The Careless Talk Climbing Podcast E182: Jim Pope - Yosemite big walling and New Zealand bouldering
Jan 21, 2026
Jim Pope, professional climber and Arc'teryx athlete known for board climbing and big-wall ascents. He recounts a sustained push on Magic Mushroom on El Cap and the logistics and psychology of multi-day walls. He also describes Castle Hill, New Zealand bouldering culture, soft limestone feel, and local ethics. Plans for Algeria, Trango Tower and creative projects round out the chat.
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Why Jim Picked Magic Mushroom
- Jim Pope chose Magic Mushroom partly because it was less high-profile and suited his aim to learn El Cap style without pressure.
- He worked the route top-down with Sam Stroh over six working days spread across weeks, then pushed to complete it in a 12-day wall stint.
Magic Mushroom Feels Like A Sport Endurance Test
- Magic Mushroom is sustained with many hard pitches rather than a single standout crux, demanding endurance and repeated 8b/8b+ level efforts.
- Jim describes top-third concentration of the hardest pitches and a style closer to sport-like fitness and sustained resistance.
Living On The Wall Can Be More Restful Than Camping
- Surprisingly, living on the wall felt more restful than valley camping because of routine and shelter from constant packing and ranger avoidance.
- Jim slept better on the Portaledge and found structured climbing/rest windows (start at 3–3:30am) made long days manageable.