Cover:Los Humildes pa Casa (5.14b) feels the crush groove of Dave Graham, Oliana, Spain. Photo: Keith Ladzinski

FEATURES

2007 GOLDEN PITON AWARDS It’s the Sixth Annual Golden Pitons, and we’re talking vision, not volume: Climbing recognizes 2007’s best in the categories of Alpine, Traditional, Sport, Bouldering, Solo, Rookie of the Year, and Humanitarian of the Year.

GALLERY Hueco Tanks (from the outside), bullet sandstone from the Deep South to Nevada, and glimpses of a frozen world.

THE SPAIN DIARIES Twisted tufas, lessons in “resistance,” funky pockets, and plenty o’ attitude — follow the journals of three young Yankees cut loose in Iberia’s new-school sport heaven. By Dave Graham, Joe Kinder, and Colette McInerney Photos by Keith Ladzinski

ASSUME NOTHING Welcome to the mammoth domes (and monster rain) of Chile’s Valle Cochamó — the Yosemite of South America. By Chris Kalous Photos by Dan Gambino

GET LOST! Deep in Wyoming lies an all-but-forgotten gorge well worth (re)visiting: Fremont Canyon, a granite craggers’ paradise for sport monkeys and trad dads alike. By Chris Weidner Photos by Celin Serbo

TROUT CREEK Slammer hands, sickly tips, mini-roofs, and velvet corners — no, it’s not Indian Creek. It’s Trout Creek (Oregon), with 100 perfect basalt cracks for your jamming delight. By Dave McRae Photos by Dan Higgins

DEPARTMENTS

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Kalous, Chuck Fryberger, Dan Gambino, and Conrad Anker

EDITORIAL Why “The Line” mattered to us in 2007, and why it should matter to you, too

LETTERS BASECAMP GOLDEN PITON AWARDS HOT FLASHES OFF THE WALL JUST OUT TEN THINGS OPEN BIVY SPORTING LIFE SUSTAINED EQUIPMENT 12 versatile, rough-and-ready mountain boots for your all-around alpine-climbing pleasure

CLASSIC CLIMBS The Nose (5.8), Looking Glass Rock, North Carolina — four classic pitches sure to raise a few “eyebrows”

TECH TIP Sport: Simple tips for staying strong — head and body — through post-traumatic-injury recovery

PERSPECTIVE Sílvia Vidal: wall soloist, free climber, former PE teacher, adventurer; Barcelona, Spain

NO. 264 FEBRUARY 2008