s a mix of all four. 

Today’s guest is someone who has spent his life thinking deeply about how we learn, how we climb, and how we can stay alive in the mountains. Silas Rossi is an IFMGA certified guide, current president of the American Mountain Guides Association, and owner of Alpine Logic Guide Services... With 24 years of climbing under his belt, he’s instructed athletes, recreational climbers, and guides around the world. He’s climbed the Matterhorn nearly a dozen times, spent multiple seasons in the Alps, and enjoys crushing hard trad routes near his hometown in New York—Silas is the real deal.

And yet, despite his deep experience and knowledge, Silas is the first to say that no matter how dialed you are, luck undoubtedly plays a role in the mountains. Mistakes happen. Conditions shift. And with enough time out there, luck is often the invisible hand that tips the balance.

But that doesn’t mean we’re helpless. “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” If we prioritize safety, build good systems, and stay aware, we give ourselves the best chance to succeed—and survive.

In this conversation, we dig into the philosophy of risk. We uncover the truth that most of us are probably less prepared than we think—for emergencies, for rescues, for moments when things really go sideways. We unpack the phrase: “If you’re not falling, you’re not trying.” And we go into some simple yet often overlooked ways to build safety and redundancy into our systems.

We also take a hard look at the guiding industry in America, the public’s misconceptions about hiring guides, and how the influencer-ification of safety content has both helped and hurt the profession.

This one is packed with knowledge, insight, and reflection—and I’m stoked to share it with you.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources

Alpine Logic (Hire Silas As A Guide)

Sign Up For The Ascend Membership

Silas' Instagram

Silas' Youtube

Picture this: you’re ice climbing. Now picture doing it… without fingers on one of your hands. Sounds nearly impossible, right? Well today, I sit down with Kimber Cross, a kindergarten teacher, adaptive athlete, and living embodiment of her own personal motto: Can’t. Will. Did.

Born without fingers on her right hand, Kimber grew up doing all the “normal” sports and activities—fully adapting to the world around her. But when she discovered ice climbing, for the first time, she hit a wall. How do you climb vertical ice without a second ice axe?

In true Kimber fashion, she reached out to a prosthetist, and together they designed a custom prosthetic ice tool that allowed her to return to the ice on the sharp end.

Fast forward to today—Kimber is pursuing professional climbing, setting bold goals like the Moose’s Tooth in Alaska. She’s inspiring those around her through grit, vision, and a refusal to let anything hold her back.

In our conversation, we talk about how she discovered ice climbing, the story behind her custom ice tool, a high-stakes malfunction on the Moose’s Tooth, and what is next on her journey.

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SIGN UP FOR EXCLUSIVE EPISODES! | For a little as $5/mo!

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources

Kimber's IG

Kimber's Website

Short Film "Can't. Will. Did."

If you’re a crack climber, chances are you’ve either made the pilgrimage to Indian Creek or have at least dreamed about it. Nestled in the Utah desert, this valley holds one of the highest concentrations of pure splitter cracks in the world. It’s quite literally a crack climber’s paradise.

The remarkable uniformity of its cracks require upwards of 16 cams of the same size .  While early pioneers like Earl Wiggins made history with routes like Supercrack—established with nothing but hexes—it wasn’t until the late ‘70s and the development of cams that the true potential of the Creek was unlocked. Since then, the area has exploded in popularity, with over 1,600 routes listed on Mountain Project alone.

But of all the climbers who have contributed to the development of Indian Creek, one name stands out: Devin Fin. 

Devin caught the Creek bug early, after his family moved to Durango. Once he got a taste of the desert splitters, he never looked back. He dedicated his life to climbing and establishing new routes full-time, amassing an incredible 665 first ascents in the creek over the last thirty years.. But unlike some route developers, Devin doesn’t publish all his climbs in guidebooks or Mountain Project. Instead,over half of his established routes are sitting in the desert waiting to be climbed… If you’re in search for a Devin Fin route you’ll just need to follow the breadcrumbs…With placards at the base and signature shiny bolted anchors—these classic routes wait for adventurous climbers to stumble upon them.

For Devin, route development isn’t just about creating climbs—it’s a way of life. With no car, no house, and no traditional job, he has built a life centered entirely around climbing, exploration, and self-sufficiency. He wakes up every day in pursuit of the next climb.

In our conversation, we dive into Devin’s background, the history of Indian Creek climbing, the elusive nature of his first ascents, risk management, his memorable FA’s, and more.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources

Devin's IG

The Creek Freak Guidebook

Today I have a truly groundbreaking story from one of my previous show guests Nathan Longhurst. 

Last time I spoke with Nathan, he was fresh off his solo ascent of the Cassin Ridge on Denali and making waves in the climbing community. At the time, he had also just discovered his next passion—paragliding. I remember joking back then, hoping he wouldn’t get hurt as he dove headfirst into this new pursuit. But just a few weeks later, he crashed—breaking his pelvis.

