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      Photos

      How Climbing Holds are Made

      A photo by photo look at how the grips we love are made.

      Andrea Laue
      Published Aug 2, 2022
      Travel

      Kelly Cordes Recounts a Deranged Trip Up Cerro Torre

      In 2007, Kelly Cordes and Colin Haley linked two monster routes to climb Cerro Torre base-to-summit in 32 hours. And you know what? It's all good, brah. ...

      Kelly Cordes
      Published Aug 2, 2022
      Skills

      Jonathan Siegrist: Embrace What You’re Bad at to Become a Better Climber

      "The bottom line is that climbing your best and pushing yourself are sometimes uncomfortable."

      Jonathan Siegrist
      Published Aug 1, 2022
      Travel

      Our Favorite High-Elevation Crags to Beat Summer’s Heat

      Get this high elevation rock while you can!

      Dougald MacDonald
      Published Aug 1, 2022
      Travel

      Sick of the heat? Check Out These 5 Alpine Bouldering Destinations

      Is America’s best bouldering is above 9,000 feet? Some of us think so. Here’s what you need to know to hit the country’s finest alpine areas.

      Alex Biale
      Updated Jul 23, 2024
      Skills

      Master the Most Critical Knot in Climbing: The Figure Eight Follow-Through

      Master the standard knot for tying in to the rope

      Max Ritter
      Updated Apr 22, 2025
      Skills

      Boulder Harder With Nina Williams

      Understanding how to climb a boulder before stepping on is crucial to (a) maximizing the usefulness of each effort and (b) sending fast. Nina Williams shares tips for how to visualize a boulder problem and break it down into small, easily digestible parts.

      Nina Williams
      Published Jul 21, 2022
      Skills

      The Art of Polite Hangdogging

      Ask before you flail, communicate, and know when to call it quits: here's how to hangdog without wearing down your belayer.

      Liz Haas
      Published Jul 21, 2022
      Skills

      He Made A Big Rappelling Mistake And Luckily Survived

      It was a double-rope rappel, but he only clipped his rap device to one rope.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published Jul 20, 2022
      Culture

      Forget Sendtember—It’s All About Surviving “Don’t-Try July”

      The hippest new month is “Don’t-Try July,” when your best bet is to do as little as possible so you’re not a burned-out strip of human beef jerky come August.

      Matt Samet
      Published Jul 18, 2022
      Skills

      “Old” Guy Thought A Hip Belay Was Fine

      Three more instances of climbers taking unnecessary, foolish risks.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published Jul 17, 2022
      Skills

      This Multi-Pitch Belay Mistake Could Have Spelled Disaster

      "On arriving at the belay, I saw that my partner had tried to put the tube-style belay device in guide mode, but failed."

      James Lucas
      Published Jul 15, 2022
      Culture

      15 Years Ago One of America’s Greatest Free Soloists Was Taken by the Sea

      Remembering Michael Reardon, the free soloist, husband, father, and free spirit who passed away on July 13, 2007, after being swept away by a rogue wave.

      Matt Samet
      Published Jul 14, 2022
      Travel

      10 Things You May Not Know About the Matterhorn

      157 years ago, today, the Matterhorn saw its first ascent. To celebrate that fact, we present 10 fun facts about Europe’s most famous summit.

      Dougald MacDonald
      Updated Jun 29, 2025
      Skills

      When Can (or Can’t) You Landscape Landing Zones?

      ANSWER MAN knows climbing. (And he knows it.) Here he answers three questions: (1) when can you excavate landing zones? (2) What are best practices for simul climbing? (3) What's the best thing to do when you find old tat on a route?

      Answer Man
      Published Jul 13, 2022
      Culture

      Climbing and Darkness Can Be Flip Sides of the Same Coin

      Addiction. Encounters with death. The weight of everything, including happiness. Here are five personal essays about the intersection of climbing and dark manifestations.

      Contributing writers
      Published Jul 13, 2022
      Culture

      What You Didn’t Know About Alex Honnold & His Free Solo of Freerider

      Alex Honnold's free solo of El Capitan did not occur in a bubble of solitude and inspiration. In this archive piece, originally published shortly after Honnold's ascent, James Lucas dives into the story (and backstory) of Honnold's path to Freerider.

      James Lucas
      Updated Mar 22, 2024
      Skills

      A Rookie Mistake Could Have Killed Them Both

      This guy had his partner lower him but she wasn't anchored. Luckily a guide was nearby to intervene.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published Jul 10, 2022
      Skills

      One Secret to Getting Strong? Cross-Train Throughout the Week

      Michaela Kiersch discusses the importance of running, weight lifting, and injury prevention exercises to her training regimen.

