The Climbing Majority

Kyle Broxterman

Most of today’s climbing media is focused on what happens at the edges of the sport involving the most experienced and talented climbers in the world. Your host Kyle Broxterman believes that most of these stories and experiences do not directly relate to the majority of climbers that now exist. Thanks to gyms, the Olympics, and mainstream media coverage a vast growing group of people are now discovering this magical sport. As a part of this group, he is here to give this new Climbing Majority a voice. Tune in as he explores the world of climbing, through the lens of a non-professional.

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Top 10 The Climbing Majority Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Climbing Majority episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Climbing Majority for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Climbing Majority episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

65 | The Sandstone Alpinist Part I w/ James Barrow

The Climbing Majority

05/06/24 • 60 min

When you hear "Zion National Park," what comes to mind? The Narrows, Moonlight Buttress, and some of the most stunning sandstone cliffs and peaks you’ll ever see, all packed into a canyon visited by over five million people each year. But what about the possibilities beyond the main canyon, beyond the classic hikes and climbs?

Today, we’re chatting with James Barrow. He's a father, climber, and electrician by trade. James quickly developed a knack for climbing, finding himself leading sport climbs in the 5.12+ range in under six months. But, after rushing his progression, he seriously injured his tendons, which pushed him to find a new kind of challenge. That's when he turned to adventure climbing.

James fell in love with exploring the uncharted, runout, loose, and complicated sandstone peaks and plateaus surrounding the main area of Zion National Park. His latest achievement? The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse—a feat that covers 20 distinct peaks, with 18,500 feet of elevation gain over 28 miles. The terrain involves runouts, canyoneering, bushwhacking, steep snow travel, soloing, and massive 70-meter rappels using a fiddlestick. The climb, rated 5.9+R/M2R, is one of the most challenging and technical routes done in Zion in the last 20 years.

I can't emphasize enough the magnitude of what James and his partner accomplished. After our conversation, he walked me through his route on Google Earth. The complexity of route-finding, the massive scale, and the varied conditions of rock, snow, and thick bushes left me amazed.

We’ve split this conversation into two parts. Today, we'll hear about the events that led James to set his sights on this massive sandstone alpine linkup, and essentially shape him as a climber. This will help us understand him better when he tells the full story of "The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse" in part two. We'll talk about his rapid progression to 5.12+, how he found adventure climbing, his view on risk, and what he did to prepare for this big linkup.
Resources
James' Instagram
Local News

61 | Injured & Alone in Alaska, a Coach's Journey w/ Scott Johnston

The Climbing Majority

03/11/24 • 77 min

The mountains will try to kill us and yet they have no malice.
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They freeze us and yet warm our souls.
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They fill our lives with joy and yet have nothing tangible to give.
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The mountains deserve our respect.
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They require meticulous preparation, mentally, spiritually and physically.
Today we are sitting down with a master of preparation. Scott Johnston is a world renown Endurance coach. Some of the athletes he has worked with over the years include Killian Jornet, Steve House, Alex Honold and Tom Evans to name a few. But Scotts true legacy and contribution to the climbing community lies with the everyday climber who he has equipped with the knowledge necessary to improve their health and wellbeing and to live a life full of adventure. In our conversation we discuss the allure of endurance sports, the nuance of endurance coaching, the future of ultra running, the importance of life beyond sport, the fragility of life and finally we discuss an accident that left Scott stranded and alone on the vast glaciers of Denali

Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.
Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: [email protected]
Resources:
Evoke Endurance
Training For The New Alpinism (Book)

57 | "Yer Gonna Die" - Elitism In Climbing w/ Landon McDowell

The Climbing Majority

01/15/24 • 70 min

I would argue that our climbing community is mostly open, kind, and understanding. But I am sure we all have our own experiences with people who are not. The silent judgy squad that think they own the crag. The keyboard warrior that spreads hate, judgment, and negativity behind the protection of a screen.

