Climbing

A Softer, More Sensitive SCARPA Instinct Climbing Shoe: We Review the VSR

The SCARPA Instinct VSR brings a softer, more supple model to the brand’s wildly successful Instinct line of high-performance climbing shoes.

Written by Mary Andino April 09, 2025

Adam Ondra Designed His Dream Bouldering Shoe: La Sportiva ‘Ondra Comp’ Review

Adam Ondra teamed up with La Sportiva to build a shoe to help him in the Paris Olympics bouldering competition. The Ondra Comp is the…

Written by Seiji Ishii April 02, 2025

Mount Everest Ban of Unsupported Climbers Won’t Affect 2025 Season

The ban against unsupported climbers on Mount Everest and other 8,000m peaks will not commence until after the bulk of the 2025 season.

Written by Angela Benavides March 28, 2025

Edelrid Birdlime 1R 9.8 Review: Workhorse Climbing Rope Made From Castor Oil

The Edelrid Birdlime 1R 9.8 is the first synthetic climbing rope to use renewable raw materials in its production.

Written by Seiji Ishii March 25, 2025

The Lightest Single Climbing Rope Ever Made: Edelrid Siskin Eco-Dry 8.6 Review

Edelrid claims its Siskin 8.6 Eco Dry is the lightest synthetic single climbing rope in existence. We ruthlessly tested it for this review.

Written by Seiji Ishii March 19, 2025

High-Tech Sherpa Scout: Drones Deployed on Everest

Navigating Everest’s Khumbu Icefall is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Tour operators hope drones will help improve safety.

Written by Andrew McLemore March 19, 2025

The Best Assisted Braking Device for Lead Belaying: Petzl NEOX Long-Term Review

The Petzl NEOX solves the critical issue with most assisted braking belay devices — unwanted rope locking when feeding slack.

Written by Seiji Ishii March 12, 2025

The Best Approach Shoes of 2025

Even though the sport climbers and boulderers don’t like it, sometimes getting to the crag requires a bit of hiking.

Written by Austin Beck-Doss and Matt Bento March 12, 2025

‘Icefall Doctors’ Embark on Mount Everest’s Most Dangerous Job

Before climbers arrive at Mount Everest each season, the ‘Icefall Doctors’ prepare the Khumbu Icefall for passage.

Written by Angela Benavides March 11, 2025

The Best Climbing Shoes of 2025

Aside from the ice climbers, mountaineers, and Charles Albert, every climber needs a pair of reliable climbing shoes.

Written by Austin Beck-Doss and Matt Bento March 10, 2025

Watch Bad Belaying Nearly Kill Pro Climber

A coach nearly killed a professional climber last year due to improper Petzl GriGri use. This video breaks down the accident and includes comments from…

Written by Seiji Ishii March 05, 2025

The Best Men’s Climbing Pants of 2025

Our climbing fanatic found the best climbing pants of 2024. Whether heading to the gym or hitting up your local crag, we’ve got you covered.

Written by Austin Beck-Doss and Matt Bento March 03, 2025

Black Diamond Issues Recall of Vision Climbing Harness

Vision Harness owners, beware: Affected products pose the risk of serious injury or death.

Written by Seiji Ishii February 27, 2025

World’s Hardest Rock Climb? Six New Moves Create Baffling Route

Watch as Stefano Ghisolfi and Brooke Raboutou work on the world’s first 5.16., an extension of ‘Excalibur,’ near Arco, Italy.

Written by Seiji Ishii February 24, 2025

Climb Confidently, Comfortably: Scarpa Drago XT Rock Shoe Review

The Drago XT is a slightly tweaked version of the venerable Scarpa Drago. The new shoe carries the same DNA, but is more widely usable.

Written by Seiji Ishii February 24, 2025

Climbers Secure Largest Land Acquisition in History at Red River Gorge

Last week, the Red River Gorge grew significantly through the largest land acquisition in U.S. rock climbing history.

Written by Mary Andino February 24, 2025

‘Sending in Color’ Finds Community in Ice Climbing Despite Warming Winters

‘Sending in Color’ is a unique D.E.I.-focused ice climbing group in the Midwest that is building a diverse community of people sharing a common passion.

Written by Will Brendza February 14, 2025

‘A Feeling You Can Have Only Once’: Climber Scores 4th Ascent of Yosemite’s Dawn Wall

The 31-year-old Belgian crusher Sébastien Berthe has become the fourth person in the world to send The Dawn Wall in Yosemite.

Written by Andrew McLemore February 14, 2025

‘Darth Grader’: A New Mathematical Way to Grade Rock Climbs

Darth Grader breaks down rock climbing routes into sections and rests, and employs an algorithm to deliver a more objective difficulty grade.

Written by Seiji Ishii February 14, 2025

Denali Rescue Team Reduced to 6 After Trump Hiring Freeze

Without exemptions for seasonal rescue workers, Denali National Park will only have a skeleton SAR crew when the climbing season arrives this summer.

Written by Angela Benavides February 13, 2025

Free-Solo Fall Changes Everything: Watch ‘Dear Mother’

Cody Kaemmerlen was adopted out of South Korea and struggled with the hurt of abandonment. Healing only followed a soloing accident.

Written by Seiji Ishii February 10, 2025

New Rules on Everest: Officials May Ban Unsupported Attempts and Require Guides

New rules from the Nepali government not only increase fees for Everest climbers — they may also require a guide for anyone ascending the mountain.

Written by Angela Benavides January 24, 2025

Trango Agility Duo Dry 9.1 Review: Sendy, Spendy, and Extra Safe

The Trango Agility 9.1 brings a simple and unique safety feature to its Agility line with the Red Flag treatment, improving on an already very…

Written by Matt Bento January 20, 2025

Climbing on Drugs? Everest Clients Pay $154K for High-Altitude Therapy

A guiding service offers a pricey drug therapy (that’s also illegal in professional sports) to get clients to the Everest summit more quickly and safely.…

Written by Angela Benavides January 14, 2025

Modern Climbing Rope Made With Plant Oils: Edelrid Birdlime 1R 9.8 Hits Market

The Edelrid Birdlime 1R 9.8 is the first climbing rope with a renewable content of over 40%. The German brand uses castor oil.

Written by Seiji Ishii January 14, 2025

‘Art of Survival’: Alpinist Finds Zen in Extreme Danger

How do you overcome 150mph winds, -40-degree cold, and a technical climbing route at extreme altitude without oxygen? Just ask Jost Kobusch.

Written by Andrew McLemore January 09, 2025

My Favorite Ice Climbing Gear for Alaskan Epics

I’ve been chasing frozen formations in Alaska for decades. Here is my list of favorite ice climbing gear for the big routes in the 49th…

Written by Seiji Ishii January 02, 2025

Alone on Everest, Alpinist Sets Frigid, Improbable Record

Some alpinists scoffed at a German climber’s quest to ascend Mount Everest in winter. Now he’s closer than ever to reaching his goal.

Written by Andrew McLemore and Angela Benavides December 31, 2024

Black Diamond ‘Validates’ Recycled Aluminum Use

Black Diamond Equipment announced it has started validating recycled aluminum content in hard goods like carabiners and trekking poles.

Written by Seiji Ishii December 31, 2024

Utah Officials Seek Vandals Who Drilled Climbing Bolts Near Petroglyph

It remains unclear if the bolts were placed by rock climbers — or just a petroglyph enthusiast who wanted a closer look.

Written by Andrew McLemore December 30, 2024

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