FEATURES

Cover: Conrad Anker keeps it cool on Dancing with Hippos (WI6), Barronette Peak, Wyoming. Photo by Boone Speed

GALLERY I
From 5.13 cracks, to a Cuban castle, to a Tasmanian sea stack, to a Chinese arch, we bring you 2008’s best photography.

PIEDRAS ESCONDIDAS
If you search like a madman, you’ll find an amazing “Stone Forest” at 15,000 feet in the Peruvian Andes. You’ll also find that bouldering this high is a real beast.
By Bernd Zangerl
Photos by Radec Capek

ROCK DREAMERS
Landscapes of spirit and stone, in the words of seven climbing lifers.
Story and photos by Bennett Barthelemy

CRACK ADDICTION
From the incipient seam to the soul-swallowing bomb-bay, Andrew Burr takes you up the full size array of the West’s signature cracks.
Story and photos by Andrew Burr
Sidebar by Alan Lester

DAR AL-SALAM
The valley of Wadi Rum, Jordan, is home to monster walls, shifting sands, and tough-as-nails Bedouin. Join five Westerners as they establish a 1,000-foot 5.13 in this ancient desert.
By Chris Kalous
Photos by Aaron Black

STONE MONKEYS
Meet Yosemite’s Stone Monkeys — modern-day Stonemasters living the Valley life and setting wall- and free-climbing standards in their own scruffy, uncompromising way.
By Cedar Wright
Photos by Dean Fidelman

GALLERY II
More rock-solid eye candy, including the timeless Joshua Tree, Patagonian torres, an Indian superdome, and the Naked Edge.

CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS
Bernd Zangerl, Aaron Black, Dean Fidelman, and Bennett Barthelemy

EDITORIAL
2008: a Photo Annual with soul

LETTERS

JUST OUT
A camera, camera bag, and harness perfect for climbing shooters; plus, a hot new quickdraw and crashpad

REVIEWS
Three big coffee-table climbing books — Arapiles, Ethiopia, and a world tour — and two kick-butt DVDs: Spray and Yoga for Climbers

PERSPECTIVE
Jim Thornburg: photographer, climber, belayer to the stars; Berkeley, California