Rob Matheson was 74 years old when he led The Bells, The Bells! — one of the most legendary and serious trad climbs in the UK.
In this short clip from our podcast conversation, he describes the brutal reality of the route: brittle rock, wild traverses, complex route-finding — and why it’s earned its fearsome reputation.
“You could go up the wrong series of holds… and if you do that, it could be curtains.”
The full episode explores how boldness, composure, and self-trust evolve with age — and what it means to stay sharp when strength alone isn’t enough.
🎧 Listen to the full podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5VzJqbjFCocFNQZoybNym8?si=ODNbeVmUQ--MPWS8wmtTSA
Or look for Ageless Athlete on your podcast app!
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