Jam Crack - The Niall Grimes Climbing Podcast

London-based Molly Thompson Smith is one of the hot tickets on the competition circuit. Tune in to hear about her experiences, and lots more besides. 

Niall Grimes has a chat with Russian / Crimean climber, Yuri Kruglov, about life and climbing in Yuri's homeland. In this interview the interviewer reveals his lack of any real knowledge of Russia beyond its space ships and the odd battle in WW2.

The Boss. A conversation with John Allen who, as a teenager in the 1970s, revolutionised gritstone climbing with a near-endless string of first ascents of the finest routes.

Ruth Jenkins pushed British female standards in the 1990s, with ground-breaking ascents of 8a+ and 8b routes. Hear her recollations of the time as she sits down with her early climbing inspiration, Niall Grimes.

Niall Grimes reads his own account of Seb Grieve's ascent of Parthian Shot and his own short story, The Medium.

American climber, friend of the show, Chris Schulte reads Bernard Amy’s classic tale, The Greatest Climber in the world. Deep shit.

With a free ascent of El Capitan via the notorious Freerider, sport redpoints up to 8b, Maddy Cope is among the most accomplished all rounders in the land. Yet you don’t hear much about this young gun. Perhaps this young gun has a silencer fitted? Let's hear her story.

Liver of life Joe Healey lays down down the arc of his story so far.

The world famous Wideboyz, Pete Whittaker and Tom Randall, talk dodgy websites, wide cracks, cellar sessions, training plans and forgiveness.

Top 1980s sport climber, author of some of the hardest sport climbs anywhere at the time, recalls Lancashire, Malham, Sheffield, the Peak, France and Lycra.

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.