46 - Crazy 8's: The Legend of BJ Gruber
BJ Gruber didn’t grow up climbing—he stumbled into the sport by accident while working as an actor in New York. But in just a few years, he’s become a Gunks completionist, a multi‑pitch sufferfest enthusiast, and an endurance athlete with a taste for long days, big mileage, and type‑two fun. In this episode, BJ walks us through how that unlikely background set him up for one of the wildest objectives ever attempted at Horseshoe Hell: climbing every single 5.8 at the ranch during the 24‑hour event.
We dive into the months of preparation that made it possible—cleaning mud‑filled cracks, memorizing obscure lines, building a logistical plan worthy of an expedition, and stacking a 12‑hour competition on top of it all. BJ shares the chaos of the day itself: route traffic, bonking, pigeon battles, late‑night surges, and the partnership that carried him through the final miles. It’s a look at Horseshoe Hell through the lens of someone who took on a challenge no one else has ever completed—and maybe never will again.
-
A huge thank you to our sponsor, Misty Mountain, for supporting The Ground Up Podcast. Since 1985, Misty Mountain has been handcrafting climbing harnesses and equipment in North Carolina, building gear that's trusted by climbers no matter the challenge.
As a listener of The Ground Up Podcast, you can save 15% on harnesses, gear, and apparel with the code GROUNDUP at checkout.
-
Follow the BJ on Instagram: @BJGruber
-
Get access to exclusive and ad-free content by becoming a Patreon
Follow along on Instagram: @listentogroundup
Check out our new website: https://www.thegrounduppodcast.com/
Sign up for the Mailing List!
