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