The Ground Up Podcast

The Ground Up Podcast

Stories From the Steep | Climbing conversations with local legends and unsung crushers from hometown crags around the country.

Recent Episodes

Aug. 19, 2025

Ground Up 26: Dream Destinations with the Climbing Backpackers

What happens when an arborist and a dog walker swipe right and end up traveling the world on a shoestring budget? In this episode, Nettie and Dave, better known as the Climbing Backpackers, share their incredible journey clim...

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Aug. 5, 2025

Ground Up 25: 3,000 Feet of Psyche with Ethan Morf

Making history in Yosemite Valley is no easy feat these days, especially if you can count the number of years you've been climbing on one hand. But on May 15th, at just 20 years old, Ethan Morf became the youngest climber to ...

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July 22, 2025

Ground Up 24: The Power of Partnerships with Eddie Begoon

In this episode, we sit down with Southeast legend Eddie Begoon—lifelong climber, route developer, and storyteller with deep roots in the Shenandoah Valley and the golden age of Southeast climbing. From barnyard bouldering on...

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July 8, 2025

Ground Up 23: Breaking Barriers in the Valley with Kate Kelleghan and…

Few endurance challenges rival the infamous Yosemite Triple Crown — a mega link-up of three iconic big walls in Yosemite National Park: the Nose on El Capitan, the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome, and the South Face of Mo...

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June 24, 2025

Ground Up 22: Five Decades of Climbing with Coach Eric Hörst

In today's episode, we sit down with legendary climber, author, and coach Eric Hörst—an East Coast pioneer whose nearly five decades of climbing and route development have left an indelible mark on American climbing culture. ...

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June 10, 2025

Ground Up 21: High Country Highlights with Sam Dospoy

In this episode, we sit down with Boone local Sam Dospoy—woodworker, van builder, and climber deeply rooted in North Carolina’s High Country. Sam shares how a two-year stint dirtbagging in a minivan sparked both his love of c...

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