Reflecting back on the surprising ways this website impacted me in real life, the winter of 2011 was a pivotal one. At the beginning of January I found myself at my first Outdoor Retailer trade show with Kevin Jorgeson, ostensibly to figure out how we could collaborate on his Professional Climbers International project. Ultimately that didn’t really pan out for me, but during that trip I happened to meet and become friendly with Jon Glassberg and Jordan Shipman who had a burgeoning climbing media company called Louder Than 11.
A few weeks after this trip I was down in Little Rock City The Stone Fort with my friend Kevin and besides being so excited to climb on sandstone that I ended up blowing up my knee (again), we were beyond psyched to watch that year’s broadcast of ABS Nationals. It’s a little hard to remember, but prior to 2011 most (all?) Nationals comps had taken place in somewhat of a vacuum: if you were physically in the gym they were held at you got to take in the action but if you weren’t (i.e. you didn’t live in Boulder, usually) it was somewhat as though the comps never happened. Sure, there were results and maybe pictures/videos after the fact, but you were never able to watch live from anywhere outside the venue. That changed in 2011 when the guys from ne2c stepped in and made the broadcast happen from that warehouse in Boulder, and it was awesome to be able to watch live from that mediocre hotel room outside Chattanooga as Sean McColl and Alex Puccio (who else) took it down.
The following year was a bit of regression in that Nationals from Colorado Springs was not broadcast live, but when it came time for the 2013 edition to be broadcast live a funny thing happened: instead of being at home excited to take in the action, I was somehow in the commentator booth at the venue helping to call the action with Pete Ward. The connections I had made with Louder Than 11 and the what was in retrospect unhealthy obsession I had with climbing had accidentally positioned me perfectly to get this gig as it turned out. While I was nervous to the point of nausea it was pretty thrilling to be involved in something I was such a big fan of.
Fast forwarding through the years, I would be fortunate to go on to provide commentary for an additional 11 Nationals (Bouldering and Sport/Speed) along with a few Portland Boulder Rallies and Psicobloc Masters as well. The memories I have from all these events are varied and distinct to each event, but the underlying theme for them all was that I always felt really fortunate to be involved in any way.
It’s through this nostalgic lens that I reflect on the changes afoot with USA Climbing this year that have resulted in me coming to learn somewhat unceremoniously that I won’t be involved in these broadcasts moving forward. USA Climbing is making a lot of changes from what I have gathered, and as part of those changes they’ve decided to move in a different direction when, among other things, it comes to who is doing their live commentary. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed that I won’t get to continue this journey that I’ve invested so much of my time, energy and passion into over the past several years (particularly given imminent drive toward the Olympics), but reflecting back I can’t help but be satisfied that I got to be involved at all.
I feel particularly grateful to Jon, Jordan and Josh at LT11 for their belief in me over the years, and I am proud of the work we did in the booth with Pete Ward, Ben Clark, Max Zolotukhin, and of course my longtime co-host Chris Weidner. I truly was (and still am) a fan of climbing and the climbers who compete at the highest levels who was lucky enough to get to channel that excitement into an unexpected outlet that was the commentary booth.
You definitely provided great commentary and they’ll be hard pressed to improve on the depth of knowledge. Great job!
Now come back to the blog please so we can get our frequent fix! 🙂
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Always enjoyed your commentary Brian. Bummed they moved away from you.
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Not sure what compelled me to re-check the site today – I used to visit daily but obviously haven’t in a long time so it’s really nice to see a post! Your blog was a big part of my early climbing days, going back to 2011. It was great to have a one-stop-shop for nicely curated, un-hyped and un-sponsored news and videos. There really isn’t a place to get that now.
Definitely a bummer to hear that you won’t be commentating for the comps any more, I always really enjoyed your mellow, thoughtful style and thought it was a nice contrast to the IFSC commentary. I can only assume that they’re going to get some hyperpsyched idiot who doesn’t know anything about climbing or its culture and history just to make it sound exciting. Hearing a real climber talking was one of the only reasons I watched comps.
Personally, and I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking this, I find a lot of the new climbing media exceptionally obnoxious. I wish there was a way to fight this, but I guess I should just go climb more and quit paying attention.
Keep it brave and humble Brian!
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Thanks, Nick! I really appreciate the kind words.
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Sorry to hear this. But very cool to be leaving a comment on the Narc website again!
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Thanks, Brady. Great to hear from you!
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Bummer to hear the news! I’m sure boulder nationals will feel (sound) different without you. Plus no more “strong” and “struggling” montages afterward (although Chris’ commentary is much more prevalent in those videos). Best of luck with your future work!
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bummer. I also enjoyed your commentary! (as well as this blog, I have yet to find a suitable replacement). Best of luck with whatever comes next!
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I’m quite nostalgic reading this. You and Chris were the dream team. I really appreciated you during those years and all the hard work you both put in. I just tried to catch up on all the happenings. Saw the ESPN deal. Interesting. I’m honored to be included in this post. Would love to catch up with you one day. All the best!
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Does this mean you’ll be blogging consistently again?!?? I can’t describe how influential you were in beginning my climbing journey. Years ago I found your site 1 week after walking into a climbing gym and immediately became a daily (if not…hourly) subscriber. I’ve always respected your writing and thought provoking articles…but the climbing porn was always the best part :). Either way, I’m happy to see a new post and saddened that we won’t get to hear you commentating in the near future. Best of luck to you and I’m sure things will open up elsewhere down the road. You’ve been and will continue to be a major impact on the climbing world. Kudos to you Narc and all the hard work and dedication over the years.
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Thanks, John. Always great to hear stories like this and I hope your climbing journey continues to treat you well!
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We miss you, Narc! You were awesome on those comp broadcasts.
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Hey dude, came back to the site and was shocked to see a 2019 post. While it’s not the happiest news possible, hearing from you at all feels nice. Like the others above, this site was huge for me when I started climbing. Just wanted to thank you for posting all the old Float Faction videos back in the day, even though they were controversial and amateurish. Your love of an esoteric hobby inspired me back in the day and still does, and influences me as both a climber and a writer. Thanks Narc!
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Your website is still to this day bookmarked on all my devices because of the psyche it provided. The updates and the videos got me through my undergraduate and to try hard outdoors and I still enjoy looking back on the iconic sends and news now. Mad props from Queensland, Australia.
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Thanks, Michael!
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Man, I miss this place. Thanks for the good times, Narc!
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Thank you!
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Hola, Narc!
Glad you keep the site alive. Returning once in a while for the sake of nostalgia is pretty great.
I hope life is treating you well in all that you do. Take care.
Best regards,
@nervousone
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Hard to believe it’s been over 5 years now of (trying) to just keep the lights on around here!
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The narc lives on, at least as an archive. Miss this site.
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Use to visit this site daily. Miss you Narc! Hope you are well.
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