Born From Stone

Tal Wanish and Jake Reginato

Born From Stone looks to answer one question - "How did our rock climbing ecosystem come to be?" This show dives into the stories, techniques, complaints, and triumphs that have gone into the crags we know and love. From development, to hardware maintenance, to local climbing organizations, and beyond.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 8: Community Is A Verb (w/ Josh Pollock)

    The Front Range of Colorado is one of the largest climbing communities in the world. With well over 10,000 climbing routes within an hour of the Denver metro, we talk to the man in charge of the Boulder Climbing Community (BCC) and their mission to make sure the Front Range has "the best cared for crags in the country". ---- There are many people out there who believe that climbing is for everyone, but there are very few out there living it. Enter, Josh Pollock. While the top-end grades and raw volume of his route development tenure don’t jump off the page, he may just lead the Front Range in a different heuristic: average traffic per route.  Josh’s development story started a decade ago, working with mentors Chuck Fitch and Adam Huxley to create what is now known as the “Tiers of Zion” crag at the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon. Filled with fun, well-protected, moderate climbing, it has quickly become one of the most popular crags in the state. A quick look at his contributions since then echoes that pattern: well-protected, accessible, and popular.  His path didn’t stop there, however. He’s been a long-time member of the Jefferson County fixed hardware review committee and was recognized as a highlighted volunteer by the Boulder Climbing Community (BCC) for his work on-and-off the wall in 2023. He followed that up by winning the “Pioneer” award from the same organization in 2024, and was officially recognized by the state, being awarded Jefferson County Parks and Open Space’s Blue Spruce Conservation award in 2025 for the work he did establishing the Narrow Gauge mentorship program. And now, continuing his award tour, in 2026, Josh has been appointed to serve as the executive director of the BCC - one of, if not THE, largest local climbing organization in the country. In his new role, he’s rallying the troops, and doing a stellar job of gaining community engagement to protect the places they recreate - or, as the BCC calls it, “committing to having the best cared-for crags in the country”. If you ever get the pleasure of meeting Josh, you’ll likely walk away with two thoughts. The first being, “Wow, that was the nicest guy I think I’ve ever met”, and the other, “He sure is committed to that mission - for everyone”. ---- Episode Links: Boulder Climbing Community (BCC): https://www.boulderclimbers.org/BCC 9th Annual Soiree: https://www.boulderclimbers.org/soiree-2026BCC Volunteer Calendar: https://www.boulderclimbers.org/volunteer-calendarParadox Sports: https://www.paradoxsports.org/

  2. Oct 22

    Episode 7: That's WACC: Building the Willamette Area Climbing Community (w/ JD Merritt)

    Oregon's Willamette Valley area is rapidly becoming one of the most up-and-coming climbing communities in the country. We talk to the Willamette Area Climbing Coalition (WACC)'s president JD Merritt to figure out how they're building community, what his experiences have taught him about mentorship as a whole, and just what makes the Willamette Area so special ---- Our guest today is a member of a very short list: one that can claim first ascents of lines as hard as 5.13d (that is, d as in dog), M11, and WI7, notable repeats in places ranging from Patagonia to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, local climbing organization president, being a literal freaking rocket scientist in achieving his PhD in Astrophysics from Oregon, and arguably most impressive of all, selflessly serving the universe as a MountainProject admin. In fact, I’d wager that list just has 1 name on it: The Willamette Area’s own, JD Merritt. It wasn’t long ago that residents of the Willamette Valley’s choices for roped climbing consisted of either repeating lines at Skinner Buttes and the Flagstone or gearing up for a drive to Bend. That changed less than a decade ago, with a flurry of development and an injection of stoke being infused into the region by JD and company, with several genuinely excellent climbing areas such as Eagle’s Rest and the Tidbits erupting onto the scene. An area that was previously known for its Wine and athletic programs is quickly becoming known for great climbing and a community that’s on fire about it. With a wildly impressive LCO, a local area climbing magazine, and even a recent local comp - you’d be hard-pressed to find a more bought-in scene in a more overlooked region. ---- Episode Links: Willamette Area Climbing Coalition (WACC): https://www.willametteclimbers.org/Talusman: Willamette Valley Climbing Magazine: https://www.talusman.com/Oregon DOGAMI Lidar Tool: https://www.oregon.gov/dogami/lidar/pages/index.aspx

