First Ascent Podcast
Jay and Lee have been friends for 20 years, and they've been chatting about climbing pretty much the whole time, be it in person, via text, or on social media. Now they take their witty conversation to the next frontier: a podcast. Join them as they discuss current events and trends in climbing, their recent climbing adventures, and whatever else that comes up. It's basically like crag spray, but recorded!
Episodes
104 episodes
Bolt Talk with Brian O’Leary
Brian O’Leary of Forecast Climbing Equipment reached out with some questions about glue in bolts, so we’re gonna chat about it on the pod! We’ll talk about the benefits and challenges of glue in bolts vs. mechanical bolts, how the trend in bolt...
•
Episode 104
•
51:10
Ticking Every Route + The Process of Projecting with Franky Lapatino
New Hampshire silent crusher Franky Lapatino is on the show today to talk about the completion of his impressive project: ticking every route on the lower parking lot area at Rumney. We’ll talk about what inspired him to take on the project and...
•
Episode 103
•
44:35
The Guide to Writing a Guidebook with Jim Lawyer
New York climbing legend Jim Lawyer is on the pod today to talk about the art of writing a guidebook. Jim is the co-author of Adirondack Rock: A Rock Climber’s Guide, an extremely compre...
•
Episode 102
•
51:51
The Benefits of Using Stone Holds with Ryan Loiselle and Dan Knisell of Real Stone Holds
New England climbers Ryan Loiselle and Dan Knisell join Jay on the show today to talk about their very cool new business - Real Stone Holds. The guys share the benefits of using stone holds when doing indoor climbing, the...
•
Episode 101
•
53:51
The Role of an LCO + The Craggin’ Classic with RCA President Ladd Raine
Ladd Raine, President of the Rumney Climber’s Association, is on the pod today to talk all about Rumney and the upcoming AAC Craggin’ Classic on S...
•
Episode 100
•
54:40
A Peek Behind the Scenes of Climbing Media with Nate Liles
Nate Liles is back on the pod! If you watch climbing media, you’ve most likely seen Nate’s work as a videographer and photographer. Today he’ll take us behind the scenes to give us a glimpse of what it takes to create awesome climbing media.&nb...
•
Episode 99
•
1:04:10
The Foundations of Training with Leif Gasch of Substr8 Climbing
Certified Performance Climbing Coach Leif Gasch of Substr8 Climbing is on the show today for a deep dive conversation about the fundamentals of training. We’ll talk about how...
•
Episode 98
•
46:40
The Dunning-Kruger Effect with James Schroeder
We’re officially entering into a new phase of the First Ascent Podcast, and I could think of no one better to join me than my longtime climbing buddy, James Schroeder. With over 27 years of climbing under his belt, James ...
•
Episode 97
•
48:40
Lee’s Final Episode
On May 21st, First Ascent co-host Lee Hansche passed away while setting routes at the climbing gym while he worked. Today, Jay is releasing the final episode that they recorded together, as it reflects what a great man Lee was and what a joy...
•
Episode 96
•
50:10
In Defense of First Ascents
One of the coolest things about climbing is the rich historical lineage behind each route. From cans on spires, to guide books and magazines, and now Mountain Project, documentation that traces the history of a climb is an inspiring thing th...
•
Episode 95
•
47:17
Nadya Vorotnikova: Breaking Self Limiting Beliefs
Nadya Vorotnikova is on the pod today for an awesome talk about loving the process and breaking self limiting beliefs. Nadya grew up in Russia, moved to New Hampshire when she was 10, and now lives in Colorado - and she’s been climbing all a...
•
Episode 94
•
56:40
Tough Questions with Chris Graham
North Conway native and long time climber Chris Graham, or ‘Grammy’ as he’s affectionately known, is a familiar face on both sides of the mountains, both as a climber and as a guide. His climbing career goes so far back that he can boast tha...
•
Episode 93
•
59:43
Dave Quinn and the New Crossover Bolt
Few people have done more for the development of climbing bolt technology than Dave Quinn. Dave is one of the original developers of Rumney, a core member of Team Tough, and an all around bolting expert. Today’s he’s retur...
•
Episode 92
•
45:11
Tales from Four Decades of First Ascents with Tom Bowker
Tom Bowker is the undeniable godfather of the climbing scene in Waterville Valley. Tom’s prolific number of first ascents over his 40 year climbing career make him one of the most well known names in the region. His first ascents include Pee...
•
Episode 91
•
54:13
The Bouldering Episode! With Jake Perry
It’s finally happening! Today’s conversation is all about bouldering. Boulderer extraordinaire Jake Perry is with us to answer all of your bouldering questions. We cover a wide range of bouldering topics, including grades, highballs, skin ca...
•
Episode 90
•
59:46
The Customer Comment Box
Last week we opened the floor to our Instagram followers - they hit us with all of the questions, comments, criticisms and praise that they wanted to throw our way. Today we’re digging through the comments and sharing our replies. Hear our t...
•
Episode 89
•
56:06
Five Things We Hate About You (At the Crag)
The guys are getting worked up in today’s episode as they each share their five biggest crag annoyances. Life is all about balance, though! So you’ll also learn about their five favorite things at the crag. What...
•
Episode 88
•
58:56
Bolt Replacement with Nate Liles
Nate Liles, the Development Director of the American Safe Climbing Association, is here today for an in depth talk about bolt replacement. The ASCA has been doing incredible work replacin...
•
Episode 87
•
53:09
Francis Sanzaro and the Zen of Climbing
We are psyched to welcome philosopher, author and avid climber Francis Sanzaro to the pod! His book, The Zen of Climbing, is a m...
•
Episode 86
•
58:24
The Best of NH, Part 2
Welcome back to Part Two of the First Ascent Superlative Awards! Be sure to check out Part One if you haven’t ye...
•
Episode 85
•
53:46
The Best of NH, Part 1
Welcome to the First Ascent Superlative Awards! It’s time for us to pay our yearly homage to the incredible climbing that our great state of New Hampshire has to offer. With the tallest mountains and the best gr...
•
Episode 84
•
54:43
Projecting with Mike Gagnon
The spring climbing season is just around the corner, and it has us thinking about all of the projects that we’re ready to work on this season. Mike Gagnon is back on the pod today to chat all about it. We’ll each share our approaches to pro...
•
Episode 83
•
49:08
More Listener Questions
Jay and Lee are here today to answer your latest batch of listener questions! You’ll get their thoughts on a wide range of questions, including the best Rumney sequences, tips for warm fingertips, soul climbing on projects, the role of gym c...
•
Episode 82
•
55:32
Conversations from the Mt. Washington Valley Ice Fest
The Mt. Washington Valley Ice Fest was last weekend and it’s one of our favorite events of the year. With a huge turnout and beautiful weather, it was an event that couldn’t be beat. We were on the scene with our mic to capture the spirit of...
•
Episode 81
•
1:13:31