The Climb

"The Climb" has been carefully crafted to test a variety of climbing styles to challenge contestants from around the world to crown a winner!

Contestants travel around Spain and Jordon to conquer "The Climb." Each climb challenges contestants to reach out of their comfort zones to push themselves higher.

Although it is a reality show, the normal backstabbing, backbiting, and pettiness was absent from this adrenaline packed show, which was refreshing.

The climbing community appears to be one of support, encouragement, and personal perseverance, which the show was able to share with the audience!

As Episode 1 of "The Climb" (2023 release; 8 episodes ranging from 36 to 51 min) opens, we are in Mallorca, where legendary climber Chris Sharma and actor Jason "Aquaman" Momoa are scouting for a good location to start a climbing competition "to inspire the next generation of climber". We are introduced to10 amateur climbers from various countries (primarily the US, the UK and Brazil), who are competing for $100,000 in cash plus $100,000 in sponsorships. At this point we are less than 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: while nominally this competition is the brainchild of Momoa and Sharma, in reality Momoa only appears for a minute or two in the episodes I've seen so far. It's really Sharma in the role of Phil Keoghan on the Amazing Race and Tough As Nails. In fact, this feels like the cousin of Tough as Nails, but set in the climbing world. To be clear: rather than focusing on endurance (as is the case for Himalaya climbers), this style of climbing is much more focused on technique. The climbs are not long, but quite difficult. I quite enjoyed it for what it was. The photography is eye candy from start to finish, and makes up for the lack of edge-of-your-seat tension.

I had seen a trailer for this not long ago and decided to give it a try. The initial 3 episodes started streaming on HBO Max earlier this week, and I assume the remainder 5 episodes will follow in the next 5 weeks. If you are in the mood for yet another reality TV show a la Survivor, Tough As Nails or The Amazing Race, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

Love climbing films and shows but this is a hard watch. All the drama, the constant screaming while people climb, the swearing, the "finding of inner self". Wow. Too much. Maybe Americans are used to that after swallowing 10seasons if Kardashians but no one in climbing world will take this show seriously. I watched it because of the beautiful locations and the climbs themselves but its not something to rave about really. Shame because trailer really sold it. Just the show itself did not deliver. There is not enough explanation for newbies, and there is too much gimmicks for people who climb. Shame.

Sharma is fantastic, his potential and appeal are endless. Jason is a magnet and Meagan is great. But climbing is not pottery or baking. Maybe it's a bit like blacksmithing, where the process creates enough drama by itself.

The last episode could be the model how the Season 2+ should look like - less fake drama, moaning and highlighted emotions. Just beautiful rock, breathtaking scenery, climbing, more climbing and a little bit of climbing on top of the earlier climbing.

As the rock (and ice!) climbing stands out from other "olympic" sports because of its old principle - competition is against the rock and not with each other, the show could go all-in on camaraderie and joy of climbing, avoiding the usual cliches. But it was mentioned only once in the beginning of the show and then quietly demonstrated by the contestants, instead of becoming the cornerstone of the plot, making it unique for people outside of the crag.

Really enjoyed watching this series - great cinematography and authentic down to earth contestants. They did a decent job toeing the line between making the snow accessible for non climbers and still interesting for climbers like myself. It's not Reel Rock, but for a game show competition about rock climbing, it's pretty good. I really liked the contestants, they were a great representation about what I love about the climbing community. Down to earth, no ego, just out there supporting each other and having a good time. I felt that any of them could be someone I'd bump into at the gym or local crag.