  3. Oct 8

    Episode 6: Sandstone Samurai, and What Is Happening around the RRG? (w/ Erik Kloeker)

    There may not be a more popular climbing area in the country than Kentucky's Red River Gorge, and there's likely nobody who knows more about the rock, region, and climbing resources than our guest, Erik Kloeker ---- Erik Kloeker is a long-time Kentucky-based guide, steward, and developer. He’s been a big waller, established new routes internationally, and is now back in his home state helping cultivate a more skilled and safe sport as the founder and owner of Bluegrass Climbing School, and member of the Wolfe County Search and Rescue team. Where most folks may know him from, however, is his work in the heart of the Red River Gorge. Erik is responsible for several modern classics, including Chimera, Invisible Handjob, and Release the Kraken. Arguably even more impressive than that, is the extensive work he’s done with the Red River Gorge Fixed Gear Initiative, helping replace hundreds of bolts around the Gorge. If you’re more of a limestone cowboy, a quick hop across the border to the mecca that is Potrero Chico will find you several incredible lines either established or maintained by Erik as well. A second home to Erik, you can find him there in the winter months running Climb Potrero Mountain Guides.  Noticing a trend here? Erik cares deeply about the sport, and his passion for giving back through his own money, time, and sweat equity is visible everywhere he goes. Erik, welcome to the show. ---- Show Links: Red River Gorge Fixed Gear Initiative: https://www.rrgfgi.com/Wolfe County Search & Rescue (SAR): https://wcsart.com/Wolfe County SAR Podcast: https://wcsart.com/podcast/Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition https://rrgcc.org/

  4. Sep 24

    Episode 5: Hometown Hero (w/ Jake Reginato)

    The biggest climbing areas often receive the most attention and effort - but what keeps our local crags moving? We sit down for a mid-season check-in and get-to-know-your-host show with Jake Reginato! ---- Jake is a Shasta-area based developer, rebolter, and climbing steward - and, while he's certainly an accomplished developer and climber himself, establishing dozens of new lines with difficulties well into the 5.13 range, where he really shines is in his investment in his local region. Here's a quote from MountainProject: "This crag hid under moss for a long time until Jake Reginato put in some time with a drill and brush to revive the area." Breadcrumbs like these can be found all over locals-only spots in Northern California. Instead of being put off by the occasionally overprotective environments found around him, Jake embraced it, putting in the hard work to improve and maintain these areas that the surrounding community loved so much. Jake recently took this ideology to the next step, founding a new local climbing organization. The Shasta Climber's Coalition is working to create a new community - not one defined by the mere protection of its local climbing secrets, but instead by investment, collaboration, and responsibility. ---- Show Links: Shasta LCO website: https://www.shastaclimbers.org/Access Fund - Accessing Private Land: https://d1w9vyym276tvm.cloudfront.net/assets/pdf/Climbing-on-Private-Land.pdf

  5. Sep 10

    Episode 4: Out With the Old, In With the New (w/ Anna Brown)

    How do we balance the preservation of old routes with the enablement of new ones? And who actually goes out there to do the work that needs to get done? Well, if you live in New Mexico, your answer might just be Anna Brown. ---- Anna Brown, known to many by her Instagram moniker of @mediagirl, is a New Mexico-based climber, photographer, and steward, whose work has become deeply rooted in the Southwest climbing community. Many know her for her gallery of bad, old, and downright strange bolts found when rebolting around her local haunts. What’s even more impressive, however, is her dedication to preserving the routes and crags that define the region. After encountering aging hardware on classic climbs around the Sandia Mountains a few years ago, Anna developed a passion for bolt replacement, and has since become one of New Mexico's leading rebolting advocates. Working both individually and within her role as a board member on her LCO, she has helped replace hundreds of aging bolts, anchors, and rappel stations, ensuring that climbers will continue to enjoy these places for generations to come. Whether she's behind the camera, establishing new routes, getting her hands dirty with trail work, or hanging from a rope replacing old hardware, Anna has become a leading voice for stewardship, community action, and responsible route development—helping preserve both the history and future of climbing in New Mexico.

