Episode 42: Mike Rockell, Beyond Pork Chop Hill

Welcome to Episode 42 of the Ω Powerband Podcast - a podcast dedicated to rock climbing in Aotearoa New Zealand. In this episode, I speak with the one of the finest climbers ever to escape from the Manawatū, Mike Rockell.

Born in Waiouru, Mike went to school and university in Palmerston North. He was an adventurous youth, who quickly developed a keen interest in mountaineering and rock climbing. After some top roping on the vertical dirt cliffs that flank Pork Chop Hill near the Manawatū river, Mike's interest in the mountains quickly gave way to an interest in (solid) cliffs and soon Mike was flying north on his motorcycle heading for Whanganui Bay. And, more or less, the rest is history.

In our conversation, we chat about Mike's early years as a climber, his days at the Bay and Paines and Baring Head and about some of his classic first ascents such as Bizarete and Fawlty Towers. Mike reflects on his place in New Zealand climbing history and on the many ways in which the climbing scene has changed since he first tied in. He shares some stories about his travels to Yosemite and the Verdon and we even get 'deep and meaningful' on climbing ethics, retrobolting and the value of risk.

Enjoy!