47 - Professor of 5.14: Bill Ramsey
Bill Ramsey has been part of some of the most important chapters in American climbing history. Growing up in central Oregon, he cut his teeth at Smith Rock in the late 1970s alongside childhood friend Alan Watts, back when the crag was still a quiet collection of cracks and sport climbing was barely a concept. As the two pushed their climbing forward, Bill was right there for the early days of a movement that would fundamentally change the sport. From climbing some of Smith's hardest routes at the time to witnessing the first wave of sport climbing development, he had a front-row seat and a hand in the action.
After stepping away from climbing to pursue a career in academia, Bill found his way back to the sport through a trip to the New River Gorge and a chance introduction to the emerging scene at the Red River Gorge. What started as an occasional visit soon turned into nearly every weekend for the next 15 years. He became deeply involved in the community, put up routes of his own, and climbed alongside many of the people who helped establish the Red as one of the world's premier sport climbing destinations. We talk about the characters and community that made the Red so special in the 1990s, the area's evolution, and the routes and partnerships that defined those years. Along the way, Bill shares stories from five decades of climbing, including some remarkable ascents, friendships, and experiences with many of the sport's most influential figures.
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Read about Bill's recent 5.14 ascents at 65!
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