In between insurrections, impeachments, and inaugurations, we’ve found time this month to scrounge around the depths of the dark web to bring you sweet climbing-related content.

Fortunately, this magic trick was made easier due to the lucky occurrence of some actual climbing news. We discuss the known-knowns of the first winter ascent of K2—completed by a badass crew of Nepali and Sherpa climbers. K2 in winter was called mountaineering’s last great prize, and the fact that it goes to perhaps the most deserving group you could imagine is an uplifting moment.

Don’t worry, though, because from there, it’s all downhill to Joshua Tree, where an interesting fashion shoot pushed the limits of toprope photography so far that—poof—even the toprope disappeared.

Our main bit is a lovely conversation with our comrade in climbing media, Natalie Berry, the editor in chief of UKC, one of the most popular climbing websites in the world.

Our final bit is a special, special treat. Hear ye! Hear ye! The Duke of Mason Earle delivers a concord of sweet sounds to attending ears. Ne’er a more mellifluous lute perchance one might hear in all the podcast kingdom of climbing …

Show Notes

Follow Natalie Berry: Instagram and Twitter.

A nice profile of Natalie on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/160236614

K2: First Winter Ascent report on the NY Times https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/sports/summit-k2-nepalese-sherpas.html

Sidetracked Magazine has all the fluff on the Gucci / TNF collaboration: https://www.sidetracked.com/thenorthfacexgucci/

Follow Mason Earle on Instagram

Watch Mason battle an outrageous off width.

Learn more about the Renaissance Lute from a nerd.