Words in the Wild

Books and Boulders Podcast - Episode 4 Show Notes

Episode Title: Wrapping Up Climbing Free by Lynn Hill

Release Date: May 12, 2025

In this episode of 'Books in Boulders', Melanie and Tiffany wrap up their discussion on 'Climbing Free' by Lynn Hill, covering chapters 10 through 13. They dive into Lynn Hill's climbing achievements, competition experiences, and the personal struggles she faced. The episode also touches upon her attempts on El Capitan’s Nose and her exploration of European climbing. The hosts share updates on their personal climbing plans and announce their next book, 'Written in the Waters' by Tara Roberts, which explores African American history through scuba diving and the study of sunken slave ships. Tune in for a deep dive into Lynn Hill's impactful career and a preview of the next exciting read.

00:00 Welcome to Books in Boulders

00:16 Recap of Last Week's Reading

01:02 Personal Updates and Climbing Plans

08:13 Discussion on Climbing Free Chapters 10-13

15:14 Climbing Ethics and Hangdogging Debate

25:44 Lynn's Climbing Journey and Competitions

48:34 Reflecting on Lynn and Russ's Marriage

48:51 Lynn's Move to France and Personal Losses

49:34 Yabo's Tragic Death and Mental Health Struggles

53:44 Lynn's Climbing Accident and Recovery

55:04 Lynn's Final Year Competing

55:41 Freeing the Nose: Lynn's Climbing Achievements

01:01:07 Failed Film Attempt and Climbing the Nose in a Day

01:18:02 Joining the North Face Climbing Team

01:23:21 Tragic Losses in the Climbing Community

• Article about Hugues Beauzille
• Climbing Free by Lynn Hill (support your local library or book store)

• 📸 Instagram: @blackgirlsboulder
• 🎥 YouTube: blackgirlsboulder
• 📩 Email: [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Discussion: Join the Club
• 💰 Leave a Tip

Books and Boulders Podcast - Episode 3 Show Notes

Episode Title: Adventures in Climbing: From Yosemite Dirtbags to Hollywood Stunts

Release Date: April 28, 2025

In this episode of 'Books and Boulders', hosts Melanie and Tiffany dive into chapters 7 through 9 of Lynn Hill's 'Climbing Free.' Their discussion ranges from the concept of 'dirtbagging' in Yosemite during the early days of climbing culture to Lynn's experiences with big wall climbing, her adventures and stunts in Hollywood, and her relationships with fellow climbers, including John Long and the troubled yet talented Yabo. The episode also highlights Lynn's reflections on the ethics of climbing, the influence of competitive adventure shows on her career, and the complex dynamics of climbing partnerships.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

06:33 Midway Through the Book

07:23 Chapter 7: Big Wall Thrills

07:41 Dirtbag Lifestyle and Climbing Culture

12:28 The 1977 Plane Crash

17:05 Reflections on Modern Dirtbagging

26:28 First Female Ascent of the Shield

45:04 Adventures with Largo

47:11 Survival of the Fittest

56:47 Partners in Climb

01:07:12 From Vegas to Hollywood

01:13:51 Yabo's Troubled Obsession

01:26:51 The End of the Road

01:29:27 Join the BB Book Club

• Climbing Free by Lynn Hill (support your local library or book store)

• 📸 Instagram: [@blackgirlsboulder]
• 🎥 YouTube: blackgirlsboulder
• 📩 Email: [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Discussion: Join the Club
• 💰 Leave a Tip

Books and Boulders Podcast - Episode 2 Show Notes

Episode Title: [Insert Title]

Release Date: April 14, 2025

In this episode of the Books and Boulders podcast, hosts Melanie and Tiffany continue discussing the influential climbing memoir, 'Climbing Free' by Lynn Hill. The episode follows the discussion of Hill's experiences in chapters 4 through 6, covering her formative years climbing in Joshua Tree, the tragic story of her climbing mentor Chuck Bludworth's death in Argentina, and her adventures in Yosemite. The episode offers a comprehensive understanding of how Lynn Hill's perseverance, skill, and community support shaped her legendary climbing career.

00:34 Podcast Introduction and Host Check-In

01:18 Personal Climbing Updates

06:07 Discussing Climbing Culture and Nicknames

24:45 Community and Climbing

37:13 The Impact of Climbing Partners

39:22 Survivor's Guilt and Climbing Ethics

40:25 The Allure and Risks of Mountaineering

48:18 Yosemite Days: The Evolution of Climbing

55:36 The Challenges of Climbing Partnerships

01:06:46 DIY Climbing Gear and Its Evolution

• Climbing Free by Lynn Hill (support your local library or book store)

• 📸 Instagram: [@blackgirlsboulder]
• 🎥 YouTube: Books & Boulders Podcast
• 📩 Email: [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Discussion: Join the Club
• 💰 Leave a Tip

Books and Boulders Podcast - Episode 1 Show Notes

Episode Title: Climbing Free | Chapters 1 - 3

Release Date: March 31, 2025

In this episode, co-hosts, Mel and Tiff dive into Chapters 1 - 3 of Lynn Hill's book "Climbing Free."

• Book of the Episode: Climbing Free by Lynn Hill
• Main Themes Discussed:
• Climbing Hard or Climb Happy
• How to balance fear and confidence
• Dealing with misogyny at the crag

• Mountain Project
• Climbing Free by Lynn Hill (support your local library or book store)

• 📸 Instagram: @blackgirlsboulder
• 🎥 YouTube: blackgirlsboulder
• 📩 Email: [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Discussion: Join the Club

Books and Boulders Podcast - Season 1: Episode 1

Episode Title: Welcome to Books & Boulders Podcast

Release Date: March 18, 2025

In this episode, you will be introduced to your hosts, Mel and Tiff and learn about some of the upcoming books and outdoor adventures.

• Who we are
• Our first two books of the season
• Outdoor adventures we have planned for the year

• Mountain Project
• Climbing Free by Lynn Hill (support your local library or book store)

• 📸 Instagram: @blackgirlsboulder
• 🎥 YouTube: blackgirlsboulder
• 📩 Email: [email protected]
• 💬 Join the Discussion: Join the Club
• 🔍 Visit the Website: BB Pod

• Leave a review on Apple Podcast
• Subscribe and share with fellow climbers & book lovers!

Thanks for listening! Keep exploring, keep climbing, and keep reading! 🧗🏾‍♀️🧗🏾‍♀️📖

Coming soon..Books and Boulders, the adventure podcast for book club lovers.