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The Send Space

The Send Space

By Mienke Richter

The Send Space is a proudly South African climbing podcast and a space for our local climbers to tell their stories, record history, share beta, and inspire others.

Three local climbers have gotten together to bring you regular episodes featuring climbers and adventurers from around the country, documenting their adventures, sends, fears, failures and lessons learned. Hosted by Mienke Richter, with content and production support from Tara Senior and Campbell Tiley.
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Currently playing episode

S1E2: The Olympic Picture Part 2 with Erin Sterkenberg and James Barnes

The Send SpaceJun 16, 2021

00:00
36:42
S2E3: Andy Wood - "History of Climbing, from Kindergarten to Matric"

S2E3: Andy Wood - "History of Climbing, from Kindergarten to Matric"

Oh Hey Senders! Welcome back to The Send Space season 2 episode 3 (00:07:47)! In this episode guest host Timothy Larsen, speaks with the legendary Andy Wood about some of the classic trad routes in the Western Cape through the decades, the climbers who climbed them, and the gear that they used. The pair chart the history of trad climbing on Table Mountain, from the first ascent of Arrow Final, in 1985, to Mary Poppins, a breathtaking 31/32 on trad and many inspiring first accents in between, from Kindergarten to Matric. They start their conversation with some tales and stories of the South African climbers who established the routes on Table Mountain from decades ago. They climbed with minimal gear, ropes around their waists, and the old mentality of leaders never falls. Andy shows us that; along with the guts and brawn of the early crushers, the evolution of gear has opened countless opportunities to climb, and routes to establish. So as Andy would say, remember to calm it down, rest, and keep it going!

You can find some of Andy’s MCSA journal entries here:

Wood, Andrew. Artichoke: a new rte on Muizenberg Pk. 79: 157, 1976. Tec.

Wood, Andrew. Picnic on Mt. Kenya. 86: 46-48, 1983. Illustrations. Many female climbers forming their own parties: Mt. Kenya Women’s expedition 2000. 103: 10, 2000. Mt. Kenya. 100: 20, 1997. 103: 80-81, 2000.

WOOD, Andrew (Andy) A hitch-hiker’s guide to the Alps. 86: 63-65, 1983.

Wood, Andrew. New rtes. in the Pakhuis Pass area. Cederberg. Shady Lane; G-string Dancer. 87: 142-143, 1984. R.D.

Nov 30, 202301:04:38
S2E2: Terry White - "Vertical Chess"

S2E2: Terry White - "Vertical Chess"

Welcome to the 2nd episode of season 2 of The Send Space.

In this episode Allister Fenton speaks with Terry White about “Vertical Chess”.

Terry takes us through his early days of climbing from starting out with the scouts to becoming entrenched in the sport with the Wits University Mountain Club. From climbing in Tonquani and in the Burg, Terry brings us back to the ‘why we climb’ and the importance of truly experiencing the sport to its fullest potential. Terry reminds us of the unique nature of the sport and how experiencing things like the thrill of trad climbing and surrounding yourself with a community of people to sings songs and be social, are equally important.

So stick around and let Terry convince you why we do the sport in the first place!

You can find Terry’s songs in the following MCSA Journals:

Vol 107; 2004; Page 154 - The climbs they are a changin’.

Vol 108; 2005; Page 171 - The Wicking Song.

Vol 122; 2019; Page 100-101 - The climbs they are a changin’ (more).

Sep 06, 202301:06:44
S2E1: Paul Fatti - "Mountaineering is a mind game"

S2E1: Paul Fatti - "Mountaineering is a mind game"

In this, the first episode of The Send Space season 2. Mienke speaks with the legendary South African climber Paul Fatti! Take a listen to find out about Paul and his earlier years of climbing in South Africa and some brief insights into his start with the Wits Mountain Club. From hitchhiking through Africa and climbing in Blouberg in his early years to scaling the Rommin route on The Troll Wall, the tallest wall in Europe.  Stick around for some jaw dropping stories and some awesome insights into South African climbing history. And on behalf of The Send Space, welcome to season 2.

