The Editors

Rope stretch and miscommunication are not to be underestimated.

It's no fun climbing in the sun.

Instructional series with Conrad Anker, Paige Claassen, Jonathan Siegrist, Dr. Jared Vagy, Heather Weidner, Sasha DoiGiulian, Rob Coppolillo and Marc Chauvin lays out advice for sport and trad climbing, strength training, footwork and injury prevention in digestible step-by-step lessons.

Really?

14 climbing clips, all free on the internet, all funny.

“Upside-down double-heel hook” is not in our mixed-climbing vocabulary. Maybe that’s for a reason.

“I let the feeling of being done take over, and I forgot to use my feet.”

Be wary of clipping above your head while close to the ground.

Semi-final and final rounds will be livestreamed on Outside Watch

“I put myself off-route, on the far end of an unprotected traverse, and climbed up moves I could not protect nor easily reverse.”

The climber would have knocked his teeth into the roof had he placed a cam a bit higher.

The policy mandates athletes to undergo questionnaires and tests before competing, with those identified as at-risk receiving further evaluation and treatment.

Although staying upright would be nice.

By bringing together incredible music, inspiring speakers, riveting adventure films, sports and wellness activities, outdoor industry leaders, and a whole lot of gear, Outside has created a celebratory event with real purpose  

This climber totally mismanaged his rope’s position.

The inaugural event in Denver features Fleet Foxes, Thundercat, Lettuce, Andrew Bird, Say She She, and The Heavy Heavy, with adventure films, an ideas summit, and climbing competitions also in the mix

“I guess the lesson learned is: Can never be too careful on runout slab.”

This overview aims to shed light on SafeSport’s policies and processes, emphasizing the importance of understanding and adhering to them to create a safe environment for young climbers.

Because climbing isn’t a sport—it's a lifestyle

“Looking back, it was a big mistake to not wear a helmet. I totally overestimated the steepness of the wall.”

You don’t see this everyday.

On short climbs, maybe don’t run it out.

This climber’s takeaway? Don’t change shoes between attempts.

Most climbing gyms have a weight room. Let’s talk about how to best utilize yours.

This is not a list of 2023's most viewed stories or greatest ascents; instead, we compiled these pieces because you, our readers, spent serious time reading them. 

Well, this is sobering.

Has a climb ever refused to let you fail?

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

This isn't a guide to 2023's newest approach shoes—it's the pairs we return to time and again.

A magazine can dream.

We would have done a few things differently here.

“The belayer and I were aware of his left leg under the rope but we let him focus on his climb.”

Plus: Anak Verhoeven sends yet another 5.14d/15a, and Access Fund is donating $10,000 to replace bolts at your favorite crag.

A quick, attentive belay prevented a gnarly ground fall.

You’ll be able to livestream the event for free on Outside Watch via our app and site. 

We’d want this belayer at the end of our rope.

Yikes.

The weekly roundup: Niky Ceria taps Finland's unbelievable bouldering potential; Patagonia's Aguja Standhardt is climbed in winter; Beckett Hsin (14) climbs stout V14; Connor Herson and Fan Yang add 2,000-foot 5.13+ to Mt. Whitney's East Face.

Sometimes you just have to climb on the route to see if you've cleaned it enough.

Nearly every move a climber makes is based around the center of the body, the core. The stronger the core, the easier climbing becomes.

Organize your spraywall! Structure your hangboard sessions! Navigate through heinous terrain! Meet partners (and PARTNERS)!

Plus: Domen Škofic doesn't need no kneepads; Connor Herson rips Air Swedin (5.13 R); A bold attempt on Greenland's Mirror Wall; and more.

Instagram gurus wanted

“I knew the crimp was a bit suspect, but it made the first crux flow better, so I just went for it.”

Read it all in our weekly news roundup.

Seriously. It’s not pleasant.

THE WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Connor Herson, Josh Wharton, and BJ Tilden strike again, Ondra and Garnbret take wins at Arco, Nina Williams climbs China Beach, and the Hueco Rock Ranch is both back in business and actively hiring.

There’s a lot to learn from this video.

The Weekly Roundup: 12-year-old Bayes Wilder sends 5.14c, Laura Rogora onsights 5.14b (while hanging draws!), Everest prices are sky rocketing, and Seb Berthe flashes 'Rayu' (5.14b; 2000ft).

“I got the pitch dialed but my arms were so pumped that I couldn’t quite put it together.”

Pizza, community, and 40 years of stoke—Miguel's has given the climbing community a lot to celebrate.

The Weekly Roundup: Owen Whaley Does his fifth 5.14d—Climbing Stewards are coming to the Red—Maui's climbing community could use our help—Lattice tackles the age-old question: should beginners hangboard?

The fall is safe, at least, if a bit exciting.

Sometimes it’s better to stay on-edge.

Plus: Jimmy Webb gets revenge & Americans send hard in South Africa

Faced with a serious pump, this climber tried to clip in a very strenuous position.

Projecting is intimidating—especially if you’re working this airy route.

THE WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Vadim Timonov flashes V14; Max Bertone does his second 5.14d; Watch Jakob Schubert send a 5.14d deep water solo.

Andrew Evans was on ‘Gardiner Buttress’ in the Beartooth Mountains when the incident occurred.

Their commitment, at least, deserves high praise.

The crux of 'Magical Thinking' has an 80-plus-foot fall potential—with a leg-snapping slab lurking below.

Stick-clipping can be a safe way to start your route. But only if you do it right.

Plus: V13s for Shauna Coxsey; a nemesis route for Jonathan Siegrist; and hard, scary trad for Connor Herson and Brent Barghahn

The 26-year-old female was on ‘Blitzen Ridge.’

Climbing falls can be disorienting and unexpected. Why not wear a bucket?

Only 10% of those who encounter lightning are killed, but 70% of survivors have lifelong debilitating injuries. If you've got any doubts, play it safe.

This one will make your palms sweat.

A roundup of all the old gear we can’t stop using

THE WEEKLY ROUNDUP: Daniel Arnold links up 5,000 feet of Swiss granite in 9.5 hours; Rachel Pearce ticks two runout 5.13s in a week; a first-ascent spree in the Karakoram; Ontario's amazing limestone cragging is at risk of closure; Leo Bøe hangs on for a battle with 'Thor's Hammer' (5.14d).

Probably not. But they're some of them.

So close…

What was once grippy, clean stone can devolve to a soapy mess.

There’s plenty to learn from this one.