Bill Ramsey on Alan Watts and Climbing at Smith Rock in the '80s

There’s nobody better than Bill Ramsey to discuss the impact that Alan Watts had on climbing. Not only is he a philosophy professor, but he was born in the same hospital as Alan, just a few hours later. Their fathers climbed together at Smith Rock, their mothers shared a recovery room, and together they found a love of climbing that helped bring Smith Rock into the future. 

We discuss:

• Bill and Alan’s early climbing.


• What contributed to changing ethics at Smith Rock. 


• What Alan saw in Smith Rock that Bill didn’t. 


• Alan’s forward thinking and selflessness. 


• What Alan Watts means to climbing history.

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Season Two is generously supported by Rab. 

This episode is supported by Tension Climbing. Use code WRITTEN15 at checkout.

This episode is supported by our research partner, NOLS: The National Outdoor Leadership School.

Written in Stone is co-created with Power Company Climbing.