Today I sit down with Maximilian Barlerin. You might have first heard his name back in October when Corey Buhay wrote what Max humbly calls “a fluff piece” about his staggering 14-pitch, 5.13 big wall first ascent in the Wind River Range—Children of the Sun. The article described an "everyman" 5.14 climber balancing family, two jobs, a fledgling business, and an impressive list of first ascents. This is the first time Maximilian has spoken publicly about his life.

Max isn’t just a climber…He works as a climbing ranger and search-and-rescue responder in Rocky Mountain National Park. His career put him face-to-face with some of the harshest realities of the mountains, forcing him to reconcile the risks we take as climbers with the consequences he’s witnessed firsthand. Through years of SAR work, close calls, and deep self-reflection, he’s developed a rare perspective on climbing, risk, and the ever-evolving relationship we have with danger.

Just days before this episode launch, I learned that Max and his entire team of rangers had been laid off due to recent federal budget cuts—a devastating blow, especially for those who relied on the job not just for income, but for housing. The outdoor community is certainly hurting right now, and my heart goes out to everyone affected. Max reminds us that this is not a good year to get injured in the mountains—there just might not be anyone there to rescue you.

After we unpack the highs and lows of his time as a climbing ranger..we dive into four of his most notable first ascents in Patagonia, Zion, and the Wind River Range—covering the vision, the process, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Maximilian is a soft-spoken, humble climber with an astonishing depth of experience and achievement, and I’m psyched to share his story.

----

HELP KEEP THIS PODCAST AD FREE! | For a little as $3/mo!

----

Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

---

Resources

Maximilian's IG

First Ascent in Patagonia "Colorado Route" (5.11c 45 Degrees, 500m)

Climbing Magazine Article about "Children of The Sun" (IV 5.13-; 1500ft)

Today, we’re stepping behind the screens and into the lives of Cody and Victoria Blue, a climbing couple who have built a sustainable life around capturing and sharing their adventures in the mountains. Relatively new to climbing, their success lies not in the groundbreaking nature of their climbing achievements, but in their remarkable abilities as videographers and story tellers in the environments that inspire us the most.

Recently, Cody and Victoria documented their journey up one of the most iconic mountains in the world—the Matterhorn. The short film these two produced is super well done and really showcases their strengths as storytellers and artists. If you haven’t seen it yet I highly recommend checking it out on their Youtube Channel.

Filming in the mountains is already an immense challenge. But being both the filmmaker and the subject—while also focusing on climbing safely? That’s a whole different level of difficulty and a challenge that simply cannot be overstated..How do you decide what moments are worth capturing? Do you film everything, or does documenting the entire experience risk taking away from the present moment? These are the kinds of questions we explore in this conversation, gaining a deeper understanding of what it’s really like to create the videos we all love to watch.

I was psyched to sit down with Cody and Victoria and dive into such relatable and thought-provoking topics. The term “influencer” often comes with mixed opinions, but these two are living their dream—and have found a way to support a life of creation and climbing. I have a huge amount of respect for that and can’t wait to see where their skills take them next.

And now, I bring you my conversation with Cody & Victoria Blue.

----

Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

---

Resources

Cody & Victorias Youtube

The Matterhorn Film

Cody & Victorias Instagram

Website

Today, I am sharing a conversation with you that has truly left me inspired and honestly pretty humbled. Wayne Wallace—a name that might not immediately ring bells for some of you outside the Pacific Northwest, but one that should. Wayne is, without exaggeration, a living legend in the climbing world. His dedication to the craft spans decades, and his career has been marked by unparalleled passion, mentorship, alpine route development, and pure adventure.

In this episode, we dive deep into Wayne’s journey—from his early days discovering climbing in a world where the technology for clean free climbing was just starting to be developed… to decades later, becoming one of the most prolific alpine route developers in the Pacific Northwest, with countless FA’s including the mythical Mongo Ridge of West Fury. We’ll explore his process for creating new routes, the ethical dilemmas of bolting, and how he views his role as a mentor to the next generation. As an advocate for important and thoughtful climbing ethics— he promotes balancing the ego of creation with the responsibility of establishing routes that others can safely climb after you.

Wayne also opens up about the transitions climbers face as they age, and what it means to continue finding joy in the sport when your approach—and body—changes. Wayne’s adaptability is a testament to his love for all disciplines of the sport. He openly shares lessons learned from his close calls, the importance of bailing when necessary, and his commitment to leaving a positive legacy. His reflections on balancing ambition with survival are a powerful reminder that climbing is not just about reaching summits—it’s about passion, community, and the wisdom you gain as you survive a lifetime of climbing.

Talking with Wayne felt like stepping into a world of climbing that I’ve only scratched the surface of. His humility and depth of experience were both inspiring and intimidating. This man has lived a life devoted to climbing in a way that few can comprehend.

And now I bring you…Explorer, Mentor, Route Developer, and self proclaimed serial sandbagger.. Wayne Wallace.

----

Don’t forget to check out our full video episodes on Youtube!

The TCM movement is growing but we need your help to spread the word! Please share this podcast with your friends and family. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to support the show. If you enjoyed the show we’d appreciate it if you could rate and review us on your favorite podcatcher.

We are always looking for new guests. If you or someone you know would be a great fit for the show please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach us on IG or email us directly @ theclimbingmajoritypodcast@gmail.com

---

Resources

Wayne's Website

Wayne's IG

Wayne's Mountain Project Profile

AAC Write Up on The Mongo Ridge