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The Cutting Edge

The American Alpine Club
Climbing
Alpine Climbing
American Alpine Club
El Capitan
Yosemite Valley
Pakistan
American Alpine Journal
Cerro Torre
Free Rider
Platinum Wall
Yashkuk Sar
Karakoram
Ultar Sar
Karakoram Range
Patagonia
The Direct Line
Rock Climbing
Big Wall Climbing
First Female Ascent
Greenland

The Cutting Edge presents in-depth interviews with the world's best climbers, just back from great new climbs, along with historical perspective from the editors of the American Alpine Journal and local experts. This podcast is hosted by Jim Aikman and produced by the American Alpine Club.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes77Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for The Cutting Edge

Latest Episodes

In March 2025, the Bay Area–based climber Katie Lamb snagged the fourth ascent of Yosemite's most difficult boulder problem, The Dark Side, an unrelenting V16 on small crimps and dire slopers on the Thriller Boulder in Camp 4. In so doing, she became... more

One of the highlights of last fall's Nepal season was the first ascent of 7,468-meter Jannu East by French climbers Nicolas Jean and Benjamin Védrines, on their second attempt in two years. In this special episode of the Cutting Edge, Ben Védrines sh... more

The enormous granite peaks of Mozambique are among Africa's most impressive rock formations, yet fewer than a dozen climbing teams have ever explored them. In 2025, a Spanish and American trio put up a 17-pitch route in Mozambique, and for this episo... more

Last summer, the Women's Young Alpinist Team of the Swiss Alpine Club journeyed to East Greenland—without ever boarding a plane—and they climbed six long new rock routes, four of them in a fjord never that had never been visited by climbers. Team lea... more

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Recent Guests

Katie Lamb
Professional climber and first female ascentionist of The Dark Side (V16)
Climber
Episode: Katie Lamb: Becoming the First Woman to Do V16—Twice
Carlo Traversi
First ascentionist of The Dark Side and prominent boulder problem climber
Climber
Episode: Katie Lamb: Becoming the First Woman to Do V16—Twice
Benjamin Védrine
climber, mountain guide, and proponent of speed alpinism
North Face team
Episode: Benjamin Védrines: The First Ascent of Jannu East
Steve House
American alpinist, author, and mentor
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Episode: Benjamin Védrines: The First Ascent of Jannu East
Dakota Walls
Climber and world first ascensionist
Independent climber; Madagascar, Chad, Mozambique expeditions
Episode: Massive Climbs and Wild Adventures in Mozambique
Micah Burhart
Patagonia ambassador; climber and advocate
Legado Mozambique (non-profit)
Episode: Massive Climbs and Wild Adventures in Mozambique
Dougald McDonald
Editor-in-chief of the American Alpine Journal
American Alpine Journal
Episode: Massive Climbs and Wild Adventures in Mozambique
Sasha DiGiulian
33-year-old American climber from the DC area, currently residing in Boulder, Colorado. She is a former competition climber and a political activist, known for her substantial contributions to rock climbing, specifically in female first ascents.
Episode: Sasha DiGiulian on El Cap's Direct Line
Eliot Faber
Construction worker and experienced climber from Santa Cruz involved in the development of The Direct Line route.
Episode: Sasha DiGiulian on El Cap's Direct Line

Host

Jim Aikman
Host of The Cutting Edge

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 338 ratings
  • Please no more bouldering episodes

    This podcast was literally perfect etc but the last bouldering episode was so boring.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    NorCalLuke
    United States15 days ago
  • Overproduced

    I miss when this show was a simple interview format with MacDonald hosting. The updated show is cloyingly produced; the host’s script is unnatural sounding and the cuts and music interludes are unsuccessful flourishes. I used to never miss an episode but finding myself rarely listening in the past year.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    craigrandall
    United States25 days ago
  • Great storytelling!

    I love this format where they have different guests, putting in historical context, education about the area, and of course, engaging question and storytelling by their guests! It’s obvious they put a lot of work into each episode and I greatly appreciate the production !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    eric V2
    United Statesa month ago
  • Old format better

    I so much preferred the old format. The new format with its thematic approach obfuscates what actually happened and the simple reportage of the old linear interviews was clear. Also, It was also a shame to lose the old theme music and soundscape. It was the best intro in podcasting! Truly wonderful sound design. Please bring it back.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    As yea come
    Australia5 months ago
  • Mostly excellent

    The original format of this podcast was potentially my favourite of any podcast, and felt as though it captured the essence of the routes being discussed, and the feeling of the history of the aaj. Unfortunately, while a polished production, the new format has lost all of the magic of the original, which is a real shame. The old intro and music in particular was a real winner. Hope that maybe it returns in the future.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    IsolatedNZ
    New Zealand7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audio quality and sound design are sometimes cited as inconsistent, impacting the listening experience.
Listeners value the depth and technical richness of interviews and expert perspectives.
Some listeners miss the old linear interview format and prefer straightforward climbing narratives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#205
India/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Katie Lamb: Becoming the First Woman to Do V16—Twice
Q: How did the grading controversy around Box Therapy influence you?
She recalls feeling initial discomfort but also the learning that controversy is a natural part of a sport with evolving standards and a communal decision-making process.
Katie Lamb: Becoming the First Woman to Do V16—Twice
Q: What does it mean to you to be the first woman to climb a V16 in Yosemite?
Katie emphasizes separating personal climbing from the milestone, acknowledges the cultural impact, and notes how the achievement can motivate others while also respecting the sport's ongoing history and gender dynamics.
Katie Lamb: Becoming the First Woman to Do V16—Twice
Q: How did your progression lead to attempting The Dark Side?
Katie describes a long arc from Box Therapy through various projects, with increasing focus on the technical and mental aspects of bouldering that culminated in The Dark Side attempt.
Benjamin Védrines: The First Ascent of Jannu East
Q: What role did mental training play in the ascent?
Mental preparation, including working with a mental coach and sports psychology, was treated as essential as physical training, helping the climbers manage fear, decision-making under pressure, and the emotional weight of the climb.
Benjamin Védrines: The First Ascent of Jannu East
Q: How did the 2024 tragedy influence the 2025 plan?
It prompted a respectful reevaluation of lines and a shift toward a Plan B route with an emphasis on speed and strong teamwork, informed by the need to honor their fallen companion while pursuing a new opportunity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Location
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cutting Edge

What is The Cutting Edge about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features in-depth conversations with top climbers and industry editors, often centered on recent big climbs, expedition planning, risk management, and the broader culture of alpinism. Episodes frequently include expert commentary from editors and seasoned mountaineers, providing historical context and practical insights for serious climbers. A notable strength is the blend of first-hand expedition storytelling with analytical perspectives on technique, ethics, and risk, making it valuable for listeners who want both inspiration and deeper understanding of modern alpine climbing. A few episodes also emphasize the human side of extreme climbing—training, mindset, and resilience in the face of danger. The format can be resource-inten... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Cutting Edge?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Cutting Edge:

1. The Enormocast: the climbing podcast
2. Alpinist
3. The RunOut Podcast
4. Climbing Gold
5. the Sharp End Podcast

How many episodes of The Cutting Edge are there?

The Cutting Edge launched 8 years ago and published 77 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Cutting Edge?

Recent guests on The Cutting Edge include:

1. Katie Lamb
2. Carlo Traversi
3. Benjamin Védrine
4. Steve House
5. Dakota Walls
6. Micah Burhart
7. Dougald McDonald
8. Sasha DiGiulian

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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