What connects the past, present and future of rock climbing? Risk.
From the early days of the lunatic fringe, dirtbag climbers gambled with their lives to chase the edge of human imagination. But pushing the boundaries of climbing has always meant challenging the assumptions and status quo of the previous generation.
Today’s new generation of athletes have risen to the top of their sport without ever having touched the world’s most famous summits. Casual participants in the sport have voice and impact beyond the world of outdoor adventure, to the halls of government and the world of art and cinema.
In Climbing Gold, Alex Honnold and co-host Fitz Cahall share stories from the people who define the sport. Athletes. Risk takers. Dirtbags. Pioneers. Community builders. Outsiders. Leaders.
Our Creative Team
Climbing Gold’s creative team is a group of friends and climbers. The team is led by the Seattle-based creative agency Duct Tape Then Beer, known for creating the original, 14+ year running outdoor podcast, The Dirtbag Diaries, and for a myriad of beloved films about the culture of the outdoors.
alex honnold
host
Alex became a household name when he became the first person to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan without a rope. The documentary Free Solo went on to win an Academy Award and establish Alex as climbing’s most recognizable athlete. Alex brings his incredible wit, reputation and personal perspective of transitioning from a dirtbag climber into a global icon to this podcast.
Follow Alex’s climbing exploits on Insta @alexhonnold
Read about Alex’s experience in his book Alone On The Wall
fitz cahall
creative director
Fitz has combined his twin passions for journalism and climbing into a 20 year career covering adventure and the environment. In 2007, he set out to create a digital campfire where people could share stories and experiences from wild places. Fourteen years later, The Dirtbag Diaries podcast has built a passionate following and remains the original and leading podcast in the outdoor space.
See his other creative endeavors at Duct Tape Then Beer Follow Fitz and his family on Insta at @fitzcahall
leici hendrix
exec producer
Leici is a strategist, who works to connect people and ideas. With her deep personal knowledge of the comp climbing landscape, the international outdoor climbing world and her past working relationship with USA Climbing, Leici has a unique combination of knowledge and skill that make her the perfect person to sheperd the creation of Climbing Gold.
Follow Leici’s climbing exploits on her Insta @leici_lady
becca cahall
exec producer
As co-founder and CEO of Duct Tape Then Beer, Becca has built a business around telling powerful and far-reaching stories. She oversees and manages the creation, business and staffing end Climbing Gold, The Dirtbag Diaries, and DTTB films. Becca, second from right next to Fitz, has lived her life outside, beginning her career as a biologist and now utilizes her field and analytical skills for DTTB’s benefit.
Follow Becca on Insta @beccacahall
anya miller
brand/art director
As Duct Tape Then Beer's Director of Brand and Creative Strategy, Anya visually manages and socially drives The Dirtbag Diaries, Duct Tape Then Beer, and Climbing Gold. A climber for over 20 years, she loves anything remotely rock related, and with over 16 years of creative experience in design and strategy, she’s just the person to create and manage the Climbing Gold brand.
Follow Anya on Insta @anya_miller
elizabeth nakano
producer
Elizabeth shares a twin passion for radio and adventure. She co-hosted Safety Third, has produced for Renegades: Born In The USA, 99% Invisible, KCRW, The Dirtbag Diaries — and on the weekend, she pilots her paraglider off mountains. Elizabeth is a graduate of Transom’s Storytelling Workshop and previously worked as a producer in independent film and television.
cordelia zars
music/sound production
Cordelia is a song bird in the body of an adventurer. She contributes to editing, sound, and music for Climbing Gold. She is also a producer for The Dirtbag Diaries, writes musicals and runs her own theater group, Arête Theatrics, out of Boulder, Colorado.
Follow Cordelia on Insta @cordeliazars
andrew burton
assistant editor
Andrew is a Pulitzer Prize Finalist, internationally award-winning photographer, and documentary filmmaker. He previously worked for Getty and The New York Times, so it’s no surprise that Andrew masters whatever he needs to in order to tell a compelling story. He is an assistant editor for Climbing Gold and in his free time he works more, takes care of his new baby Mae, climbs and skis.
Follow Andrew on Insta @andrew__burton