The Ground Up Podcast

The Ground Up
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Stories From the Steep | Climbing conversations with local legends and unsung crushers from hometown crags around the country.

  1. 3 HRS AGO

    31: Resurrecting Ghost Town with Mike Reardon & the CCC

    For decades, Ghost Town stood as one of North Carolina’s most legendary—and inaccessible—cliffs. First climbed in the 1970s and closed for nearly 20 years, its towering crack systems and dramatic position above Hickory Nut Gorge became the stuff of local lore. In this episode, we sit down with the Carolina Climbers Coalition Executive Director, Mike Reardon, to unpack the long journey to bring Ghost Town back to life. Mike shares the behind-the-scenes story of land access, conservation, and the effort to reopen this historic crag to the climbing community. We explore Ghost Town’s rich history, its untapped potential, and what it means to be part of a climbing area’s rebirth—from forgotten first ascents to brand new routes waiting to be discovered. - Follow the CCC on Instagram: @carolinaclimberscoalition Join the Effort - Donate to help ensure Lower Ghost Town stays open. All donations $150 or more will receive an exclusive Ghost Town T-Shirt! Become a member of the CCC to support access to climbing areas all around the Carolinas like Ghost Town!  Stay up to date with the latest trail days for Ghost Town! Sign up for the Rumble, a premier boulder and ropes competition put on by the CCC Learn more about the CCC's recent acquisition of Ghost Town! - Get access to exclusive and ad-free content by becoming a Patreon  Follow along on Instagram: @listentogroundup  Check out our new website: https://www.thegrounduppodcast.com/ Sign up for the Mailing List!

    1h 1m

  2. FEB 24

    30: Kathy Karlo - No Man's Land

    In this episode, we sit down with Kathy Karlo to trace an unconventional climbing trajectory—one that started on ice in Ouray and the steep quartzite horizontals of the Gunks, but has led to a life filled with endless single-pitch perfection on the Sandstone of the Southeast. Kathy reflects on how traveling to places like Indian Creek, the Black Canyon, and Vedauwoo pushed her into uncomfortable styles that made her a stronger, more creative climber—and why, despite all that wandering, she’s continually drawn back to the Southeast to pursue some of the most aesthetic trad lines around. We also dive into two of her biggest accomplishments: becoming the first woman to complete the Tennessee Wall Triple Crown—three 5.12 roof cracks outside Chattanooga—and the Linville Destroyer, a massive link-up that adds six formations and a committing river crossing to the already formidable Linville Crusher in Linville Gorge. Beyond her personal climbing, Kathy serves as the Executive Director of the No Man’s Land Film Festival, where she helps amplify women and gender-nonconforming voices in adventure storytelling while building one of the most impactful film tours in the outdoor community. This episode is about choosing the harder path on purpose, learning to rest when needed, and building a life around climbing—without letting it consume you entirely. - Follow Kathy on Instagram: @inheadlights Get more details about the No Man's Land Film Festival at their website! Follow No Man's Land Film Festival on Instagram: @nomanslandfilmfestival Watch the Stone Locals film featuring Kathy's FFA of the Tennessee Triple Crown - Get access to exclusive and ad-free content by becoming a Patreon  Follow along on Instagram: @listentogroundup  Check out our new website: https://www.thegrounduppodcast.com/ Sign up for the Mailing List!

    1h 26m

  3. FEB 10

    29: Welcome to Wonderland - New Age Development with Tal Wanish

    In this episode, we sit down with Tal Wanish to talk about what it really means to build a climbing area from the ground up. Tal walks us through his evolution from a college climbing class at Clemson to becoming one of the most active route developers in Colorado’s South Platte, and eventually discovering what is now known as Wonderland—a massive, wild granite zone west of Denver that has grown into a true local playground. With over two dozen named formations and hundreds of routes, Wonderland is a case study in what happens when curiosity, persistence, and community-minded development collide. We dig into Tal’s philosophy on developing areas rather than individual routes, how he evaluates new rock, and the technical and ethical considerations that come with bolting, re-bolting, and building something that will last beyond his lifetime. Tal also shares how mentorship shaped his path, and how he’s paying it forward by helping guide the next generation of route developers. - Follow Tal on Instagram: @totalwanish Get a copy of the Wonderland Guidebook today! Pick up a local copy of the guide at Rock & Resole - Get access to exclusive and ad-free content by becoming a Patreon  Follow along on Instagram: @listentogroundup  Check out our new website: https://www.thegrounduppodcast.com/ Sign up for the Mailing List!

    1h 42m

  4. FEB 9

    The Ground Up Podcast State of the Union

    We’re back! After a short hiatus, we're kicking things off with a State of the Union for The Ground Up Podcast. In this episode, we catch up on what’s been happening behind the scenes—from moves and life changes to why it felt like the right time to pause, reset, and level up the show. We also lay out what’s coming next: a return to a consistent bi-weekly release schedule, a stacked lineup of upcoming guests, and new ways to engage with the Ground Up community. Most importantly, we officially announce the launch of the Ground Up Patreon—a new way to support the show while keeping it largely ad-free. Patreon members will get early access to episodes, opportunities to submit questions for guests, and access to giveaways, merch drops, and more. If you’ve been enjoying the show and want to help shape where it goes next, this is how you can be part of it. Welcome back to The Ground Up. - Get access to exclusive and ad-free content by becoming a Patreon  Follow along on Instagram: @listentogroundup  Check out our new website: https://www.thegrounduppodcast.com/ Sign up for the Mailing List!