  6. Aug 27

    Episode 3: Lights, Camera, Action (w/ Evan Wisheropp)

    Climbing media is at an all-time high, and that includes media featuring route development, stewardship, and crag care. We talk about what considerations get made in the creation of that media, the response to it, and the ideal future state, with the absolute force in development and crag care that is Evan Wisheropp. ---- For Evan, climbing has never just been about sending lines. After starting climbing over 20 years ago, Evan eventually found his calling: not solely in climbing routes, but in creating them. Since he began developing in 2014, Evan has cleaned, bolted, rebolted, and helped establish nearly 500 routes, investing tens of thousands of dollars and countless hours of his own time into developing and maintaining climbing across Northwest California. His work has helped build entire climbing areas from the ground up, revive coastal crags through large-scale bolt replacement, and turn once-obscure cliffs into established climbing destinations. He's also the author of the nearly 400-page guidebook Redwood Burl, and the founder and president of the Northwest California Climbers Coalition, where his work in route development, access, and stewardship earned him national recognition from the Access Fund. And Evan is no slouch as a climber either. He's established difficult first ascents, climbed up to 5.13, and is perhaps best known for his love of the brutal and unforgiving world of desert offwidths. Outside of climbing, Evan is a professional photographer and filmmaker, using those skills to document the routes, areas, and climbing communities he's spent years helping build.

  7. Aug 13

    Episode 2: Diamond In The Rough (w/ Todd Berlier)

    "Climbing is a lifestyle" is a phrase we hear constantly, but what does that lifestyle look like 20, 30, or 40 years from now? We talk to Todd Berlier, certified lifer, who is continuing to crush hard highballs and established neoclassics in his late 50s. ---- Simply put, Todd is a lifer. Todd started climbing nearly 40 years ago, and was foundationally involved in the development and growth of one of the first climbing gyms in the country at Miami University in Ohio. He’s spent significant time climbing around the country, including hotspots like the New River Gorge, Salt Lake area, and now, his current stomping grounds around Tahoe in California. With over 300 bouldering first ascents under his belt, and sends up to V11 and 5.14, Todd is no slouch as a climber either, and is still routinely climbing hard and scary boulder problems at the young age of 58. Outside of climbing, Todd is a dedicated father and husband, caring veterinarian, talented musician, and involved member of his community.

  8. Jul 30

    Episode 1: Sensei (w/ Peter Thomas)

    Everyone has to get started somewhere, and that is no different in the world of climbing stewardship, where a mentor can be a huge boon to ensuring your early days aren't wasted. But how do you know if you've found a good mentor? And when should you pursue instruction rather than a mentorship? To find out, we sat down with Peter Thomas. ---- Peter Thomas is a Colorado-based…Well, a lot of things. He’s a climber, developer, and crag steward. He’s the former anchor replacement coordinator for the Boulder Climber Community’s Anchor Replacement Program. He is personally responsible for the replacement of thousands of bolts, not just in the Front Range, but across large swaths of the American Southwest. Peter has served both formally and informally as a mentor and instructor on bolting and rebolting to dozens of individuals, including with the Narrow Gauge Slabs mentorship program. (If you’d like to learn more, there’s a great American Alpine Club Podcast episode, as well as a short film from Jefferson County Open Space on YouTube). Established crag stewards will inevitably know his name, as he also builds and ships tools such as the YABR that have become standards in bolt replacement nationally. In addition to all of that, he’s also a climbing guide, so you can hire him for your prospective Front Range adventures. That being said, if you wanted to pay to fly him out to Kalymnos to crag with you for a week, I’m sure he wouldn’t say no either. ---- LINKS: American Alpine Club Podcast Episode - CONNECT: The Next Generation of Crag DevelopersJefferson County Open Space Youtube Video - Beyond the Bolts: Proactively Developing a Sustainable Climbing Area

  9. Jul 21

    Episode 0: What is this? Who are we?

    Why the heck does the world need another climbing podcast? And why should we be the ones to host it? We'll talk about that, and not much more, in our first episode of Born From Stone.

  • 9 Episodes

About

Born From Stone looks to answer one question - "How did our rock climbing ecosystem come to be?" This show dives into the stories, techniques, complaints, and triumphs that have gone into the crags we know and love. From development, to hardware maintenance, to local climbing organizations, and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    Tal Wanish and Jake Reginato
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tal Wanish and Jake Reginato
  • Show Website
    Born From Stone

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