“Best Of” Runner-Ups + New Skis (Ep.31)
We discuss 3 skis that very narrowly missed getting a “Best Of” selection from us, then we turn to some new skis we’ve been getting on from Folsom, Rossignol, Head, Moment, Dynastar, and more.
Podcasts
Ski Mountaineer Greg Hill on “Progress, not Perfection” (Ep.76)
We talk to Greg Hill about the new Canadian chapter of Protect Our Winters, his take on how to address “eco-anxiety”, backcountry ski guiding and safety, and more.
All That Glitters is Not Gold (Ep.30)
Not all gear is great — or even good. So today we’re discussing a number of intriguing products that turned out to disappoint.
Climbers’ Environmental Impact with Author J.B. MacKinnon (Ep. 21)
What’s the biggest environmental impact we have as climbers? We talk with award-winning author, J.B. MacKinnon, about the three main environmental impacts from the outdoor industry, how those manifest in climbing, and the path to a more sustainable future.
Making Homemade Cams: Erick Davidson of Merlin Rock Gear (Ep.20)
Merlin Rock Gear makes the best cams you’ve never heard of — they aren’t sold in stores or online, and they don’t even have a website. Engineer Erick Davidson designs and builds extra-large format cams at home, trimming weight and introducing clever design elements to raise the bar significantly for large cams. We talk about his design improvements and how he convinced himself that they were safe to use in the real world.
Hoji on the Hoji Free & 4FRNT Renegade (Ep.29)
We talk with Hoji about his brand-new boot, the Dynafit Hoji Free; the differences between it and the current Hoji Pro Tour; how he’s been refining his signature ski, the 4FRNT Renegade; and his work with Arc’teryx.
HOJI on “HOJI” (Ep.75)
Few people are so good at what they do that they can have a film made about their life and career while they’re still in the middle of both. But Eric Hjorleifson is one of those people, so we talked to Hoji about the new Matchstick movie and more.
Spark R&D — Part 2 (Ep.28)
We talk to Spark R&D founder, Will Ritter, about some of Spark’s current products, collaborating with CAST Touring and 22 Designs, and implementing solar power in their factory in Bozeman, Montana.
Zen & the Art of Creating the World’s Biggest Splitboard Binding Company: Will Ritter, Spark R&D (Ep.27)
We talk to Will Ritter about starting – and running – the largest splitboard binding company in the world, Spark R&D, and Will provides a number of valuable insights for anyone thinking of starting anything.
Phil Powers and Alex Honnold on a Permit System for The Nose? (Ep.19)
Are we moving toward a future where The Nose (or other well-traveled walls) are headed for a permit system? Dave and Luke debate this hypothetical with the help of American Alpine Club CEO Phil Powers, Maury Birdwell, and Alex Honnold.
Our 18/19 Winter Buyer’s Guide & “Best Of” Awards (Ep.26)
Jonathan Ellsworth, Luke Koppa, and Sam Shaheen discuss some of the “Best Of” award winners in the 18/19 Blister Winter Buyer’s Guide.
What’s it like to climb The Nose? (Ep.18)
What’s it like to climb The Nose? Is it really as “easy” as people say? And what level of experience is required to have a reasonable chance of topping out? Our host of All Things Climbing and his wife Katie report on their recent trip up the world’s most iconic rock climb.
Interbike: Confessions & Observations (Ep.25)
We discuss the weirdness and wonders of Interbike 2018, make a confession about last year’s Interbike, and more.
Rhino Skin Solutions founder, Justin Brown (Ep.17)
Justin Brown is the founder of Rhino Skin Solutions. He’s also a board member of the Smith Rock Group, and a 5.14 climber. We talk about starting Rhino Skin, why climbers need to be leaders in land management, and why belaying just might be the sport of the future.
Elyse Saugstad, Big Mtn Skier (Ep.74)
We talk with Elyse about filming the new MSP movie, All In; growing up in Alaska; her work with Safe As Clinics; figure skating and fantasy football (?); and the value of repeatedly finding new ways to challenge yourself.
Matt Pincus of TrainingBeta (Ep.16)
Matt Pincus is the head coach/trainer at TrainingBeta, and he has a strong resume both as a coach and a climber. We talk to Matt about balancing his climbing goals with full-time work; the most important lessons he’s learned as a coach and trainer; and some of the key things most of us get wrong when it comes to progressing.
Parlor Skis 18/19 Lineup & ‘Build Your Own Skis’ Class (Ep.24)
We talk to Boston-based Parlor Skis co-founder, Mark Wallace, about the origins story of Parlor; their “Build Your Own Skis” class; the new models in their 18/19 lineup — including Parlor snowboards and splitboards; and several trends on the East Coast ski scene. (We also talk about lasagna, burritos, and Camaros.)
Alex Honnold & Maury Birdwell on the Honnold Foundation and filming Free Solo (Ep.15)
Alex Honnold is arguably the best and certainly the boldest climber in a generation, with a mind-bending free solo ascent of El Cap, and an unbelievable speed record on The Nose in under two hours. In this episode, we sat down with Alex and Maury Birdwell to talk about what may be an even more impressive accomplishment: the Honnold Foundation. (And, of course, we sneak in some talk about climbing, too.)
Bikes vs. Skis, Part 2 (Ep.23)
We’re back with round 2 of Bikes vs. Skis, where we ask the question, “Which particular bike company is most like which particular ski company?”
Bolt Restrictions, Hardware Committees, and Threatened Access (Ep.14)
Climbing is growing — really fast. At some crags around the country, that means that our impact has also been growing, which has forced the critical question of how best to manage the increased traffic on public lands. So today we’re talking about best practices, controversial approaches, and how climbing culture could be affected if oversight from outside of the climbing community becomes the new norm.