The Kyrgyzstan Kidnapping: A Climbing Dream Turned Nightmare | E 167
This episode explores the harrowing 2000 kidnapping of four young American climbers - Tommy Caldwell, Beth Rodden, Jason Singer Smith, and John Dickey - while they were attempting first ascents on granite walls in Kyrgyzstan's remote mountains. The world-class athletes were taken hostage by Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan militants and held for six terrifying days before escaping when Tommy Caldwell pushed their lone guard off a cliff. The hosts discuss how this traumatic experience shaped each climber's life differently, with Tommy channeling it into becoming one of the world's greatest climbers despite later losing a finger, while Beth struggled with PTSD that affected her marriage and climbing career.