      Michaela Kiersch
      Published Jul 7, 2022
      Skills

      Go From Crag to Alpine With These 8 Tips

      Progressing from weekend cragging to long alpine routes can be intimidating for anyone, even strong and competent traditional climbers.

      Julie Ellison
      Published Jul 4, 2022
      Skills

      How to Actually Believe in Yourself When Climbing at Your Limit

      The tougher you are mentally, the easier tough things will feel and the quicker you can recalibrate in the face of adversity.

      Madaleine Sorkin
      Published Jul 4, 2022
      Skills

      The (Sometimes) Necessary Art of Climbing Choss

      Eight tips for climbing safely in loose terrain.

      The Editors
      Published Jul 1, 2022
      News

      The Dangerous And Ridiculous Anchors Edition

      This guy used 27 pieces of gear for one anchor, and that wasn't his only mistake.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published Jun 26, 2022
      Skills

      Six Tips For Safer, More Efficient, Rappelling

      Rappelling is one of climbing's most dangerous acts. Mark Synnott, through decades of experience, has figured out various techniques he learned the hard way so you don't have to.

      Mark Synnott
      Published Jun 24, 2022
      Skills

      Having a “Bad” Day at the Crag? You Can Turn That Around If You Want

      High-gravity days aren't sourceless malignancies; they have causes, which means they have solutions.

      Matt Samet
      Published Jun 24, 2022
      Skills

      Topouts are Hard to Train in Gyms. But You Still Need to Master Them.

      Check out David Flanagan's author page.

      David Flanagan
      Published Jun 21, 2022
      Skills

      Beyond Fingerboarding—Get Fit For Any And Everything

      This six-week program will hone you to climb the classics, whether it's a mountain, wall or long free route.

      Mercedes Pollmeier
      Published Jun 20, 2022
      Skills

      No Holiday For Danger: A Potentially Deadly Way To Thread The Rope

      Always thread the rope through the anchor, not around it.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published Jun 19, 2022
      Skills

      Save Your Rope (Or Yourself): Learn to Use Directionals

      A directional is a piece of gear, be it a bolt or a cam or a nut, that places your climbing rope in the most appropriate location for zigs and zags on a climb.

      Julie Ellison
      Published Jun 17, 2022
      Skills

      Want to Get Better at Steep Climbing? Swap Strength Training for These Pro Tips.

      When the wall kicks back past vertical, the pump clock starts ticking. It’s all about getting to the chains before that alarm goes off.

      Julie Ellison
      Updated Jun 10, 2025
      Skills

      Yes, You Should Train Falling

      One of the easiest ways to improve as a climber is to get comfortable falling. It just takes some incremental practice.

      Arno Ilgner
      Published Jun 15, 2022
      Skills

      8 Pro Climbers Share Their Top Training Tips

      We tapped eight professional pullers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds to compile a list of the best training advice for all of us regular folks.

      JP Whitehead and Max Ritter
      Published Jun 10, 2022
      Skills

      Toenail Clipping And Other Gym Grossouts

      A climbing gym isn't your home, so exactly what is cool and not cool to do there?

      Andrew Tower
      Published Jun 10, 2022
      Skills

      Melting Off Holds? Then Train Local Endurance

      Getting pumped on a grade that within your limits? Then you lack Local Endurance. The good news is this simple training plan will address that weakness and have you hanging on virtually forever.

      Brendan Blanchard
      Published Jun 9, 2022
      Skills

      The Complete Guide to Rock Climbing Training, 5 Lessons

      Climbing takes power, endurance and technique. Here's a simple step-by-step program that's concise, easy to follow and will have you climbing your best practically today.

      Brendan Blanchard
      Published Jun 9, 2022
      Skills

      Slab Climbing Is Hard (But Can Be Easier With These 6 Tips)

      Here are our six keys to master-class slab climbing.

      Fitz Cahall
      Published Jun 8, 2022
      Skills

      The American Death Triangle, When Pride Trumps Safety, A Dropped Leader

      A triple package of climbing blunders, near misses and outright stupidity.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published Jun 5, 2022
      Skills

      Rappelling Is Climbing’s Most Dangerous Activity. Here’s How To Make It Safer.

      Use these methods for better rappelling—and rap backups.

      Alexa Flower and Miranda Oakley
      Published Jun 3, 2022
      Skills

      Alpine Season is Here. Don’t Die.

      There are small, basic steps you can take toward epic avoidance, especially on long alpine routes. Here are seven tips.

      Dave Sheldon
      Published Jun 2, 2022
      Skills

      Why Climbing Falls Are Seldom Severe, And How To Keep Them That Way

      Check out Paul Tusting's author page.