    8 min

  5. 2025-09-23

    Ground Up 28: Record-Setting Do's and Don'ts of Horseshoe Hell with Nadya Vorotnikova & Sean Vallefuoco

    Fresh off a record-breaking run at 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell, Nadya and Sean sit down with Ari and Rob to share how they approached the legendary 24-hour climbing marathon. From Sean’s disastrous first year of Oreos, Gatorade, and brand-new shoes to the meticulous (and sometimes improvised) strategy that helped Nadya smash the women’s points record, we dig into what works, what doesn’t, and why the right partner makes or breaks your experience. They also talk about the upcoming rule changes for the 20th anniversary of “Hell,” what excites them about a clean slate, and how community and stoke fuel their endurance. - Follow Nadya on Instagram: @nadyavorotnikova Follow Sean on Instagram: @seanvallefuoco Follow along with all the Horseshoe Hell Fun: @therealtwofourhell - Interested in signing up for the event?! Check out more details at https://www.twofourhell.com/  - Follow along on Instagram: @listentogroundup  Check out our new website: https://www.thegrounduppodcast.com/ Sign up for the Mailing List!

    1h 27m

  6. 2025-09-09

    Ground Up 27: 24HHH Veterans Leather & Lace

    Most would call climbing for 24 hours straight crazy — doing it 20 years in a row is downright ludicrous. In the nearly two-decade history of 24 Hours of Horseshoe Hell, only one team has competed every single year: Dick and Natalie Dower, better known as Leather and Lace. Over time, they’ve become true legends of the 24-hour climbing scene at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. In part one of this year’s Horseshoe Hell miniseries, we sit down with Dick and Natalie to trace the history of the event. From hand-written scorecards and early strategy missteps to record-breaking ascents and the evolution of the competition itself, they’ve been through it all. We cover what it was like in the early years, the tactics and grit it takes to keep climbing route after route, and their historic pushes that inspired new generations of climbers. With the 20th anniversary on the horizon, Dick and Natalie reflect on how far Horseshoe Hell has come — and what still keeps them coming back. - Follow Dick on Instagram: @dickdower Follow Natalie on Instagram: @nadneal Follow along with all the Horseshoe Hell Fun: @therealtwofourhell - Interested in signing up for the event?! Check out more details at https://www.twofourhell.com/  - Follow along on Instagram: @listentogroundup  Check out our new website: https://www.thegrounduppodcast.com/ Sign up for the Mailing List!

    1h 30m

  7. 2025-08-19

    Ground Up 26: Dream Destinations with the Climbing Backpackers

    What happens when an arborist and a dog walker swipe right and end up traveling the world on a shoestring budget? In this episode, Nettie and Dave, better known as the Climbing Backpackers, share their incredible journey climbing and dirtbagging across the globe. Hear how a ruptured Achilles and a spur-of-the-moment decision sparked two years of non-stop adventure, what it’s like living on £10 a day, and the wild experiences that come with climbing in places like India, Thailand, Laos, Turkey and beyond. From top-rope guiding in Badami to navigating crumbling crags and tuk-tuk rides, this conversation is full of stories, laughs, and insights into the nomadic climbing lifestyle most of us only ever dream about. - Follow along on Instagram: @Climbing_Backpackers Check out their adventures on YouTube: @TheClimbingBackpackers Learn more about the Climbing Backpackers and their "Climb & Chill Weekends": https://www.climbingbackpackers.com/  - Climbing Destinations Covered in the Episodes Badami, India Batu caves, Malaysia North wall, Thailand Perlis, Malaysia Thakhek, Laos Huu Lung, Vietnam Geyikbayiri, Turkey - Follow along on Instagram: @listentogroundup  Check out our new website: https://www.thegrounduppodcast.com/ Sign up for the Mailing List!

    1h 37m

  8. 2025-08-05

    Ground Up 25: 3,000 Feet of Psyche with Ethan Morf

    Making history in Yosemite Valley is no easy feat these days, especially if you can count the number of years you've been climbing on one hand. But on May 15th, at just 20 years old, Ethan Morf became the youngest person to free climb El Capitan in a day with an 18 hour ascent of Freerider. In this episode, Ethan recounts his rapid rise from Squamish gumby to Yosemite crusher — a journey fueled by a seemingly endless supply of psyche, long days on granite, and countless hours on the MoonBoard. We talk about learning to climb and place gear via Youtube, his early trad leads (and ground falls), dealing with injuries, and ultimately sending one of the most iconic free routes in the world. This is a story of momentum, partnership, and learning to dig deep when it matters most. - Follow Ethan on Instagram: @EthanMorf Watch Ethan's YouTube videos: @ETHANmorf Check out Ethan's climbing photography and videography: https://www.ethanmorfphoto.com/ Read more about his free ascent of El Capitan: https://www.climbing.com/culture/ethan-morf-youngest-climber-free-el-capitan-in-a-day - Follow along on Instagram: @listentogroundup  Check out our new website: https://www.thegrounduppodcast.com/ Sign up for the Mailing List!

    1h 33m
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About

Stories From the Steep | Climbing conversations with local legends and unsung crushers from hometown crags around the country.

Information

  • Creator
    The Ground Up
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Ground Up Podcast

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