
What does it take to flash El Cap? Babsi and Jacopo talk pressure, expectation, motivation, fear, failure and flow.
From Strong Mind by Strong Mind
May 2, 2025 · 1h 25m
About this episode
Barbara Zangler and Jacopo Larcher discuss their experiences and challenges in climbing El Capitan, focusing on motivation, pressure, and the journey to success.
In this episode, I sit down with Barbara Zangler ( Babsi) and Jacopo Larcher to learn more about their ascent of Freerider on El Capitan in Yosemite Valley. They both shared the same goal of flashing the route, however, only Babsi managed to achieve this, making her the first person to have ever flashed El Capitain. Hearing the story from both sides was interesting and unique. We discuss their motivations for climbing this route, what the road to get there looked like and what they both learned from the experience. There is a movie about their ascents on the Black Diamond website, you can follow this link to check it out! Link to video If you want to join our Thought of the week, follow this link . We also have a free performance psychology webinair you can sign up for today, just follow this link . - Timestamps - 00:00:00 - Intro and updates. 00:06:24 - When did you both decide to commit your lives 100% to climbing? 00:14:53 - Partnership and their climbing journey. 00:21:27 - Strategic approach to climbing throughout the year. 00:24:10 - Struggles of the first time climbing in Yosemite. 00:34:04 - When did flashing freerider become a goal for you? 00:41:25 - Did this goal have…
People in this episode
Host: Strong Mind
Guests: Barbara Zangler, Jacopo Larcher
Topics covered
- climbing
- motivation
- pressure
- failure
- performance psychology
Keywords
- El Capitan
- climbing
- motivation
- pressure
- failure
- performance psychology
- Freerider
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Black Diamond
Places: El Capitan, Yosemite Valley
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