The Greatest Show: Van Living and Climbing with Kathy Karlo

The Greatest Show On Earth is a challenging, 90-foot trad climb in New River Gorge, West Virginia started by Lynn Hill in the 1980s. Trad climbing - also known as traditional climbing - is a type of climbing done using only the natural elements on the rock, with protective gear that is removed once the climber moves on.
This route (rated 5.13a) has reputation for pushing climbers' limits physically and mentally, and has only been successfully climbed by 10 people total. Avid rock climber and van lifer Kathy Karlo is looking to become the next one to complete it as a part of her project "The Greatest Show". Watch Kathy take on this challenging, solo trad climb, and hear how traveling in an Airstream Interstate camper van has helped her grow, meet new people and of course, seek new rock climbing experiences.

[@mimhoof]

One of two people that I most admire. The other one being Laird Hamilton.

[@BrentLeslie]

That was a long drop without safety at the top!

[@kianfarahani]

1/ What is a "Solo trad climb" , There is only rope-soloing (climbing with ropes but by yourself) and "soloing" (think alex honnold) 2/ pre hanging gear on a trad route is widely accepted in the climbing community as no-send. I'm not trying to diminish her skill (thats a badass climb!) but pre hanging gear on a trad route does not count as a send.

[@Jack_the_Crimper]

It's considered a pink point. Still a send in my books.

[@salamandersmith]

You typically have to climb on a route a few times with trad gear placed just to learn the moves...so you might leave in the crux pieces at least because you don't really know the beta just yet. I think they meant 'single-pitch trad climb'. And no, pink points don't normally count as the FA on a route.....but sometimes they just do. ;)

[@il24ir]

P sure the van life channel just tossed out solo trad climb because they have no idea what they're talking about haha. She also says in the vid that she has to come back next year to "put it together" so I don't think she thinks it's a send either.
I somewhat agree with other people that it could be considered a send, but it's definitely worth acknowledging the difference because there's no cheating in rock climbing - just lying!