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November 2012 - 309 -

Destinations & Features

THE GUIDE: MILITARY CLIMBING: Some of the country's greatest crags were developed by the military for war training. Learn their histories—and finest climbs. ENLISTED CLIMBS: Add one of these military-inspired routes to your tick list. FIRST STRIKE: Sharpen your picks for surefire ice routes that come in before Thanksgiving. SAVE YOURSELF: The best way to handle an epic? Don't epic in the first place. Here, the self-reliance tools and tricks you'll need to keep yourself—and your partner—safe. INVISIBLE WOUNDS: Post-tramautic stress disorder afflicts one in five military veterans. We go to the front lines of treatment: climbing with Veterans Expeditions.

Health & Training

BUILD NAVY SEAL STRENGTH: The Navy SEAL's are indisputably badass. Here's how their training can enhance your climbing. BOULDER HARDER: Dedicate yourself to this intense 12-month regiment, and you'll pull up to three grades harder.

Gear

CAMO CLIMBING: Take a peek at the Army's combat climbing kit. Plus, the military's influence on two key items in every climber's pack. MIDDLE MANAGEMENT: We field-tested the latest synthetic fleeces on climbs from Patagonia to the Tetons. Here are our top five. TESTED: With a bomber four-season tent, versatile alpine boots, ultra-durable gloves, and more, there are no excuses not to get outside when the mercury goes south.

Skills

HEADGAME: Climbing legend Jim Donini shares the most important skill he learned as a Green Beret. SHORT-ROPE RAPPELS: How to improvise a rappel when your rope doesn't quite reach. ONE FOOT, NO HANDS: Master this key technique to rest on pumpy routes. ROPE MYTHS DEBUNKED: Experts give the definitive answers about what soaked ropes can handle. CLEANING SPORT ANCHORS: Unsure about cleaning sport anchors? Here's how to lower safely.

Previous Issues

October 2012 – 308
September 2012 – 308

COVER: Alex Honnold crimps 5.13 edges during the first free ascent of Giraffe Libre, El Gran Trono Blanco, Mexico. Photo by Andrew Burr. NON-TRADITIONAL: Sport climbers, rejoice! Eight multi-pitches fit for bolt-clipping climbers. GRANITO CALIENTE: Free climbing two historic routes on Mexico's El Gran Trono Blanco. TEN SLEEP: Cowboys, good vibes, and ice cream! Here, 21 things to know about Wyoming's limestone paradise.
August 2012 – 307

COVER: Laura Pastorelli styles New (6b+/5.10d) in Val di Mello, Italy. Photo by Andrew Burr. HEMP ROPE CLASSICS: Eight still-outstanding rock climbs established before WWII. LA VALLE: Gorgeous photos and 150 years of history from Val Masino, the Yosemite Valley of northern Italy. ROAD WARRIORS: Skip the grueling high-altitude approaches—head to Colorado's Mt. Evans for drive-up alpine crags.
June/July 2012 – 306 – Photo Annual

COVER: Way out in the Joshua Tree backcountry, Rob Moellering climbs the Weasel Boys Arête (5.12b) on the Lost Pencil. Photo by Jim Thornburg. GALEN ROWELL'S SIERRA CLASSICS: Peter Croft highlights eight amazing rock routes in the High Sierra. SHOOTERS' CHOICE: Eight top-flight climbing photographers share their favorite crags. 7 UNDER 30: Argentina, France, Utah, California, Australia... A portfolio from seven great up-and-coming photographers.
May 2012 – 305

COVER: Chris Hirsch high on Chemical Wire (5.11), Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota. Photo by Andrew Burr. BECKEY'S FAVORITES: Eight amazing rock routes from the legendary climber's huge book. RUSHMORE: Inside the new guidebook to South Dakota's crystal towers. NEW VS. RED: How Southeastern climbers battled for bragging rights to the "Best Crag in America."
April 2012 – 304 – GEAR GUIDE

COVER: Peter Vintoniv on McCarthy North Face (5.11a), Devils Tower, Wyoming. Photo by Andrew Burr. 2012 GEAR GUIDE: Editors' Choice for best gear of the year. Gear reviews for bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, and alpine climbing. How to Buy articles for belay devices, harnesses, helmets, cams, ropes, and shoes. Innovators: Jason Kehl, Heinz Mariacher, Bill Belcourt, and Bill Forrest.
February 2012 – 302

COVER: Thomasina Pidgeon on Cutting Edge (V4) at Squamish, BC. Photo by Rich Wheater / age fotostock. THE SANDSTONE ALPS: Utah's San Rafael Reef isn't for everyone. And that's exactly why some climbers love it. THE GOLDEN PITONS: Climbing's 10th annual survey of the year's most outrageous climbing achievements. CATSKILLS ICE: New York's Catskill Park is a little-known mecca for ice climbing, within a half day's drive of millions of people.
December/January 2012 – 301

COVER: Nope, it's not Aron Ralston. It's Pete Whittaker on Century Crack (5.14b) in Utah's Monument Basin. Photo by Alex Ekins. SURVIVORS: Climbing's history is packed with amazing survival stories. Here, 25 of the most inspiring. MORE THAN ABLE: After a near-fatal accident, Craig DeMartino didn't let amputation limit his life. Instead, life handed him more opportunities than ever. STAYING ALIVE: Veteran climbing rangers from Yosemite, Mt. Rainier, and Grand Teton national parks share their top tips.
November 2011 – 300

COVER: From left: George Lowe, Angie Payne, Tommy Caldwell, and Lynn Hill. Photo by Claudia Lopez. LEGACY: Four icons of climbing speak out on heroes, ethics, the Olympic Games, and the future of the sport. PRO-SPECTIVE: If you could only do one climb before you died, what would it be? GEAR HALL OF FAME: The editors pick their favorite, time-tested ice tools, pro, clothing, and more. WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: Six great crags that changed American climbing forever.
October 2011 – 299

COVER: Ari Menitov stylin' on California's Tehipite Dome. Photo by Andrew Burr. NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Fall in New England isn’t just for leaf peepers. Check out these eye-popping images of locals’ favorite 5.10s. REVELATIONS: After four years of effort, a first ascent in the Alaska Range brings a mixed bag of emotions. HIGH AND WILD: Free climbing on the Sierra’s biggest, baddest backcountry dome. CLIMB SMARTER: 50 common mistakes that every climber must avoid.
September 2011 – 298

COVER: James Pearson psychs up for the crux overhang on the Arch of Bashikele, Ennedi Desert, Chad. Photo by Jimmy Chin. Colorado Gold:The vast South Platte region is a granite paradise stacked with domes, spires, and crags of all sizes. By Jason Haas. City to Summit: Mountain climbing doesn’t have to mean an expedition. By Brendan Leonard. Sand Castles: Sketchy summits, blinding dust, triple-digit heat, and knifewielding locals: Do you have what it takes to climb in Africa’s Ennedi Desert? By Mark Synnott