      Paul Tusting
      Published Jun 2, 2022
      Skills

      8 Tips For Avoiding A Climbing Rescue

      How To Prepare For Climbing Emergency Rescue Precautions Safety Tips

      Kate Nelson
      Published Jun 2, 2022
      News

      This Climber Was Too Gripped To Rig His Own Anchor—Uncool!

      Bad form all the way around, and not the safest/smartest maneuver.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published Jun 1, 2022
      Belaying

      She Forgot That Climbing Can Be Deadly And Texted While Belaying

      Might as well be soloing with this belayer completely out to lunch.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Updated Jun 1, 2024
      News

      These Kids Used Parachute Cord For Slings …. Said They Learned It From The Boy Scouts

      They needed to be prepared for disaster. Fortunately, a real climber stepped in.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published May 25, 2022
      Skills

      I Took This Course And My Fingers Got Stronger

      I took Six Weeks To Stronger Fingers And ... It Worked. Check it out.

      Hannah Gartner
      Published May 24, 2022
      Skills

      How Kevin Jorgeson Practices Perfect Footwork

      Nothing is more frustrating than falling because your foot slipped. Here's how to avoid it.

      Kevin Jorgeson
      Published May 23, 2022
      Skills

      7 Tricks for Speedy Swaps at Multi-pitch Belays

      When swinging leads on a multi-pitch route, the belay transitions are often the biggest time suck. But they don't have to be.

      Sarah Garlick
      Published May 20, 2022
      Skills

      An Amputee’s Tips for Climbing Smarter and Smoother

      During my seven-year return to the sport, I’ve used four basic concepts—constant flow, economy of movement, finding my center, and using my entire body—to refine and redefine the way I move.

      Craig DeMartino
      Published May 20, 2022
      Culture

      Breaking News: Local Climber Sends His Project

      Jackson Smith, a 33-year-old climber, has clipped the chains on his 5.11d project that he’s been telling everyone at the gym about for the past three months.

      Owen Clarke
      Published May 19, 2022
      Skills

      Car Farts and Bad Music: How to Survive Your Road Trip to the Crag

      “Road-Trip-Itus” is a well-known condition caused by spending too much time in close proximity to the same person. Here's how to prevent it.

      The Editors
      Published May 18, 2022
      Skills

      How to Reduce Your Impact While Bouldering

      With public land managers clued in to the existence of us Pad People, it’s time to start bouldering smart and reducing impact.

      Matt Samet
      Published May 16, 2022
      Skills

      A Series Of Unfortunate Events—A Fortunate Groundfall Landing

      A tossed rock and a lost belay would have killed this leader if not for a miraculous landing among the boulders.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published May 15, 2022
      Skills

      Does Hard Skin Matter?

      Or ... should your fingers be soft for the best stickage?

      Caleb Sanderson
      Published May 9, 2022
      Skills

      Five Tips for Better Resting While Climbing

      The why, when, and how to shaking off the pump.

      Brittany Griffith
      Published May 9, 2022
      Skills

      Yet Another Dangerous Belay That’s Hard To Believe

      A true story that could have ended any number of ways.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published May 7, 2022
      Skills

      17 Tips for Moving Faster (Safely) on Big Walls

      Trying to turn that Grade VI into a mere 12-hour climb? Or just looking to make a 6-pitcher a feasible after-work feat? Proper strategy and preparation are crucial.

      The Editors
      Published May 2, 2022
      Gear

      Before “the Nut” There Was “the Pebble”… and It Was Sketchy

      In the 1920s, British climbers carried pebbles in their pockets, slotting them into cracks and tying them off (with hemp cord) for pro.

      Jeff Achey
      Published Apr 27, 2022
      Skills

      10 Cliffside-survival Tips for Climbing Families

      If you've got young ones, that doesn't mean your climbing days are behind you.

      Heidi Ahrens
      Published Apr 26, 2022
      Belaying

      How to Toprope Belay

      Get the safest method and helpful tips for giving the best toprope belay, whether you're using an ATC or a grigri.

      Max Ritter
      The Editors
      Updated Apr 28, 2025
      Gym Climbing

      How to Have Fun (And Climb Hard) at Comps

      Pro climber Nina Williams shares 4 competition climbing tips.

      Ula Chrobak
      Published Apr 18, 2022
      Videos

      The 10 Commandments of Indian Creek

      Thou shalt read this and do as I sayeth.

      Julie Ellison
      Updated Jun 21, 2025
      News

      Leader Decks When Experienced Climber Bungles The Belay

      Don't assume that because someone can climb hard that they are good belayers.

