September 2011 – 298

FEATURES

GALLERY

COLORADO GOLD
The vast South Platte region is a granite paradise stacked with domes, spires, and crags of all sizes, yet it has never been as popular as other Colorado zones. That’s about to change. By Jason Haas

CITY TO SUMMIT
Mountain climbing doesn’t have to mean an expedition. Here, we detail 10 technical summit routes within weekend range of major American cities. 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

DEPARTMENTS

Editorial
Expand your climbing horizons

Letters

Hot Flashes
Scottish climber Dave MacLeod finally frees a huge, notorious U.K. trad route.

Sporting Life
Don’t let dirtbags rule your roost.

Mileage
Patagonia isn’t all about bad weather and multi-day excursions. Presenting Frey’s user-friendly cragging.

Classic Climbs
Kahl Wall: Big-mountain cragging just miles from town

Hot Spots
We came up with an equation to determine America’s best climbing towns. Really, it worked!

Gear
Jam these: crack climbing shoes field-tested. Plus, a new boot and harness.

Tech Tips
Adventure climbs 101: nine rules to avoid long-route epics. Plus, how to boink! (It’s not as dirty as it sounds.)

Perspective
Extreme climber, extreme skier: Sam Elias