Written in Stone: Climbing History

Plug Tone Audio
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Written in Stone: Climbing History
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Written in Stone tells the (mostly) true stories of the most groundbreaking ascents in rock climbing history, one decade at a time. Hosted by Kris Hampton, you’ll hear the narrated, sound designed stories about what led to new levels in climbing, alternated with conversations with today’s top climbers about what inspired them about what went down way back then. Season Two is focused on the 1980’s. The birth of sport climbing as we know it, the struggles with changing rules and ethics, the women who paved the way for the superstars of the 90s and 00s. Patrick Edlinger, Jerry Moffatt, Wolfgang Gullich, Catherine Destivelle, Lynn Hill, and more. Like Todd Skinner always said, ”never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”

  1. Hannes Huch on Community in the Frankenjura, Wolfgang Gullich and Kurt Albert

    3 DAYS AGO

    Hannes Huch on Community in the Frankenjura, Wolfgang Gullich and Kurt Albert

    Because the history of the Frankenjura can’t be told without Kurt Albert and Wolfgang Gullich, both of whom we lost too soon, I wanted to talk to someone rooted in that community to try and get an understanding of how their legacy looks. For me, the obvious choice was Hannes Huch. He’s a photographer and artist who balances a modern aesthetic with a love for history, and that’s evident in his work with Cafe Kraft and the Gimme Kraft books as well as Jerry Moffat’s Mastermind book, and many other projects.  In this episode we talk Kurt, Wolfgang, and Jerry, legacy, the importance of connecting with community, and how climbing is the perfect sport if you should ever need to escape from prison.   Check out our website for related episodes, resources and more! Join the Secret Stoners Club for FREE and get bonus episodes. ---------------------------------- Season Two is generously supported by Rab.  This episode is supported by Tension Climbing. Use code WRITTEN15 at checkout. Written in Stone is co-created with Power Company Climbing.

    1h 3m
  2. Ben Cossey on Wolfgang Gullich, Punks in the Gym and Lightweight Baby

    5 DAYS AGO

    Ben Cossey on Wolfgang Gullich, Punks in the Gym and Lightweight Baby

    There’s really no debate. In the pantheon of Wolfgang Gullich frothers, there is no person who is as much a frother as Australian superstar Ben Cossey. In May of 2024, Ben made the first ascent of a long-standing project at Mt. Arapiles in Australia, Lightweight Baby, finally finishing what became the hardest pitch in the area - and within sight of Wolfgang’s route, Punks in the Gym.  In this episode we get into what makes Arapiles special, the history of Punks and the Birdbath, a wiggle sneak to Wallstreet, and then we come back to Araps to discuss Lightweight Baby.  Save Arapiles Climbing Petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-natimuk-stop-the-rock-climbing-ban-at-the-famous-mt-arapiles Save Arapiles Climbing Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_bYfeWq_Nw Check out our website for related episodes, resources and more! Join the Secret Stoners Club for FREE and get bonus episodes. ---------------------------------- Season Two is generously supported by Rab.  This episode is supported by Tension Climbing. Use code WRITTEN15 at checkout. Written in Stone is co-created with Power Company Climbing.

    1h 8m
  3. Wolfgang Gullich is a Punk in the Gym

    FEB 10

    Wolfgang Gullich is a Punk in the Gym

    From the early to mid 1980's, Wolfgang Gullich was steadily discovering his own power. Spurred on by American and British climbers coming to the Frankenjura and establishing the hardest routes, he tapped into a part of himself that he rarely showed. With that competetive side on display, he went to America to do the hardest routes there, returned home to establish himself the best, and to Australia to establish the world's first 8b+, or 14a, Punks in the Gym.  Save Arapiles Climbing Petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-natimuk-stop-the-rock-climbing-ban-at-the-famous-mt-arapiles Save Arapiles Climbing Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_bYfeWq_Nw Check out our website for related episodes, resources and more! Join the Secret Stoners Club for FREE and get bonus episodes. ---------------------------------- Season Two is generously supported by Rab.  This episode is supported by Tension Climbing. Use code WRITTEN15 at checkout. Written in Stone is co-created with Power Company Climbing.

    47 min

  4. FEB 3

    History Takes Time

    While we're working hard on the next episode, an update on some changes to the remainder of the season.  Check out our website for related episodes, resources and more! Join the Secret Stoners Club for FREE and get bonus episodes. ---------------------------------- Season Two is generously supported by Rab.  This episode is supported by Tension Climbing. Use code WRITTEN15 at checkout. Written in Stone is co-created with Power Company Climbing.