May 31, 202301:18:22
S1E15: A seaside rescue mission, with Stephen and Kati
Oct 26, 202201:29:52
S1E14: Bleeding on the rock, with Karine Bezuidenhout
Jun 29, 202201:03:56
S1 Short 1: The art of setting, with Katleho Pobe

S1 Short 1: The art of setting, with Katleho Pobe

Welcome to our debut 'short', featuring KP as we talk about the creativity, passion and hard work of routesetting. The start of this episode was recorded at the Gauteng Provincial Champs, with a follow up convo some weeks later to satisfy our curiosity. We hope you enjoy this change of pace!

May 25, 202235:14
S1E13: What makes a mentor? with Brigitte Pegado and Catherine Honegger
Apr 27, 202201:47:26
S1E12: That shared feeling; a community episode

S1E12: That shared feeling; a community episode

Tune in to stories from our listeners as they share their personal climbing experiences. This community episode covers everything from that first-time-climbing feeling, to experienced guiding on multi-day adventures - and everything in between. In order of appearance:

  • Cally Bishop introduces new climbers to the great outdoors.
  • Jonny Nates takes us through his gruelling projecting process.
  • Marno Kotze gets bloody in the Magaliesburg Kloofs.
  • Chrisna Prinsloo faces her fears, head-on.
  • Ant Olde gets sucked in.
  • Brigitte Pegado plans an epic adventure, across borders, mid-Pandemic.
Mar 30, 202201:14:56
S1E11: Competitors cheering you on, with the Ugandan climbing team
Feb 23, 202202:04:34
S1E10: An ode to climbing; a community episode

S1E10: An ode to climbing; a community episode

This special 10th instalment features stories from our listeners as they share what climbing means to them. This community episode is packed with passion, adventure, and STOKE for the South African climbing scene!

  • Jemma Falkov reads an excerpt from Andy de Klerk’s short-story anthology, Sharper Edges.
  • Allister Fenton interviews Jess Lear about her first multi-pitch experience at Mount Everest, KZN.
  • Rahul Rajcoomar share’s his love of climbing with the world.
  • Derisha Govender gives us a short-person's perspective on episode 7 And titles this community episode as "an ode to climbing."
  • Marno Kotze’s tells us of his trad-ventures in Magaliesburg kloofs.
  • And Aimee Clarke ends with a poem.
  • Finally, we are gifted with new outro music, a sweet ukulele tune compliments of Benji Dorfan from the band Hiding Bigfoot.
Jan 26, 202201:14:04
S1E9: Failure is part of the fun, with Aimée Clarke
Dec 29, 202101:42:10
S1E8: Twigs in your ears, with Allister Fenton

S1E8: Twigs in your ears, with Allister Fenton

This is a continuation of episode 3, although you don’t need to have heard part 1 to enjoy part 2! Our conversation with Al digs into the evolution of the climbing scene in South Africa, experienced by Allister as he moved from working at Drifters, to CityROCK, to Friends and Allies. We also hear about the ins and outs of climbing in Blouberg - a truly epic tradventure location.

Advertisers in this episode include GoodBETA and the Send Space. Want the ad-free episode? Subscribe to the Send Space on Patreon.

Nov 24, 202156:58
S1E7: Attaching self-worth to a number, with Kent Jennings
Oct 27, 202102:00:58
S1E6: Making an impact, with Friends and Allies
Sep 29, 202101:33:44
S1E5: Women are not just small men, with Jenni Commins
Aug 25, 202101:21:50
S1E4: The Olympic Picture Part 3, Chris Cosser gets real
Jul 28, 202150:44
S1E3: Risk is a part of life, with Allister Fenton
Jun 30, 202101:05:48
S1E2: The Olympic Picture Part 2 with Erin Sterkenberg and James Barnes
Jun 16, 202136:42
S1E1: The Olympic Picture Part 1 with Chris Cosser
May 25, 202148:04
S1E0: Introducing the Send Space
May 24, 202102:44