      Kevin Corrigan
      Published Apr 17, 2022
      Skills

      Pulling Down on Granite or Plastic? Better Master This

      Whether you’re seeking out pods and pin scars in Yosemite, tackling the blissful parallels of Indian Creek, or just trying not to blow your chances in your next bouldering comp, we’ve compiled tricks of the trade that will open up a whole new world of crack climbing.

      Julie Ellison
      Published Apr 13, 2022
      Skills

      Total Body Climbing: Use All Your Parts for Smart, Savvy Climbing

      Climbing your best and most efficiently isn't just about using your hands and feet.

      Heather Weidner
      Published Apr 12, 2022
      Travel

      8 Favorite Offwidths Worth Your Blood, Sweat, and Tears

      Whether you’re already an offwidth fan or are ready to face your fears, check out this list for some of our favorites.

      Susan Costa
      Published Apr 11, 2022
      Skills

      Learn How to Stave Off Pump with Heart-Rate Monitor Training

      Directly linked to mental composure (hence technique) under duress, physical fitness, and your ability to recover, your heart rate is the engine driving your rock climbing. No surprise, then, that training with a heart-rate monitor (HRM) can be hugely beneficial.

      Justin Roth
      Published Apr 8, 2022
      Skills

      Big Walls, Big Storms: How to Endure… or Bail

      Being up high in bad weather is both dangerous and... well... kind of inevitable. Here's what to do when it happens to you.

      Climbing Editors
      Published Apr 7, 2022
      Skills

      Use This Training Program To Send Your Hardest Route Ever

      How do you train specifically for your route? There are tactics to employ both on and off route.

      Heather Weidner
      Published Apr 7, 2022
      Skills

      Don’t Let Lower Back Pain Sideline You, Do These Simple Exercises Instead

      Check out Dr. Jared Vagy's author page.

      Dr. Jared Vagy
      Published Apr 6, 2022
      Skills

      Make Multi-Pitch Climbing Safer and More Efficient With the Clove Hitch

      The versatile clove hitch has a myriad uses. Here's yet another one.

      Rob Coppolillo and Marc Chauvin
      The Editors
      Updated Mar 19, 2025
      Skills

      Flash Pump Begone! How to Recover from Blasted Forearm Syndrome

      Flash pump is real and terrible and can ruin your climbing day. And while the best way to get around flash pump is to avoid it (i.e. warm up), there are tricks to salvaging your post-flash-pump climbing day.

      Matt Samet
      Published Apr 4, 2022
      Skills

      A Simple Way To Limit Tangles And Chaos In A Party Of Three

      Internationally certified mountain guide Marc Chauvin gives a simple solution for addressing tangles and chaos during leader switches on multi-pitch climbs.

      Rob Coppolillo and Marc Chauvin
      Published Apr 4, 2022
      Skills

      Improve Your Sport Climbing Onsight Game

      Send more routes first go with savvy planning and execution.

      Heather Weidner
      Published Mar 31, 2022
      Skills

      How Much (and When) Should You Actually Rest?

      How long, how much, how often — everyone has an opinion. Here's how to get the most out of your training.

      Katie Brown
      Published Mar 30, 2022
      Gym Climbing

      A Pro Trainer’s Advice For Keeping The Pump At Bay

      Failing on a route often comes down to beating the pump. Take these four exercises to heart and slay the demon.

      Alex Biale
      Published Mar 26, 2022
      Skills

      Three Surefire Exercises for Super Human Grip Strength

      Want to increase your maximum strength and power? Would you like to feel stronger on small handholds and increase your prowess on dynamic moves? Are you stuck in a performance plateau and need a boost to surmount it?

      Eric J. Hörst
      Published Mar 25, 2022
      Skills

      What the Hell is Speed Climbing?

      Everything you need to know about this faster version of climbing.

      Brendan Blanchard
      Published Mar 24, 2022
      Travel

      10 Things You Didn’t Know about Bouldering Grades

      Ever wonder how the B-Scale relates to the V-scale relates to the Fb scale relates to the Dankyū system? We've got answers. And some history lessons.

      Matt Samet
      Published Mar 24, 2022
      Gym Climbing

      Putty Up for Stronger Hands and Fingers!

      Looking to bring a new angle to your hand- and finger-strength training? Then try these fast, simple, effective putty exercises, which will hone the smaller, hard-to-train muscles in your hands and fingers and help with injury recovery.

      Dr. Lisa Erikson
      Published Mar 24, 2022
      Culture

      The Top 5 (Worst) Ways to Get Sponsored

      While it certainly helps to climb 5.15, you don’t actually have to.

      Andrew Tower
      Published Mar 22, 2022
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