TBP 075 :: Madaleine Sorkin on Training for 5.13 Big Walls and Alpine

About Madaleine Sorkin

 Madaleine Sorkin is a 35-year-old climber originally from D.C., who's known for her alpine and big wall ascents. She makes a living as a sponsored climber and as a climbing guide and clinic leader. She's currently hosting "Mad Sensei" clinics with Justen Sjong helping people gain confidence leading trad and sport climbs. 

Madaleine is a mentally tough climber with a lot of experience up high, having freed Moonlight Buttress (5.12+), Leaning Tower (5.13-), El Corazon (5.13b) in Yosemite, and most recently, The Honeymoon Is Over (5.13c) in Rocky Mountain National Park. All of those climbs are nails hard, long granite climbs. 

In this interview we talk about how she physically and mentally prepares herself for those kinds of endeavors, what she eats while she's doing huge days, and what her current goals are. 

 

Madaleine Sorkin Interview Details

• Highlights of her climbing career 
• How she trains for long routes outside and inside
• Lofty goals for this year
• How she trains power outside
• Resting on big walls: her strategies
• What she eats on big walls 
• Why weight lifting is important to her

 

Madaleine Sorkin Links

• Guiding and climbing Website at www.madaleinesorkin.com
• Instagram: @madaleinesorkin
• Mad Sensei Lead Confidence Clinics: www.coloradomountainschool.com
• Videos of Madaleine climbing: Videos

 

Photo Credit

Henna Taylor