Cover: Sonnie Trotter on Cobra Crack (5.14), Squamish, British Columbia. Photo: Paul Bride

FEATURES

2006 GOLDEN PITON AWARDS
Another year, and nothing has changed, right? Wrong. 2006 saw perfect style, high-volume ascents from climbers ages 13 to 48, and progress, progress, progress. … The fifth annual GPAs highlight a year of highlights.
By Dan Dewell

EARTH, WIND, AND RUBBLE
Far from the bustle, the buses, and the endless queues for Moonlight Buttress, climbers are discovering another side of Zion — its elegant, if not chossy, alpine ridges. Sure, they’re only 5.7, but they’re huge on adventure.
By Fitz Cahall
Photos by James Q. Martin

CANADIAN BACON — the SONNIE TROTTER Interview
Canada’s best free climber explains why he almost quit climbing, why his parents aren’t millionaires, why he loves his country so much, what’s up with his Superman tattoo, and who the hell Terry Fox is.
By Jonathan Thesenga

DEPARTMENTS

EDITORIAL
A Tale of Two Searches. While the mainstream media turned the Mount Hood tragedy into a sensationalized circus, Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff, two of America’s most accomplished alpinists and guides, have mysteriously gone missing in China.

LETTERS
Over the past month, letters have poured in from readers in Afghanistan, the California State Pen, Africa, Finland, and even Massachusetts — here are the best.

HOT FLASHES
Houlding and Potter make Southern Belle’s second ascent, Tilly Parkins becomes first Australian woman to boulder V12, tragedy on Ama Dablam, Edu Marin and Chris Sharma tick La Rambla Direct (5.15a), and more bouldering and sport-climbing madness …

OFF THE WALL
Has El Cap ever truly been photographed, until now? Is dirtbagging dead? Does rodeo clipping own? Plus, Chris Lindner’s new look for spring, Obe Carrion: Then and Now, why Dog the bounty hunter is
en fuego, and more …

CLASSIC CLIMBS
Join a Rocky Mountain National Park local for this three-pitch, mixed must-do in Colorado’s high alpine. It’s All Mixed Up and it’s all goooood.
BY TOPHER DONAHUE

Whipped
Night climbing — it’s not just for epics anymore.
BY MAJKA BURHARDT

GALLERY
Caves full of Greek tufas and Kentucky pockets, M9s and V9s, and a crazy-thin, vertical 5.14 crux sequence

TECH TIPS
Alpine: Traverse happy — a ridge runner’s handy guide Ice: Sharing the ice — the way of the peaceful winter warrior

EQUIPMENT
Pad Perfect: Medium-sized crashpads for all your bouldering needs

JUST OUT
Acopa’s Lowrider, the Grivel-SCARPA GSb crampon/boot system, Patagonia’s Gritty Pack, Metolius’ twist on rope marking, and one of the most thrilling climbing DVDs ever: E11

GEAR YOU NEED
For bolting your dream line

10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT …
Pre-climb rituals, those crazy mental and physical gyrations we use to rev up for a hard send