Joanne Urioste: The Queen of Red Rocks - An Interview

Joanne Urioste’s story is a masterclass in charting your own course. Growing up in New York under strict, old-school expectations, she channeled her rebellious energy into an obsession with mountains before she ever actually climbed. Once she did, she went all in, tackling big alpine climbs in the Northeast with her partner Jorge, back when gear was minimal. Joanne shares how she learned to compartmentalize fear and channel total calm, and that climbing is ultimately about building a foundation of mastering your systems and managing your mind. Joanne explains how she built the confidence to navigate a male-dominated climbing culture, sometimes choosing to document routes in private to protect them from backlash. Her mountain ventures evolved with motherhood when she pivoted from high-risk climbing to ultrarunning, and she ultimately crushed the brutal Hardrock 100. From her legendary Red Rock first ascents and guidebook to the long arc of a life built around wildness, Joanne's life story is sure to inspire anyone. LINKS: Purchase Joanne's memoir Collages of Rock & Desire: Re-imagining Climbing in Red Rock, Risk in the Andes & Running into Dreams: https://www.amazon.com/Collages-Rock-Desire-Re-imagining-Climbing/dp/B0G45SK5R9 https://www.desertrocksportslv.com/ (a local/order-by-phone option other than Amazon) AAC short documentary about the Uriostes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob-piZ51wBw&t=2s - Episode hosted by Jeannie Wall & Cat Coe Audio production by Cat Coe Music by Holizna Radio (intro & segues) and Ketsa (conclusion). All music sourced from freemusicarchive.org. www.broadbeta.com