Crag Confessions - A Climbing Podcast with Morgan & Cynthia

Ep. 16: Crimposium

Cynthia and Morgan discuss their divergent training philosophies, or the principles they apply as they try to improve and progress in climbing.  Professor Cynthia, channeling FDR, explains the Four Tenets that she employs to get better at climbing.  Morgan counters with a hedonistic, “anti-training” training philosophy.  Along the way, the gals discuss the role of motivation in devising a training plan, the benefits of training strengths versus weaknesses, what it means to be a “good climber,” and what training advice they would give each other.  Can it be that their philosophies are actually not so different after all?  Tune in and hunker down for some Deep Thoughts about climbing. Listener Question:  What is the definition of a good climber?  What is your training philosophy?

Ep. 15: What's in Your Bag?

Cynthia and Morgan unload the essential climbing gear that has earned its way into their backpacks.  The gals go deep on their climbing shoe choices, how their chalk bag reflects their personality, and whether sport climbing gear is really that important. They also discuss how they protect themselves from the elements (one puff is not enough), and Cynthia’s very important food strategy.  Tune in for a fun romp through our climbing bags!

Ep. 14 - Mr. Hueco Tanks (feat. Albert Alvarez)

The man, the legend, Albert Alvarez! In this comeback episode, Cynthia and Morgan soak up the wisdom of the ages from Albert, longtime Hueco Tanks guide, gym owner, and certified crusher.  Albert started climbing at Hueco Tanks 20 years ago, and through many ups and downs is still as psyched as he was the first day.  He shares his unique climbing philosophy and how it comes through in his guiding and his gym, Sessions Climbing. He also reflects on how the spirit of competitiveness has affected the sport over the years, and offers valuable advice on how to stay motivated for the long term. This episode was recorded in September 2022, only a few weeks after Albert’s gym, Sessions Climbing in El Paso, first opened.

Ep 13: A Roast

We love climbing and all… but sometimes a good old-fashioned rant is just what the doctor ordered. Cynthia and Morgan complain about what pisses them off in the world of climbing.  From the mundane to the ridiculous, from the gym to the crag, join us while we whine over a staggeringly broad range of pet peeves.  No minor annoyance is too petty!  The #ugh list includes: unsolicited dude beta, un-psyched climbers, unprepared party members, belayers who force their leaders up, dogs, kids, huge groups at sport crags, screamers on rope, boulderers who sit on crashpads, and gyms with bizarre rules. Listener question:  Tell us what your climbing pet peeve is!  Did we miss anything?   www.cragconfessions.com/Instagram @cragconfessions/the.gals@cragconfessions.com

Ep. 12: So Inspiring

Climbing is inspiring, and Cynthia and Morgan wouldn’t be the climbers they are today if not for the inspiring people, places, and stories that they have encountered on their climbing journey.  These #inspos get them out of bed, to the gym, to the crag, and psyched to climb over and over again.  The gals recount their personal climbing inspirations—from the pro-climbers whose jaw-dropping accomplishments they want to model, to the mentors who fired them up to try their absolute best, to the communities that have transformed how they view themselves in the sport.  Tune in and get inspired! Mentioned in the episode:  https://youtu.be/cVLic8TYfU4 [https://youtu.be/cVLic8TYfU4]