In 2024 the fashion world is definitely coming around to styles and trends set by climbers. It’s not uncommon to see people posing on instagram in expensive shell jackets with ultralight backpacks in tow. You couldn’t be blamed for thinking that these are necessary items, and rock climbing needs to be performed only using technical …
What to Wear When Rock Climbing for the First Time Read More »
When I began climbing 37 years ago, the only way in was through mentorship, climbing clubs, and how-to tomes like Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. (I still have my fourth edition, printed on parchment paper and delivered by horse-and-buggy….) I learned so many invaluable lessons from these sources, and I continue to learn from …
The 17 Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Got Really into Climbing Read More »
When it comes to climber’s kits, their belay device is one of the most important pieces. Nowadays, there are about as many belay devices as there are crag dogs. But few devices command a presence at the crag like the Petzl Grigri. Upon its inception in the early 1990s, it changed the game with its …
Choosing a pair of rock climbing shoes is still an important process, and it’s likely the first purchase you’ll make as a beginner climber. Climbing shoes may not play a role safety in the same way ropes, helmets, and harnesses do, but your climbing shoes are the single most important piece of equipment when it …
Our Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Climbing Shoes Read More »
All climbers know that sneakers aren’t going to work for sending. The majority of us (besides a rare few barefoot climbers) opt for climbing shoes, so that the sticky rubber can help keep our feet on the rock. However, what you might not know is that there are many different types of climbing rubber, and …
In the guiding world, we talk a lot about a concept called “edge safety.” For first-timers, it may not be that hard to deduce what edge safety means based on its name. Edge safety is all about being safe around the edge of a climbing cliff. However, despite the relatively straightforward definition of edge safety, …
One of the most attractive things about the sport of rock climbing is how quickly you can advance. Climbing is a sport that comes naturally to many, and new climbers usually experience rapid progression. Beginners often race through easy to moderate grades, snagging their first 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, and 5.10 in the first few months …
When you’re considering the best climbers in the world, Jakob Schubert cannot be missed. This 33 year old professional climber from Austria has one of the most impressive climbing resumes ever seen. Schubert focuses on both lead climbing and bouldering, and is accomplished both in competitions and in outdoor rock climbing. In this article we …
Jakob Schubert: One of the World’s Best Climbers Read More »
At some point in our climbing careers we’ve all dreamed of opening our own rock climbing gym. Maybe it was just a passing thought, or maybe we seriously started crunching some numbers. Some of us even followed through! (A couple friends of mine actually have opened their own climbing gyms.) Most of us, however, either …
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Rock Climbing Gym? Read More »
Despite getting some recent attention online or getting gossiped about at your bouldering gym, 4x4s are not new to climbing. The exercise has been around for a long time. Over the years, the climbing 4×4 routine has helped countless climbers improve their anaerobic and power endurance (amongst other things I’ll detail below). But if the …
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