EP 78: Jason Kehl
July 19, 2021
PHOTO: Andy Mann
Jason Kehl is a professional rock climber known for his highball bouldering ascents, and unique artistic expression. We talked about karate and how screaming helps his climbing, roof climbing in his parents’ basement, a chronology of his haircuts, vans he’s lived in, having kids, bouldering with cargo nets in Hueco Tanks, and notable highball ascents like ‘Evilution’ and ‘The Fly’.
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Jason’s Cargo Net:
Jason’s Videos:
Hueco's Web (bouldering with cargo net)
HuecoManiac (rope tied around his waist)
‘Count to Six and Die’ FA (spotter on rappel)
Other videos:
Kevin Jorgeson bouldering ‘The Fly’
Music:
‘Antichrist Superstar’ by Marilyn Manson
Books:
Other Stuff:
Boulder’s Mentioned:
‘Count to Six and Die’ V12, Hueco Tanks, TX
‘Evilution’ V12, Bishop, CA
‘After Midnight’ V10, Yosemite, CA
‘The Present’ 5.14a, Gorilla Cliffs, UT
‘The Fly’ V14/5.14d, Rumney, NH
‘The Seventh Circle’ V14, Hueco Tanks, TX
Jason’s Links:
Nuggets:
2:05 – Karate
6:48 – Power screaming and made-up words
9:20 – ‘Count to Six and Die’
10:47 – Growing up in a small town in Maryland, climbing trees, the basement home wall, and Jason’s go-to move
15:53 – Parental support
16:34 – Jason’s journey to bouldering, and climbing ‘Evilution’
20:25 – Getting noticed for highballing, and bouldering ‘The Fly’
25:15 – Joe’s Valley
27:29 – Jason in High School, pocket protectors, and the weird kid’s lunch table
30:51 – Developing his image, sponsorship, and performing for an audience
32:45 – The competition disguise
33:50 – Jason’s theme song
35:25 – A chronicle of Jason’s hairstyles
42:30 – The Dreaded Wudan Mullet
43:30 – A chronicle of Jason’s vans
47:35 – Falling in love with Hueco, and climbing in the summer
52:30 – Are there any FAs left in Hueco?
55:37 – Having kids, and focusing your time
1:06:38 – Cargo nets
1:17:35 – Social Media, and being a professional climber
1:25:44 – Patron Question from Logan: What was the most difficult part of dropping everything to be a pro climber?
1:28:01 – Odd jobs
1:29:39 – Patron Question from Will: How did the NE influence his climbing?
1:33:16 – Patron Question from Nick: Do you ever go back and repeat dangerous climbs you’ve done before?
1:35:53 – Gratitude
1:37:40 – Don’t give away the beta
1:41:22 – Reminders and stuff I’m excited about