Espresso Lessons from the Rock Warrior’s Way
Physical training for rock climbing, or any sport for that matter, is formulaic; there is, more or less, an equation to improvement. But perhaps due to its inherent complexity and nuance, mental training has always taken a backseat to physical training in our sport, despite its equal and oft underrated importance. Arno Ilgner’s Espresso Lessons from the Rock Warrior’s Way ($19.95, warriorsway.com) takes the complicated fears, emotions, and doubts our mind creates while rock climbing and teaches us how to handle them and climb harder.
Don’t Leave Home Without It
Adventure photography couldn’t be simpler. At least that’s how Michael Clark makes it seem in his how-to book Adventure Photography: Capturing the World of Outdoor Sports ($24.95, larkbooks.com). The 15-year veteran has shot everything from yoga to surfing to expedition races, and in this book documents every detail of the who, what, when, where, why, and how of each sport.

Tech Tips: Trad – Munter Magic
By Caroline George – The little belay knot that does it all – In 2005, I was lucky enough to have Mr. Werner Munter, the father of the Avalanche Reduction Method, as my avalanche-course examiner in Switzerland. With his Lennon glasses and straight grey hair and beard, he’d impersonate an avalanche’s characteristic Whumph! by spreading his arms wide and collapsing them onto the lecturers’ table.
Tech Tips – Travel – UP, UP, AND AWAY…
By Emily Harrington – …in style for globetrotting dirtbags – So you’re a travel gumby. We’ve all been there — that first trip overseas. I’ve had a few such adventures, dream trips to Venezuela, Greece, and Spain with their fantastic climbing, bluebird weather, and succulent food and drink. Still, travel can be exhausting, confusing, and irritating, especially when you’re disorganized and unfamiliar with your destination. Prepping is essential, so follow these seven savvy tips.

Protect Your Assets: Metolius Gizmo Belay Ledge
Photo shoots and multi-pitch free-climbing projects have one thing in common — too much harness time! Say goodbye to numb legs with METOLIUS CLIMBING’S GIZMO BELAY LEDGE ($390, metoliusclimbing.com). Though designed for extended belay sessions, this ledge’s easy set-up and ultralight weight are perfect for photographers or rigging work.
Rock Right, Rock Lite: Wild Country Rock Lite

After watching old-school Eiger reenactments in the movie North Face, in which two people die from loose rock raining down on their unprotected heads, I was convinced never to go without my brain bucket. Luckily, the new WILD COUNTRY ROCK LITE ($79.95, wildcountry.co.uk) helmets were designed for weight conscious climbers like me in mind.

Ascent of Ama Dablam
Video by Philippe Gatta – When you trek in the Khumbu region of Nepal, you are surrounded by hundreds of peaks… but one of them always catches the attention more than the others: Ama Dablam. Despite its modest elevation – 22,349 feet, compared to its giant neighbors such as Mt. Everest or Lhotse – Ama Dablam has a unique and beautiful shape that attracts climbers from all over the world.
The Asgard Project – Outtakes Part Two
Video by Alistair Lee/Posing Productions – It’s day 11 on the wall, water is running out, and the boys are thirsty; by this stage they’ll drink anything! Watch this next installment of the Asgard Project outtakes, clips not shown in the final film, released in 2010. The Asgard Project is a feature film from Posing Productions that follows climber Leo Houlding as he attempts to make the first free ascent of the west face of Mt. Asgard on Baffin Island. Filmmaker Alistair Lee captured Houlding and partners as they sky dived into Baffin Island.

Winter Bouldering in Bishop
Photos by Peter Franzen – Everyone knows Bishop by now — The Buttermilks, the volcanic tablelands, the late-night campfires at the Pit, a bag of pastries from Schat’s Bakery on the way through town. I had the good fortune to make the 14-hour drive from Oregon twice this winter, each time with a small group of good friends. From Trozell, whose trip marked her first time bouldering and her first climbing road trip, to Morgan, who’s ever-growing to-do list still didn’t get any shorter despite some truly inspiring effort. Each trip to the east side of the Sierras is a special one, and I always hope to capture a little bit of that in my photos when I head down there.

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