Pico de Orizaba: Gear I Used to Climb Mexico’s Highest Mountain
At 18,491 feet, Orizaba is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third-highest in North America. Here’s the equipment that helped me and my team make it to the summit.
‘Free Solo’ Tops Out With Oscar Nomination
The most epic climbing film of 2018 now stands as the frontrunner for Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.
For Women, By Women: TNF, AMGA Collaborate on First All-Female Rock Guide Course
The North Face sponsored the American Mountain Guide Association’s first guide course made specifically for women.
Five Ten Quantum VCS Climbing Shoe Review: All Feet Welcome
All-day comfort meets all-around performance in the Five Ten Quantum VCS. From powerful edging on moderately steep terrain to heel and toe hooks along favorite bouldering projects, this shoe takes on a little bit of everything.
Alex Honnold Picks Up a Cutting-Edge Collab From the Future: Rivian
It’s fitting that Alex Honnold has teamed up with Rivian Automotive. Rivian touts its automobiles as ‘the world’s first electric adventure vehicles.’ And Honnold is, of course, one of the foremost adventurers of our time.
Watch: Adam Ondra Onsights 5.14c at Smith Rock
Adam Ondra climbs an incredibly difficult sport climbing route in one attempt. The 140-foot testpiece was America’s first 5.14c, set by Alan Watts, and had yet to see an onsight until Ondra.
Why Climb Solo? David Lama Summits Lunag Ri Alone
Burgeoning alpinist David Lama climbed one of the hardest unclimbed mountains in Nepal three years after his first attempt, foregoing a partner to make it to the top.
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World’s Skinniest Half Rope: Edelrid Pro Dry 7.1 Review
We put ‘the skinniest and lightest half rope money can buy’ to the test.
Watch: Will Gadd Climbs Sketchy Icicles With ‘Natural Gear’
Ice climbing falls are sketchy enough. Will Gadd takes it a step further by testing snow stakes and V-threads with full-weight falls on one of the most overhanging ice climbing arenas: Helmcken Falls.
Vague Path: Your Almost Official Guide to Fell Running
Americans don’t really get Britain’s fell running. Is it mountain running? Is it trail running? Why does it get its own designation? So we asked an expert fell runner to break it down in all its mud and glory.
Watch: David Lama Summits Unclimbed Nepali Peak Solo
After multiple attempts, David Lama successfully climbed the 6,907-meter Lunag Ri in Nepal. He did it completely alone.
Watch: 2008 Alex Honnold Documentary ‘Alone on the Wall’
Alex Honnold released his feature documentary about free soloing Half Dome and Moonlight Buttress on YouTube for free. Watch this if you miss the sweaty-palms feeling since watching ‘Free Solo.’
All Scarpa Climbing Shoes Are on Sale at REI
REI’s entire suite of Scarpa rock climbing shoes is 25 percent off. Take advantage of the sale now for crushing it outdoors and at the gym.
Dog Helps Owner Trigger First SPOT X SOS Call
Someone had to be the first to initiate a rescue with the new SPOT X two-way communication and navigation device. Darrel Comeau just never thought it would be him — or his dogs.
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How Honnold Climbed a 3,000-Foot Cliff Without Ropes: TED Talk
“I looked like a lost hiker that was too close to the edge.” Alex Honnold’s TED Talk has some pretty funny moments!
Rain Shell Review: Lightweight Black Diamond Climbing Jacket Punches Above Its Weight Class
Black Diamond’s new for 2018 BD.dry produces an excellent three-season, just-in-case rain shell.
Watch: Alex Honnold Interviewed on Joe Rogan Podcast
Joe Rogan dives deep into climbing with Alex Honnold during a nearly two-hour interview. Honnold discusses his life, the film ‘Free Solo,’ his speed climbing endeavors, and opinions on climbing.
Arapahoe Basin Plans Mountain Bike Trails, Via Ferrata in Summer Push
Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort in Colorado released plans to expand its summertime activities. It recently proposed a new via ferrata and mountain bike trails on the mountain.
See Squaw Valley From New Heights: Tahoe’s First Via Ferrata
Alpenglow Expeditions, a guide service based in the Lake Tahoe area, opened Tahoe’s only via ferrata earlier this month.
Reel Rock 13 Trailer: Climbing From Antarctica to the Wadi Rum
Adam Ondra, Madaleine Sorkin, Alex Honnold, Conrad Anker, and more star in this year’s Reel Rock film tour.
Dynafit TLT Speedfit Ski Touring Boot Review: Good for Ice Climbs?
Switch from tight, ‘ski mode’ to articulating ‘walk mode,’ strap on some crampons, and send the icefall. We tested Dynafit’s TLT Speedfit ski touring boot to see how it performs on ice climbs.
Patagonia Ascensionist Climbing Pack Review: Burly Minimalist
After serious review, the Patagonia Ascensionist is a favorite climbing pack for alpine, ice, and multipitch climbing. Our review, conducted in Alaska, highlights how to best use the pack and who should buy it.
Sport Climbing Gear List: 12 Essentials for Beginners
From harnesses to quickdraws, here’s the essential sport climbing gear needed to show up to a crag and start climbing safely outdoors.
Sport Climbing 101: The Best Way to Learn the Ropes
Learn how to sport climb with our guide. Read on for how we learned the basics of lead climbing, clipping bolts, anchor building, and eventually sport climbing outside on real rock. Say goodbye to auto-belays and top-rope!
Climbing a 14er: 5 Lessons to Remember
Climbing a 14er is an adventure accessible to many people. But it isn’t a walk in the park! Keep these tips in mind whether you’re preparing for your first 14er or just tagging another.
Watch: ‘Free Solo’ With Alex Honnold in 360-Degree Video
National Geographic released footage of Alex Honnold free soloing El Cap. While it isn’t the documentary film, the camera angle allows you to ‘climb’ alongside him up one of the most daunting big walls in climbing.
Cult Classic: ‘Mountain of Storms’ Re-Release Hits Patagonia Stores Nationwide
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic outdoor film — starring the founders of both Patagonia and The North Face — Patagonia will launch the first wide release of ‘Mountain of Storms’ at dozens of events.
‘Free Solo’ Movie Review: Alex Honnold Astonishes On Wall and Off
Alex Honnold is the most interesting man in the world, and the movie Free Solo proves it. We spoke with Jimmy Chin and E. Chai Vasarhelyi for insider takes about what it took to film Free Solo.
Edelrid Bulletproof Review: Quickdraw Resists Wear With Steel
With a steel insert on the Edelrid Bulletproof, climbers can expect a heavier yet longer-lasting quickdraw. In our test, we found the innovation a welcome improvement to climbing quickdraws.
Buy It for Life: Iconic Gear That Hasn’t Changed
Sometimes a piece of gear comes along that’s so good, messing with it will only make it worse.
Man Climbs 11 Miles Nonstop Up and Down Second Flatiron
Watch Justin Simoni embark on one of the strangest climbing accomplishments ever. He climbs up *and* down Boulder, Colorado’s Second Flatiron 20 times in a row!
