Episode 94: Bouldering, Through a Different Lens with John Sherman
Photo courtesy of Dawn Kish at dawnkishphotography.com
Long before John Sherman was a crusader for the plight of the California Condor, he was a bouldering pioneer, brilliant writer, and creator of the bouldering V-scale. In this episode we sit down in Hueco Tanks to discuss his accomplishments as well as to argue about his most infamous creation.
John's list of strong opinions is nearly as long as his list of first ascents, and the only reason it hasn't doubled is because he holds onto an opinion for dear life. I admire that, and I love to argue it. Of course, Verm doesn't bat an eye in telling me how wrong I am. I drag Alex Puccio and Matt Wilder into the fray, because they happened to be in the room. At times, the audio was rough, but I did my best to make sure you get the full conversation.
One of John's strong opinions is in saving the California Condor. His photos of these majestic birds are incredible, and if you'd like to donate to the cause, you can do so at The Peregrine Fund. Be sure to choose "California Condor" for your gift.
One of John's favorite photos of his beloved California Condor.
We're all rooting for Verm as he makes an attempt to re-send the world’s most famous boulder problem... something like 100 years after he first rocked over on that spooky mantle. You can join him at www.oldmanlightning.com and root him on, heckle him, or whatever. After this next colonoscopy, there's no way he's not sending.
A FEW JOHN SHERMAN CLASSICS
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Allyson Gunsallus is a mom, climber, and director of an upcoming film series that will uncover the issues faced by climbers who are parents.
Today, we rewind to an episode with Hazel Findlay in which she shares strategies for getting into the right mindset to send.
Forty years ago, Miguel Ventura moved to Slade, Kentucky and started what was then known as The Rainbow Door, and has become an icon to climbers all over the world.
REWIND with us to meet the internet’s (and pasta lovers’?) favorite Moonboarder, the first person to send all the benchmarks of the 2016 set: Ravioli Biceps.
For most, a 100-foot ground fall would be the end of their lives, or at the very least, the end of their climbing careers. Not so for Craig DeMartino.
35 years after he realized one of his own dreams and jump started the dreams of so many others, we REWIND to this conversation with legend Paul Piana.
We REWIND to this classic conversation with Jonathan about when and why to change things up in your training, and one thing that training should definitely include a whole lot of: climbing.
When it comes to skin care in the climbing world, Rhino Skin Solutions is the one name you need to know.
Seasoned big wall climber Josie McKee returns to discuss how her recent trip to Yosemite turned out, and some of the hurdles that can hold us back from a fulfilling relationship with climbing.
Experienced big wall climber Josie McKee recently found herself with limestone sport climbing as her primary means to train for a Yosemite trip.
McKenzie Long’s love of climbing – and dream of becoming a writer – led her to consider our relationships with public lands.
Today we REWIND to this conversation about parenting, identity, and climbing with the great Beth Rodden.
Don’t be fooled by Patty Law’s small frame and soft-spoken demeanor – she’s a fierce climber, mother, entrepreneur, and community cultivator.
7 years later, almost to the day, that Tommy and Kevin topped out the Dawn Wall together, we REWIND to this conversation about belief and partnership with Tommy Caldwell.
Kris talks with Amy Skinner and Joan Chase about how the founding of Wild Iris Mountain Sports is inextricably linked to the rise of climbing in Lander, Wyoming.
Certified Nutrition Specialist Caitlin Holmes discusses body composition, which is often conflated with weight loss and can thus be a very polarizing topic.
During the 8th annual Joe’s Valley Festival, Kris sat down to talk to local legend and longtime crusher Steven Jeffery.
Kris sits down with shaper and setter Roy Quanstrom, of Tension Climbing to talk about his latest holds and more.
Eric Hörst chats about how some big life shifts – retirement, the success of his brand PhysiVantage, and becoming an empty nester – have impacted his climbing and training.
How to use data to inform training decisions had been a topic of debate amongst the Power Company coaches for years, until Data Analyst, Dale Wilson, stepped in to settle the score once and for all.
Sam Prentice, a climber and District Hydrologist for the USDA Forest Service, talks about the alarming rate at which wildfires are destroying the Giant Sequoias.
Prerna’s biggest goal of all — and the one she’s certainly dedicating the most to — is to continue building an empowered community of female climbers in India.
Our good friend Lauren Abernathy talks about the challenges of being a female coach in a male-dominated industry.
Kris Hampton
A climber since 1994, Kris was a traddie for 12 years before he discovered the gymnastic movement inherent in sport climbing and bouldering. Through dedicated training and practice, he eventually built to ascents of 5.14 and V11.
Kris started Power Company Climbing in 2006 as a place to share training info with his friends, and still specializes in working with full time "regular" folks. He's always available for coaching sessions and training workshops.
Like it or not, grades are an important part of climbing.