Ep.178: Paul Piana | Big Walls and Big Dreams
Paul Piana is a legend. There’s no debate about it. In this episode we sit down at my house to discuss his partnership with Todd Skinner and big dreams of big walls.
Many years ago when Paul was in a bit of a financial bind, Amy Skinner helped him out by buying every copy he had of his 1997 book Big Walls: Breakthroughs on the Free-Climbing Frontier.
While here, we asked Paul to sign those copies and we now have a limited number of these first edition signed copies for sale - with all proceeds going directly to Amy Skinner.
With every purchase of Big Walls, you are helping to support The Todd Skinner Legacy Fund (which you can learn more about below.) This book is iconic climber Paul Piana’s account of his and longtime climbing partner Todd Skinner's historic first free ascents of four of the greatest rock faces in North America: El Cap's Salathe Wall, the Direct North West Face of Half Dome, Wyoming's Mount Hooker, and the Great Canadian Knife. Beautiful full-color photos from Galen Rowell, Bill Hatcher and Beth Wald fill the pages of this coffee-table style hardcover book.
More About The Todd Skinner Legacy Fund
The Todd Skinner Legacy aims to support the continuing mission of the legendary Todd Skinner by funding endeavors and programs in his spirit, achieved in the following ways:
Expedition Support: preference will be given to free first ascents - especially climbs that are bold, audacious, and in remote areas.
International Cultural and Educational Support: emphasis should be on children and in areas near or affected by climbing.
Publication / Film Support: works focusing on the expansion and distribution of bold, innovative, wild and free climbing are desired. Works about Todd that promote his spirit and the work of his legacy are accepted.
It is the desire of The Todd Skinner Legacy to provide supplemental funds for an expedition or program as listed above, and preference will be given to endeavors that fulfill more than one of these aims. Funds will be granted when an appropriate endeavor is found, when a deserving individual or team applies. Applications can be submitted any time of year, and will be distributed in line with the Legacy’s yearly budget.
Applicants should apply via email at: skinnerlegacy@gmail.com (no application form is provided).
Be sure to check out the Legacy on Instagram as well: @toddskinnerlegacy
35 years after he realized one of his own dreams and jump started the dreams of so many others, we REWIND to this conversation with legend Paul Piana.