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After a devastating explosion, Beirut residents are turning to climbing for hope. And with the ongoing development of classic lines on incredible rock, there’s a lot to be excited about.

The second ascent of the world’s first V17 // The world’s third 5.15d gets sent on livestream // James Pearson announces (for a second time) that he’s just done the world’s first E12 // And one of the Himalaya’s most intense North Faces finally see a first ascent.

The new Netflix documentary highlights the “rivalry” between solo alpinists Dani Arnold and the late Ueli Steck.

Souls (or lack thereof), ketamine, and new climbing terrain. 2023’s most-read articles featured everything from the tumultuous to the harrowing.  

Soft yet flat performance shoes are rarely done well. Nice work, Scarpa.

Increase your odds of sending with this advice from someone who's made the mistakes so you don't have to.

Plus: Zach Galla Sends 'Sleepwalker' (V16) // Maya Ene (13) and her father (49) do 5.14c’s on the same day // and Alex Megos does far too much hard climbing in far too little time

On July 26, Lardschneider slipped on the snowfield of Chanrasik Ri and died after a 150-meter fall.

Historically, climbers cut their teeth with the help of guides or mentors. Now, a new climber can follow, scroll, and like their way towards proficiency. Or can they?

After months of consideration, James Pearson has decided to call 'Bon Voyage' the world’s first E12—fifteen years after first proposing the same grade

“It was probably too big of a grade jump!”

Dating a mountain guide can sound sexy, but there’s a lot of fine print. Here’s a primer.

Plus: Mari Augusta Salvesen repeats 'Black Mamba' (5.14b roof crack)—Sean Bailey takes his comp fitness outside—Tristan Chen does Desperanza—and Jonathan Siegrist returns to his stylistic roots.

We chatted with a few industry experts to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of each product. 

“The first time I saw it, I just thought to myself, no way will I ever do ‘Black Mamba’,” says Eden of the 150-foot 14b roof crack. “I honestly felt like an impending doom just looking at it.”

USA Climbing's Zack DiCristino offers insight about getting started with a proper strength training program. (Part 1)

Hörst spoke with Climbing the day after his ascent on downgrading, kneepads, and keeping grades with the times.

20 Minutes With a Kettlebell Will Transform Your Climbing

Closures of famous crags are encouraging new development further afield, and widening the often-insular route-development community.

Because big differences in weight—surprise!—make a difference.

We all want to rock climb into our old age. To do that, we need to stay healthy. Movement mechanics, myofascial tissue mobility, nutrition, and hydration can all play crucial roles in maximizing joint health.

NEOM, a new city project being built on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, hosted an IFSC-sanctioned competition this past November. The city has been called an ecological disaster and a violation of human rights.

A 5.15a slab was recently established on UK slate, and 5.14+ slabs exist in Spanish granite—but one of the hardest slabs in the U.S. is graded just 5.13c... which might be why it's been unrepeated for 23 years.

Plus: Jesse Grupper flashes 5.14c; Kai Whaley skips two grades to climb V16; Katie Lamb knocks down two more V14s; and a podcast host finds his best bouldering form yet, thanks to not training.

“If little me could see me now and look at the body, he would probably be like, ‘There's no way he’s climbing that hard.’”

Here are some favorites from our team, which range from $20-$350, and are sure to be appreciated by beginners and seasoned tool-swingers alike.

After her fall, Whitney Clark crawled for 2.5 hours down talus and scree to reach a rescue helicopter, but ultimately suffered only minor injuries.

Lighter, greener, more durable, and just plain more useful... 2023 brought us some exciting innovations.

With 'Round Trip Ticket' (M7 AI5+ A0), Alan Rousseau, Jackson Marvell, and Matt Cornell have established one of the most impressive Himalayan routes in recent memory.

Home to more than 150 high-quality sandstone lines, the Citadel Boulders help further solidify northern Alabama as a climbing hotspot.

One of the biggest trends of late is that of celebrities getting into climbing. This got me to thinking about how I might jump on the bandwagon and polish my own brand.

“This was my first time ever falling while clipping. A huge but very safe fall.”

Sure, they’re strong and skilled. But there’s more to it than that.

The four-pitch line on Looking Glass Rock in western North Carolina is a masterpiece of route finding, knitting together a confusion of “eyebrows”—horizontal pockets that flair in all directions.

These climbers—many of which are women of color—are claiming space in climbing media by showcasing their vulnerability.

Our new weekly discussion program covers outdoor recreation and adventure

Earlier this month, the Verzasca Dam in Ticino, Switzerland, saw the return of the Red Bull Dual Ascent for its second iteration. Twelve mixed-gender teams of climbers battled it out on the 720-foot-high concrete wall, culminating in a nail-bitingly close final for Jenya Kazbekova (Ukraine) and teammate Alberto Ginés López (Spain), and the sibling team of Jernej and Julija Kruder (Slovenia), who ultimately claimed first place.