Today we sit down with Landon McDowell, a self proclaimed “Reformed Elitist”. Having started climbing at the age of 14 he quickly noticed a natural proclivity towards the sport. Climbing soon became the source for Landon's identity, ego, and happiness. He noticed this and its effect on the people around him and quit rock climbing to work on himself and pursue his new passion of flight sports. Landon now has a calm, collected and positive outlook on life and is aiming to push the boundaries of alpine flight sports.

In our conversation, we chat about Landons rapid progression from a gym sport climber to projecting Desert Reality, an iconic and imposing roof crack in Red Rock Canyon. We get to hear what it might be like to be on the other side of the keyboard to the “yer gonna die” comment we all see online. And finally, we chat about Landons new passion of base jumping and speed flying and how he envisions mixing these disciplines with climbing and taking them into the mountains...

55 | Achieving The Impossible..Climbing 5.14 On Gear w/ Mary Eden

The Climbing Majority

12/18/23 • 65 min

Welcome to the last episode of 2023. Thank you so much for being a part of our growing community...It means a lot to Kyle and I that you are here. As climbers we've all seen videos and media depicting near impossible feats of physicality. You've probably seen these videos and thought “I could never accomplish something so hard”. But are these limitations we put on ourselves real? While our guest today is not a part of the Majority..... she once was. As a young spirited climber she never believed she could accomplish climbing 5.12. Fast forward to the present day, Mary Eden is one of the most accomplished crack climbers in the word. She recently just sent Necronomicon 5.14a and Black Mamba 5.14b on gear... These kinds of feats leave me simply speechless and in awe. But what stood out most in our conversation was not how amazingly accomplished of a climber Mary is. It was her empowering message that we all can break through the arbitrary limitations we put on ourselves to achieve great things we once thought impossible. I'll leave you with a quote from Mary.

"I know that Necronomicon is not the peak of my physical or mental potential even though it was a beautiful dream. My advice for others is to pour energy into the people and activities that bring you joy as much as you can. Build yourself a genuine community and support system. Set your goals, and work towards them with intention, while enjoying the scenery along the way. And remember that at the end of the day it is just rock climbing, and you should be having fun." -Mary Eden
Please rate, review the show, and share this podcast with your friends. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools to help us out.
Contact us:
IG: @the.climbing.majority
Email: [email protected]
Resources:
Mary's IG
Mary's Youtube

73 | I Am Gravity Lab Part I w/ Brant Hysell

The Climbing Majority

08/26/24 • 57 min

In the age of social media and digital platforms like YouTube, creators often develop a "digital persona" that’s shaped by the content they produce. As viewers, it’s easy to make assumptions about who they are and how they live their lives. Today, we have the chance to peel back the layers and break down the digital persona behind The Gravity Lab YouTube channel.

At first glance, this channel seems to be run by a pair of climbers living out of a van with endless time to send some of the most epic routes around the world. It’s easy to watch with envy and wonder how it’s all possible. But as it turns out, Gravity Lab is the passion project of a single crusher named Brant Hysell. Brant is just like most of us—he juggles a full-time job, a relationship, and home responsibilities. Where he differs is in his deep passion for climbing and his dedication to making the most of every moment.

In part one of our conversation with Brant, we dive into how he supports his climbing lifestyle and the secrets behind balancing a full-time job, running The Gravity Lab YouTube channel, training, and, as he puts it, squeezing fun into every available moment. Brant’s main lesson? Time is precious. It’s easy to waste it by watching TV or endlessly scrolling on social media. Brant encourages us to be intentional with our time and to plan our lives around what makes us happiest—from sunup to sundown.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources
The Gravity Lab Youtube Channel
Brant's Instagram
Brant Hysell's Mt. Project Profile

