Joanne Urioste’s story is a masterclass in charting your own course. Growing up in New York under strict, old-school expectations, she channeled her rebellious energy into an obsession with mountains before she ever actually climbed. Once she did, she went all in, tackling big alpine climbs in the Northeast with her partner Jorge, back when gear was minimal. Joanne shares how she learned to compartmentalize fear and channel total calm, and that climbing is ultimately about building a foundation of mastering your systems and managing your mind.

Joanne explains how she built the confidence to navigate a male-dominated climbing culture, sometimes choosing to document routes in private to protect them from backlash. Her mountain ventures evolved with motherhood when she pivoted from high-risk climbing to ultrarunning, and she ultimately crushed the brutal Hardrock 100. From her legendary Red Rock first ascents and guidebook to the long arc of a life built around wildness, Joanne's life story is sure to inspire anyone.

LINKS:

Purchase Joanne's memoir Collages of Rock & Desire: Re-imagining Climbing in Red Rock, Risk in the Andes & Running into Dreams:

https://www.amazon.com/Collages-Rock-Desire-Re-imagining-Climbing/dp/B0G45SK5R9

https://www.desertrocksportslv.com/ (a local/order-by-phone option other than Amazon)

AAC short documentary about the Uriostes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob-piZ51wBw&t=2s

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Episode hosted by Jeannie Wall & Cat Coe

Audio production by Cat Coe

Music by Holizna Radio (intro & segues) and Ketsa (conclusion). All music sourced from freemusicarchive.org.

www.broadbeta.com

Tune in to get reacquainted with Jeannie Wall, co-founder of Broad Beta. Jeannie epitomizes the term mountain athlete, with high-level accomplishments in a mind-boggling array of disciplines from nordic racing to mixed climbing. She is the ultimate mentor, sharing her knowledge and stoke with climbers of all levels. In this episode, Jeannie shares a story about climbing Ruby Peak in the high Sierra. She and her partner deal with exfoliating rock and rockfall, and she reflects on Yvon Chouinard's quote, “If the trip is planned to the nth degree with no risk or surprise, then it’s just a vacation.” Sit back and enjoy this short story, and get inspired for your next adventure.

Climbing's Unspooling was originally published on the Broad Beta website in July of 2026. Check it out here to see photos from Ruby Peak.

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Recorded by Jeannie Wall

Produced by Cat Coe

Music by Holizna Radio (intro) and Kirk Osamayo (conclusion). All music sourced from freemusicarchive.org.

www.broadbeta.com

Getting Consent on El Cap was written by Amber Smith and originally published on the Broad Beta website in June of 2026 (visit the link to see photos!). Amber shares her past hesitations about climbing El Cap, and how she eventually overcame them with a successful ascent of Lurking Fear. We love how she articulates her questions and fear about this endeavor.

Amber is a Certified Rock Guide with the AMGA and has been guiding for over a decade. The first half of her career was spent in the North Cascades, where she climbed, guided, and skied many of the Cascade volcanoes via multiple routes. Later, she based herself in Yosemite National Park, where she climbed and guided hundreds of iconic granite multi-pitch routes. Amber climbs at the 5.12 grade on both traditional and sport routes across limestone, granite, and sandstone. But most importantly, she believes these accomplishments don’t define her as a climber. Over the course of her career, Amber has developed tools not only to perform, but to enjoy climbing. Through her business, the Embodied Climbing School, she teaches these tools to help others cultivate joy, presence, and confidence in their climbing.

Check out Amber's business the Embodied Climbing School

Follow her adventures and offerings @embodiedclimbingschool

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Recorded and produced by Cat Coe

Music by Holizna Radio (intro) and Kirk Osamayo (conclusion). All music sourced from freemusicarchive.org.

www.broadbeta.com