JCPC 209 Rachel Pearce - Journey to the Indian Face part 1

JCPC 209 Rachel Pearce - Journey to the Indian Face part 1

Author: Niall Grimes September 11, 2026 Duration: 1:31:04

North-Wales-based trad machine Rachel Pearce set headlines this summer with her ascent of the Indian Face. Indian Face, the country's first E9, had only had ten ascents in the 40 years since it was first done, practically every ascent making the headlines. This huge slab climb on the sombre cliffs of Cloggy stands for many as the ultimate in the committing end of trad climbing.

With her ascent Rachel became to first woman to succeed on a the climb. Yet it is only the latest in a long ticklist of bold and desperate climbs on the mountains and seacliffs in her home turf.

Hear about Rachel's background and the climbs that led to this monumental achievement. Much crack.


There's a particular sound to a well-placed nut or the satisfying scrape of a boot on gritstone, and Jam Crack-The Niall Grimes Climbing Podcast captures that atmosphere perfectly. Hosted by Irish climber and author Niall Grimes, this isn't just a series of interviews; it's a gathering of voices from the crag. Grimes pulls up a metaphorical rock next to a wild array of characters-local legends, international pioneers, and everyone in between, the kind of dedicated souls who live for the next hold. The conversations flow naturally, covering the triumphs, the epics, and the sheer comedy that comes from a life spent clinging to stone. Beyond the chats, this podcast often features Grimes reading aloud from classic climbing literature, letting those timeless tales of adventure and mishap wash over you. It’s a blend of deep knowledge, genuine passion, and good humour, all delivered with Grimes' distinctive warmth. Whether you're planning your next project or just love a good story from the hills, this podcast feels like the best kind of post-climb debrief in a crowded pub, where the stories are always better than the beta.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Jam Crack - The Niall Grimes Climbing Podcast
Podcast Episodes
JCPC 189 Pritchard Wainwright Trango part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:08
In 1995 two of UK trad climbing's brightest stars left Llanberis for Pakistan's Trango Tower. Paul Pritchard and Adam Wainwright honed their skills and boldness on the sea cliffs of North Wales. Their lives led them onto…
JCPC 188 Holy Shit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:43
I set off to introduce the Pritchard wainwright podcast but accidentally talk crap for 50 minute. Apologies all round. Big love x
JCPC187 Siebe Vanhee - Pembroke rampage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:44
Pembroke is surely the UK's favourite climbing holiday destination. This year Belgian Siebe Vanhee came to visit. Between visits to the pub and nights' camping in the field, he amassed a mindblowing ticklist of onsights…
JCPC 186 John Dunne Part Two [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:24
The second part of the John Dunne chat talking Parthian Shot and life after injury.
JCPC 185 John Dunne Part One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:51
Here's a true heavyweight of the 80s and 90s sport and trad world. John Dunne punched out top level sport routes at Malham and a series of trad routes that are still the country's finest ticks. He ruffled feathers along…
JCPC 184 Lincoln Knowles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:18
Lincoln Knowles, a 21-year-old US-based TikTokker, YouTuber, FreeSoloist and RageBaiter, tells us all about his funny videos where he annoys the shit out of people. Let's hear his crack.
JCPC 183 Oliver Tippett - Hard Aid on El Cap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:14
El Cap is still the crucible of hard aid climbing, where devotees come to test themselves and learn. Oliver Trippett is one such disciple and he tells us of this vertical world.
JCPC 182 Jason Kehl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:16
Artist, developer, shaper, traveller and all round baller, Jason Kehl, AKA Cryptochild, tells us about his quirks and works and his love of developing beautiful boulder problems in the American desert.
JCPC 181 Milena Mühlen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
Good friend of the show Milena Mühlen reads a self-penned story, Climbing and Womanhood, telling of a recent experience.
JCPC 180 Andy Popp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:52
My old mucker Andy chatting North Wales in 90s, soloing, freedom, grit, history and rambling. So warm.