28 | The Hard Rock 100, a 300 Foot Fall, and a Fatal Avalanche w/ Adam Campbell

The Climbing Majority

12/05/22 • 142 min

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Campell. Adam is a man in motion who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of athletics and movement in the mountains. During his years as an athlete, Adam has been a member of five Canadian national teams in the sports of mountain running, ski mountaineering, and the duathlon/triathlon. His deep athletic base and hard work ethic have allowed him to become one of the best ultra runners on the planet. Arguably one of Adam’s most notable achievements was at the Hard Rock 100, a notorious race at high-elevation in the San Juan Mountains, where he placed 3rd not once but twice. When it didn't seem like anything could go wrong, Adam’s life came to a crashing halt after a 300ft fall while climbing the Horseshoe Traverse in BC. Thanks to luck, a helmet, and a full pack Adam survived, but with devastating injuries. Nonetheless, Adam defied logic and ended up running the Hard Rock 100 again only ten months after his injuries, a feat that is hard to believe even possible. Then Adams' story sadly took another turn for the worse in 2020 when he had to unbury his wife from a fatal avalanche. Needless to say, Adam has lived through a full spectrum of experiences in the mountains..., experiences that have tested his understanding of life, love, and what it means to be a mountain athlete. Adam has always spoken genuinely about his experiences in the mountains and he does so in our conversation. This episode provides a deep dive into the realities of the power that mountains carry. They give us life, energy, purpose, and meaning..but sometimes they take everything from us...

78 | Hey, It's Buttress! w/ Tanner Wanish

The Climbing Majority

11/04/24 • 127 min

I first reached out to Tanner back in March, right after he and his climbing partner, Michael Vaill, had completed the Red Rock Triple in an impressive 12 hours and 35 minutes. I was stoked to share their story, but little did I know it would take six months to get the chance to sit down with them. Looking back, I couldn’t be happier it turned out that way. Just days after our initial interviews, Tanner and Michael made waves by setting the speed record for the Yosemite Triple Crown. And as if that wasn’t enough, last week they pushed the boundaries even further, making history with the most ambitious link-up Yosemite has ever seen—the Yosemite Quad. Last week, these two crushers linked Mount Watkins, El Cap, the South Face of Washington Column, and Half Dome in a mind-blowing 21 hours and 50 minutes.

So, this week, I’m thrilled to introduce The Climbing Majority’s own 'Triple Crown'. Over the next three days I will be posting three separate full length episodes.' Today, we sit down with Tanner Wanish. Tomorrow, you’ll hear from his climbing partner, Michael Vaill. And on the final day, we’ll sit down with both of them for an insider’s look at their recent, groundbreaking feat in Yosemite. Get psyched for an epic week of stories, insights, a deep look into the lives of these two athletes.

Today, we dive into the journey of Tanner Wanish. Tanner’s story begins with a military background, though not in the way you might expect. After years of service, he found himself in what he describes as the darkest days of his life, having realized that the trajectory he was on in the military was no longer the path he wanted. Sensing Tanner’s struggles from overseas, his brother—a prominent developer on the Front Range—sent him a hard drive packed with climbing films. And so began Tanner’s passion for climbing, igniting a pursuit that would lead him, four and a half years later, to literally etch his name into the walls of Yosemite.

Our conversation with Tanner reveals a climber who has woven the sport into every aspect of his life. He’s taken climbing beyond just an outlet for adventure and fulfillment—it’s become his way to live, grow, and connect deeply with others. Tanner also embraces what he calls 'manufactured adversity,' seeing the immense value of challenge and struggle for personal growth. For him, climbing is the ultimate vehicle for this kind of development.

Tanner’s journey is a powerful reminder that climbing is more than a sport. It’s a medium for growth, connection, and self-discovery. His story shows us the value of resilience, adventure, and the balance between passion and purpose. Buckle up for an inspiring conversation with Tanner Wanish.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

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Resources
Tanner's IG
Athlete Write Up
Crux Non-Profit

86 | A Life Behind The Lens w/ Cody & Victoria

The Climbing Majority

02/10/25 • 121 min

Today, we’re stepping behind the screens and into the lives of Cody and Victoria Blue, a climbing couple who have built a sustainable life around capturing and sharing their adventures in the mountains. Relatively new to climbing, their success lies not in the groundbreaking nature of their climbing achievements, but in their remarkable abilities as videographers and story tellers in the environments that inspire us the most.

