EP 43: Emily Harrington — Projecting ‘Golden Gate’ in a Day, Embracing Fear, and Cupcake Batter Ice Cream

Emily Harrington is a professional climber whose accomplishments span the climbing spectrum. From winning National Championships, to summiting Mt. Everest, to free climbing El Capitan, Emily has done it all. We talked about projecting ‘Golden Gate’ in a day, partnering with Alex Honnold, embracing fear, eating to fuel your body, and cupcake batter ice cream.  

Support on Patreon:  

patreon.com/thenuggetclimbing  

Show Notes:  

http://thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/emily-harrington  

Nuggets:  

3:14  – Being at home, the next round of tries, and “it’s been a long process”  

5:29 – Why Emily chose ‘Golden Gate’ in a day as a goal  

10:21 – Emily’s preparation for ‘Golden Gate’ this season  

13:22 – Partnering up with Alex Honnold  

16:36 – Emily’s accident last fall, and recalibrating for this attempt  

19:36 – Breakdown of ‘Golden Gate’ and least favorite pitches (the Hollow Flake/ all fo the downclimbs and offwidths)  

23:18 – Climbing the Monster Offwidth and bumping a #6 that she’d forgotten to clip  

23:56 – Emily’s favorite pitches on ‘Golden Gate’ (Golden Desert and A5)  

24:45 – Footwear for El Cap, and converting to the TC Pro  

27:29 – Conquering fear vs. embracing fear and using it as fuel  

30:41 – Patron Question: Any tips or tactics for working through fear in the moment?  

34:37 – Emily’s strategies for working through anxiety, and letting go of perfection  

40:25 – Eating to fuel your body  

41:26 – Transitioning into trad and big wall free climbing and Emily’s rollercoaster of emotions  

43:58 – Rappelling El Cap to try a 20’ downclimb  

46:15 – What Emily hopes to accomplish in her career and in her climbing  

50:23 – Grateful to have a home  

52:12 – Reggaeton  

53:05 – Non-functional earrings  

54:09 – Skittles and pancakes  

54:38 – Naan  

55:04 – Cupcake batter ice cream