Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Some climbing achievements happen in a day. Others take years.
For Cameron Hörst, the first ascent of Big Bone (5.15a/9a+) at Utah's massive Fynn Cave took three seasons of work, dozens of attempts, and countless lessons in patience, persistence, and performance.
What makes his first ascent especially compelling isn't just the grade—it's the journey. Big Bone was a project that demanded years of training, 60+ working goes and redpoint attempts, countless setbacks, and a level of patience few climbers ever develop.
In this episode of the Training for Climbing Podcast, Cameron unpacks the entire process. We dive into the physical, mental, and tactical challenges of working a multi-year project, the breakthroughs that finally moved the needle, and the lessons any climber can apply to their own long-term goals—whether you're projecting 5.10 or 5.15.
One of the most fascinating takeaways is that the breakthrough wasn't a sudden gain in finger strength or power. Instead, it came from years of accumulated training adaptations, comprehensive energy system development, improved recovery, refined tactics, and learning when not to climb. Cameron shares how he finally broke through a plateau that had stalled his progress for multiple seasons.
Follow and contact Cameron on Instagram: instagram.com/cam_horst
Visit Cam's website at: CameronHorst.com
Brought to you by: trainingforclimbing.com
and physivantage.com
Save 10% on the performance nutrition used by dozens of professional climbers by using checkout code SAVE10 at physivantage.com
FREE eBook: 10 Must-Do Exercises for Climbers: physivantage.com/blogs/news/free-ebook-10-must-do-exercises-for-climbers-2025
physivantage.com/blogs/news/free-e-book-download-offer-for-physivantage-insiders
Visit Eric's Training for Climbing website and sign up for his free training newsletter: trainingforclimbing.com
Follow Eric on Twitter @Train4Climbing twitter.com/train4climbing
Expert training and climbing tips from the renowned coach and international best-selling author, Eric Hörst. Learn more about his latest book, Training For Climbing: physivantage.com/products/training-for-climbing
SAVE on La Sportiva shoes at this link: avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=068e9e04-44b5-4c1c-98f8-76881511fc5a&website_id=05d521e9-bd5e-46fb-9fd8-db2a9af5f910&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportiva.com%2F
Some climbing achievements happen in a day. Others take years.
For Cameron Hörst, the first ascent of Big Bone (5.15a/9a+) at Utah's massive Fynn Cave took three seasons of work, dozens of attempts, and countless lessons in patience, persistence, and performance.
What makes his first ascent especially compelling isn't just the grade—it's the journey. Big Bone was a project that demanded years of training, 60+ working goes and redpoint attempts, countless setbacks, and a level of patience few climbers ever develop.
In this episode of the Training for Climbing Podcast, Cameron unpacks the entire process. We dive into the physical, mental, and tactical challenges of working a multi-year project, the breakthroughs that finally moved the needle, and the lessons any climber can apply to their own long-term goals—whether you're projecting 5.10 or 5.15.
One of the most fascinating takeaways is that the breakthrough wasn't a sudden gain in finger strength or power. Instead, it came from years of accumulated training adaptations, comprehensive energy system development, improved recovery, refined tactics, and learning when not to climb. Cameron shares how he finally broke through a plateau that had stalled his progress for multiple seasons.
Follow and contact Cameron on Instagram: instagram.com/cam_horst
Visit Cam's website at: CameronHorst.com
Brought to you by: trainingforclimbing.com
and physivantage.com
Save 10% on the performance nutrition used by dozens of professional climbers by using checkout code SAVE10 at physivantage.com
FREE eBook: 10 Must-Do Exercises for Climbers: physivantage.com/blogs/news/free-ebook-10-must-do-exercises-for-climbers-2025
physivantage.com/blogs/news/free-e-book-download-offer-for-physivantage-insiders
Visit Eric's Training for Climbing website and sign up for his free training newsletter: trainingforclimbing.com
Follow Eric on Twitter @Train4Climbing twitter.com/train4climbing
Expert training and climbing tips from the renowned coach and international best-selling author, Eric Hörst. Learn more about his latest book, Training For Climbing: physivantage.com/products/training-for-climbing
SAVE on La Sportiva shoes at this link: avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=068e9e04-44b5-4c1c-98f8-76881511fc5a&website_id=05d521e9-bd5e-46fb-9fd8-db2a9af5f910&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportiva.com%2F