Recently, Cody and Victoria documented their journey up one of the most iconic mountains in the world—the Matterhorn. The short film these two produced is super well done and really showcases their strengths as storytellers and artists. If you haven’t seen it yet I highly recommend checking it out on their Youtube Channel.

Filming in the mountains is already an immense challenge. But being both the filmmaker and the subject—while also focusing on climbing safely? That’s a whole different level of difficulty and a challenge that simply cannot be overstated..How do you decide what moments are worth capturing? Do you film everything, or does documenting the entire experience risk taking away from the present moment? These are the kinds of questions we explore in this conversation, gaining a deeper understanding of what it’s really like to create the videos we all love to watch.

I was psyched to sit down with Cody and Victoria and dive into such relatable and thought-provoking topics. The term “influencer” often comes with mixed opinions, but these two are living their dream—and have found a way to support a life of creation and climbing. I have a huge amount of respect for that and can’t wait to see where their skills take them next.

And now, I bring you my conversation with Cody & Victoria Blue.

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

---Resources
Cody & Victorias Youtube

The Matterhorn Film

Cody & Victorias Instagram

Website

66 | The Sandstone Alpinist Part II w/ James Barrow

The Climbing Majority

05/20/24 • 109 min

Welcome back to part two of our chat with James Barrow! In our last episode, we heard about James' journey as a climber and what events ultimately lead to his most recent achievement: The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse. A link up that covers 20 distinct peaks, and 18.5k of elevation gain over 28 miles. The terrain involves runouts upon runouts, canyoneering, bushwacking, steep snow travel, soloing, and an abundance of massive full 70m rappels using a fiddle stick. At 5.9+R/M2R. Nothing of this length or technical difficulty has been done in Zion in over 20 years.

Today, we're diving into a step-by-step trip report. We'll cover the major milestones, close calls, and all the intricate details of this massive desert alpine link up.

If you haven't already, I highly recommend doing a bit of homework on The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse. Check out the resources in the show notes to get a sense of the massive scale and seriousness of this objective.

I'll keep this intro brief since we've got a lot to cover. So, without further ado, let's jump back into our conversation with James Barrow.
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Don’t forget to check our our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d really appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out, just like James did. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ [email protected]

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Resources
James Barrow's IG
The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse

87 | Unforgotten Lives & Unseen Lines w/ Maximilian Barlerin

The Climbing Majority

02/24/25 • 136 min

Today I sit down with Maximilian Barlerin. You might have first heard his name back in October when Corey Buhay wrote what Max humbly calls “a fluff piece” about his staggering 14-pitch, 5.13 big wall first ascent in the Wind River Range—Children of the Sun. The article described an "everyman" 5.14 climber balancing family, two jobs, a fledgling business, and an impressive list of first ascents. This is the first time Maximilian has spoken publicly about his life.

Max isn’t just a climber...He works as a climbing ranger and search-and-rescue responder in Rocky Mountain National Park. His career put him face-to-face with some of the harshest realities of the mountains, forcing him to reconcile the risks we take as climbers with the consequences he’s witnessed firsthand. Through years of SAR work, close calls, and deep self-reflection, he’s developed a rare perspective on climbing, risk, and the ever-evolving relationship we have with danger.

Just days before this episode launch, I learned that Max and his entire team of rangers had been laid off due to recent federal budget cuts—a devastating blow, especially for those who relied on the job not just for income, but for housing. The outdoor community is certainly hurting right now, and my heart goes out to everyone affected. Max reminds us that this is not a good year to get injured in the mountains—there just might not be anyone there to rescue you.

After we unpack the highs and lows of his time as a climbing ranger..we dive into four of his most notable first ascents in Patagonia, Zion, and the Wind River Range—covering the vision, the process, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Maximilian is a soft-spoken, humble climber with an astonishing depth of experience and achievement, and I’m psyched to share his story.

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HELP KEEP THIS PODCAST AD FREE! | For a little as $3/mo!

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Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

---Resources

Maximilian's IG

First Ascent in Patagonia "Colorado Route" (5.11c 45 Degrees, 500m)

Climbing Magazine Article about "Children of The Sun" (IV 5.13-; 1500ft)

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