FEATURES

GALLERY
The otherworldly (Lake) Superior ice of Munising, Michigan — a frozen surreality shot masterfully by Andrew Burr.

BROKE-DOWN MOUNTAIN
“The season had been one crazy event after the next, each escape just narrow enough that I couldn’t help but contemplate my own fragility. . . . ” —Micah Dash In their final Climbing story, the late Micah Dash and Jonny Copp give us a rare, raw glimpse of their 2008 Alps season.
By Micah Dash
Photos by Jonny Copp

AMPED
Epics don’t only happen in the mountains. Here, three severely wounded Iraq War veterans rebuild themselves through vertical therapy — and detail the heartbreaking events that nearly claimed their lives. By Andrea Sutherland

LOSE YOURSELF
Think fast: you’re unroped nearly 2,000 feet up Half Dome’s VI 5.12 Regular Northwest Face, and you’ve come to a screeching halt on a 5.11+ slab. Now what?
By Alex Honnold
Illustration courtesy of SuperTopo

SIDEWAYS
La Traversee Sans Retour moves nearly 3,000 feet across Les Calanques sea cliffs, near Marseille, France. Aaron Black and friend fi nd out just how horrific this 1963 route can be, especially when the stone harbors a wicked little surprise.
Story and Photos by Aaron Black

MINI-EPICS
NO REASON WHY
Two house-key photos, two tragic deaths — what’s the connection?

LOVE ON THE ROCKS
Why three’s a good number only for climbing

DEPARTMENTS

CONTRIBUTORS
Jenn Fields, Alex Honnold, Dave Long, and Todd Smith

EDITORIAL
Unbroken chain: bringing Micah and Jonny’s final feature to print

LETTERS

JUST OUT
6 new winter items to rock your dome

HOT FLASHES
Ines Papert and Lisi Steurer FA 11-pitch 5.13a and FFA a 5.12d in Cirque of the Unclimbables; McColl ticks Dreamcatcher (5.14d); more . . .

THE HAULBAG
Overheard (werd!); The Crux: Boulder vs. New Jersey; velociraptor sending power; tattoo you; more . . .

OFF THE WALL
Czech yourself!: the insanity of Adrspach tower jumping

PLAYERS
Blake Herrington: Washington’s accidental hardman

TEN THINGS . . .
Ouray Ice Park

ROADKILL
Post-expedition depression: the inevitable comedown?

OPEN BIVY
Conrad Anker and Seth Shaw’s transformative trip up (and abruptly down) the Kichatnas’ Middle Triple Peak

SUSTAINED
Climbers go big with the Outdoor Alliance

CLASSIC CLIMBS
Epinephrine (IV 5.9), Black Velvet Canyon, Red Rock National Conservation Area, Nevada. Heart-racing chimney and face in (where else?) Red Rock

TECH TIPS
Technique: 6 tips for savvier (and calmer) slab mastery
Sport: cold-weather rock climbing — 9 ways to make the dream a reality

MILEAGE
5 Joshua Tree hidden gems to beat the crowds

REVIEWS
The eerie Third Man Factor; The Players DVD heats up the screen; and Steve House’s gripping autobiography

ANCHORED
Bruce Hildenbrand, a Cali-rado climber doing ARI work since the way back

PERSPECTIVE
Renny Jackson: alpinist, climbing ranger, guidebook author, historian, father; Kelly, Wyoming