Plus: Cédric Lachat sends one of the world’s most controversial routes & Pete Whittaker nabs the 3rd ascent of 'Stranger Than Fiction'

Their 2,100-meter route was graded ED, a terse grade that feels appropriate for the duo’s proudly minimalist climbing style.

"I don’t think it felt like the hardest route I’ve ever done. … I figured adding to the conversation was better than just taking the given grade.”

It was the 23-year-old’s third free route on El Cap, after 'Golden Gate' and 'Freerider' in a day.

“I’ll be back for you, 'Prime Directive.' Hopefully with someone who will hang the draws for me.”

The crux move, a low-percentage V14, is probably one of the hardest single moves in the world.

Train anytime, anywhere with this no-equipment-necessary workout

 Waterhouse had just a little crack experience, Ridal even less. But as it turns out, comp boulders have a lot in common with El Cap granite

Climber has elbow pain, and of course wonders, "Can I keep climbing?"

The Fortress of Solitude climb marks the first of the grade for Cardwell 

No shoes, no problem. The barefoot Frenchman is back with another potential V17, 'L’Ombre du Voyageur.'

"A lot of people put so much emphasis on strength," Webb says, "[but] no matter how strong you are, if you can’t climb well on stone you’re not gonna get much done.” 

After four seasons of work, Sabourin has become the first person to repeat Mason Earle’s trad route 'Stranger Than Fiction' (5.14), at Bartlett Wash outside of Moab.

All climbers need endurance, and there’s no such thing as too much of it.

Andrey Stepanov failed to adhere to safety requirements while planning a 2022 expedition.

It's gift-giving season! These affordable options are perfect for climbers with any level of experience.

Wrist pain following a training injury is probably referred from the climber's palm or forearm. The good news is, you can probably climb.

Sometimes, at hanging belays, there’s nowhere to hide.

Predictably, the morning’s ‘Today Show’ article led with “Jared Leto got about 30 seconds closer to Mars”

Alex Honnold has done quite a bit more than just boulder El Cap. Here’s what you didn’t know about climbing’s biggest celebrity

Having strong, well-balanced shoulders is your best chance of a) avoiding the knife, b) climbing anything, and c) a successful surgical outcome.

New to climbing? Gym bro, the shirtless dude who's constantly filming himself and campusing, can help.

The Kong Panic Draw has an ingenious “stick clip” design to skip cruxes and reachy clips.

It’s a question that’s more pressing than ever.

Plus: Brooke Raboutou flashes hard in Switzerland; Seb Bouin climbs a 5.15b; and Andre Branchizio gets the most heart-warming send of the month; and more!

Drew Herder and Ben Wilbur made the first continuous ascent of one of the longest continuous rock climbs on earth: The ‘Great Wall of China’, a.k.a the ‘Gunks Traverse’… 9,000 feet of lichen and choss.

As good as Roper was at writing and editing, he was also one heck of a climber whose résumé during the Golden Age of Yosemite put him amongst the best of his generation.

“This is one of the most popular climbing areas at Index,” says Chris Kalman. “It’s hard to imagine the ramifications it would have had if this property fell into less climber-friendly hands.”

If you live far from the crags or a climbing gym—or find yourself marooned in a “climbing desert”—you need not lose sight of your climbing goals.

The Brutemaker 5000 wasn't a fingerboard, it was a way of life.

These ready-to-gift products from Hydro Flask make holiday presents as simple as putting a bow on it

Leader falls 25 feet and lands directly on her head, setting off a host of injuries.

A pulley rupture can affect the volar plate and its role in finger flexion. Or is this climbing injury a pulley strain alone? The advice is the same.

How to maintain while rehabbing: Crimp less (much less), open-hand more, train smart.

The pioneering American mountaineer sounds off on Everest crowds, races to Himalayan summits, and reshaping the record books for the world’s highest peaks

This week’s whippee went for a pretty massive ride. 

Think your climbing loved one has it all? Think again.  

Given the muscular development and general load put through their forearms, are candidates for nerve-compression syndromes.

Sharma has been working the line for the past four years

It was a first of the grade for the Louisiana native

A reader asks whether climbing indoors or in the shade makes climbers susceptible to osteomalacia, or softening of the bones, due to vitamin D deficiency.

Nagging wrist pain, origin possibly skateboarding, affects climbing for years.

THE WEEKLY ROUNDUP: ‘Tis the season for hard sport climbing! Nicholas Milburn also made quick work of ‘Flex Luthor.’