Since then, Nathan has pushed even further in fulfilling his vision of merging the sports of solo alpinism and flight. Becoming a leading pioneer in a budding new style of alpinism. His latest project in New Zealand involves  linking together 100 technical alpine peaks not just by climbing them, but also flying between them. His goal? To Successfully summit all of “New Zealand’s 100 Greatest Peaks”. A curated list of New Zealand's 100 most iconic mountains that had only ever been climbed by one man Don French —a journey that took him nearly 34 years to accomplish. However, on February 27th 2025 Nathan managed to complete the entire objective in a staggering 103 days. revolutionizing what’s possible in mountain travel by blending the skills of an alpinist and a foil pilot.

But this wasn’t just a smooth, picturesque journey through the mountains. Along the way, Nathan battled snow blindness after losing his sunglasses, survived loose rock fall that nearly ended his entire mission, and had to manage the terrifying reality of flying on a damaged wing after a failed launch high up on a rocky ridge. Every decision mattered, and with each new challenge, he was forced to recalibrate his limits, balancing the thrill of the unknown with the ever-present dangers of both the air and the mountains.

This conversation goes deep. We talk about the mental and physical challenges of combining two of the most committing mountain disciplines, how his perception of risk evolved after cheating death during a crash landing due to catastrophic canopy failure…, and the logistical puzzles of executing a cutting edge project that has just simply never been done before. 

At the point of releasing this conversation Nathan has yet to speak with anyone about the intimate details of his experience ... .and I am honored to share his story…So nowI bring you 3 hrs of Nathan Longhurst.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources

Nathan's IG

New Zealand's 100 Greatest Peaks List

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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HELP KEEP THIS PODCAST AD FREE! | For a little as $3/mo!

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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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)

Today, we’re stepping behind the screens and into the lives of Cody and Victoria Blue, a climbing couple who have built a sustainable life around capturing and sharing their adventures in the mountains. Relatively new to climbing, their success lies not in the groundbreaking nature of their climbing achievements, but in their remarkable abilities as videographers and story tellers in the environments that inspire us the most. 

Recently, Cody and Victoria documented their journey up one of the most iconic mountains in the world—the Matterhorn. The short film these two produced is super well done and really showcases their strengths as storytellers and artists. If you haven’t seen it yet I highly recommend checking it out on their Youtube Channel.

Filming in the mountains is already an immense challenge. But being both the filmmaker and the subject—while also focusing on climbing safely? That’s a whole different level of difficulty and a challenge that simply cannot be overstated..How do you decide what moments are worth capturing? Do you film everything, or does documenting the entire experience risk taking away from the present moment? These are the kinds of questions we explore in this conversation, gaining a deeper understanding of what it’s really like to create the videos we all love to watch.

I was psyched to sit down with Cody and Victoria and dive into such relatable and thought-provoking topics. The term “influencer” often comes with mixed opinions, but these two are living their dream—and have found a way to support a life of creation and climbing. I have a huge amount of respect for that and can’t wait to see where their skills take them next.

And now, I bring you my conversation with Cody & Victoria Blue.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources

Cody & Victorias Youtube

The Matterhorn Film

Cody & Victorias Instagram

Website

Today, I am sharing a conversation with you that has truly left me inspired and honestly pretty humbled. Wayne Wallace—a name that might not immediately ring bells for some of you outside the Pacific Northwest, but one that should. Wayne is, without exaggeration, a living legend in the climbing world. His dedication to the craft spans decades, and his career has been marked by unparalleled passion, mentorship, alpine route development, and pure adventure. 

In this episode, we dive deep into Wayne’s journey—from his early days discovering climbing in a world where the technology for clean free climbing was just starting to be developed… to decades later,  becoming one of the most prolific alpine route developers in the Pacific Northwest, with countless FA’s including the mythical Mongo Ridge of West Fury.  We’ll explore his process for creating new routes, the ethical dilemmas of bolting, and how he views his role as a mentor to the next generation. As an advocate for important and thoughtful climbing ethics— he promotes balancing the ego of creation with the responsibility of establishing routes that others can safely climb after you. 

Wayne also opens up about the transitions climbers face as they age, and what it means to continue finding joy in the sport when your approach—and body—changes. Wayne’s adaptability is a testament to his love for all disciplines of the sport. He openly shares lessons learned from his close calls, the importance of bailing when necessary, and his commitment to leaving a positive legacy. His reflections on balancing ambition with survival are a powerful reminder that climbing is not just about reaching summits—it’s about passion, community, and the wisdom you gain as you survive a lifetime of climbing. 

