Top Chamonix-based alpinist Andy Parkin, author of cutting edge climbs on the Alps and bigger mountains, talks about early art, big fights with skinheads, approaches to climbs, Nepal and climbing highpoints.
Scottish climbing legend Rab Carrington reads two stories: His own An Early Ascent of Raven Gully, about a winter ascent of the classic line on The Buchaille and Tom Patety’s A Short Walk with Whillans, in which the fondly-remembered Tom Patey recounts a typical attempt on The Eiger in the company of Don Whillans.
Multi-award-winning outdoor film maker Jen Randall discusses the creative process involved in making her films such as Operation Moffat, The Bothy Project and Project Mina, as well as her next venture, working with Andy Kirkpatrick on the film versuion of his autobiography, Psychovertical.
Alex Megos, the 23-year-old Übercrimpenkranker, and the first climber in the world to onsight 9a, is coerced into a small art room at the Kendal Mountain Festival. Here he tells Niall Grimes loads of really important and interesting stuff.
Sheffield-based rock climber and alpinist, Ben Silvestre, reads Helmet Boiler, a story about a Gogarth choss-ride, and a poem, My Darker Self.
Lucy Creamer, one of the UK's greatest female climbers, gives the lowdown on her highlife.
Niall Grimes reads his own story, And Then It Hit Me. Also Brick Edge Cruiser; competition.
John Redhead, author of many of the bigges, baddest leads of the 1980s talks to Niall Grimes about: septic tanks; sonic archaeology; Indian Face; North Stack Wall; Cloggy; The Bells; The Queen; Paul Williams.
NG talk to Australian climbing photographer Glenn Robbins who produced many iconic images in the 1980s and since. Topics include Arapiles; photography; arseless leather chaps; Wolfgang Gullich; Sheffield; Gogarth; Paul Pritchard; depression.
Niall Grimes chats with top British climber from the 1960s, 70s and beyond, Martin Boysen. Topics include: mental training World War 2; the Rock and Ice Club; Joe Brown; gritstone; sandstone; Clint Eastwood; Cerro Torre; development of gear; Trango Tower.
Niall Grimes reads his own story about a chance meeting with the late Dean Potter.
Alex Honnold, the world's most celebrated free soloist, sits down for a chinwag with Niall Grimes.
John Long reads The Only Blasphemy, his near-leethal encounter with the ropeless Najinski, John Bacher
Getting the lowdown on the highline, Niall Grimes talks to a group of highliners about their obscure activity.
In this episode Paul Pritchard reads his own story, Rubble Merchants, Slate Heads and Others from his book, Deep Play.
In this episode Niall Grimes has a chinwag with Irish / Belgian A-list, globe-trotting, seaboat-sailing, shanty-singing, rock-lubber, Sean Villanueva O'Driscoll. We talk about Patagonia, Greenland, Ireland, the Atlantic, sexual predators and hitch-hiking.
In this episode Dermot Somers reads his own short story, Dark Mourne.
In this episode Niall Grimes chats with the leading female climber of the 1980s, Catherine Destivelle, about childhood, the Verdon Gorge, competitions and late-night poker sessions.
Chris Schulte reads Chuck Pratt's legendary account of desert climbing exploration in the 1960s, The View From Dead Horse Point.
In this episode Niall Grimes interviews British climber Michaela Tracy about growing up through competitions, Word Cup experiences, training, health issues and the discovery of trad climbing.
In this episode Niall Grimes reads out one of his own stories, You've Been Popped. It concerns a day out on a wet gritstone crag, an awkward roof crack, a mysterious American climber and a huge cam.
In this episode Niall Grimes interviews US climber Tommy Caldwell about his childhood, early climbing, getting kidnapped in Kyrgyzstan and the Dawn Wall.