    4 min

  5. JAN 31 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Russ Clune on Jerry Moffatt, Wolfgang Güllich, Patrick Edlinger and More

    More stories from Russ about the climbers who shaped the 1980's! Check out Russ's book, The Lifer: Rock Climbing Adventures in the Gunks and Beyond If you're an Apple Subscriber, you can still join the Patreon for free and be entered into the giveaway!

    47 min
  6. Andy Salo and Whitney Boland on Lynn Hill and a Love of Gunks Climbing

    JAN 29

    Andy Salo and Whitney Boland on Lynn Hill and a Love of Gunks Climbing

    Andy Salo and Whitney Boland are modern day Gunks legends. Andy has FA’d some of the hardest routes in the area and co-written the brilliant guidebooks to the area. Whitney moved to the area and gained near instant local status, eventually writing the Flashback series about Gunks legends, which you can find both in Andy’s guidebooks and on the Rock and Snow website.   In this episode, we discuss the scene and history at The Gunks, what factors contributed to the Gunks being such a powerhouse in the 80’s, and what it’s like to be a short woman in climbing. Check out our website for related episodes, resources and more! Join the Secret Stoners Club for FREE and get bonus episodes. ---------------------------------- Season Two is generously supported by Rab.  This episode is supported by Tension Climbing. Use code WRITTEN15 at checkout. Written in Stone is co-created with Power Company Climbing.

    1h 31m
  7. Russ Clune on Lynn Hill, Gunks Climbing and Vandals

    JAN 27

    Russ Clune on Lynn Hill, Gunks Climbing and Vandals

    Russ Clune is a Legend. I once introduced him as climbing's Forrest Gump, because since the 1980's he's been there for many of climbing's most impactful moments. A Gunks local who has traveled widely to climb on every type of rock, in every style imaginable, he's a living thread from before sport climbing to now, and if you're ever lucky enough to meet him, will eagerly regale you with those stories.  In this episode, we discuss: Lynn Hill’s arrival on the Gunks climbing scene. Working on Vandals with Lynn. When Lynn became THE Lynn Hill. The pros and cons of the yoyo tactic. Clune's new book, The Lifer: Rock Climbing Adventures in the Gunks and Beyond This week our patrons, The Secret Stoners Club, get's a bonus conversation with Russ discussing Jerry Moffatt, Wolfgang Gullich, Patrick Edlinger and more. Join for free and be entered to win a free copy of The Lifer! Check out our website for related episodes, resources and more! ---------------------------------- Season Two is generously supported by Rab.  This episode is supported by Tension Climbing. Use code WRITTEN15 at checkout. Written in Stone is co-created with Power Company Climbing.

    44 min
  8. Lynn Hill Vandalizes Perception

    JAN 20

    Lynn Hill Vandalizes Perception

    In 1983, after years of climbing on Yosemite's granite cracks with John Long and the Stonemasters, Lynn Hill went on a roadtrip. First to Arizona, then to Colorado and finally Red Rock, outside of Las Vegas. While on the road, she and Long established some of the most classic routes in the country. After a brief foray into Hollywood stunts, Lynn traveled to the Gunks to climb for a magazine article and photoshoot. What happened next is history.   Join the Secret Stoners Club for FREE and get bonus episodes and giveaways! Check out Climbing Free by Lynn Hill Check out The Lifer by Russ Clune Check out our website for related episodes, resources and more! ---------------------------------- Season Two is generously supported by Rab.  This episode is supported by Tension Climbing. Use code WRITTEN15 at checkout. Written in Stone is co-created with Power Company Climbing.

    44 min
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
93 Ratings

About

Written in Stone tells the (mostly) true stories of the most groundbreaking ascents in rock climbing history, one decade at a time. Hosted by Kris Hampton, you’ll hear the narrated, sound designed stories about what led to new levels in climbing, alternated with conversations with today’s top climbers about what inspired them about what went down way back then. Season Two is focused on the 1980’s. The birth of sport climbing as we know it, the struggles with changing rules and ethics, the women who paved the way for the superstars of the 90s and 00s. Patrick Edlinger, Jerry Moffatt, Wolfgang Gullich, Catherine Destivelle, Lynn Hill, and more. Like Todd Skinner always said, ”never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”

Information

  • Creator
    Plug Tone Audio
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Written in Stone: Climbing History
  • Provider
    Plug Tone Audio

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