Talking with Wayne felt like stepping into a world of climbing that I’ve only scratched the surface of. His humility and depth of experience were both inspiring and intimidating. This man has lived a life devoted to climbing in a way that few can comprehend. 

And now I bring you…Explorer, Mentor, Route Developer, and self proclaimed serial sandbagger.. Wayne Wallace. 

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources

Wayne's Website

Wayne's IG

Wayne's Mountain Project Profile

AAC Write Up on The Mongo Ridge

Welcome back, everyone. I’m your host, Kyle Broxterman, and today we’re continuing our conversation with Eric and Matthew Gilbertson. If you missed Part One, I highly recommend circling back to listen before continuing here, as we’ll be jumping right into the middle of our two-hour conversation.

Just in the past two weeks, Eric returned from a trip to Colombia with some groundbreaking news. Due to glacial melt, the country’s previously recognized highest peak has lost about 50 meters in elevation and after surveying the region, Eric officially confirmed a new highest point in Colombia—previously thought to be Pico Colón, but now officially Pico Bolívar, stands at 5,720 meters. Reaching its summit requires an eight-pitch climb, featuring 5.6 M2 WI2 terrain. As always, Eric has documented the entire expedition in a detailed trip report, which you can find linked in the show notes.

With this latest achievement, the twins have now collectively summited 146 of the 195 country high points across the world.

In today’s episode, we take a deeper dive into some of the most unique, bizarre, and dangerous experiences they’ve encountered along their mission to summit all the country highpoints. Mountains permanently closed for religious reasons, approaches through active minefields, climbing walls made of roots and jungle vegetation, and first ascents in the remote Canadian wilderness—this conversation truly showcases the extreme variety of challenges they’ve faced.

As I mentioned before, condensing 146 global mountain ascents into just two hours is nearly impossible. But my hope is that this conversation spreads the word about their mission and the incredible accomplishments they’ve achieved so far. Eric and Matthew Gilbertson are truly modern-day explorers in every sense of the word.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources

Country Highpoints Website

Eric Gilbertson's IG

Books

Have you ever heard of the Gilbertson twins? My guess is probably not, which is surprising given what these two have been up to for nearly 30 years. MIT graduates Eric and Matthew Gilbertson have made it their mission to summit and survey the highest mountain in every country on Earth. So far, they’ve successfully climbed 145 country highpoints, documenting their journeys with detailed trip reports and photos. Similar to previous guest Steph Abegg, Eric and Matthew’s attention to detail and the sheer amount of free information they’ve made available on their website is astonishing. I highly encourage you to check it out after this episode.

When I first heard about their objective, I was overwhelmed with questions. How do you condense 145 mountains across 145 countries into a single conversation? Each country is distinct, and climbing its highest mountain poses its own difficulties, whether they’re technical, logistical, or even political. To top it all off, Eric and Matthew aren’t just climbing these mountains—they’re carrying surveying equipment to the summits to verify elevations with accuracy down to the inch. Their work has already corrected outdated information about multiple country highpoints, establishing the true highest peaks for locals and peak-baggers alike to celebrate. It’s an incredible endeavor that blends adventure, science, and the pursuit of global exploration.

In Part I of our conversation, we dive into the origin story of the Gilbertson twins and their vision for climbing country highpoints. We then start to explore some of the standout objectives that illustrate their experience over the last 30 years. We’ll also touch on their meticulous surveying efforts, what it means to truly measure a mountain, and the surprising conflicts they’ve faced along the way— even some with Wikipedia. Finally, we’ll discuss their reflections on climate change and the transformations they’ve witnessed firsthand in some of the world’s most remote and stunning peaks.

So, without further delay, I bring you Part I of my conversation with Eric and Matthew Gilbertson.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources

Country Highpoints Website

Eric Gilbertson's IG

Books

Today, we continue our conversation with the legendary Paul Ramsden. If you missed Part 1, hit pause and go back to the last episode—it’s essential listening. In this episode, we pick up with the second of Paul’s FIVE Piolet d’Or-winning climbs: The Prow of Shiva. From there, we journey through each climb, exploring the lessons, challenges, and reflections that have shaped his remarkable career. We close with Paul’s insights on life, climbing philosophy, and advice for anyone daring to follow in his path.

As we wrap up this incredible conversation, I want to send a huge thank you to Paul for trusting me to share his story. If this episode resonated with you, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’ll gladly pass along your messages to him.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Piolets d'Or Award Winning Climbs

#1 North Face of Siguniang, China (2003) w/ Mick Fowler

#2 Prow of Shiva, India (2013) w/ Mick Fowler

#3 Gave Ding, Nepal (2016) w/ Mick Fowler

#4 North Buttress of Nyainqentangla South East, Tibet (2016) w/ Nick Bullock

#5 Phantom Line on Jugal Spire, Nepal (2023) w/ Tim Miller