EP21: Ethan Morf (CAN) | Youngest Person to Climb Freerider (El Cap) in a Day
The Hangout Australian Climbing PodcastShow Notes
This Week I am Hanging with Ethan Morf.
Ethan is a Canadian climber who spent some time in Australia last year. He climbed in the Blue Mountains, Arapiles Dyuritte and the Grampians along his journey. He is also part responsible for the now iconic video "Sneaky Snake", an homage to Aus climbing films. The film follows the elusive German Oliver Schmidt and his 2nd ascent of a Lee Cossey route Sneaky Snake (33) on Taipan.
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GUEST LINKS 📸 Ethan Morf Socials 🎥 Sneaky Snake Video 🎬 Etah Morf Youtube
CHAPTERS 0:00 - intro & Patreon/Apple tax warning2:42 - guest intro: Ethan Morph4:56 - how Ethan got into climbing10:52 - how the Australia trip came together13:20 - Blue Mountains climbing & injury16:04 - old finger injury in Nowra18:42 - first look at Taipan Wall22:58 - meeting Oliver Schmidt24:08 - making Sneaky Snake29:12 - behind the scenes with director Sophie32:26 - the single-push meal attempt34:53 - shoutout to Hayden's crew36:21 - heading to Patagonia (Coche Mo), heel injury39:07 - scale of the walls39:54 - deciding to attempt a first ascent40:35 - finding the line in La Paloma42:17 - ground-up ethic & borrowed gear44:31 - the six-person team45:32 - learning to aid climb47:30 - the crux pitch48:21 - Rachel's 40ft fall54:00 - naming the route56:38 - worst route name ever (RMF)58:00 - falling for South American climbing59:55 - Australian Embassy camp & dirtbag scene1:03:35 - wanting to visit Tasmania1:06:16 - Pines characters & wildlife1:11:12 - soloing & Mr Chicken squeeze1:14:55 - committing to the dirtbag life1:15:50 - Free Rider in a day1:17:18 - why the one-day push1:19:10 - reaction to the send going semi-viral1:20:08 - representing hometown Summerland1:24:21 - Bishop vs Smith Rock1:27:46 - why Bishop's easy to live in1:32:37 - climbing media philosophy1:34:34 - climbing culture: fun vs seriousness1:37:17 - wrap up & upcoming film1:38:03 - camera gear talk1:41:18 - rigging/filming logistics1:44:07 - dream gear (35mm/Super 8)1:46:29 - future projects1:47:37 - closing thanks
KEYWORDS Ethan Morph, Oliver Schmidt, Sneaky Snake, Free Rider, El Cap, Yosemite, Grampians, Taipan Wall, Blue Mountains, Elphinstone, Nowra, Coche Mo, Patagonia, La Paloma, first ascent, aid climbing, ground-up ethic, beaks, big wall, Rachel Ball, Summerland, Okanagan, dirtbag climbing, Bishop, Smith Rock, Tasmania, mini-DV, climbing films, stoke
Thank you for supporting and listening,
Hang again soon, Tommy G
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