101 min listen
EP 201: James Pearson — The Full Redemption Story, Proposing the Mythical Grade of E12, and Climbing Harder After Kids
EP 201: James Pearson — The Full Redemption Story, Proposing the Mythical Grade of E12, and Climbing Harder After Kids
ratings:
Length:
206 minutes
Released:
Jan 15, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
James Pearson is one of the world’s best trad climbers. We discussed a 15-year-old controversy that nearly ended his career, how meeting his wife Caroline saved him, climbing his first 9a after learning how to train, eGrader and quantifying E grades, his decision to suggest E12 for his new route ‘Bon Voyage’, why he was afraid of becoming a dad, what kids taught him, and much more! This was one of my all-time favorite interviews.Become a Patron - 7 Day Free Trial!patreon.com/thenuggetclimbing Check out Mad Rock!madrock.comUse code “NUGGET” at checkout for 10% off your next order!Check out Rhino Skin Solutions!rhinoskinsolutions.comUse code “NUGGET” at checkout for 20% off your next order!Check out KAYA!kayaclimb.comVisit the website or download the KAYA app!Check out Chalk Cartel!chalkcartel.comUse code "NUGGET" at checkout for 20% off your next order! We are supported by these amazing BIG GIVERS:Michael Roy, Craig Lee, Mark and Julie Calhoun, Yinan Liu, Zach Emery, Alex Pluta, and Matt WalterShow Notes: thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/james-pearsonNuggets:(00:00:00) – Intro(00:01:35) – Getting settled(00:03:13) – Why I feel like I know James(00:05:33) – Introducing the Redemption Story(00:08:10) – Internet backlash(00:10:05) – Coming full circle(00:13:33) – Why it felt important to grade ‘Bon Voyage’(00:17:10) – The full story(00:28:47) – Compassion for himself(00:30:53) – Moving to Innsbruck to work on his sport climbing(00:36:05) – Thinking his pro climbing life was over, meeting Caroline, and their trip to Turkey(00:41:18) – Learning how to train(00:46:33) – 7b+ to 8c+ in 6 months(00:52:32) – Fun and performance(00:53:23) – E grades(00:56:16) – Trying to flash E10 in Pembrook, and falling in love with climbing again(00:59:43) – Returning to ‘Rhapsody’(01:02:10) – Flashing V13 (8B), and his struggle with projecting pressure(01:08:50) – Climbing V15, craving the next level, and living the pro climber dream with Caro(01:17:10) – Why he left the UK, and why it felt important to return to ‘Rhapsody’(01:24:53) – Searching for his hardest trad route(01:25:59) – Making the Redemption film(01:29:21) – eGrader, and understanding E12 and beyond(01:35:47) – Climbing a 9a right after ‘Bon Voyage’(01:37:15) – Talking to Hazel Findlay, and PTSD(01:38:58) – Presenting E12 again 15 years later(01:45:04) – Backlash about grades, and Anna Hazelnutt’s thoughts about Walk of Life(01:49:02) – Breaking down E12 and ‘Bon Voyage’(02:00:53) – Finding ‘Bon Voyage’(02:08:08) – How dangerous is ‘Bon Voyage’?(02:20:23) – Being more scientific about grades(02:24:54) – Why give ‘Bon Voyage’ an E grade?(02:38:44) – Becoming a dad(02:47:47) – What kids taught him(02:53:57) – Rules for climbing with kids, and sending without expectations(02:58:17) – Tips for climbers with kids(03:03:36) – James’ advice for his younger self(03:11:15) – Climbing matters(03:16:45) – Accepting some selfishness, and Caro’s mom(03:23:36) – Training with Ollie Torr for ‘Bon Voyage’, and Caro’s journey back to hard climbing after pregnancy
Released:
Jan 15, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
EP 06: Brittany Goris — FFA of ‘Stingray’, On and Off Mode, and Living the Dirtbag Dream: Brittany Goris is a rock climber, graphic design artist, and self-proclaimed dirtbag. Her recent obsession has been projecting hard single-pitch trad climbs. We talked about her recent ascent of ‘Stingray’ 5.13d in Joshua Tree, the allure of dirtbagging, training on the road, finding community, tips for onsighting, free WiFi, and learning patience. by The Nugget Climbing Podcast