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Andy Salo

@andywsalo

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Summer is for the Pass. @big_fatty_matty took time away from his side hustle milking goats to give @ityoung82 a catch on this bouldery arete. by @andywsalo

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a year ago

Andy Salo didn’t set out to establish the hardest route at the Gunks—he just wanted to see what was possible. In this episode, he breaks down his approach to climbing as a process, not just a chase for an end goal. Instead of picking a climb and forcing it to happen, he lets curiosity guide him, which led him to the Brozone and beyond. If you’ve ever wondered about the mindset behind next-level first ascents, or how a route goes from an idea to reality, this conversation is worth a listen.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or at the link in our bio.

#firstascentpod #firstascentpodcast #climbingpodcast #rockclimbing #climbingculture #firstascent #tradisrad #tradclimbing #sportclimbing

Video clips from Black Diamond's, "The Lifer" film directed by Mike Call, concept by Sam Elias on Youtube.
Last video clip of Andy on Death's Head Mask 5.12d X in the Gunks, footage from @headpointhandbook 's Youtube. by @andywsalo

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2 years ago

Andy Salo has been climbing long enough to see ethics, styles, and entire crags evolve—but some things never change. In this episode, he shares stories of route development, first ascents, and the sometimes heated debates over bolts, risk, and what makes a climb truly worthwhile. He reflects on the early days of sport climbing, the trial-and-error process of putting up new routes, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you’re into climbing history, love a good first ascent story, or just want to hear from someone who’s spent a lifetime shaping the cliffs we climb today, this conversation is full of insight, humor, and the kind of perspective that only comes with time on the rock.

Link to this killer episode in bio.

Photo Credit 📸:
1 + 2 - Andy attempting Best Things in Life Are Free, 5.14d R, Photos by Francois LeBeau @francoislebeau
3 - 6 - Andy onsighting Ultra Instinct, 5.13a at Underwood Canyon, Adirondacks, Photos by Jim Lawyer @jimlawyer
7 - Andy onsighting The Witness, 5.12d at the Crime Scene, Adirondacks, Photo by Jim Lawyer @jimlawyer
8 - Photo by Greg Elgin @greg_elgin

#firstascentpod #firstascentpodcast #climbingculture #tradisrad #tradclimbing #sportclimbing by @andywsalo

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2 years ago

Andy Salo has been climbing since 1998. The sport’s history has always been something that fascinated him, and he got to delve into it writing both the Gunks Bouldering and Gunks Routes books. Working on these projects with Wolverine blossomed into more of a steady job, and in 2021 he and his wife Whitney relocated to the Western Slope of Colorado. In 2023, his son Western was born, joining him and Whitney at the crag. 1st photograph by @s.ted

Thank you for all your hard work, Andy!

#guidebooks #author #bouldering #rockclimbing by @andywsalo

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2 years ago

Off we go @whitneyboland by @andywsalo

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2 years ago

Mama Whit is back to form @whitneyboland. Photos by @james_lucas by @andywsalo

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2 years ago

On‎ the‎ latest‎ episode‎ of‎ the‎ Enormocast,‎ @andywsalo‎ @maryd_harlan‎ @andrewbisharat‎ and‎ I‎ cure‎ all‎ of‎ climbing’s‎ problems‎ with‎ one‎ simple‎ concept:‎ Crag‎ to‎ Gym‎ classes.‎ You’re‎ welcome!!!‎
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⁣Come‎ and‎ get‎ it,‎ but‎ leave‎ your‎ sensitivities‎ at‎ the‎ door…of‎ the‎ gym…as‎ we‎ lock‎ you‎ inside‎ and‎ shoot‎ it‎ into‎ the‎ sun.‎ ‎
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⁣And‎ thanks‎ to‎ everyone‎ who‎ called‎ in!!‎ by @andywsalo

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3 years ago

Winter work on an updated Western Sloper guide kicks off. First up is the Puoux, as seen here with @whitneyboland on Honk in the Tunnel, something of an overlooked crag classic. by @andywsalo

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3 years ago

Rifle is closed, so @sawyerclimbs goes truckin’ on Long Haul at the Puoux. Thanks to the @asca_bolt_replacement for the hardware upgrade on this 1990s-era route. by @andywsalo

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3 years ago

Little man enjoying the spring breeze. by @andywsalo

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3 years ago

Happy Mother’s Day @whitneyboland. Good to have you back on the sharp end. by @andywsalo

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3 years ago

Two from last weekend of @corrieklein checking out Imperio Pods at the Hog. by @andywsalo

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3 years ago